dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--How Ginsburg's death could reshape the presidential campaign

NEW YORK -- A presidential campaign that was already tugging at the nation 's most searing divides has been jolted by the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , potentially reshaping the election at a moment when some Americans were beginning to cast ballots .
For months , the contest has largely centered on President Donald Trump 's handling of the coronavirus , the biggest public health crisis in a century that has badly damaged his prospects for reelection as the U.S. death toll nears 200,000 people .
But in a flash , Ginsburg 's death on Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the potential that Trump or his Democratic challenger , Joe Biden , could pick a successor who could decide abortion access , environmental regulations and the power of the presidency for a generation .
With early voting underway in five states and Election Day just over six weeks away , Democrats and Republicans were largely unified late Friday in praising Ginsburg as a leading legal thinker and advocate for women 's rights .
But strategists in both parties also seized on the moment to find an advantage .
Facing the prospect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate , some Republicans viewed the Supreme Court vacancy as one of the few avenues remaining for Trump to galvanize supporters beyond his most loyal core of supporters , particularly suburban women who have abandoned the GOP in recent years .
`` It 's hard to see how this does n't help Trump politically , '' said veteran Republican strategist Alex Conant .
`` Biden wants this election to be a referendum on Trump .
Now it 's going to be a referendum on whoever he nominates to the Supreme Court . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that Trump will likely nominate a woman , who could serve as a counterweight of sorts to Biden 's choice of running mate Kamala Harris , who would be the first woman to serve as vice president .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , pledged to quickly bring to a vote whomever Trump nominates .
But he faces potential division within his own ranks , including from Sens .
Mitt Romney of Utah , Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado .
Collins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for reelection this fall .
That 's fueling optimism among Democrats that the vacancy could drive home the significance of the election to their base .
`` The implications for Senate races could be profound , '' said Democratic strategist Bill Burton .
`` The presidential race will see some immediate churn as activists on both sides will be newly energized , '' he continued .
`` The persistent question will be whether huge protests around the Capitol and the country will inflame such vigorous energy that it leads to awful clashes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his GOP colleagues Friday night , urged them to `` keep their powder dry '' and not rush to declare a position on whether a Trump nominee should get a vote this year .
`` This is not the time to prematurely lock yourselves into a position you may later regret , '' he said .
Biden , who has already pledged to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court , told reporters late Friday that `` voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice to consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's pledge to move forward , especially after he blocked President Barack Obama from appointing a justice to replace Antonin Scalia nine months before the 2016 election .
That decision cast a long political shadow , prompting Pete Buttigieg , the former South Bend , Indiana , mayor who mounted a spirited bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination , to make expansion of the Supreme Court a centerpiece of his campaign .
Biden rejected the idea .
Some Democrats privately concede that the Supreme Court vacancy could shift attention away from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ element of Biden 's campaign .
Trump took the unprecedented step in 2016 of releasing a list of Supreme Court picks before he was elected , a move that was credited with unifying skeptical conservative voters to unite behind him .
Republicans also believe that the high-profile debate over Trump 's last Supreme Court pick , Brett Kavanaugh , helped the GOP retain the Senate during the 2018 midterms , when the party lost control of the House .
The president , seeking to build the same type of energy that surrounded his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential Supreme Court nominees last week .
But some Democrats said the political environment is already overheated , with partisan divides over everything from wearing a mask to curb the pandemic to addressing climate change .
Ginsburg 's death , they say , may not change that .
`` It 's already pretty ugly out there , '' said Megan Jones , a Democratic strategist who worked for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid .
`` I do not know how this does not become a fight of epic proportions . ''
Associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michelle Price in Las Vegas , Nicholas Riccardi in Denver and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report .
The story has been corrected to change 'like ' to 'lock ' in McConnell 's note to GOP senators .

How Ginsburg's death could reshape the presidential campaign
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg applauds after a performance in her honor after she spoke about her life and work during a discussion at Georgetown Law School in Washington. The Supreme Court says Ginsburg has died of metastatic pancreatic cancer at age 87. Associated PRess/April 6, 2018
NEW YORK -- A presidential campaign that was already tugging at the nation's most searing divides has been jolted by the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, potentially reshaping the election at a moment when some Americans were beginning to cast ballots.
For months, the contest has largely centered on President Donald Trump's handling of the coronavirus, the biggest public health crisis in a century that has badly damaged his prospects for reelection as the U.S. death toll nears 200,000 people.
But in a flash, Ginsburg's death on Friday added new weight to the election, with the potential that Trump or his Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, could pick a successor who could decide abortion access, environmental regulations and the power of the presidency for a generation.
With early voting underway in five states and Election Day just over six weeks away, Democrats and Republicans were largely unified late Friday in praising Ginsburg as a leading legal thinker and advocate for women's rights. But strategists in both parties also seized on the moment to find an advantage.
Facing the prospect of losing both the White House and the Senate, some Republicans viewed the Supreme Court vacancy as one of the few avenues remaining for Trump to galvanize supporters beyond his most loyal core of supporters, particularly suburban women who have abandoned the GOP in recent years.
"It's hard to see how this doesn't help Trump politically," said veteran Republican strategist Alex Conant. "Biden wants this election to be a referendum on Trump. Now it's going to be a referendum on whoever he nominates to the Supreme Court."
Multiple Republicans close to the White House believe that Trump will likely nominate a woman, who could serve as a counterweight of sorts to Biden's choice of running mate Kamala Harris, who would be the first woman to serve as vice president.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pledged to quickly bring to a vote whomever Trump nominates. But he faces potential division within his own ranks, including from Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado. Collins and Gardner are in particularly tight races for reelection this fall.
That's fueling optimism among Democrats that the vacancy could drive home the significance of the election to their base.
"The implications for Senate races could be profound," said Democratic strategist Bill Burton.
"The presidential race will see some immediate churn as activists on both sides will be newly energized," he continued. "The persistent question will be whether huge protests around the Capitol and the country will inflame such vigorous energy that it leads to awful clashes."
McConnell, in a note to his GOP colleagues Friday night, urged them to "keep their powder dry" and not rush to declare a position on whether a Trump nominee should get a vote this year. "This is not the time to prematurely lock yourselves into a position you may later regret," he said.
Biden, who has already pledged to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, told reporters late Friday that "voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice to consider."
Democrats are enraged by McConnell's pledge to move forward, especially after he blocked President Barack Obama from appointing a justice to replace Antonin Scalia nine months before the 2016 election. That decision cast a long political shadow, prompting Pete Buttigieg, the former South Bend, Indiana, mayor who mounted a spirited bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, to make expansion of the Supreme Court a centerpiece of his campaign. Biden rejected the idea.
Some Democrats privately concede that the Supreme Court vacancy could shift attention away from the virus, which has been a central element of Biden's campaign.
Trump took the unprecedented step in 2016 of releasing a list of Supreme Court picks before he was elected, a move that was credited with unifying skeptical conservative voters to unite behind him. Republicans also believe that the high-profile debate over Trump's last Supreme Court pick, Brett Kavanaugh, helped the GOP retain the Senate during the 2018 midterms, when the party lost control of the House.
The president, seeking to build the same type of energy that surrounded his 2016 bid, released another list of potential Supreme Court nominees last week.
But some Democrats said the political environment is already overheated, with partisan divides over everything from wearing a mask to curb the pandemic to addressing climate change. Ginsburg's death, they say, may not change that.
"It's already pretty ugly out there," said Megan Jones, a Democratic strategist who worked for former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. "I do not know how this does not become a fight of epic proportions."
Associated Press writers Andrew Taylor in Washington, Michelle Price in Las Vegas, Nicholas Riccardi in Denver and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.
The story has been corrected to change 'like' to 'lock' in McConnell's note to GOP senators.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Constable: Palatine pair survives virus, still wears masks and practices social distancing

