dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Updates: JoAnn Cunningham sentencing in death of AJ Freund

Fifteen months ago , the recovery of 5-year-old AJ Freund 's battered body from a shallow grave in rural Woodstock ended a frantic six-day search and ignited widespread public sentiment over his death that still resonates .
This morning , the sentencing hearing for starts for AJ 's mother , JoAnn Cunningham .
After maintaining her innocence for nearly eight months , Cunningham in December reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a single count of first-degree murder , which carries a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison .
The court broke for an hour-long recess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 1:15 p.m .
The tone in the courtroom has been tense and somber , with 11 of AJ 's family members seated directly behind the defense table .
Cunningham entered the courtroom accompanied by a McHenry County correctional officer , her blond hair pulled back into two tight braids .
She appeared to be wearing a ring with a cross on her left ring finger and had tissues packed into the pocket of her orange jail shirt .
Throughout the hearing , Cunningham sat almost motionless , but for her wringing hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She seemed to become most upset , wiping away visible tears , upon hearing her own voice on camera yelling at and berating AJ .
During a video that was played in the courtroom , Cunningham told AJ she was recording him on her cellphone to show the boy 's father later .
After Crystal Lake Police Chief James Black spoke about the staff it took to conduct the investigation , court went into recess until 1:15 p.m .
In the days prior to the fake 911 call -- after AJ was killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ egg decorations , baskets , shopping for a new TV and AJ 's behavior and how they planned to help him On April 17 , after AJ was already dead , Freund writes to Cunningham that they will figure out how best to handle AJ 's behavior .
`` We will figure it out , '' he wrote .
`` With God 's help .
Let 's keep praying . ''
He then wrote `` Have a ... blessed day .
I 'll see you tonight .
Give the boys a kiss and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes asking if they can buy a TV from the pawnshop that weekend so she and the boys `` can watch movies in bed . ''
She also writes `` the boys have been so good today '' but that AJ had a couple of incidents .
In the hours and days before the fake 911 call the couple exchanged multiple text messages depicting a seemingly normal life with children .
Messages from Freund such as `` How are you and the boys doing today ?
I hope you are playing outside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is researching a psychiatrist to help with AJ 's ODD ( oppositional defiant disorder ) and thanking Drew for all he has done and God .
Prosecutors then played a video of Cunningham in police questioning whispering/praying her son comes home .
She then is questioned and tells the officer Freund asked if she knew where he was and she said no .
She said she looked in and around the house and Freund went to the gas station and to a nearby school looking for him .
She said AJ gets into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night .
She said she is surprised he would leave the house without his jacket because `` he is anal retentive . ''
Cunningham is sobbing saying maybe he thinks he is `` gon na get in trouble . ''
She said as she looked around the house and yard for him she would say out loud that he would not be in trouble .
Then she asked the officer `` Is anyone in the house in case he comes home ? ''
In earlier testimony , an officer who came to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house was filthy .
He also said he found it odd that Cunningham was talking with a friend and laughing while he searched the house for AJ .
Officer Brian Burr of the Crystal Lake Police Department , who went to the Dole Avenue home after Andrew Freund 's 911 call , discussed what he found at the home that day , on April 18 , 2018 , after AJ was reported missing .
The odor in the home stood out to Burr .
`` I was just overwhelmed with how it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Burr said .
He then went through a series of photos taken at the home that day throughout the home and outside .
One item photographed outside was a bag of used syringes .
The most notable items in the photos were a chain lock and padlock outside of AJ 's room , seemingly meant to lock AJ in his room .
There were also locks on the windows in the room and a combination lock on the closet in AJ 's room .
There was also a small toilet inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a neonatologist who worked at Centegra Hospital in Woodstock in October 2013 , testified that AJ was born with heroin in his system and that he showed signs of withdrawal when he was born .
Assistant State 's Attorney Randi Gara read a statement that stated AJ died and showed signs of malnutrition and was a victim of chronic physical and psychological child abuse .
Court went into recess after the state played several audiotapes of AJ Freund arguing with JoAnn Cunningham on March 27 , 2019 , which is around 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crying in the courtroom as the audio played and family could be seen behind her doing the same .
The main discussion in the audio was between JoAnn and AJ with AJ saying that he would like to have bad people do bad things to JoAnn so that she and his younger brother would leave him with their dad .
`` I do n't want a family , '' AJ could be heard saying .
`` You do n't have one , '' she responded .
`` Do you really think ( your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ( your brother ?
...
Shut up ! ''
She could be heard asking AJ multiple times why he wanted her to go away .
`` Why do you want those bad people to hurt me ? ''
JoAnn said .
`` So I do n't ever see you again , '' AJ responded .
JoAnn asked multiple times who AJ would tell to hurt her .
`` There 's no way we could get in trouble , '' JoAnn said .
`` Who would you go tell on us to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ?
What is your grand plan ?
How would you get us in trouble ?
With who ?
With what people ? ''
`` By bad people , really bad people , '' AJ said .
Assistant State 's Attorney Randi Freese played a video in court of an April 11 , 2019 jailhouse visit between Cunningham and Daniel Nowicki , the father of Cunningham 's daughter whom she gave birth to in jail after her arrest .
Her two children , including AJ Freund , were also there .
Freund 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woodstock .
In the video , AJ 's small voice is heard telling Nowicki `` I love you , '' Nowicki , who has since died of a drug overdose replies `` I love you too buddy , I 'll see you soon . ''
Nowicki can be heard speaking to AJ Freund and his younger brother .
`` I 'm in the jail .
I 'm in jail buddy , '' Nowicki said .
Cunningham brought up going into a program called `` Focused Priorities '' after his release , which involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` What the ( expletive ) do I want that for ?
We 've got the kids .
How are we going to do 40 days in the wilderness with two children ? ''
the late Nowicki said .
Nowicki closed the meeting by telling the children `` I 'll see you soon , all right ? ''
Before calling the state 's first witness to the stand , McHenry County State 's Attorney Patrick Kenneally read statements of fact into the court record from witnesses , including neighbors who said they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AJ in the years leading up to his death .
Next on the stand were Crystal Lake Police Department Officer Kimberley Shipbaugh , who was the officer on scene when a bruise was found on AJ Freund 's hip on Dec. 18 , 2018 after meeting the family at the Crystal Lake Taco Bell .
The second witness on the stand was emergency room doctor JoEllen Channon , who saw AJ at the hospital and looked at the bruise that same day .
Prior to the hearing beginning court administrator Dan Wallis warned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away in the overflow room against any outbursts or court security would escort them out and they would not be allowed back in tomorrow .
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrand entered the courtroom at 9:04 a.m. Northwest Herald reporter Katie Smith is the pool reporter in the courtroom and Daily Herald photographer John Starks is there as the pool still photographer along with WGN 's Ted Parra .
The jury assembly room is serving as overflow for the sentencing hearing .
Eight members of the media and about 36 total seats are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats reserved for the FBI in the room as well .
The FBI worked directly with the Crystal Lake Police Department throughout this case , soon after the missing person report .
State Rep. Steve Reick , R-Woodstock , is also here .
Sheriff Bill Prim arrived just as the proceedings began in the jury assembly area .

'Being a mother defines me': AJ's mom gives tearful statement at sentencing hearing
"Being a mother defines me," JoAnn Cunningham said through tears Thursday at her sentencing hearing for the murder of her 5-year-old son, AJ Freund.
Cunningham's description of herself starkly contrasted that of witnesses who, throughout the day, painted her as a "manipulative" and "disturbed" person prone to fits of rage. In videos played during the hearing, the 37-year-old mother could be heard berating and cursing at AJ, whom she described Thursday as "smart," "courageous," and "absolutely loved."
A handwritten statement she read aloud in court seemed to disappoint surviving members of AJ's family. One by one they nodded their heads in disbelief as Cunningham spoke about the alleged abuse she endured at a young age, and the "loving, kind, compassionate woman" she believes herself to be now.
"As much as I deserve punishment, I believe I deserve help," Cunningham said, weeping. "Help me."
Thursday marked one of the first times Cunningham has spoken on her own behalf since her April 24, 2019, arrest. She and AJ's father, Andrew Freund Sr., are accused of beating and killing their son on April 15, 2019, in their Crystal Lake home.
For days afterward, Freund and Cunningham hid AJ's body in a tote stored in their basement before burying the child and falsely reporting him missing on April 18, McHenry County prosecutors have said.
McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally asked the judge to sentence Cunningham to the maximum 60 years in prison for AJ's first-degree murder. McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt is expected to announce Cunningham's sentence Friday afternoon.
The boy's surviving family might have liked Cunningham to offer an apology or explanation for AJ's death as she recited her public statement in court Thursday, McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said.
"I think we all are but I don't think we're going to get it," Kenneally said after the hearing. "I don't think she's capable of that."
A victim advocate from the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office indicated that AJ's family did not wish to comment after court.
Throughout the day, Wilbrandt heard testimony about text messages Cunningham and Freund exchanged in the days following AJ's death, speaking about the boy as if he were still alive. Alone in a Crystal Lake Police Department interview room, Cunningham quickly glanced at the camera recording her before bowing her head and reciting the Lord's Prayer.
In one recorded jail phone call between Cunningham and her then-incarcerated fiance Daniel Nowicki, Cunningham paused to ask, "AJ, can you get me another Red Bull? Thank you." AJ's battered body was tucked away in the basement at the time of the phone call, prosecutors said.
"She had done things knowing that a few days earlier she had beaten this little boy to the brink and then literally locked him in his room where he had to endure the bleak process of death all by himself," Kenneally said in court Thursday.
The anger, impulsivity, and addictions that Cunningham self-reported during three jailhouse evaluations seemed to align with a number of personality disorders, clinical psychologist Robert Meyer testified. Those diagnoses include anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and narcissism, Meyer said.
Cunningham's demeanor might have further changed after an ex-husband broke her ankle during a domestic situation. The narcotics she was prescribed to ease her ankle pain also numbed the emotional trauma from alleged abusive relationships, sexual assault, and general abandonment she claimed to experience throughout her life, Meyer said.
"I think she just found that too attractive to stay away," Meyer said.
The psychologist went on to testify, however, that Cunningham seemingly exaggerated some of her symptoms. As for her relationship with AJ, the mother and son might have missed out on an important bonding period when AJ was placed in a foster home after he was born with opiates in his system, Meyer said.
"The bonding with a mother and a child was interrupted," Meyer said. "She never got that."
A tense and somber mood filled the courtroom, where 11 of AJ's family members were seated directly behind the defense's table. Cunningham, her blond hair pulled back into two tight braids, appeared to be wearing a ring with a cross on her left ring finger and had tissues packed into the pocket of her orange jail shirt.
Throughout the hearing, Cunningham sat almost motionless, but for her hands, which she wrung in apparent discomfort. The mother of four seemed to become most upset and wiped away visible tears upon hearing her own voice on camera berating AJ. In one March 27, 2019, video played in court, Cunningham was heard arguing with AJ as he said in a soft, timid voice that he didn't want a family.
"You don't have one," Cunningham responded. "Do you really think (your dad) would choose you over me and (your brother?) ... Shut up!"
Cunningham went on to ask AJ multiple times why he wanted her to go away.
"Why do you want those bad people to hurt me?" JoAnn said.
"So I don't ever see you again," AJ responded.
The exchange was recorded about two weeks before AJ's death.
On Thursday, Cunningham praised AJ for his creativity, and sense of humor, noting his love for Legos and chocolate sprinkle doughnuts.
Although she briefly mentioned having made "horrendous choices," Cunningham never explicitly apologized for AJ's death.
"Nobody will ever understand unless they've walked in my shoes or know the torment I've suffered. And I will try to rise above human scorn and judgment. I never thought of my own well-being and even if I did I couldn't help myself," Cunningham said. "I was mentally unavailable even to myself. Unfortunately I managed to dispel my anxiety, depression and pain with drugs."
One of Cunningham's attorneys, McHenry County Assistant Public Defender Richard Behof, said Cunningham "became the person she despised the most as a child."
"She wasn't strong enough to overcome her childhood. She wasn't strong enough to overcome her poor choice in men. She wasn't strong enough to overcome her drug addiction, and most importantly she wasn't strong enough to protect AJ -- and that's why we're here," Behof said. "But I ask when you consider what sentence to give JoAnn, that you look at her life in its entirety."
Cunningham's family has denied abusing her emotionally and physically as a child, Kenneally said, adding that Cunningham used her statement as an attempt to garner sympathy.
"She hasn't been sitting here crying for AJ," Kenneally said during his closing argument. "She's crying for herself."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-15--July 15 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive map Suburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 79,137 cases in the suburbs as of Wednesday , 50.5 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,681 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Wednesday , suburban Cook County had 40,805 cases and 2,043 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 55,857 cases and 2,702 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Des Plaines , 850 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling , 773 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 705 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood , 691 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 647 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg , 624 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 651 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 529 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 536 cases and 28 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 388 cases and 38 deaths in Elk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Northbrook , 374 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 289 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 134 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 9,862 cases and 489 deaths as of Wednesday .
• Top counts : 864 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 819 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 708 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 596 cases and 34 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bensenville , 558 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 457 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard , 414 cases and 36 deaths in Elmhurst , 384 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 317 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 280 cases and 4 deaths in Villa Park , 263 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 200 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 10,576 cases and 412 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Top counts : 2,795 to 2,799 in Waukegan , 630 to 634 in Round Lake Beach , 400 to 404 in Mundelein , 330 to 334 in Gurnee , 255 to 259 in Round Lake , 210 to 214 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 210 to 214 in Lake Zurich , 180 to 184 in Vernon Hills , 175 to 179 in Wauconda , 155 to 159 in Libertyville , 110 to 114 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 8,274 cases with 286 deaths on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,502 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,972 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 781 in Carpentersville , 366 in St. Charles , 350 in South Elgin , 225 in North Aurora , 225 in Geneva , 156 in Batavia , and 57 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,367 cases and 103 deaths , according to the health department Wednesday .
• 7,449 cases and 328 deaths , as of Wednesday .
• Cases per town include 473 in Naperville ( Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Will County portion ) .

July 15 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows the 2019 novel coronavirus. Courtesy of U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Interactive map Suburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 79,137 cases in the suburbs as of Wednesday, 50.5% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 3,681 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Wednesday, suburban Cook County had 40,805 cases and 2,043 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 55,857 cases and 2,702 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,842 cases and 101 deaths in Des Plaines, 850 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling, 773 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 705 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood, 691 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 647 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg, 624 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 651 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 529 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 536 cases and 28 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 388 cases and 38 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 373 cases and 41 deaths in Northbrook, 374 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 289 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 134 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 9,862 cases and 489 deaths as of Wednesday.
• Top counts: 864 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 819 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 708 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 596 cases and 34 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 564 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 558 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 457 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard, 414 cases and 36 deaths in Elmhurst, 384 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 317 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 280 cases and 4 deaths in Villa Park, 263 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 200 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County • The county listed 10,576 cases and 412 deaths on its website as of Wednesday.
• Top counts: 2,795 to 2,799 in Waukegan, 630 to 634 in Round Lake Beach, 400 to 404 in Mundelein, 330 to 334 in Gurnee, 255 to 259 in Round Lake, 210 to 214 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 210 to 214 in Lake Zurich, 180 to 184 in Vernon Hills, 175 to 179 in Wauconda, 155 to 159 in Libertyville, 110 to 114 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 8,274 cases with 286 deaths on its website Wednesday.
• Top counts: 3,502 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,972 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 781 in Carpentersville, 366 in St. Charles, 350 in South Elgin, 225 in North Aurora, 225 in Geneva, 156 in Batavia, and 57 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,367 cases and 103 deaths, according to the health department Wednesday.
Will County
• 7,449 cases and 328 deaths, as of Wednesday.
• Cases per town include 473 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 88 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--District 300 releases plan for fall school reopening

Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 leaders plan to reopen schools to in-person instruction starting Aug. 13 , with some scheduling modifications , remote learning options and safety precautions in place .
Safety measures include mandatory daily screening by parents/guardians , random screenings at each school throughout the day , and student screening each morning upon arrival at school .
The district also will implement enhanced cleaning procedures , suspend locker use , close physical education and athletic locker rooms , make all back-to-school events virtual , use screens or partitions in common areas such as the cafeteria , limit school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require students and employees to wear masks or face shields at all times while on campus or on a bus , documents show .
Elementary and middle schools will follow a normal five-day schedule with some modifications , such as increased recess periods and changed bell schedules to minimize hall traffic .
In high schools , half the students will take classes in person and the other half will join remotely , and those groups will alternate during the week so all students get in-person instruction to ensure they remain engaged , Superintendent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We did strive to bring consistency across all three levels but unfortunately just the sheer size of our high schools prevented us from allowing a day-to-day , face-to-face experience for all of those students and staff , '' Heid said .
For remote learners , Heid said , `` it will not be asynchronous learning where students are issued assignments to work on at home . ''
`` It will be live instruction ( each day ) as if they are physically participating in the classroom .
They will still have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and students virtually , '' he added .
Some high school student groups will attend each day due to specific needs or circumstances .
These include students on an Individualized Education Program and first- and second-year English Language Learners .
Families of high-schoolers may opt out of full- or part-time in-person instruction via e-learning , while others may be recommended by staff for full-time in-person attendance based on academic performance or other needs .
Students with a medical exemption due to preexisting or qualifying conditions , or families concerned about sending their children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ e-learning no later than July 31 .
Families must stick with that choice for the entire quarter and can switch to in-person learning at the end of each quarter .
Heid said this reopening plan is the `` best-possible case scenario '' officials could develop considering the district 's disparate needs , especially with respect to low-income , special education and English Language Learner populations .
`` We have roughly 44 % of our population who live at or above the federal poverty line , qualify for free and reduced lunch , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are single-parent income households .
We have to be considerate of their needs . ''
The 2020-21 school calendar will be posted on the district 's website Friday .
District 300 is developing a handbook for a more comprehensive overview of daily school operations .
Virtual town hall meetings will be scheduled in the next two weeks to discuss cleaning , meal service , social distancing and other topics .
Parents may submit questions about reopening to backtoschool @ d300.org .