Bob Dix first heard the word coronavirus `` when I had it , '' he says .
Without using their names , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker hosted a news conference on Feb. 28 to announce that the 77-year-old Palatine CPA was the third patient in Illinois to be diagnosed with the virus , and his wife , Regina , 76 , was the fourth .
Regina Dix showed no symptoms , aside from some fatigue , but her husband spent 10 days at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights .
By March 20 , when Pritzker 's executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restricted travel and set social-distancing guidelines that now have continued for six months , the husband and wife already were virus-free .
As the death toll from this pandemic tops 200,000 in the United States , this two say they are fully recovered , with seemingly no lingering problems .
`` I had a little lung issue when I got out of the hospital , '' Bob Dix says , recalling how pain when he took deep breaths soon went away .
Visits with his regular doctor and his cardiologist have gone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in the United States diagnosed with COVID-19 , the couple do n't have all the answers , but they are confident they got infected during a vacation and visit with her brother and sister-in-law in California , who did n't get the virus .
`` I picked it up on a gondola ride in Palm Springs , '' Bob Dix says , recalling how he and his wife were packed into an aerial tramway with 30 strangers for a glorious , but crowded , view of the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles .
`` There were a lot of people . ''
The crowd included tourists from across the globe , Regina Dix says .
They all ate together at the top .
That ride was on Feb. 12 .
By Feb. 15 , Bob Dix said he felt miserable and was so weak , `` I was almost passing out . ''
They took the aisle and window seats on the plane home on Feb. 16 , and a suburban woman they did n't know sat between them .
There was no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was really nice , and I hope we did n't give her anything , '' Regina Dix says .
Still sick , Bob Dix went to a medical clinic the next day .
`` They took an x-ray and said I had double-pneumonia and the flu , '' Bob Dix remembers .
Unable to shake his 103-degree fever at home , Bob Dix went to the emergency room on Feb. 23 and was admitted to the hospital .
He was n't in need of a respirator and did n't require oxygen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which had n't yet become an issue in Illinois .
`` The first case was in Hoffman Estates , and we read about it in the newspaper , '' Dix says of the first two Illinois patients , who also recovered .
`` I was watching TV all the time , and it was just starting to make the news .
On the fifth day I was in the hospital , Gov .
Pritzker said everybody in hospitals had to be tested . ''
When Dix 's test was positive , he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` and I never saw a doctor in the room after that , '' he says .
Instead of doctors stopping by often to see how he was doing , visits from medical workers were limited .
Anyone ( including his wife ) who came into his room wore protective gear and threw away the gown on the way out .
On March 3 , when he was dismissed and feeling well , the virus still inspired fear .
`` It was so funny when he came out , '' remembers Regina Dix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` They said I had to park in the space for ambulance parking only . ''
An ambulance driver told her she could n't park there , and she explained that she was directed to park there because her husband had COVID-19 .
`` He said , 'Oh , no ! '
and he ran away , '' Regina Dix says .
A registered nurse who retired after a career working with hospice patients , Regina Dix says she felt obligated to tell family , friends and neighbors that she and her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Our family and the neighbors all brought a dish over , '' she says .
They quarantined at home for 14 days , as did their adult son , Joe , who lives with them .
The family was on a first-name basis with Mabel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
`` The CDC was calling every day to see how our son Joe was doing , '' Bob Dix says .
`` They wanted to put him in a trailer in Elgin , '' Regina Dix remembers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part because that mobile home did n't have air conditioning .
The family finished their quarantine just as Pritzker announced that schools would be closed statewide beginning March 17 .
`` We have to wear masks .
We do n't know if we have the antibody , '' Regina Dix says , noting she donated her plasma in the effort to help .
`` I feel like I 'm immune , '' says Bob Dix , who says he still adheres to peer pressure to practice social distancing and wear a mask in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pass if he wore an `` I had the virus , got better , and feel fine '' T-shirt .
`` I thought of that long before you said it , '' he admits .
Their close-knit neighborhood often has Friday night gatherings on someone 's driveway .
A woman who lives nearby saw the gathering , drove up in her car and asked , `` Did you know the people who live across the street have the virus ? ''
`` Yeah , '' the host replied .
`` He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time for the busy tax season , the pandemic shut down his Dix & Associates office briefly .
But it reopened with all the necessary safety requirements and got the work done when the IRS extended the tax deadline by three months .
`` I think we have to follow the recommendations of the scientists , '' Regina Dix says , noting her husband got the flu shot this week .
`` We usually go to Mexico , but I think we 're not going to go this year . ''
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people stricken with the coronavirus , though the pandemic still causes hardships for them as it does everyone else .
But Bob Dix finds something positive in his experience .
`` I lost 15 pounds during those two weeks .
That was really good .
I have n't been that low in 20 years , '' Dix says .
Of course , 2020 is n't going to let him fully enjoy that .
`` Unfortunately , '' Dix says .
`` I 've gained most of it back . ''

Constable: Palatine pair survives virus, still wears masks and practices social distancing
On Feb. 12, Bob and Regina Dix of Palatine were among tourists from around the globe crammed into this aerial tramway in the desert resort town of Palm Springs, California. Three days later, Bob Dix felt sick. Photo Courtesy of Bob and Regina Dix
Bob Dix first heard the word coronavirus "when I had it," he says.
Without using their names, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker hosted a news conference on Feb. 28 to announce that the 77-year-old Palatine CPA was the third patient in Illinois to be diagnosed with the virus, and his wife, Regina, 76, was the fourth.
Regina Dix showed no symptoms, aside from some fatigue, but her husband spent 10 days at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.
By March 20, when Pritzker's executive order closed most businesses, prohibited public gatherings, restricted travel and set social-distancing guidelines that now have continued for six months, the husband and wife already were virus-free. As the death toll from this pandemic tops 200,000 in the United States, this two say they are fully recovered, with seemingly no lingering problems.
"I had a little lung issue when I got out of the hospital," Bob Dix says, recalling how pain when he took deep breaths soon went away. Visits with his regular doctor and his cardiologist have gone fine.
As two of the first people in the United States diagnosed with COVID-19, the couple don't have all the answers, but they are confident they got infected during a vacation and visit with her brother and sister-in-law in California, who didn't get the virus.
"I picked it up on a gondola ride in Palm Springs," Bob Dix says, recalling how he and his wife were packed into an aerial tramway with 30 strangers for a glorious, but crowded, view of the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon in the desert resort city east of Los Angeles. "There were a lot of people."
The crowd included tourists from across the globe, Regina Dix says. They all ate together at the top.
That ride was on Feb. 12. By Feb. 15, Bob Dix said he felt miserable and was so weak, "I was almost passing out."
They took the aisle and window seats on the plane home on Feb. 16, and a suburban woman they didn't know sat between them. There was no social distancing or masks then.
"She was really nice, and I hope we didn't give her anything," Regina Dix says.
Still sick, Bob Dix went to a medical clinic the next day.
"They took an x-ray and said I had double-pneumonia and the flu," Bob Dix remembers. Unable to shake his 103-degree fever at home, Bob Dix went to the emergency room on Feb. 23 and was admitted to the hospital. He wasn't in need of a respirator and didn't require oxygen. No one even considered the coronavirus, which hadn't yet become an issue in Illinois.
"The first case was in Hoffman Estates, and we read about it in the newspaper," Dix says of the first two Illinois patients, who also recovered. "I was watching TV all the time, and it was just starting to make the news. On the fifth day I was in the hospital, Gov. Pritzker said everybody in hospitals had to be tested."
When Dix's test was positive, he was whisked away to an isolation room, "and I never saw a doctor in the room after that," he says. Instead of doctors stopping by often to see how he was doing, visits from medical workers were limited. Anyone (including his wife) who came into his room wore protective gear and threw away the gown on the way out.
On March 3, when he was dismissed and feeling well, the virus still inspired fear.
"It was so funny when he came out," remembers Regina Dix, recalling the strict hospital protocols. "They said I had to park in the space for ambulance parking only."
An ambulance driver told her she couldn't park there, and she explained that she was directed to park there because her husband had COVID-19.
"He said, 'Oh, no!' and he ran away," Regina Dix says.
A registered nurse who retired after a career working with hospice patients, Regina Dix says she felt obligated to tell family, friends and neighbors that she and her husband had tested positive for the coronavirus.
"Our family and the neighbors all brought a dish over," she says.
They quarantined at home for 14 days, as did their adult son, Joe, who lives with them. The family was on a first-name basis with Mabel from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"The CDC was calling every day to see how our son Joe was doing," Bob Dix says.
"They wanted to put him in a trailer in Elgin," Regina Dix remembers, noting that he declined the offer in part because that mobile home didn't have air conditioning.
The family finished their quarantine just as Pritzker announced that schools would be closed statewide beginning March 17.
"We have to wear masks. We don't know if we have the antibody," Regina Dix says, noting she donated her plasma in the effort to help.
"I feel like I'm immune," says Bob Dix, who says he still adheres to peer pressure to practice social distancing and wear a mask in public. Perhaps people would give Dix a pass if he wore an "I had the virus, got better, and feel fine" T-shirt.
"I thought of that long before you said it," he admits.
Their close-knit neighborhood often has Friday night gatherings on someone's driveway. A woman who lives nearby saw the gathering, drove up in her car and asked, "Did you know the people who live across the street have the virus?"
"Yeah," the host replied. "He's sitting right here."
Striking just in time for the busy tax season, the pandemic shut down his Dix & Associates office briefly. But it reopened with all the necessary safety requirements and got the work done when the IRS extended the tax deadline by three months.
"I think we have to follow the recommendations of the scientists," Regina Dix says, noting her husband got the flu shot this week. "We usually go to Mexico, but I think we're not going to go this year."
The couple has fared better than many of the people stricken with the coronavirus, though the pandemic still causes hardships for them as it does everyone else. But Bob Dix finds something positive in his experience.
"I lost 15 pounds during those two weeks. That was really good. I haven't been that low in 20 years," Dix says. Of course, 2020 isn't going to let him fully enjoy that.
"Unfortunately," Dix says. "I've gained most of it back."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Virus creates demand for yoga in Arlington Heights park

A small group of parents and children happily gathered to stretch and enjoy the beautiful weather during a yoga session held by Hop Along Yogi at Klehm Park Saturday in Arlington Heights .
The family groups were safely social distanced as they spread out and dotted the large open field next to the playground .
Laura Kowalski , owner of the Arlington Heights business , described herself as a mobile yoga studio .
`` I go where I need to go . ''
Kowalksi combines music with movement while teaching foundational yoga poses and breathing and relaxation techniques .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making it fun and silly , '' she said .
Some giggles were heard and plenty of smiles were shared as the group worked through a variety of yoga poses while throwing in a little bit of creative movement for fun .
The class , which is geared toward kids 2-6 and their parents , will continue on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at Klehm Park in Arlington Heights at Wilshire and Hawthorne streets .
You can sign up for future classes at facebook.com/hopalongyogi .
Kowalksi offers yoga birthday parties and live online yoga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ park .