District 300 releases plan for fall school reopening
Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 leaders plan to reopen schools to in-person instruction starting Aug. 13, with some scheduling modifications, remote learning options and safety precautions in place.
Safety measures include mandatory daily screening by parents/guardians, random screenings at each school throughout the day, and student screening each morning upon arrival at school. The district also will implement enhanced cleaning procedures, suspend locker use, close physical education and athletic locker rooms, make all back-to-school events virtual, use screens or partitions in common areas such as the cafeteria, limit school bus capacity to 50 students, and require students and employees to wear masks or face shields at all times while on campus or on a bus, documents show.
Elementary and middle schools will follow a normal five-day schedule with some modifications, such as increased recess periods and changed bell schedules to minimize hall traffic. In high schools, half the students will take classes in person and the other half will join remotely, and those groups will alternate during the week so all students get in-person instruction to ensure they remain engaged, Superintendent Fred Heid told the school board Tuesday.
"We did strive to bring consistency across all three levels but unfortunately just the sheer size of our high schools prevented us from allowing a day-to-day, face-to-face experience for all of those students and staff," Heid said.
For remote learners, Heid said, "it will not be asynchronous learning where students are issued assignments to work on at home."
"It will be live instruction (each day) as if they are physically participating in the classroom. They will still have the opportunity to collaborate with their teachers and students virtually," he added.
Some high school student groups will attend each day due to specific needs or circumstances. These include students on an Individualized Education Program and first- and second-year English Language Learners. Families of high-schoolers may opt out of full- or part-time in-person instruction via e-learning, while others may be recommended by staff for full-time in-person attendance based on academic performance or other needs.
Students with a medical exemption due to preexisting or qualifying conditions, or families concerned about sending their children to school can opt to enroll in e-learning no later than July 31. Families must stick with that choice for the entire quarter and can switch to in-person learning at the end of each quarter.
Heid said this reopening plan is the "best-possible case scenario" officials could develop considering the district's disparate needs, especially with respect to low-income, special education and English Language Learner populations.
"We have roughly 44% of our population who live at or above the federal poverty line, qualify for free and reduced lunch," he said. "Many of those are single-parent income households. We have to be considerate of their needs."
The 2020-21 school calendar will be posted on the district's website Friday.
District 300 is developing a handbook for a more comprehensive overview of daily school operations. Virtual town hall meetings will be scheduled in the next two weeks to discuss cleaning, meal service, social distancing and other topics.
Parents may submit questions about reopening to backtoschool@d300.org.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--VIRUS DIARY: Perfect pregnancy plans, ruined by a pandemic

PHOENIX -- It was the day after April Fool 's when I stared at a tiny window on a pregnancy test and watched a very clear plus sign quickly appear .
I sprinted from my side of the house to my husband 's office ( see : bathroom ) , banged on the door like a crazed person and jumped up and down as a I told him the news .
Before she was even born , I knew I wanted to give my daughter a sibling , spaced exactly three years apart so they could be close buds but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am a quintessential Type A , a meticulous planner who perfectly timed my second pregnancy so that the baby would be born right after my daughter turns three but before the holidays - and with enough time to safely travel to a close friend 's now-postponed wedding in Ireland this summer .
A pandemic , however , was not in my plans .
Though motherhood had already softened my obsession with planning - tiny humans are the most unpredictable species - being pregnant in a pandemic has truly turned the concept upside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm a not the type of glowing , blissful pregnant lady you see in the movies .
Or the kind whose sickness goes away after the first trimester , like it does for most women .
No , no .
I 'm the T-Rex-sounding , head-in-the-toilet type of pregnant lady who does n't feel relief until the very end of pregnancy , even with the help of anti-nausea medication .
At that point , I 've got other things to worry about ( see : birth ) .
At least I can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while my toddler bangs on the door and screams , imploring me to let her in the bathroom .
There 's a lot of that these days .
Where I go , she goes .
So does the dog we adopted when the pandemic began .
But also : She ca n't go anywhere else .
I did not anticipate that there would be no support system or places to keep my child entertained while I struggled to keep my head above ... above you know what .
My husband ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ museum or the library so I can recover and get rest .
It 's so hot in Arizona now that they ca n't even be outside for long .
I know we 're lucky to have jobs and our health .
But managing a needy tot , a full-time job and sickness has pulled at all the threads that compose my humanity .
Something else I did n't plan for : going to all my prenatal appointments alone .
When I was pregnant with my daughter , my husband and mom came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared the same gasp when we first heard that rapid thump-thump-thump .
My husband says those appointments were the only way he felt a real connection to the baby before she was born .
This time , partners are n't allowed in the building .
At my first sonogram , I FaceTimed home , but the connection was spotty .
Thump-thump .
My son is due in the late fall , when many experts predict a second wave of coronavirus infections will take hold .
So instead of planning out which rooms relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I am just hoping my husband will get to be in the delivery room and that we can find someone to watch our daughter if no family can come ( we do n't have any relatives in our city ) .
I am no longer mapping out my future as if I have any control .
I do n't .
All I have is my little family and my hopes that my baby boy enters a calmer world .
So I can start making plans again .
Virus Diary , an occasional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
Astrid GalvÃ¡n is a border and immigration correspondent for the AP based in Phoenix .
Follow her on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/astridgalvan

VIRUS DIARY: Perfect pregnancy plans, ruined by a pandemic
In this June 26, 2020, photo, Astrid Galvan poses for a photo with her sonogram for her second child in Phoenix. Associated Press
PHOENIX -- It was the day after April Fool's when I stared at a tiny window on a pregnancy test and watched a very clear plus sign quickly appear. I sprinted from my side of the house to my husband's office (see: bathroom), banged on the door like a crazed person and jumped up and down as I told him the news.
Before she was even born, I knew I wanted to give my daughter a sibling, spaced exactly three years apart so they could be close buds but have autonomy and their own friends.
I am a quintessential Type A, a meticulous planner who perfectly timed my second pregnancy so that the baby would be born right after my daughter turns three but before the holidays - and with enough time to safely travel to a close friend's now-postponed wedding in Ireland this summer.
A pandemic, however, was not in my plans.
___
Though motherhood had already softened my obsession with planning - tiny humans are the most unpredictable species - being pregnant in a pandemic has truly turned the concept upside down.
The thing is, I'm a not the type of glowing, blissful pregnant lady you see in the movies. Or the kind whose sickness goes away after the first trimester, like it does for most women.
No, no. I'm the T-Rex-sounding, head-in-the-toilet type of pregnant lady who doesn't feel relief until the very end of pregnancy, even with the help of anti-nausea medication. At that point, I've got other things to worry about (see: birth).
At least I can be sick in the comfort of my home, while my toddler bangs on the door and screams, imploring me to let her in the bathroom. There's a lot of that these days. Where I go, she goes. So does the dog we adopted when the pandemic began.
But also: She can't go anywhere else. I did not anticipate that there would be no support system or places to keep my child entertained while I struggled to keep my head above ... above you know what.
My husband can't take our daughter to the children's museum or the library so I can recover and get rest. It's so hot in Arizona now that they can't even be outside for long.
The guilt is overwhelming.
I know we're lucky to have jobs and our health. But managing a needy tot, a full-time job and sickness has pulled at all the threads that compose my humanity.
___
Something else I didn't plan for: going to all my prenatal appointments alone.
When I was pregnant with my daughter, my husband and mom came to the first sonogram. All of us shared the same gasp when we first heard that rapid thump-thump-thump. My husband says those appointments were the only way he felt a real connection to the baby before she was born.
This time, partners aren't allowed in the building. At my first sonogram, I FaceTimed home, but the connection was spotty. Thump-thump.
My son is due in the late fall, when many experts predict a second wave of coronavirus infections will take hold. So instead of planning out which rooms relatives will stay in after he's born, I am just hoping my husband will get to be in the delivery room and that we can find someone to watch our daughter if no family can come (we don't have any relatives in our city).
I am no longer mapping out my future as if I have any control. I don't. All I have is my little family and my hopes that my baby boy enters a calmer world.
So I can start making plans again.
___
Virus Diary, an occasional feature, showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world. Astrid Galván is a border and immigration correspondent for the AP based in Phoenix. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/astridgalvan


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--1,257 new COVID-19 cases in Illinois, but with record test count, positivity rate dips