Virus creates demand for yoga in Arlington Heights park
A small group of parents and children happily gathered to stretch and enjoy the beautiful weather during a yoga session held by Hop Along Yogi at Klehm Park Saturday in Arlington Heights.
The family groups were safely social distanced as they spread out and dotted the large open field next to the playground.
Laura Kowalski, owner of the Arlington Heights business, described herself as a mobile yoga studio. "I go where I need to go."
Kowalksi combines music with movement while teaching foundational yoga poses and breathing and relaxation techniques.
"I try to keep kids active while making it fun and silly," she said.
Some giggles were heard and plenty of smiles were shared as the group worked through a variety of yoga poses while throwing in a little bit of creative movement for fun.
The class, which is geared toward kids 2-6 and their parents, will continue on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at Klehm Park in Arlington Heights at Wilshire and Hawthorne streets. You can sign up for future classes at facebook.com/hopalongyogi.
Kowalksi offers yoga birthday parties and live online yoga classes in addition to yoga in the park.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Voters can size up Sean Casten, Jeanne Ives in upcoming debates

With mud being slung on both sides by the candidates and their supporters , the race for Illinois ' 6th Congressional District seat is one of the messier battles in the suburbs .
Ads from incumbent Democrat Sean Casten of Downers Grove and Republican challenger Jeanne Ives of Wheaton have targeted each other , and some Ives campaign signs have been defaced with vulgarities .
Fortunately , you 'll have the opportunity to see Casten and Ives address the issues that have divided them at several virtual debates and forums between now and the Nov. 3 election .
First up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a coalition of area League of Women Voters groups .
It 's scheduled for 7 p.m. and also will feature Libertarian candidate Bill Redpath of West Dundee .
Registration is limited .
To learn more or to register , visit lwvnaperville.org/ ?
event=us-6th-district-congressional-candidate-forum .
Casten and Ives next will jointly appear in an online debate Oct .3 hosted by WBBM 780-AM and Crain 's Chicago Business .
It 's scheduled for 7 p.m. and will air live on the radio station .
On Oct. 9 , they 'll jointly appear in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's set for 7 p.m. and will air on the TV station , but the broadcast time has n't been scheduled .
Additionally , Casten is scheduled to be interviewed at 4 p.m. Tuesday via video by representatives of the Daily Herald and Shaw Media editorial boards .
A video recording of the session will be released after the discussion .
Ives was invited to attend but declined .
In a news release , the Ives campaign said she is n't seeking endorsements from the Daily Herald , Shaw Media or the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her opponents in the 2018 gubernatorial primary and in the congressional primary earlier this year .
Last month , Casten and Ives were interviewed separately by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce .
Videos of those sessions can be found online at facebook.com/StCharlesCoC .
The 6th District includes parts of Cook , DuPage , Kane , Lake and McHenry counties .
Earlier in the campaign , Ives challenged Casten to five debates , one in each of those counties .
`` Top issues in central Kane County are different than the top issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murphy said .
`` Jeanne wants to talk with people in each part of the district about what is most important to them . ''
Casten made a similar challenge to then-incumbent Rep. Peter Roskam in 2018 before unseating Roskam in the election .
Casten and Roskam did participate in several debates on TV and radio , and they met jointly with newspaper editorial boards .
`` While Rep. Casten is excited about the debate schedule , he is disappointed that his opponent is declining to participate in the open forums of discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay informed , '' Vurpillat said .

Voters can size up Sean Casten, Jeanne Ives in upcoming debates
Sean Casten, left, and Jeanne Ives, right, are candidates for the 6th Congressional District race in the 2020 November general election.
With mud being slung on both sides by the candidates and their supporters, the race for Illinois' 6th Congressional District seat is one of the messier battles in the suburbs.
Ads from incumbent Democrat Sean Casten of Downers Grove and Republican challenger Jeanne Ives of Wheaton have targeted each other, and some Ives campaign signs have been defaced with vulgarities.
Fortunately, you'll have the opportunity to see Casten and Ives address the issues that have divided them at several virtual debates and forums between now and the Nov. 3 election.
First up is a forum to be held Monday by a coalition of area League of Women Voters groups. It's scheduled for 7 p.m. and also will feature Libertarian candidate Bill Redpath of West Dundee.
Registration is limited. To learn more or to register, visit lwvnaperville.org/?event=us-6th-district-congressional-candidate-forum.
Casten and Ives next will jointly appear in an online debate Oct .3 hosted by WBBM 780-AM and Crain's Chicago Business. It's scheduled for 7 p.m. and will air live on the radio station.
On Oct. 9, they'll jointly appear in a debate hosted by WGN 9. It's set for 7 p.m. and will air on the TV station, but the broadcast time hasn't been scheduled.
Additionally, Casten is scheduled to be interviewed at 4 p.m. Tuesday via video by representatives of the Daily Herald and Shaw Media editorial boards. A video recording of the session will be released after the discussion.
Ives was invited to attend but declined. In a news release, the Ives campaign said she isn't seeking endorsements from the Daily Herald, Shaw Media or the Chicago Sun-Times because of how the newspapers endorsed her opponents in the 2018 gubernatorial primary and in the congressional primary earlier this year.
Last month, Casten and Ives were interviewed separately by the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce. Videos of those sessions can be found online at facebook.com/StCharlesCoC.
The 6th District includes parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.
Earlier in the campaign, Ives challenged Casten to five debates, one in each of those counties.
"Top issues in central Kane County are different than the top issues in Barrington," Ives spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy said. "Jeanne wants to talk with people in each part of the district about what is most important to them."
Casten made a similar challenge to then-incumbent Rep. Peter Roskam in 2018 before unseating Roskam in the election. Casten and Roskam did participate in several debates on TV and radio, and they met jointly with newspaper editorial boards.
Team Casten spokesman Jacob Vurpillat criticized Ives for skipping editorial board interviews.
"While Rep. Casten is excited about the debate schedule, he is disappointed that his opponent is declining to participate in the open forums of discussion that voters have traditionally relied upon to stay informed," Vurpillat said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Illinois surpasses 5 million COVID-19 tests as infection rate drops

State health officials announced Saturday that 25 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 , while 2,529 new cases of the respiratory disease were diagnosed .
The state 's death toll now stands at 8,436 and 272,856 residents have contracted COVID-19 since the outbreak began .
The state recorded 74,286 new test results Saturday , which saw the state 's seven-day rolling average infection rate drop to 3.5 % , the lowest level since July 24 .
The state has also performed more than 5 million COVID-19 tests during the pandemic .
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 declined slightly on Friday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekends .
Of the 1,469 patients hospitalized with the virus , 326 are being treated in intensive care units .
Illinois Department of Public Health officials are reporting 96 % of those who have contracted the virus have fully recovered , though medical researchers believe those who were sickened by COVID-19 may be more susceptible to future blood-clotting maladies .
IDPH is also reporting that while Chicago , suburban Cook County and the five collar counties all averaged more than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents between Sept. 6 and Sept. 12 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exceeded during that time frame in those areas .
None of the suburban counties are under a warning for increased exposure risk , according to the IDPH risk tracking website .
However , 24 downstate counties exceeded multiple risk metrics during that week and travelers are warned to avoid those areas .
The counties at warning levels are : Bond , Bureau , Cass , Clinton , Coles , Crawford , Cumberland , DeWitt , Edwards , Effingham , Greene , Jasper , Jo Daviess , Lawrence , Madison , Marion , Rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , Wayne , Williamson , Wabash and Union .
`` Although the reasons for counties reaching a warning level varies , some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with university and college parties as well as college sports teams , large gatherings and events , bars and clubs , weddings and funerals , long-term care facilities , correctional centers , manufacturing plants , schools and cases among the community at large , '' IDPH officials noted in a news release .
`` General transmission of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing . ''