Cases of COVID-19 climbed by 1,257 Thursday , and 25 more people died from the respiratory disease as the state conducted a record 43,006 tests .
That puts the total cases statewide at 157,950 , with 7,251 deaths , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
Tests for the virus showed a positivity rate of 3.1 % , according to a seven-day average , but the daily rate dipped to 2.9 % .
The positivity rate has hovered around 3 % for the past week .
The number of people in hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms totaled 1,434 as of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average of 1,406 but a drop from Tuesday 's tally of 1,454 patients .
Daily caseloads have surpassed 1,000 five times in the last eight days .
Cases hit 1,156 June 5 , then declined and stayed below 1,000 until July 9 .
The ups and downs of positivity rates , hospitalizations and caseloads are receiving close scrutiny as school districts across the state grapple with the type of learning to offer when classes resume starting in August .
Many are considering a combination of remote learning and in-class instruction .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in-person learning in schools , '' Pritzker acknowledged Wednesday .
`` As a parent , I share those concerns .
Every school is different , different building sizes , different numbers of students and teachers per square foot . ''
New Illinois State Board of Education COVID-19 guidelines provide `` room for adoption to local circumstances in the guidelines .
Hybrid schedules and remote learning are likely to be a part of that solution , '' Pritzker said .
But social distancing and face coverings in schools are not flexible , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for monitoring COVID-19 conditions , expanding from four to 11 regions that include Chicago , suburban Cook , DuPage and Kane counties , Lake and McHenry counties , and Kendall and Will counties .
The state also revised how it could intervene when COVID-19 metrics in a region trend negative , offering a three-tiered `` menu '' of options for pulling back on activities .
If a local COVID-19 outbreak occurs , restaurants and bars -- considered higher-risk settings for spreading the virus -- would be automatically subject to restrictions , ranging from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing takeout service only , as one example .
Other entities that could be required to cut back if COVID-19 erupts in a region are offices , team sports and gyms , and retail .
Triggers for interventions include a sustained increase in the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests based on a seven-day rolling average ( for seven out of 10 days ) plus a seven-day hike in hospital admissions for related symptoms or a reduction in ICU and hospital bed capacity of 20 % or higher .
Another cause would be three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates of positive results on COVID-19 tests .
So far , the suburbs are not in any risk categories .
Currently , there 's too much in flux for a comfort level , said state Rep. Fred Crespo , chairman of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee .
Come August `` when school is ready to start -- will the positivity rate be any higher ?
The governor may have to make a different decision then , '' the Hoffman Estates Democrat said .
`` If schools are to happen , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said Wednesday .
`` But to get there , we have to not have widespread community transmissions at rates that are not sustainable ... to safely do school . ''

1,257 new COVID-19 cases in Illinois, but with record test count, positivity rate dips
Cases of COVID-19 climbed by 1,257 Thursday in Illinois, and 25 more people died from the respiratory disease, but the latest daily case count above 1,000 comes as the state conducted a record 43,006 tests in 24 hours.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported a seven-day positivity test rate Thursday of 3.1%, and the daily rate dipped to 2.9%. The positivity rate has hovered around 3% for the past week.
At a news conference Thursday in Rockford, Gov. J.B. Pritzker acknowledged he's concerned the state could soon take a step backward in its pandemic fight, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
"Now that we have a massive uptick in cases all across the country, my confidence level is, you know, challenged," Pritzker said. "And then I look at the state of Illinois, and although we've had a mild uptick, it's one that I watch every day because anybody that knows anything about epidemics knows that when you have a mild uptick, that's an indicator you're heading in the wrong direction, and it may multiply. So we want to make sure we get a handle on that."
The total case count statewide now stands at 157,950, with 7,251 deaths.
Daily caseloads have surpassed 1,000 five times in the last eight days. The count hit 1,156 June 5, then declined and stayed below 1,000 until July 9.
The number of people in Illinois hospitals with COVID-19 symptoms totaled 1,434 as of Wednesday night, higher than the seven-day average of 1,406 but a drop from Tuesday's tally of 1,454 patients.
The ups and downs of positivity rates, hospitalizations and caseloads are receiving close scrutiny as school districts across the state grapple with the type of learning to offer when classes resume starting in August. Many are considering a combination of remote learning and in-class instruction.
"This fall is not going to be like any other fall from a school perspective that we've seen," Pritzker said Thursday.
He addressed questions about the potential of opening schools early and having classes outside, Capitol News Illinois reported.
"We've left it up to school districts to make these decisions because every one of them is different, their capability to do that is different," he said. "What we want to make sure is that there are options here. So we put a lot of money this summer and, frankly, even in the spring to building up our E-learning resources."
"It's not nearly as good as in-person. ... I think the experts have determined that," he said. "But having options is hugely important, particularly in this very uncertain world of a novel coronavirus."
Social distancing and face coverings in schools are not flexible, the governor has said.
On Wednesday, Pritzker redrew boundaries for monitoring COVID-19 conditions, expanding from four to 11 regions that include Chicago, suburban Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, Lake and McHenry counties, and Kendall and Will counties.
The state also revised how it could intervene when COVID-19 metrics in a region trend negative, offering a three-tiered "menu" of options for pulling back on activities.
If a local COVID-19 outbreak occurs, restaurants and bars -- considered higher-risk settings for spreading the virus -- would be automatically subject to restrictions, ranging from reducing indoor dining and bar service to allowing takeout service only, as one example.
Other entities that could be required to cut back if COVID-19 erupts in a region are offices, team sports and gyms, and retail.
Triggers for interventions include a sustained increase in the positivity rate for COVID-19 tests based on a seven-day rolling average (for seven out of 10 days) plus a seven-day hike in hospital admissions for related symptoms or a reduction in ICU and hospital bed capacity of 20% or higher.
Another cause would be three consecutive days with 8% or higher rates of positive results on COVID-19 tests.
So far, the suburbs are not in any risk categories.
Currently, there's too much in flux for a comfort level, said state Rep. Fred Crespo, chairman of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee.
Come August "when school is ready to start -- will the positivity rate be any higher? The governor may have to make a different decision then," the Hoffman Estates Democrat said.
"If schools are to happen, there has to be masking and distancing," IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike said Wednesday. "But to get there, we have to not have widespread community transmissions at rates that are not sustainable ... to safely do school."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Bank forecloses on Harvest Bible Chapel founder's Elgin-area estate

James MacDonald , the ousted founder of the Rolling Meadows-based Harvest Bible Chapel , has not made a mortgage payment on his sprawling Elgin-area estate since December 2019 , a bank argues in a foreclosure lawsuit filed this week in Kane County .
Republic Bank of Chicago is seeking $ 947,546.34 from MacDonald , who was fired from the megachurch in February 2019 , according to the lawsuit , which also names MacDonald 's LLC , Vanilla Bean , as a defendant .
The property on the 14N300 block of Highland Avenue was purchased in January 2016 with a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
MacDonald still owes $ 925,902.96 on the loan , $ 20,669.34 in unpaid interest , and $ 974.04 in late charges for the nearly $ 948,000 total sought in the suit .
Efforts to reach MacDonald , who was fired amid allegations of financial malfeasance and a combative management style , were unsuccessful on Thursday .
MacDonald has since launched an online ministry called the Home Church Network .
Edward Freud , an attorney representing Republic Bank , had no comment on the suit .
Both sides are due in Kane County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also is seeking attorney fees from MacDonald .
The foreclosure suit is the latest legal matter for MacDonald , who in late 2019 sued WLS radio host and former friend Mancow Muller .
MacDonald was fired Feb. 5 , 2019 , and Harvest officials made the decision public Feb. 12 , 2019 -- the same day Muller aired a leaked and damning taped conversation of MacDonald on his radio show .
In mid-December 2019 , MacDonald broke his silence since his termination with an 18-count lawsuit alleging defamation , eavesdropping , privacy infringement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reckless oversight against Muller and Cumulus Media Inc. , owner of WLS-AM .
Mancow is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed , arguing it was his `` duty '' as a church member and journalist to expose MacDonald .
MacDonald 's lawyer in the defamation suit , Phil Zisook , is seeking to have Mancow 's attorney , Michael J .
Young , dismissed from the case .
No hearing date has been setn and the two sides are next due in court on July 28 .

Bank forecloses on Harvest Bible Chapel founder's Elgin-area estate
James MacDonald, former senior pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, is being sued for nearly $948,000.
James MacDonald, the ousted founder of the Rolling Meadows-based Harvest Bible Chapel, has not made a mortgage payment on his sprawling Elgin-area estate since December 2019, a bank argues in a foreclosure lawsuit filed this week in Kane County.
Republic Bank of Chicago is seeking $947,546.34 from MacDonald, who was fired from the megachurch in February 2019, according to the lawsuit, which also names MacDonald's LLC, Vanilla Bean, as a defendant.
The property on the 14N300 block of Highland Avenue was purchased in January 2016 with a $990,000 loan, according to the lawsuit. MacDonald still owes $925,902.96 on the loan, $20,669.34 in unpaid interest, and $974.04 in late charges for the nearly $948,000 total sought in the suit.
Efforts to reach MacDonald, who was fired amid allegations of financial malfeasance and a combative management style, were unsuccessful on Thursday.
MacDonald has since launched an online ministry called the Home Church Network.
Edward Freud, an attorney representing Republic Bank, had no comment on the suit.
Both sides are due in Kane County court on Dec. 28. Republic Banks also is seeking attorney fees from MacDonald.
The foreclosure suit is the latest legal matter for MacDonald, who in late 2019 sued WLS radio host and former friend Mancow Muller.
MacDonald was fired Feb. 5, 2019, and Harvest officials made the decision public Feb. 12, 2019 -- the same day Muller aired a leaked and damning taped conversation of MacDonald on his radio show. In mid-December 2019, MacDonald broke his silence since his termination with an 18-count lawsuit alleging defamation, eavesdropping, privacy infringement (related to the leaked recording) and reckless oversight against Muller and Cumulus Media Inc., owner of WLS-AM.
Mancow is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing it was his "duty" as a church member and journalist to expose MacDonald.
MacDonald's lawyer in the defamation suit, Phil Zisook, is seeking to have Mancow's attorney, Michael J. Young, dismissed from the case. No hearing date has been setn and the two sides are next due in court on July 28.
• Daily Herald staff writer Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Q&A: Current state of high school sports addressed by IHSA's Anderson

Last week , the Illinois High School Association 's Phase 4 Return to Play plan was amended by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's office to , among other things , not allow contact in drills and practices .
IHSA executive director Craig Anderson addressed that issue as well as several other questions about the current state of high school sports in an interview with the Daily Herald Wednesday .
DH : Can you expound on Tuesday 's announcement that the IHSA is now going to defer to state agencies for the Return to Play guidelines ?
What led to that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play into that decision ?
CA : It 's a number of things .
We tried to work in good concert with the governor 's office , ISBE ( Illinois State Board of Education ) and the IDPH ( Illinois Department of Public Health ) but when things happened last week , when we were set back a little , the pushback was on us .
These were n't decisions we made .
They were made by the governor 's office and the IDPH .
I just felt it necessary to let the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to rely on the governor 's office and the IDPH .
With the current restrictions we have it 's going to make it difficult for us to plan for fall sports , especially those that require contact .
They 're the experts on the medical side .
The lawsuit did play into the decision .
The last thing we need is for us to defend ourselves when financially were in a difficult spot .
We lost our spring season , we lost our basketball tournaments and we lost sponsorships .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sponsors and for us to have to defend ourselves for actions that we were pressed into is an additional challenge for us to get into .
DH : If there is high school sports in any form , be that football , soccer , volleyball , or just golf and tennis , and if a student-athlete opts for e-learning as opposed to in-person learning , but then still intends to play a sport , will that be allowed and how will that work ?
CA : In that situation it will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent a kid who chooses to do virtual learning from being involved in activities .
All virtual learning would meet our eligibility requirements .
DH : How concerned are you that it appears now the IHSA has little say in the Return to Play guidelines ?
CA : I 'm really concerned .
We 're good at providing opportunities for kids and we 're successful in running events .
Medically , we resourced the guidance we were providing for our membership .
It came from our medical experts on ( the Sports Medicine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good feedback for how we do a number of things .
This is something we 've never had to deal with .
Our SMAC understands education-based athletics .
I 'm concerned about what happens next for providing opportunities for our member schools .
Without us having a hand in that , we 're concerned , our parents and our educators are concerned .
It does n't mean we 're no longer advocating for our schools and our students .
We will continue to do that .
We know kids need opportunities outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for that until the last day we 're allowed to .
DH : We 're aware of some schools that have sent you a plan for starting sports later in the fall or early winter and running the high school sports year into July .
Is that even feasible , considering the myriad obstacles that would have to be overcome to do that ?
CA : I do n't know if it 's feasible to think that we can flop everything .
A variety of models are being tossed around that have different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three seasons with a modified season limitation and not overlap entire seasons .
What I hesitate with is just to flop football and baseball .
If we flop football to spring there 's a huge number of track and field athletes , for example , that would have to make a choice and I do n't want to do that .
If we get delayed to early winter or even January , there are some models being presented to us that would still try to get all our seasons in .
DH : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would need to be made by July 15 on starting fall sports on time , if at all .
There is an IHSA board meeting July 22 .
Do you expect there to be some decisions made by then , or at that meeting ?
CA : We are running out of time .
Working together with our board , the intention would be we could share something with our membership .
We need to know between now and that meeting what are our restrictions are going to be , otherwise we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ultimately that decision is going to be made at the governor 's office level and we need direction from them for planning .
If there 's no guidance , the board decision will have to be if they want to move forward or delay it longer until we get guidance .
My recommendation would be to wait until we do have some guidance .
DH : In your heart of hearts , given all the information you currently have , do you truly expect fall sports of any kind to be played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , it 's going to be difficult to conduct all of our fall sports under the restrictions we are under right now .
Until we get some restrictions lifted that would permit physical contact it 's going to be difficult .
There 's a possibility that some fall sports can be played .
But even with a sport like cross country , it gets very difficult because the gatherings exceed 50 real quickly .
It would be tough to race at a social distance .
There 's packs of runners who run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Would you allow your son , Mac , a senior at downstate Morton High School , to play high school football in four weeks ?
CA : Yes I would .
He 's a three-sport athlete and he 's been involved with all of his teams this summer .
My wife and I have had no hesitation in allowing him to compete .

Q&A: Current state of high school sports addressed by IHSA's Anderson
Last week, the Illinois High School Association's Phase 4 Return to Play plan was amended by Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office to, among other things, not allow contact in drills and practices.
IHSA executive director Craig Anderson addressed that issue as well as several other questions about the current state of high school sports in an interview with the Daily Herald Wednesday.
DH: Can you expound on Tuesday's announcement that the IHSA is now going to defer to state agencies for the Return to Play guidelines? What led to that decision? Did the lawsuit filed downstate play into that decision?
CA: It's a number of things. We tried to work in good concert with the governor's office, ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) and the IDPH (Illinois Department of Public Health) but when things happened last week, when we were set back a little, the pushback was on us. These weren't decisions we made. They were made by the governor's office and the IDPH. I just felt it necessary to let the public know that we have been and continue to rely on the governor's office and the IDPH. With the current restrictions we have it's going to make it difficult for us to plan for fall sports, especially those that require contact. They're the experts on the medical side.
The lawsuit did play into the decision. The last thing we need is for us to defend ourselves when financially were in a difficult spot. We lost our spring season, we lost our basketball tournaments and we lost sponsorships. We have to give money back or credit those sponsors and for us to have to defend ourselves for actions that we were pressed into is an additional challenge for us to get into.
DH: If there is high school sports in any form, be that football, soccer, volleyball, or just golf and tennis, and if a student-athlete opts for e-learning as opposed to in-person learning, but then still intends to play a sport, will that be allowed and how will that work?
CA: In that situation it will be a local decision. Our bylaws would not prevent a kid who chooses to do virtual learning from being involved in activities. All virtual learning would meet our eligibility requirements.
DH: How concerned are you that it appears now the IHSA has little say in the Return to Play guidelines?
CA: I'm really concerned. We're good at providing opportunities for kids and we're successful in running events. Medically, we resourced the guidance we were providing for our membership. It came from our medical experts on (the Sports Medicine Advisory Committee). They provided us good feedback for how we do a number of things. This is something we've never had to deal with. Our SMAC understands education-based athletics. I'm concerned about what happens next for providing opportunities for our member schools. Without us having a hand in that, we're concerned, our parents and our educators are concerned. It doesn't mean we're no longer advocating for our schools and our students. We will continue to do that. We know kids need opportunities outside the classroom and we will continue to advocate for that until the last day we're allowed to.
DH: We're aware of some schools that have sent you a plan for starting sports later in the fall or early winter and running the high school sports year into July. Is that even feasible, considering the myriad obstacles that would have to be overcome to do that?
CA: I don't know if it's feasible to think that we can flop everything. A variety of models are being tossed around that have different start dates, including to play all three seasons with a modified season limitation and not overlap entire seasons. What I hesitate with is just to flop football and baseball. If we flop football to spring there's a huge number of track and field athletes, for example, that would have to make a choice and I don't want to do that. If we get delayed to early winter or even January, there are some models being presented to us that would still try to get all our seasons in.
DH: At one time you said a decision would need to be made by July 15 on starting fall sports on time, if at all. There is an IHSA board meeting July 22. Do you expect there to be some decisions made by then, or at that meeting?
CA: We are running out of time. Working together with our board, the intention would be we could share something with our membership. We need to know between now and that meeting what are our restrictions are going to be, otherwise we're shooting in the dark without any direction. Ultimately that decision is going to be made at the governor's office level and we need direction from them for planning. If there's no guidance, the board decision will have to be if they want to move forward or delay it longer until we get guidance. My recommendation would be to wait until we do have some guidance.
DH: In your heart of hearts, given all the information you currently have, do you truly expect fall sports of any kind to be played?
CA: Knowing what we know today, it's going to be difficult to conduct all of our fall sports under the restrictions we are under right now. Until we get some restrictions lifted that would permit physical contact it's going to be difficult. There's a possibility that some fall sports can be played. But even with a sport like cross country, it gets very difficult because the gatherings exceed 50 real quickly. It would be tough to race at a social distance. There's packs of runners who run in proximity to each other.
DH: Would you allow your son, Mac, a senior at downstate Morton High School, to play high school football in four weeks?
CA: Yes I would. He's a three-sport athlete and he's been involved with all of his teams this summer. My wife and I have had no hesitation in allowing him to compete.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Buffalo Grove announces $100 million Town Center redevelopment