Illinois surpasses 5 million COVID-19 tests as infection rate drops
State health officials announced Saturday that 25 more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19, while 2,529 new cases of the respiratory disease were diagnosed.
The state's death toll now stands at 8,436 and 272,856 residents have contracted COVID-19 since the outbreak began.
The state recorded 74,286 new test results Saturday, which saw the state's seven-day rolling average infection rate drop to 3.5%, the lowest level since July 24. The state has also performed more than 5 million COVID-19 tests during the pandemic.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 declined slightly on Friday, which is not uncommon to see on weekends. Of the 1,469 patients hospitalized with the virus, 326 are being treated in intensive care units.
Illinois Department of Public Health officials are reporting 96% of those who have contracted the virus have fully recovered, though medical researchers believe those who were sickened by COVID-19 may be more susceptible to future blood-clotting maladies.
IDPH is also reporting that while Chicago, suburban Cook County and the five collar counties all averaged more than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents between Sept. 6 and Sept. 12, that was the only countywide risk metric exceeded during that time frame in those areas. None of the suburban counties are under a warning for increased exposure risk, according to the IDPH risk tracking website.
However, 24 downstate counties exceeded multiple risk metrics during that week and travelers are warned to avoid those areas. The counties at warning levels are: Bond, Bureau, Cass, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, DeWitt, Edwards, Effingham, Greene, Jasper, Jo Daviess, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Rock Island, St. Clair, Shelby, Washington, Wayne, Williamson, Wabash and Union.
"Although the reasons for counties reaching a warning level varies, some of the common factors for an increase in cases and outbreaks are associated with university and college parties as well as college sports teams, large gatherings and events, bars and clubs, weddings and funerals, long-term care facilities, correctional centers, manufacturing plants, schools and cases among the community at large," IDPH officials noted in a news release. "General transmission of the virus in the community is also increasing."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Curran and Durbin dispute the suburbs, wildfires and who's on the ballot

Mayors should get out of the business of policing , former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran suggested at a joint editorial board meeting Friday , as his rival in the Nov. 3 election , U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin , took aim at President Donald Trump .
The meeting included representatives from the Daily Herald , Shaw Media and the Southern Illinois Local Media Group .
Republican Curran , who is seeking to unseat the No .
2 Democrat in the Senate , was asked about Trump 's warning that former Vice President Joe Biden would `` abolish the suburbs '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on housing .
The problem , Curran said , is a `` big city mayor picks a police chief or superintendent and then they 've got them under their thumb .
When they tell the chief , ' I want three dozen police officers , ' who should be on the South Side , in front of my home , ' you have three dozen police officers in front of the mayor 's home .
`` So we need to get the mayors , we need to get the city councils , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of policing and give it to a third-party entity that is able to regulate them . ''
The dispute centers on Biden 's support for a fair housing program that ties grants to integrating communities .
Durbin said , `` three of out four Americans when asked today -- say that America is going in the wrong direction .
So the president needs to change the subject .
`` What he 's trying to do is get people scared , fearful , hateful .
When the president talks about the abolition of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he usually adds in low-income housing .
We all know what that means .
It means diversity , racial diversity .
It means different people moving into the suburbs .
Now , that can be accommodated in a peaceful way , or in a confrontational way .
And it depends on the leadership in the community and at the top . ''
On the topic of wildfires in western states and the role of global warming , Curran said `` there 's evidence that groups , maybe antifa , are amongst them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Obviously , there 's an attempt by a large number of people out there to take America down . ''
The FBI has said there is no evidence antifa or anti-fascist groups were involved .
One wildfire in California was caused by fireworks at a party .
Curran noted there is scientific consensus global warming/climate change exists and action is needed .
`` I think we 're doing that .
Could we be doing more ?
Yes , but we do n't want to go it alone .
We want to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world . ''
Durbin retorted , `` God save us from these conspiracy theories .
Now it 's antifa behind the wildfires in the West ?
This is the basic campaign message for President Trump 's reelection campaign 'Be afraid .
Be very afraid . '
`` The American people know better , they 're not buying this baloney .
It 's extreme conditions that have been created , unfortunately by some of our conduct , on earth . ''
Durbin also faulted Trump for pulling out of the Paris climate agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump is n't on the ballot for Senate , Curran responded .
`` I 'm running against you , Sen .
Durbin . ''

Curran and Durbin dispute the suburbs, wildfires and who's on the ballot
Mayors should get out of the business of policing, former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran suggested at a joint editorial board meeting Friday, as his rival in the Nov. 3 election, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, took aim at President Donald Trump.
The meeting included representatives from the Daily Herald, Shaw Media and the Southern Illinois Local Media Group.
Republican Curran, who is seeking to unseat the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, was asked about Trump's warning that former Vice President Joe Biden would "abolish the suburbs" and increase crime because of his stance on housing.
The problem, Curran said, is a "big city mayor picks a police chief or superintendent and then they've got them under their thumb. When they tell the chief, 'I want three dozen police officers,' who should be on the South Side, in front of my home,' you have three dozen police officers in front of the mayor's home.
"So we need to get the mayors, we need to get the city councils, we need to get the village boards out of policing and give it to a third-party entity that is able to regulate them."
The dispute centers on Biden's support for a fair housing program that ties grants to integrating communities.
Durbin said, "three of out four Americans when asked today -- say that America is going in the wrong direction. So the president needs to change the subject.
"What he's trying to do is get people scared, fearful, hateful. When the president talks about the abolition of the suburbs, the end of the suburbs, he usually adds in low-income housing. We all know what that means. It means diversity, racial diversity. It means different people moving into the suburbs. Now, that can be accommodated in a peaceful way, or in a confrontational way. And it depends on the leadership in the community and at the top."
On the topic of wildfires in western states and the role of global warming, Curran said "there's evidence that groups, maybe antifa, are amongst them that are lighting some of these fires. Obviously, there's an attempt by a large number of people out there to take America down."
The FBI has said there is no evidence antifa or anti-fascist groups were involved. One wildfire in California was caused by fireworks at a party.
Curran noted there is scientific consensus global warming/climate change exists and action is needed. "I think we're doing that. Could we be doing more? Yes, but we don't want to go it alone. We want to do it in partnership with other countries of the world."
Durbin retorted, "God save us from these conspiracy theories. Now it's antifa behind the wildfires in the West? This is the basic campaign message for President Trump's reelection campaign 'Be afraid. Be very afraid.'
"The American people know better, they're not buying this baloney. It's extreme conditions that have been created, unfortunately by some of our conduct, on earth."
Durbin also faulted Trump for pulling out of the Paris climate agreement intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Trump isn't on the ballot for Senate, Curran responded. "I'm running against you, Sen. Durbin."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Facts Matter: Political groups aren't responsible for starting western wildfires

As firefighters battled wildfires in the Pacific Northwest , false information on the internet raged out of control .
Various posts on social media said arsonists started the fires , blaming both far-left and far-right groups , according to The Associated Press .
But several claims of arson that were investigated by the FBI were found to be untrue .
Washington firefighter Matt Lowery took to Facebook to address the issue .
`` It is hot , dry , and fire spreads quickly in those conditions , '' he wrote .
`` There is nothing to show it 's Antifa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for information . ''
The Mason County Sheriff 's office in Washington said there is an ongoing investigation but there did n't appear to be a coordinated effort .
`` Though some agencies have made arrests related to arson recently , they appear to all be separate individuals , '' the agency said .
President Donald Trump , during a town hall last week , offered some false and misleading claims about COVID-19 .
Although many scientists have said a credible vaccine to fight the coronavirus will not be available until next year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` We 're very close to having the vaccine , '' according to The Washington Post .
`` You know , could be three weeks , four weeks , but we think we have it , '' Trump said .
Officials associated with manufacturing a vaccine said they would not rush the process for political reasons , the Post said .
It will also likely take months to make a safe vaccine available to most of the country .
Trump also claimed there was a shortage of ventilators `` because the cupboards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
But the Strategic National Stockpile had 16,660 working ventilators when the pandemic began in the U.S. , the Post said , which turned out to be enough to deal with the initial surge of the virus .
That was essentially the number of ventilators in the stockpile when President Barack Obama left office in January 2017 .
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials recently issued a news release to report that 19,888 fake driver 's licenses , mostly from China and Hong Kong , were seized at O'Hare International Airport during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to The Associated Press .
The fake IDs `` were for various people in different states , '' with most headed to college-age individuals , the release said .
However , some social media users added a false claim before sharing information from this report .
`` Feds seize 19,888 fake state driver 's licenses ( made in China ) in Chicago O'Hare Airport -- ALL Registered to Vote -- ALL Democrat !
, '' read several Facebook posts that were viewed more than 3 million times .
That claim is `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AP said .
There is no evidence the incident involved voter fraud or the license numbers were tied to Democratic voters .
To register to vote , an applicant must provide proof of identity and proof of residence , along with a driver 's license number .
Without that , or when using an out-of-state license , a Social Security number is required .
Those numbers are cross-referenced to determine eligibility .
`` ( The fake IDs ) are pieces of plastic .
That 's all they are , '' David Becker , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Innovation and Research , told the AP .
`` They do not have matching records in any official database . ''
National elections expert John Lindback , with the Center for Secure and Modern Elections , told the AP that it would be nearly impossible to commit fraud in this manner .
`` In order to register that number of people on a fraudulent basis , you 'd have to come up with 19,000 verifiable Social Security numbers and driver 's license numbers , '' he said .
A saucer-shaped aircraft with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hovering over New Jersey earlier this month .
`` Who else saw the UFO today in Jersey on ( Route ) 21 ? ''
a TikTok user wrote in a Sept. 14 post that included video of the out-of-focus unidentified flying object .
The clip showed several people stopped along the road .
But the flying object was identified as a Goodyear Blimp , according to Snopes.com .
The video was viewed millions of times on social media over just a few days .
The footage was taken near MetLife Stadium in East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Giants were hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Monday Night Football game .
The blimp was flying in the vicinity of the stadium to take aerial shots during the football game , a Goodyear spokesman told Insider.com .
The bright light seen on the center of the blimp was likely a screen mounted on the side of many Goodyear blimps used to display digital messages , Snopes said .
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News .
Contact him at boboswald33 @ gmail.com @