Buffalo Grove officials Thursday announced plans for a $ 100 million redevelopment of the Town Center shopping center with a mix of retail , restaurants and multifamily housing .
Kensington Development Partners has entered into a contract to acquire the center , built at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads with the support of tax increment financing and envisioned as the village 's downtown .
No village money will be directly invested in the redevelopment , officials said .
However , funds from a proposed Lake-Cook Corridor TIF could be used .
`` The village is committed to improving quality of life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sites like Town Center , '' Village Manager Dane Bragg said in Thursday 's announcement .
`` Our in-depth study of the Lake Cook Corridor found that the market supports new retail , office and residential developments .
The Lake Cook Corridor Plan , combined with tax increment financing , lays the foundation for exciting new projects to occur which would have been otherwise unattainable . ''
The announcement comes before Monday 's village board meeting , at which trustees will discuss and possibly vote on the proposed TIF .
The district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arlington Heights Road , Lake-Cook Road , McHenry Road and Checker Drive .
In a TIF district , property taxes generated in that area for local governments would be frozen at their current amounts for 23 years .
Any additional taxes generated by rising property values then would go into a special village account to pay for improvements within the district .
Besides Town Center , the TIF area includes Chase Plaza , also targeted by the village for redevelopment .
Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling said the TIF will have a budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Schoditsch , a principal at Kensington , said the company has been eyeing Buffalo Grove for some time .
`` The village 's commitment to implementing a shared vision , as well as its proactive approach to consider a TIF district , were instrumental in our team moving forward with our proposal , '' he said .

Buffalo Grove announces $100M Town Center redevelopment
Buffalo Grove officials announced plans Thursday for a $100 million redevelopment of the Town Center shopping center with a mix of retail, restaurants and multifamily housing. Courtesy of Village of Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove officials Thursday announced plans for a $100 million redevelopment of the Town Center shopping center with a mix of retail, restaurants and multifamily housing.
Kensington Development Partners has entered into a contract to acquire the center, built at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads with the support of tax increment financing and envisioned as the village's downtown.
No village money will be directly invested in the redevelopment, officials said. However, funds from a proposed Lake-Cook Corridor TIF could be used.
"The village is committed to improving quality of life for its diverse residents through the redevelopment of sites like Town Center," Village Manager Dane Bragg said in Thursday's announcement. "Our in-depth study of the Lake Cook Corridor found that the market supports new retail, office and residential developments. The Lake Cook Corridor Plan, combined with tax increment financing, lays the foundation for exciting new projects to occur which would have been otherwise unattainable."
The announcement comes before Monday's village board meeting, at which trustees will discuss and possibly vote on the proposed TIF. The district would encompass a 472-acre area bounded by Arlington Heights Road, Lake-Cook Road, McHenry Road and Checker Drive.
In a TIF district, property taxes generated in that area for local governments would be frozen at their current amounts for 23 years. Any additional taxes generated by rising property values then would go into a special village account to pay for improvements within the district.
Besides Town Center, the TIF area includes Chase Plaza, also targeted by the village for redevelopment.
Deputy Village Manager Christopher Stilling said the TIF will have a budget of up to $96 million.
John Schoditsch, a principal at Kensington, said the company has been eyeing Buffalo Grove for some time.
"The village's commitment to implementing a shared vision, as well as its proactive approach to consider a TIF district, were instrumental in our team moving forward with our proposal," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--July 16 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 79,716 cases in the suburbs as of Thursday , 50.4 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,691 deaths in the suburbs , representing 50.9 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Thursday , suburban Cook County had 41,024 cases and 2,043 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 56,190 cases and 2,707 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Des Plaines , 849 cases and 60 deaths in Wheeling , 776 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 707 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood , 694 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 650 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg , 627 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 654 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 530 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 538 cases and 28 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 388 cases and 38 deaths in Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northbrook , 377 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 288 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 131 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 9,917 cases and 494 deaths as of Thursday .
• Top counts : 865 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 820 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 711 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 598 cases and 34 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bensenville , 559 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 460 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard , 425 cases and 36 deaths in Elmhurst , 385 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 321 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 279 cases and 4 deaths in Villa Park , 261 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 200 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 10,647 cases and 413 deaths on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts : 2,810 to 2,814 in Waukegan , 630 to 634 in Round Lake Beach , 405 to 409 in Mundelein , 330 to 334 in Gurnee , 255 to 259 in Round Lake , 215 to 219 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 215 to 219 in Lake Zurich , 180 to 184 in Vernon Hills , 175 to 179 in Wauconda , 160 to 164 in Libertyville , 110 to 114 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 8,320 cases with 288 deaths on its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,979 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 782 in Carpentersville , 375 in St. Charles , 350 in South Elgin , 229 in North Aurora , 226 in Geneva , 156 in Batavia , and 58 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,367 cases and 105 deaths , according to the health department Thursday .
• 7,476 cases and 330 deaths , as of Thursday .
• Cases per town include 474 in Naperville ( Will County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will County portion ) .

July 16 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 79,716 cases in the suburbs as of Thursday, 50.4% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 3,691 deaths in the suburbs, representing 50.9% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Thursday, suburban Cook County had 41,024 cases and 2,043 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 56,190 cases and 2,707 fatalities. • Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,851 cases and 101 deaths in Des Plaines, 849 cases and 60 deaths in Wheeling, 776 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 707 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood, 694 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 650 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg, 627 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 654 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 530 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 538 cases and 28 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 388 cases and 38 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 376 cases and 41 deaths in Northbrook, 377 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 288 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 131 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 9,917 cases and 494 deaths as of Thursday.
• Top counts: 865 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 820 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 711 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 598 cases and 34 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 564 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 559 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 460 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard, 425 cases and 36 deaths in Elmhurst, 385 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 321 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 279 cases and 4 deaths in Villa Park, 261 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 200 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County • The county listed 10,647 cases and 413 deaths on its website as of Thursday.
• Top counts: 2,810 to 2,814 in Waukegan, 630 to 634 in Round Lake Beach, 405 to 409 in Mundelein, 330 to 334 in Gurnee, 255 to 259 in Round Lake, 215 to 219 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 215 to 219 in Lake Zurich, 180 to 184 in Vernon Hills, 175 to 179 in Wauconda, 160 to 164 in Libertyville, 110 to 114 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 8,320 cases with 288 deaths on its website Thursday.
• Top counts: 3,516 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,979 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 782 in Carpentersville, 375 in St. Charles, 350 in South Elgin, 229 in North Aurora, 226 in Geneva, 156 in Batavia, and 58 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,367 cases and 105 deaths, according to the health department Thursday.
Will County
• 7,476 cases and 330 deaths, as of Thursday.
• Cases per town include 474 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 88 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Naperville plaza gives south side new outdoor space

South Naperville has a new outdoor destination and a way to enjoy the water , which officials celebrated Thursday during an opening ceremony for the 95th Street Community Plaza .
The plaza offers Naperville Park District 's first splash pad , as well as a performance pavilion and lawn , a storybook-themed playground , shaded seating , path connections , landscaping and restrooms .
The project turned a roughly 2-acre , overgrown field south of the 95th Street Library into a place to read , play and enjoy being outside , officials said .
The plaza opened July 9 with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan .
It was the result of more than two years of brainstorming and collaboration led by the park district after Karen Dunford , former manager of the 95th Street Library and current deputy director of the Naperville Public Library , brought forward her idea for the gathering space .
Dunford noticed the library , located next to Neuqua Valley High School and the Birkett Freshman Center , would fill up after school , and she imagined students would enjoy an outdoor space for studying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use a land-cash donation from Pulte Homes , developer of the nearby Wagner Farms subdivision south of the plaza , to help bring the $ 3.6 million project to completion .
Pulte also donated , in conjunction with the Wagner family , an additional sum to name the Wagner Family Pavilion .
Construction began in spring 2019 on the new plaza , located at 3109 Cedar Glade Drive .
Work was able to continue this spring as construction was ruled essential during the stay-at-home order .