Facts Matter: Political groups aren't responsible for starting western wildfires
Rubble remains from an area destroyed by the Almeda Fire, Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, in Talent, Ore. There's no evidence that the wildfires ravaging the West were set by extremists of the far left or right. Associated Press
This photo taken by Talent, Ore., resident Kevin Jantzer shows the destruction of his hometown as wildfires ravaged the central Oregon town near Medford late Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. There's no evidence that the wildfires ravaging the West were set by extremists of the far left or right. Kevin Jantzer via AP
As firefighters battled wildfires in the Pacific Northwest, false information on the internet raged out of control.
Various posts on social media said arsonists started the fires, blaming both far-left and far-right groups, according to The Associated Press.
But several claims of arson that were investigated by the FBI were found to be untrue.
Washington firefighter Matt Lowery took to Facebook to address the issue.
"It is hot, dry, and fire spreads quickly in those conditions," he wrote. "There is nothing to show it's Antifa or Proud Boys setting fires. Wait for information."
The Mason County Sheriff's office in Washington said there is an ongoing investigation but there didn't appear to be a coordinated effort.
"Though some agencies have made arrests related to arson recently, they appear to all be separate individuals," the agency said.
Trump doesn't back up coronavirus claims
President Donald Trump, during a town hall last week, offered some false and misleading claims about COVID-19.
Although many scientists have said a credible vaccine to fight the coronavirus will not be available until next year at the earliest, the president said, "We're very close to having the vaccine," according to The Washington Post.
"You know, could be three weeks, four weeks, but we think we have it," Trump said.
Officials associated with manufacturing a vaccine said they would not rush the process for political reasons, the Post said. It will also likely take months to make a safe vaccine available to most of the country.
Trump also claimed there was a shortage of ventilators "because the cupboards were bare when we took it over."
But the Strategic National Stockpile had 16,660 working ventilators when the pandemic began in the U.S., the Post said, which turned out to be enough to deal with the initial surge of the virus. That was essentially the number of ventilators in the stockpile when President Barack Obama left office in January 2017.
Fake IDs not registered as Democrats
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials recently issued a news release to report that 19,888 fake driver's licenses, mostly from China and Hong Kong, were seized at O'Hare International Airport during the first half of this year, according to The Associated Press.
The fake IDs "were for various people in different states," with most headed to college-age individuals, the release said.
However, some social media users added a false claim before sharing information from this report.
"Feds seize 19,888 fake state driver's licenses (made in China) in Chicago O'Hare Airport -- ALL Registered to Vote -- ALL Democrat!," read several Facebook posts that were viewed more than 3 million times.
That claim is "unsubstantiated and extremely unlikely," the AP said. There is no evidence the incident involved voter fraud or the license numbers were tied to Democratic voters.
To register to vote, an applicant must provide proof of identity and proof of residence, along with a driver's license number. Without that, or when using an out-of-state license, a Social Security number is required. Those numbers are cross-referenced to determine eligibility.
"(The fake IDs) are pieces of plastic. That's all they are," David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, told the AP. "They do not have matching records in any official database."
National elections expert John Lindback, with the Center for Secure and Modern Elections, told the AP that it would be nearly impossible to commit fraud in this manner.
"In order to register that number of people on a fraudulent basis, you'd have to come up with 19,000 verifiable Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers," he said.
UFO identified as a blimp
A saucer-shaped aircraft with a bright light in the center was seen hovering over New Jersey earlier this month.
"Who else saw the UFO today in Jersey on (Route) 21?" a TikTok user wrote in a Sept. 14 post that included video of the out-of-focus unidentified flying object. The clip showed several people stopped along the road.
But the flying object was identified as a Goodyear Blimp, according to Snopes.com. The video was viewed millions of times on social media over just a few days.
The footage was taken near MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., where the New York Giants were hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers in a Monday Night Football game.
The blimp was flying in the vicinity of the stadium to take aerial shots during the football game, a Goodyear spokesman told Insider.com.
The bright light seen on the center of the blimp was likely a screen mounted on the side of many Goodyear blimps used to display digital messages, Snopes said.
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--More Black blood donors needed for sickle cell patients

One in 12 African Americans and one in 100 Latinos carry the trait for sickle cell disease -- a debilitating blood disorder treated by blood transfusions .
Blood donors of the same racial/ethnic background make the best match .
Yet , less than 5 % of blood donors nationwide are Black , said Shelley Mitchell , regional manager of donor recruitment for Versiti Blood Centers of Illinois .
The Joint Caucus of Black Elected Officials and the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers this month launched a campaign to raise awareness about the need for Black blood donors for sickle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months have been an especially devastating time for Illinois ' blood supply , '' said Margaret Vaughn , government affairs director for the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers .
`` Thousands of blood drives were canceled because of closed schools , business , etc.
, due to COVID , and the demand for blood has increased greatly this summer because of people who had postponed medical care during the spring are now requiring more complex treatments . ''
Donors must be at least 17 years old , in good health and weigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whole blood once every 56 days .
To find a donation center , visit americasblood.org .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and other leaders representing minority communities discussed making transportation accessible to essential workers who predominantly are people of color during a virtual event Thursday .
The panel discussion on transportation equity broadcast live on Facebook was part of Cook County 's Racial Equity Week programs .
`` One of the troubling things about our present moment is that COVID-19 has exposed the tremendous racial inequities that exist in a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what 's happened economically to our communities , '' Preckwinkle said .
`` Many of our residents in Cook County have had the opportunity to work remotely , but they 're mostly white collar residents and they 're mostly white people .
Our essential workers , disproportionately Black and brown , have been required to show up for work . ''
That includes grocery store clerks , pharmacy technicians , first responders and nurses -- predominantly minorities who rely on public transit .
Cook County 's Fair Transit initiative , which kicks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metra Commuter Rail lines serving underserved communities in Chicago 's South and Southeast sides and the South Suburbs .
`` What we really need in our region is a universal fare card '' that would allow transfers at a modest cost between Pace Suburban Bus , Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority , Preckwinkle said .
Within the seven-county region , Black and Latino residents experience the longest commute times -- roughly 44 minutes each way -- and live in households with a median income of $ 31,000 .
Areas with the shortest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a median income of more than $ 75,000 .
Minority residents in parts of the south and west sides of Cook County are experiencing commute times of more than 60 minutes , officials said .
`` Approximately one-third of the region 's population lives in economically disconnected areas '' with concentrations of low-income households and minority or limited English proficiency populations , said Audrey Wennink , transportation director for the Metropolitan Planning Council .
The village of Hanover Park will host an educational virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trust Act . ''
Hanover Park Police Chief Mike Menough and representatives of the nonprofit North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic are among the panelists .
The event will be broadcast live on Facebook .
To register for the Zoom event , visit tinyurl.com/HanoverParkKnowYourRights .
Submit questions beforehand by emailing Trustee Liza Gutierrez at LGutierrez @ hpil.org .
Oakton Community College in Des Plaines has been awarded a $ 1.7 million federal grant for its TRIO Program , which helps students graduate .
The money will be distributed over five years to help students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students with disabilities succeed .
Oakton first received this grant in 1990 and has since helped thousands of students through an array of services , including academic tutoring , financial aid advice , career and college mentoring and course guidance .
`` It is to help underrepresented students , '' said Esperanza Salgado-Rodriguez , Oakton 's manager of TRIO Student Support Services .
`` It 's really individualized to the students ' needs .
We support in their persistence and graduation goals . ''
The Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual events celebrating Latino culture and contributions for National Hispanic Heritage Month .
The free webinars will provide tips on how Latino entrepreneurs and business owners can access free resources and supports to strengthen their business .
The webinars are in partnership with businesses , chambers of commerce , cultural and community organizations , and industry experts .
`` Our administration is committed to lifting up all of our Hispanic-owned businesses now more than ever before , given the profound impact COVID-19 has had on these communities , '' said Erin Guthrie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Economic Opportunity .
Sessions will be in Spanish and English , and include topics , such as accessing capital , branding , grants application , and special panels with experts in the industries of film , manufacturing and government contracting .
For a listing of webinars , visit www2.illinois.gov/dceo .
• Share stories , news and happenings from the suburban mosaic at mkrishnamurthy @ dailyherald.com .