Naperville plaza gives south side new outdoor space
South Naperville has a new outdoor destination and a way to enjoy the water, which officials celebrated Thursday during an opening ceremony for the 95th Street Community Plaza.
The plaza offers Naperville Park District's first splash pad, as well as a performance pavilion and lawn, a storybook-themed playground, shaded seating, path connections, landscaping and restrooms.
The project turned a roughly 2-acre, overgrown field south of the 95th Street Library into a place to read, play and enjoy being outside, officials said.
The plaza opened July 9 with a splash pad capacity of 50 people during Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan.
It was the result of more than two years of brainstorming and collaboration led by the park district after Karen Dunford, former manager of the 95th Street Library and current deputy director of the Naperville Public Library, brought forward her idea for the gathering space.
Dunford noticed the library, located next to Neuqua Valley High School and the Birkett Freshman Center, would fill up after school, and she imagined students would enjoy an outdoor space for studying and socializing.
The park district was able to use a land-cash donation from Pulte Homes, developer of the nearby Wagner Farms subdivision south of the plaza, to help bring the $3.6 million project to completion. Pulte also donated, in conjunction with the Wagner family, an additional sum to name the Wagner Family Pavilion.
Construction began in spring 2019 on the new plaza, located at 3109 Cedar Glade Drive. Work was able to continue this spring as construction was ruled essential during the stay-at-home order.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Juneteenth won't be a DuPage County holiday in 2021

DuPage is looking to educate the public about Juneteenth , but wo n't give county employees a paid day off on the holiday next year .
The county board this week adopted a holiday schedule for 2021 that will give the county 's nearly 2,200 workers 11 days off for holidays , including Presidents Day , Columbus Day and the day after Thanksgiving .
Board member Elizabeth Chaplin said she 's disappointed the schedule does n't include Juneteenth , the anniversary of the day when the last slaves learned of their emancipation -- June 19 , 1865 .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Downers Grove Democrat said Thursday .
`` It was an opportunity to allow people that day off to learn about Juneteenth . ''
But Chairman Dan Cronin questioned whether that would be the most effective way to honor Juneteenth .
He pointed to remarks that Black community leaders made during a recent meeting of the DuPage Complete Count Committee .
The Rev .
James Miller , senior pastor of DuPage AME Church in Lisle ; Theodia Gillespie , president and CEO of the Quad County Urban League ; and DuPage NAACP President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the panel to begin a dialogue about diversity and inclusion in the county .
During their comments , Childress and Miller weighed in on the idea of making Juneteenth a county holiday .
`` I do support Juneteenth as a holiday , '' Childress said .
`` But I do n't support it as just a day off work .
I support it as a day of education and a day of service . ''
Miller urged officials not to add Juneteenth to the county 's holiday schedule .
`` Please do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
`` We do n't need another empty symbol . ''
Cronin said he wants the county to take a `` more robust and substantive approach to Juneteenth . ''
The Elmhurst Republican said the county will work with College of DuPage to plan a series of educational events that will culminate in a unity breakfast celebrating the day in 2021 .
`` This breakfast will feature an educational program to teach our community about the history of African American contributions to DuPage County and to help us all understand and mend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said he wants the calender of events to be developed with the help of Unity Partnership , the DuPage NAACP and other groups .
`` I believe these activities will promote greater understanding ( and ) will make a real difference , '' Cronin said .

Juneteenth won't be a DuPage County holiday in 2021
DuPage is looking to educate the public about Juneteenth, but won't give county employees a paid day off on the holiday next year.
The county board this week adopted a holiday schedule for 2021 that will give the county's nearly 2,200 workers 11 days off for holidays, including Presidents Day, Columbus Day and the day after Thanksgiving.
Board member Elizabeth Chaplin said she's disappointed the schedule doesn't include Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day when the last slaves learned of their emancipation -- June 19, 1865.
"We could have led the way," the Downers Grove Democrat said Thursday. "It was an opportunity to allow people that day off to learn about Juneteenth."
But Chairman Dan Cronin questioned whether that would be the most effective way to honor Juneteenth. He pointed to remarks that Black community leaders made during a recent meeting of the DuPage Complete Count Committee.
The Rev. James Miller, senior pastor of DuPage AME Church in Lisle; Theodia Gillespie, president and CEO of the Quad County Urban League; and DuPage NAACP President Michael Childress were invited to speak to the panel to begin a dialogue about diversity and inclusion in the county.
During their comments, Childress and Miller weighed in on the idea of making Juneteenth a county holiday.
"I do support Juneteenth as a holiday," Childress said. "But I don't support it as just a day off work. I support it as a day of education and a day of service."
Miller urged officials not to add Juneteenth to the county's holiday schedule.
"Please do not make Juneteenth a holiday," he said. "We don't need another empty symbol."
Cronin said he wants the county to take a "more robust and substantive approach to Juneteenth."
The Elmhurst Republican said the county will work with College of DuPage to plan a series of educational events that will culminate in a unity breakfast celebrating the day in 2021.
"This breakfast will feature an educational program to teach our community about the history of African American contributions to DuPage County and to help us all understand and mend racial divisions," Cronin said.
He said he wants the calender of events to be developed with the help of Unity Partnership, the DuPage NAACP and other groups.
"I believe these activities will promote greater understanding (and) will make a real difference," Cronin said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Dist. 15 giving parents more time to choose between in-person and online school

Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has revised its plan for reopening schools for the 2020-21 academic year , which includes giving parents additional time to choose between in-person and virtual learning .
Under the plan , school will begin Aug. 17 for students in grades 1-8 and Aug. 18 for early childhood and kindergarten .
Citing feedback received from parents and guardians , the district has tweaked the reopening plan first announced July 10 .
One change is a deadline extension for parents and guardians to decide if their students will attend classes in school or online while the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What had been a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Friday now is noon Monday .
District 15 officials explained the need for a tight time frame during a Zoom webinar this week .
`` Typically , staffing for a district our size , we 're looking at a good six to seven months that we work on doing that , '' said Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Lisa Nuss .
`` And we do n't have six to seven months before school starts .
We understand that these are hard decisions to make without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will allow parents and guardians to change their choice of in-person or online learning at the end of each grading period , rather than be locked in for the full year .
That means after the first trimester for grades 1-6 and the first semester for early childhood , kindergarten and junior high school .
The district also may reconsider its decision to check students ' temperature every day .
While they still prefer it be done at home , officials acknowledge concerns about reliability and are reviewing the most efficient , confidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 symptoms .
Health Services Coordinator Karen Flor said it would take about five hours for one nurse to do temperature checks and ask screening questions of 600 students in a school and get them into the building at a social distance .
The task could be reduced to an hour with five screeners , she said .
In-person instruction will resume with health and safety modifications , such as required face coverings for students , staff and visitors , as well as increased sanitizing of buildings .
No more than 50 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a school bus at a time .
District 15 is the second-largest elementary system in Illinois , with roughly 12,000 students in 20 schools .
The district includes all or parts of Palatine , Rolling Meadows , Hoffman Estates , Inverness , South Barrington , Arlington Heights and Schaumburg .

Dist. 15 giving parents more time to choose between in-person and online school
Parents in Palatine Township Elementary District 15 now have until noon Monday to decide whether their children will attend classes in person or online next fall. Daily Herald file photo
Palatine Township Elementary District 15 has revised its plan for reopening schools for the 2020-21 academic year, which includes giving parents additional time to choose between in-person and virtual learning.
Under the plan, school will begin Aug. 17 for students in grades 1-8 and Aug. 18 for early childhood and kindergarten.
Citing feedback received from parents and guardians, the district has tweaked the reopening plan first announced July 10.
One change is a deadline extension for parents and guardians to decide if their students will attend classes in school or online while the state remains in Phase 4 of reopening. What had been a deadline of 11:59 p.m. Friday now is noon Monday.
District 15 officials explained the need for a tight time frame during a Zoom webinar this week.
"Typically, staffing for a district our size, we're looking at a good six to seven months that we work on doing that," said Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Lisa Nuss. "And we don't have six to seven months before school starts. We understand that these are hard decisions to make without all the information."
Another revision will allow parents and guardians to change their choice of in-person or online learning at the end of each grading period, rather than be locked in for the full year. That means after the first trimester for grades 1-6 and the first semester for early childhood, kindergarten and junior high school.
The district also may reconsider its decision to check students' temperature every day. While they still prefer it be done at home, officials acknowledge concerns about reliability and are reviewing the most efficient, confidential and safest way to screen children for COVID-19 symptoms.
Health Services Coordinator Karen Flor said it would take about five hours for one nurse to do temperature checks and ask screening questions of 600 students in a school and get them into the building at a social distance. The task could be reduced to an hour with five screeners, she said.
In-person instruction will resume with health and safety modifications, such as required face coverings for students, staff and visitors, as well as increased sanitizing of buildings. No more than 50 people will be allowed in a room or on a school bus at a time.
District 15 is the second-largest elementary system in Illinois, with roughly 12,000 students in 20 schools. The district includes all or parts of Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, South Barrington, Arlington Heights and Schaumburg.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Aurora landlord pleads guilty to unlawful restraint of tenant

An Aurora landlord charged with sexually assaulting a new tenant in May 2019 has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and will begin serving a 180-day jail sentence next month .
Mahmoud Khamissi , 38 , of the 2400 block of Halstead Lane , originally faced six to 30 years in prison if convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault causing bodily harm to the victim , a felony , along with a lifetime registration as a sex offender , according to Kane County court records .
He also was charged with attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault causing bodily harm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentence of four to 15 years in prison .
Late last week , Khamissi pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint , a felony , and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years of probation through July 2023 .
He is to report to the jail Aug. 25 .
Kane County Judge Charles Petersen accepted the plea agreement in which prosecutors dismissed both sexual assault charges .
The state 's attorney 's office had no comment on the case Thursday .
Khamissi was arrested May 21 , 2019 , on charges he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 .
Aurora police said a 37-year-old woman moved into a rental house on the 800 block of Symphony Lane on April 15 , 2019 .
During several days , Khamissi went to the house and made several sexual advances , which were rejected .
The night of April 20 , Khamissi went to the house to get some items from the attached garage and , while there , asked the woman for help , police said .
Khamissi forced her into a corner of the garage and assaulted her , police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran to his car and sped off , police said .
The victim was treated at a hospital .
Khamissi 's defense attorney , Vincent Luisi , declined to comment when reached by phone Wednesday .
Khamissi gets credit for two weeks served at the Kane County jail after his arrest .
He posted $ 37,500 bond in early June 2019 after Luisi argued his client 's $ 50,000 bond was excessive and unreasonable .
If Khamissi violates his probation , he could be resentenced to up to three years in prison .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut in half for good behavior .