More Black blood donors needed for sickle cell patients
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle talks about how the coronavirus pandemic has affected transit and why it's important to make transportation accessible to essential workers who are predominantly people of color. During the virtual panel discussion on transportation equity Thursday, she also highlighted Cook County's Fair Transit project. Facebook Video Screenshot
One in 12 African Americans and one in 100 Latinos carry the trait for sickle cell disease -- a debilitating blood disorder treated by blood transfusions.
Blood donors of the same racial/ethnic background make the best match. Yet, less than 5% of blood donors nationwide are Black, said Shelley Mitchell, regional manager of donor recruitment for Versiti Blood Centers of Illinois.
The Joint Caucus of Black Elected Officials and the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers this month launched a campaign to raise awareness about the need for Black blood donors for sickle cell patients.
"The past six months have been an especially devastating time for Illinois' blood supply," said Margaret Vaughn, government affairs director for the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers. "Thousands of blood drives were canceled because of closed schools, business, etc., due to COVID, and the demand for blood has increased greatly this summer because of people who had postponed medical care during the spring are now requiring more complex treatments."
Donors must be at least 17 years old, in good health and weigh 110 pounds. A person can donate whole blood once every 56 days. To find a donation center, visit americasblood.org.
Transportation equity
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and other leaders representing minority communities discussed making transportation accessible to essential workers who predominantly are people of color during a virtual event Thursday.
The panel discussion on transportation equity broadcast live on Facebook was part of Cook County's Racial Equity Week programs.
"One of the troubling things about our present moment is that COVID-19 has exposed the tremendous racial inequities that exist in a variety of arenas and not the least of these is what's happened economically to our communities," Preckwinkle said. "Many of our residents in Cook County have had the opportunity to work remotely, but they're mostly white collar residents and they're mostly white people. Our essential workers, disproportionately Black and brown, have been required to show up for work."
That includes grocery store clerks, pharmacy technicians, first responders and nurses -- predominantly minorities who rely on public transit.
Lower fares, greater access
The dark blue areas on this map show economically disconnected places with concentrations of low-income households and minority or limited English proficiency populations in the greater Chicago region. "Approximately one-third of the region's population lives in economically disconnected areas," said Audrey Wennink, transportation director for the Metropolitan Planning Council. - Facebook Video Screenshot
Cook County's Fair Transit initiative, which kicks off early in 2021, will support Metra Commuter Rail lines serving underserved communities in Chicago's South and Southeast sides and the South Suburbs.
"What we really need in our region is a universal fare card" that would allow transfers at a modest cost between Pace Suburban Bus, Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority, Preckwinkle said.
Within the seven-county region, Black and Latino residents experience the longest commute times -- roughly 44 minutes each way -- and live in households with a median income of $31,000. Areas with the shortest commute times are in majority white communities with a median income of more than $75,000. Minority residents in parts of the south and west sides of Cook County are experiencing commute times of more than 60 minutes, officials said.
"Approximately one-third of the region's population lives in economically disconnected areas" with concentrations of low-income households and minority or limited English proficiency populations, said Audrey Wennink, transportation director for the Metropolitan Planning Council.
Immigrant rights
The village of Hanover Park will host an educational virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 on "Know Your Immigrant Rights: The Trust Act."
Hanover Park Police Chief Mike Menough and representatives of the nonprofit North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic are among the panelists.
The event will be broadcast live on Facebook. To register for the Zoom event, visit tinyurl.com/HanoverParkKnowYourRights. Submit questions beforehand by emailing Trustee Liza Gutierrez at LGutierrez@hpil.org.
Helping students thrive
Oakton Community College in Des Plaines has been awarded a $1.7 million federal grant for its TRIO Program, which helps students graduate.
The money will be distributed over five years to help students from low-income families, first-generation college-goers and students with disabilities succeed. Oakton first received this grant in 1990 and has since helped thousands of students through an array of services, including academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring and course guidance.
"It is to help underrepresented students," said Esperanza Salgado-Rodriguez, Oakton's manager of TRIO Student Support Services. "It's really individualized to the students' needs. We support in their persistence and graduation goals."
Supporting minority businesses
The Illinois Office of Minority Economic Empowerment and other state agencies will host a series of virtual events celebrating Latino culture and contributions for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The free webinars will provide tips on how Latino entrepreneurs and business owners can access free resources and supports to strengthen their business. The webinars are in partnership with businesses, chambers of commerce, cultural and community organizations, and industry experts.
"Our administration is committed to lifting up all of our Hispanic-owned businesses now more than ever before, given the profound impact COVID-19 has had on these communities," said Erin Guthrie, director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Sessions will be in Spanish and English, and include topics, such as accessing capital, branding, grants application, and special panels with experts in the industries of film, manufacturing and government contracting. For a listing of webinars, visit www2.illinois.gov/dceo.
• Share stories, news and happenings from the suburban mosaic at mkrishnamurthy@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Arizona Senate race could play crucial role in new justice's confirmation

PHOENIX -- If Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly wins a seat in the U.S. Senate , he could take office as early as Nov. 30 , shrinking the GOP 's Senate majority at a crucial moment and complicating the path to confirmation for President Donald Trump 's Supreme Court nominee .
Kelly has maintained a consistent polling lead over Republican Sen. Martha McSally , who was appointed to the seat held by John McCain , who died in 2018 .
Because the contest is a special election to finish McCain 's term , the winner could be sworn in as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other winners in the November election wo n't take office until January .
Trump has pledged to nominate a replacement for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg , a liberal icon who died Friday , and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed that Trump 's nominee `` will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate . ''
If Kelly wins , the timing when he formally takes office could be crucial in determining who replaces Ginsburg .
It could eliminate a Republican vote in favor of Trump 's nominee -- the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100-member chamber -- or require McConnell to speed up the nomination process .
With McSally in the Senate , four GOP defections could defeat a nomination , while a tie vote could be broken by Vice President Mike Pence .
McSally quickly laid down a marker , declaring on Twitter within hours of the announcement of Ginsberg 's death that `` this U.S. Senate should vote on President Trump 's next nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court . ''
She has not elaborated on whether the confirmation vote should come before or after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewed stakes of her race in a fundraising pitch on Saturday .
`` If Mark Kelly comes out on top , HE could block President Trump 's Supreme Court Nominee from being confirmed , '' she wrote .
Democrats in 2018 found success in Arizona , a state long dominated by the GOP , by appealing to Republicans and independent voters disaffected with Trump .
The Supreme Court vacancy could shake up the race and boost McSally 's lagging campaign by keeping those voters in her camp .
Kelly said late Saturday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Senate in November should fill this vacancy . ''
`` When it comes to making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court , Washington should n't rush that process for political purposes , '' Kelly said in a statement .
Arizona law requires election results to be officially certified on the fourth Monday after the election , which falls this year on Nov. 30 .
The certification could be delayed up to three days if the state has not received election results from any of the 15 counties .
Mary O'Grady , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law , said the deadlines are firm and there 's little room for delay .
`` I do n't see ambiguity here , '' said O'Grady , who was Arizona 's solicitor general under two Democratic attorneys general .
Arizona law allows recounts and election challenges only under very limited circumstances , she said .
`` Usually , the Secretary of the Senate 's office goes out of its way to accommodate the new senators coming in , '' former Senate Historian Don Ritchie told The Arizona Republic , which first reported on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day before Ginsburg 's death .
`` The old senator is out of their office there .
I mean , they actually literally put a lock on the door so their staff ca n't go in . ''

Arizona Senate race could play crucial role in new justice's confirmation
FILE - In this Oct. 2, 2018, file photo, former Rep. Gabby Giffords speaks as her husband, retired NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Mark Kelly looks on as they kick off "The Vote Save Lives" tour at UNLV in Las Vegas. A Kelly victory would shrink the GOP's Senate majority at a crucial moment and complicate the path to confirmation for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee. Kelly has maintained a consistent polling lead over Republican Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat held by the late John McCain. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP, File)
FILE - In this May 16, 2011, file photo, former NASA astronaut STS-134 commander Mark Kelly, front, waves a he leaves the Operations and Checkout Building with fellow crew members, including Mike Fincke, for a trip to Launch Pad 39-A, and a planned liftoff on the space shuttle Endeavour at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. A Kelly victory would shrink the GOP's Senate majority at a crucial moment and complicate the path to confirmation for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
FILE - In this Friday, July 1, 2011, file photo, NASA Space Shuttle astronaut Capt. Mark Kelly, husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., listens during a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington. If Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly wins a seat in the U.S. Senate, he could take office as early as Nov. 30, 2020. A Kelly victory would shrink the GOP's Senate majority at a crucial moment and complicate the path to confirmation for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
FILE - In this Feb. 2019 file photo, former astronaut Mark Kelly speaks during his senate campaign kickoff event in Tucson, Ariz. If Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly wins a seat in the U.S. Senate, he could take office as early as Nov. 30, 2020. A Kelly victory would shrink the GOP's Senate majority at a crucial moment and complicate the path to confirmation for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee.(Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star via AP, File)
PHOENIX -- If Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly wins a seat in the U.S. Senate, he could take office as early as Nov. 30, shrinking the GOP's Senate majority at a crucial moment and complicating the path to confirmation for President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee.
Kelly has maintained a consistent polling lead over Republican Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to the seat held by John McCain, who died in 2018.
Because the contest is a special election to finish McCain's term, the winner could be sworn in as soon as the results are officially certified. Other winners in the November election won't take office until January.
Trump has pledged to nominate a replacement for Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a liberal icon who died Friday, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell vowed that Trump's nominee "will receive a vote on the floor of the United States Senate."
If Kelly wins, the timing when he formally takes office could be crucial in determining who replaces Ginsburg. It could eliminate a Republican vote in favor of Trump's nominee -- the GOP currently has 53 seats in the 100-member chamber -- or require McConnell to speed up the nomination process.
With McSally in the Senate, four GOP defections could defeat a nomination, while a tie vote could be broken by Vice President Mike Pence.
McSally quickly laid down a marker, declaring on Twitter within hours of the announcement of Ginsberg's death that "this U.S. Senate should vote on President Trump's next nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court."
She has not elaborated on whether the confirmation vote should come before or after the election. But she highlighted the renewed stakes of her race in a fundraising pitch on Saturday.
"If Mark Kelly comes out on top, HE could block President Trump's Supreme Court Nominee from being confirmed," she wrote.
Democrats in 2018 found success in Arizona, a state long dominated by the GOP, by appealing to Republicans and independent voters disaffected with Trump. The Supreme Court vacancy could shake up the race and boost McSally's lagging campaign by keeping those voters in her camp.
Kelly said late Saturday that "the people elected to the presidency and Senate in November should fill this vacancy."
"When it comes to making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, Washington shouldn't rush that process for political purposes," Kelly said in a statement.
Arizona law requires election results to be officially certified on the fourth Monday after the election, which falls this year on Nov. 30. The certification could be delayed up to three days if the state has not received election results from any of the 15 counties.
Mary O'Grady, a Democratic lawyer with expertise in election law, said the deadlines are firm and there's little room for delay.
"I don't see ambiguity here," said O'Grady, who was Arizona's solicitor general under two Democratic attorneys general.
Arizona law allows recounts and election challenges only under very limited circumstances, she said.
"Usually, the Secretary of the Senate's office goes out of its way to accommodate the new senators coming in," former Senate Historian Don Ritchie told The Arizona Republic, which first reported on the prospect for Kelly taking office early a day before Ginsburg's death. "The old senator is out of their office there. I mean, they actually literally put a lock on the door so their staff can't go in."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-19--Go Figure: Chicago White Sox's Abreu is racking up historic MVP credentials

Talk is heating up for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu as one of this year 's leading American League Most Valuable Player candidates .
With that in mind , here 's a conversation piece with a twist of trivia thrown in : through Friday 's action , by leading the entire Major Leagues in base hits and runs batted in , Abreu was poised to accomplish something genuinely historic .
Only three times has an American League player led the AL in both of those categories in the same season : Lou Gehrig in 1931 , Carl Yastrzemski in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That lineup is heady Hall of Famer company for Abreu , who also led the AL in RBIs last year and was fourth in AL MVP voting as a rookie in 2014 .
Yastrzemski and Rice , both Red Sox outfielders , were selected MVPs for their performances , while Gehrig came in second to pitcher Lefty Grove , who had a dominant 31-4 record .
And of the three sluggers who pulled off the base hits/ribbies combo , Rice was the only one who led all of the Majors in both categories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cruz and Cleveland 's Shane Bieber getting some MVP chatter , it seems only natural that the volume gets turned up on Abreu 's qualifications .
With 68 hits , he was one ahead of Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner for the MLB lead , and six hits ahead of teammate Tim Anderson for the AL top spot .
And with 51 RBIs , he was three in front of the Atlanta Braves ' Freddie Freeman and four ahead in the AL , with the Yankees ' Luke Voit second .
HR race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one of my `` too early to forecast intrepid predictions '' for this shortened 2020 campaign , I predicted `` at least five players will slug 20 home runs , and at least one will slam 25 . ''
Heading into the penultimate weekend , the one player who had reached 20 home runs was the only one with a realistic shot at 25 : the aforementioned Luke Voit .
He had five home runs in a recent seven-day span .
Meantime , eight players have at least 15 home runs -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the regular season 's end .
My revised outlook is that two will join Voit at the plateau -- with Abreu , at 17 home runs , the most likely .
When five Yankees hit home runs in the fourth inning of their game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night , it matched a Major League record , set seven times before .
Q1 .
The last time a team recorded five home runs in one inning was July 2017 , when the Washington Nationals did it .
Of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how many remain on their 2020 roster ?
Playoff flashback : On Thursday , hours ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays , the White Sox became the first AL team to clinch a playoff spot .
It has been a dozen years since the franchise appeared in the postseason .
Q2 .
In that 2008 Division Series , the White Sox won Game 3 by a 5-3 margin to stave off a sweep by the Rays .
Can you name the winning pitcher , who also won the one-game AL Central tiebreaker against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the playoffs ?
Reverse jinx : What 's up with White Sox right fielder Nomar Mazara 's power outage ?
He averaged 20 home runs his first four seasons for Texas -- hitting exactly 20 on three occasions -- but through 108 at bats this season , he had zero home runs and an anemic OPS of .568 ( nearly 200 points below his career average coming into 2020 ) .
Only two seasons ago , Mazara hit 10 home runs in May -- including seven in the month 's first nine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a binge of the long ball -- sort of like Scott Podsednik 's two home runs in the 2005 postseason after the leadoff hitter went homerless for the Sox during the regular season .
Q3 .
With one out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2005 World Series , Podsednik slammed a walk-off home run .
Who was the Astros pitcher ?
• Matt Baron supplements his baseball brainpower with Retrosheet.org for research .

Go Figure: Chicago White Sox's Abreu is racking up historic MVP credentials
Associated PressChicago White Sox's Jose Abreu hits a three-run home run against the Detroit Tigers on Sept. 12. Abreu is making a strong case for himself as MVP this season.
Talk is heating up for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu as one of this year's leading American League Most Valuable Player candidates.
With that in mind, here's a conversation piece with a twist of trivia thrown in: through Friday's action, by leading the entire Major Leagues in base hits and runs batted in, Abreu was poised to accomplish something genuinely historic.
Only three times has an American League player led the AL in both of those categories in the same season: Lou Gehrig in 1931, Carl Yastrzemski in 1967 and Jim Rice in 1978.
That lineup is heady Hall of Famer company for Abreu, who also led the AL in RBIs last year and was fourth in AL MVP voting as a rookie in 2014.
Yastrzemski and Rice, both Red Sox outfielders, were selected MVPs for their performances, while Gehrig came in second to pitcher Lefty Grove, who had a dominant 31-4 record. And of the three sluggers who pulled off the base hits/ribbies combo, Rice was the only one who led all of the Majors in both categories.
With players like Minnesota's Nelson Cruz and Cleveland's Shane Bieber getting some MVP chatter, it seems only natural that the volume gets turned up on Abreu's qualifications.
With 68 hits, he was one ahead of Washington Nationals shortstop Trea Turner for the MLB lead, and six hits ahead of teammate Tim Anderson for the AL top spot. And with 51 RBIs, he was three in front of the Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman and four ahead in the AL, with the Yankees' Luke Voit second.
HR race, revised: Seven weeks ago, in one of my "too early to forecast intrepid predictions" for this shortened 2020 campaign, I predicted "at least five players will slug 20 home runs, and at least one will slam 25."
Heading into the penultimate weekend, the one player who had reached 20 home runs was the only one with a realistic shot at 25: the aforementioned Luke Voit. He had five home runs in a recent seven-day span.
Meantime, eight players have at least 15 home runs -- within striking distance of getting to 20 by the regular season's end. My revised outlook is that two will join Voit at the plateau -- with Abreu, at 17 home runs, the most likely.
When five Yankees hit home runs in the fourth inning of their game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night, it matched a Major League record, set seven times before.
Q1. The last time a team recorded five home runs in one inning was July 2017, when the Washington Nationals did it. Of the players who homered during that inning, how many remain on their 2020 roster?
Playoff flashback: On Thursday, hours ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays, the White Sox became the first AL team to clinch a playoff spot. It has been a dozen years since the franchise appeared in the postseason.
Q2. In that 2008 Division Series, the White Sox won Game 3 by a 5-3 margin to stave off a sweep by the Rays. Can you name the winning pitcher, who also won the one-game AL Central tiebreaker against the Minnesota Twins that lifted the Sox into the playoffs?
(Bobby Jenks, Gavin Floyd, John Danks)
Reverse jinx: What's up with White Sox right fielder Nomar Mazara's power outage?
He averaged 20 home runs his first four seasons for Texas -- hitting exactly 20 on three occasions -- but through 108 at bats this season, he had zero home runs and an anemic OPS of .568 (nearly 200 points below his career average coming into 2020).
Only two seasons ago, Mazara hit 10 home runs in May -- including seven in the month's first nine days. So maybe he's due for a binge of the long ball -- sort of like Scott Podsednik's two home runs in the 2005 postseason after the leadoff hitter went homerless for the Sox during the regular season.
Q3. With one out in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the 2005 World Series, Podsednik slammed a walk-off home run. Who was the Astros pitcher?
(Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, Andy Pettitte).
Answers
1. Zero; 2. John Danks; 3. Brad Lidge
• Matt Baron supplements his baseball brainpower with Retrosheet.org for research.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-21--Pritzker reiterates no high school football