Aurora landlord pleads guilty to unlawful restraint of tenant
An Aurora landlord charged with sexually assaulting a new tenant in May 2019 has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and will begin serving a 180-day jail sentence next month.
Mahmoud Khamissi, 38, of the 2400 block of Halstead Lane, originally faced six to 30 years in prison if convicted of aggravated criminal sexual assault causing bodily harm to the victim, a felony, along with a lifetime registration as a sex offender, according to Kane County court records.
He also was charged with attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault causing bodily harm, also a felony, which carried a sentence of four to 15 years in prison.
Late last week, Khamissi pleaded guilty to unlawful restraint, a felony, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail and three years of probation through July 2023. He is to report to the jail Aug. 25.
Kane County Judge Charles Petersen accepted the plea agreement in which prosecutors dismissed both sexual assault charges. The state's attorney's office had no comment on the case Thursday.
Khamissi was arrested May 21, 2019, on charges he attacked a new tenant April 20, 2019.
Aurora police said a 37-year-old woman moved into a rental house on the 800 block of Symphony Lane on April 15, 2019. During several days, Khamissi went to the house and made several sexual advances, which were rejected.
The night of April 20, Khamissi went to the house to get some items from the attached garage and, while there, asked the woman for help, police said.
Khamissi forced her into a corner of the garage and assaulted her, police said. A passerby interrupted Khamissi, who ran to his car and sped off, police said. The victim was treated at a hospital.
Khamissi's defense attorney, Vincent Luisi, declined to comment when reached by phone Wednesday.
Khamissi gets credit for two weeks served at the Kane County jail after his arrest. He posted $37,500 bond in early June 2019 after Luisi argued his client's $50,000 bond was excessive and unreasonable.
If Khamissi violates his probation, he could be resentenced to up to three years in prison. He also can have his jail term cut in half for good behavior.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-16--Downtown Wheaton shopkeeper remembered for doing things his own way

The corner shop in downtown Wheaton stood frozen in time .
Nearly every inch of the store seemed packed with inventory , eccentric ties , old sports memorabilia , offbeat merchandise you would n't find at big-box retailers .
While the downtown landscape evolved over the years , Robert Sandberg 's men 's clothing store remained virtually , and sometimes defiantly , unchanged .
`` He enjoyed all his customers , '' his wife , Karen , said .
`` A lot of people came into the store just to talk to him . ''
A longtime shopkeeper , Sandberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered in a car crash earlier this month in Wheaton .
He was 82 .
Sandberg started his business in 1958 on Hale Street in Wheaton .
His store 's longevity made him a prominent figure .
He also was in the public eye because of legal disputes with the city over the condition of his downtown properties .
Growing up in Geneva , Sandberg got his start in the tailoring business working at Erday 's , a clothing store in that city 's downtown , before opening his own shop , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liked doing weddings and tailoring suits to make them fit each individual , '' Marlisa Swaney said .
She remembers riding her bike downtown with her friends and heading to two fixtures : the Little Popcorn Store and then her father 's namesake shop .
`` He loved seeing us and all my friends grow up , '' Swaney said .
For decades , Sandberg 's store occupied a prime retail spot in a two-story building at the northwest corner of Front and Main streets .
In 1986 , the city sued to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court , which ruled in Sandberg 's favor in 1992 .
Other disputes began when the city cited him for code violations .
The city successfully used condemnation proceedings to acquire Sandberg 's vacant buildings at 109 N. Main St. and 111 N. Main St. for redevelopment .
Sandberg over the years defended his record as a businessman and landlord .
`` It 's sad , and this is America , '' Sandberg said in 2000 .
`` I 've had family that have laid their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property . ''
Since his death , flowers have been left outside the clothing business .
His wife said Thursday it 's too soon to say what will happen to the building .
`` While I understand the community interest in the development of Mr. Sandburg 's building , at this time it is important to give the family time to grieve their loss , '' Downtown Wheaton Association Executive Director Elle Withall said in a statement .
`` When the family is ready to move forward with a decision on the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any assistance we can to ensure the best use for the development of downtown Wheaton . ''
Sandberg died last weekend , about 10 days after the two-vehicle crash on Geneva Road , roughly 200 feet east of Main Street .
According to a preliminary investigation , Sandberg was a passenger in a vehicle that failed to yield to traffic exiting the Jewel shopping center private drive , Deputy Police Chief P.J .
Youker said .
The driver of the vehicle with Sandberg and the other driver also were injured .
Sandberg 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the crash , rushed him to the hospital and gave his family 10 days to say goodbye while he remained in a coma .
`` These last 10 days were the most difficult in my life , '' Swaney said .
A sports fan , Sandberg had vitality and high energy even as he worked into his 80s , his daughter said .
`` He 's supposed to be here right now , '' she said .
Sandberg and his wife would have been married 53 years in August .
He 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Hultgren Funeral Home , 304 N. Main St. , Wheaton , followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Only 50 attendees are allowed at any given time because of COVID-19 safety protocols .
For those unable to attend , a livestream will be available on the funeral home 's website .
Memorial donations can be sent to Friends of DuPage County Animal Care and Control , 120 N County Farm Road , Wheaton .

Downtown Wheaton shopkeeper remembered for doing things his own way
Robert Sandberg, the owner of a longtime men's clothing business in Wheaton, has died. Daily Herald file photo
The corner shop in downtown Wheaton stood frozen in time.
Nearly every inch of the store seemed packed with inventory, eccentric ties, old sports memorabilia, offbeat merchandise you wouldn't find at big-box retailers.
While the downtown landscape evolved over the years, Robert Sandberg's men's clothing store remained virtually, and sometimes defiantly, unchanged.
"He enjoyed all his customers," his wife, Karen, said. "A lot of people came into the store just to talk to him."
A longtime shopkeeper, Sandberg died as a result of injuries he suffered in a car crash earlier this month in Wheaton. He was 82.
Sandberg started his business in 1958 on Hale Street in Wheaton. His store's longevity made him a prominent figure.
He also was in the public eye because of legal disputes with the city over the condition of his downtown properties.
Growing up in Geneva, Sandberg got his start in the tailoring business working at Erday's, a clothing store in that city's downtown, before opening his own shop, his daughter said.
"I know he liked doing weddings and tailoring suits to make them fit each individual," Marlisa Swaney said.
She remembers riding her bike downtown with her friends and heading to two fixtures: the Little Popcorn Store and then her father's namesake shop.
"He loved seeing us and all my friends grow up," Swaney said.
For decades, Sandberg's store occupied a prime retail spot in a two-story building at the northwest corner of Front and Main streets.
In 1986, the city sued to condemn the property. The case went all the way to the Illinois Supreme Court, which ruled in Sandberg's favor in 1992.
Other disputes began when the city cited him for code violations. The city successfully used condemnation proceedings to acquire Sandberg's vacant buildings at 109 N. Main St. and 111 N. Main St. for redevelopment.
Sandberg over the years defended his record as a businessman and landlord.
"It's sad, and this is America," Sandberg said in 2000. "I've had family that have laid their lives down for the right to own property."
Since his death, flowers have been left outside the clothing business.
His wife said Thursday it's too soon to say what will happen to the building.
"While I understand the community interest in the development of Mr. Sandburg's building, at this time it is important to give the family time to grieve their loss," Downtown Wheaton Association Executive Director Elle Withall said in a statement. "When the family is ready to move forward with a decision on the property the DWA will be here to offer any assistance we can to ensure the best use for the development of downtown Wheaton."
Sandberg died last weekend, about 10 days after the two-vehicle crash on Geneva Road, roughly 200 feet east of Main Street. According to a preliminary investigation, Sandberg was a passenger in a vehicle that failed to yield to traffic exiting the Jewel shopping center private drive, Deputy Police Chief P.J. Youker said.
The driver of the vehicle with Sandberg and the other driver also were injured.
Sandberg's daughter thanked Wheaton firefighters who pulled him from the crash, rushed him to the hospital and gave his family 10 days to say goodbye while he remained in a coma.
"These last 10 days were the most difficult in my life," Swaney said.
A sports fan, Sandberg had vitality and high energy even as he worked into his 80s, his daughter said.
"He's supposed to be here right now," she said.
Sandberg and his wife would have been married 53 years in August. He's also survived by his two grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Only 50 attendees are allowed at any given time because of COVID-19 safety protocols. For those unable to attend, a livestream will be available on the funeral home's website.
Memorial donations can be sent to Friends of DuPage County Animal Care and Control, 120 N County Farm Road, Wheaton.