Citing the state 's infection rate and the advice of medical experts , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker says it 's unlikely the high school football season will start anytime soon .
`` I want fall sports , all fall sports , I really do , '' Pritzker said at a news conference in Springfield Monday .
`` These are very , very hard choices , and my job , in part , is to weigh those choices and listen to the doctors . ''
Meanwhile , Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported Monday that seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 1,477 new cases have been diagnosed .
That brings the state 's death toll to 8,457 , with 275,735 Illinois residents who have contracted the respiratory disease since the outbreak began .
Pritzker was unswayed by several hundred people who showed up over the weekend at rallies in Chicago and Springfield urging the state to allow schools to start playing sports like football and girls volleyball .
High school athletes in sports like swimming , tennis and baseball -- which Pritzker has labeled as low risk for spreading the virus -- have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that just because college and professional football has restarted does not make it any safer for high school athletes to compete in the sport .
Pritzker cited testing protocols that are in place at those levels that do n't exist in high school .
Several high schools reported COVID-19 outbreaks during summer camps , as well .
`` The virus is still out there , '' Pritzker said .
`` We have a relatively high positivity rate .
And while it 's lower than our neighbors , there are quite a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do . ''
The state 's positivity rate , reflecting COVID-19 tests that come back positive , remained at 3.5 % for the third straight day following the release of 38,243 more test results .
The state has n't had a sustained rate of 3.5 % or lower since late July , according to IDPH figures .
On Sept. 2 , the infection rate was a full percentage point higher .
Ezike and Pritzker also lauded the state 's testing capabilities , noting that only New York and California have given more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performed more than 5.1 million tests .
`` Testing is a critical step in reducing the spread of the virus , because a positive test result begins the contact tracing process , which identifies who was exposed and needs to be quarantined to prevent further spread , '' Ezike said .
The state is averaging more than 50,000 test results per day , Pritzker added .
IDPH records show the state was averaging 53,084 test results each day over the past week .
The state reported nearly 75,000 test results alone on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half times the testing the average state does , '' the governor said .
`` And we 're one of the fastest states in delivering tests back to our residents . ''
State officials also announced $ 156 million in grants to 4,686 child care facilities throughout the state to help offset costs to families of young children .
`` Illinois directed federal pandemic response dollars to helping child care providers operate in safer , smaller group sizes without needing to impose large tuition increases on families , '' Pritzker said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to our youngest children is vital to strengthening the social and economic fabric of our state and our nation . ''

Pritzker reiterates no high school football
Citing the state's infection rate and the advice of medical experts, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says it's unlikely the high school football season will start anytime soon.
"I want fall sports, all fall sports, I really do," Pritzker said at a news conference in Springfield Monday. "These are very, very hard choices, and my job, in part, is to weigh those choices and listen to the doctors."
Meanwhile, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported Monday that seven more Illinois residents have died from COVID-19 and 1,477 new cases have been diagnosed. That brings the state's death toll to 8,457, with 275,735 Illinois residents who have contracted the respiratory disease since the outbreak began.
Pritzker was unswayed by several hundred people who showed up over the weekend at rallies in Chicago and Springfield urging the state to allow schools to start playing sports like football and girls volleyball.
High school athletes in sports like swimming, tennis and baseball -- which Pritzker has labeled as low risk for spreading the virus -- have been allowed to compete.
He noted that just because college and professional football has restarted does not make it any safer for high school athletes to compete in the sport. Pritzker cited testing protocols that are in place at those levels that don't exist in high school. Several high schools reported COVID-19 outbreaks during summer camps, as well.
"The virus is still out there," Pritzker said. "We have a relatively high positivity rate. And while it's lower than our neighbors, there are quite a number of states that have lower positivity rates than we do."
The state's positivity rate, reflecting COVID-19 tests that come back positive, remained at 3.5% for the third straight day following the release of 38,243 more test results. The state hasn't had a sustained rate of 3.5% or lower since late July, according to IDPH figures. On Sept. 2, the infection rate was a full percentage point higher.
Ezike and Pritzker also lauded the state's testing capabilities, noting that only New York and California have given more tests than Illinois, which has now performed more than 5.1 million tests.
"Testing is a critical step in reducing the spread of the virus, because a positive test result begins the contact tracing process, which identifies who was exposed and needs to be quarantined to prevent further spread," Ezike said.
The state is averaging more than 50,000 test results per day, Pritzker added. IDPH records show the state was averaging 53,084 test results each day over the past week. The state reported nearly 75,000 test results alone on Saturday.
"We do three and a half times the testing the average state does," the governor said. "And we're one of the fastest states in delivering tests back to our residents."
State officials also announced $156 million in grants to 4,686 child care facilities throughout the state to help offset costs to families of young children.
"Illinois directed federal pandemic response dollars to helping child care providers operate in safer, smaller group sizes without needing to impose large tuition increases on families," Pritzker said. "Holding ourselves to the highest standards when it comes to our youngest children is vital to strengthening the social and economic fabric of our state and our nation."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-09-21--Rep. Casten criticized for calling people 'racist' and 'loony' while rapping in 2019

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten is taking heat from Republican challenger Jeanne Ives ' campaign over an amateur video of the 6th District congressman rapping about people he describes as `` racist '' and `` loony . ''
The four-minute video , which Casten 's campaign on Monday confirmed was shot during a political fundraiser last September at a Downers Grove pub , shows the freshman lawmaker on a stage with a band in front of an audience .
Casten , of Downers Grove , has played keyboards in a band called Rockapedia , and the group was among several on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video , a casually dressed Casten steps out from behind his keyboard and tells the crowd he writes raps when he gets angry .
He then raps for more than a minute , rhythmically telling the audience : `` There are so many problems in the world today and so many politicians unwilling to say anything that might alienate their base . ''
`` But what do you do when that base is racist and science-denying and loony , '' Casten raps .
`` Yeah , I said it , so sue me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticized Casten and the video late last week on Ives ' social media accounts .
`` If all this video revealed was Casten 's limited rap ability , it would be funny but not important , '' according to Murphy 's statement .
`` The video is important , however , because it shows the way Sean Casten and his supporters talk about those who disagree with him behind closed doors . ''
The statement goes on to say Casten 's supporters `` are emboldened by his dehumanizing characterizations '' and then blames @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signs .
In a brief response on Twitter , Casten wrote : `` The rumors are true : I like rap music and I do n't like racists . ''
Casten said he did n't have any more `` rhymes in the queue '' but said he 'll `` keep fighting for equality . ''
When asked about the controversy Monday , Casten campaign spokesman Jacob Vurpillat said , `` Just because you 're a member of Congress does n't mean you ca n't rap . ''
The 6th District includes parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and McHenry counties .
Libertarian candidate Bill Redpath of West Dundee also is running .

Rep. Casten criticized for calling people 'racist' and 'loony' while rapping in 2019
Sean Casten, left, and Jeanne Ives, right, are candidates for the 6th Congressional District race in the 2020 November general election.
U.S. Rep. Sean Casten is taking heat from Republican challenger Jeanne Ives' campaign over an amateur video of the 6th District congressman rapping about people he describes as "racist" and "loony."
The four-minute video, which Casten's campaign on Monday confirmed was shot during a political fundraiser last September at a Downers Grove pub, shows the freshman lawmaker on a stage with a band in front of an audience.
Casten, of Downers Grove, has played keyboards in a band called Rockapedia, and the group was among several on the bill that night.
In the video, a casually dressed Casten steps out from behind his keyboard and tells the crowd he writes raps when he gets angry. He then raps for more than a minute, rhythmically telling the audience: "There are so many problems in the world today and so many politicians unwilling to say anything that might alienate their base."
"But what do you do when that base is racist and science-denying and loony," Casten raps. "Yeah, I said it, so sue me."
Ives campaign spokeswoman Kathleen Murphy criticized Casten and the video late last week on Ives' social media accounts.
"If all this video revealed was Casten's limited rap ability, it would be funny but not important," according to Murphy's statement. "The video is important, however, because it shows the way Sean Casten and his supporters talk about those who disagree with him behind closed doors."
The statement goes on to say Casten's supporters "are emboldened by his dehumanizing characterizations" and then blames them for recent vandalism of Ives campaign signs.
In a brief response on Twitter, Casten wrote: "The rumors are true: I like rap music and I don't like racists." Casten said he didn't have any more "rhymes in the queue" but said he'll "keep fighting for equality."
When asked about the controversy Monday, Casten campaign spokesman Jacob Vurpillat said, "Just because you're a member of Congress doesn't mean you can't rap."
The 6th District includes parts of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties. Libertarian candidate Bill Redpath of West Dundee also is running.