dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-13--Impact fee for teardowns proposed in Arlington Heights

Developers who tear down old houses in Arlington Heights would have to pay a $ 3,500 impact fee -- but residents who want to expand their existing homes would n't -- under draft affordable housing rules discussed by the village board .
Those were among the items supported by most board members during their lengthy review of a proposed inclusionary housing ordinance Monday night .
The proposed $ 3,500-per-unit linkage fee would be less than a $ 10,000 demolition fee charged in Highland Park and Lake Forest .
Arlington Heights officials say the fee -- which would go into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to the growing trend replacing older , more affordable homes with newer , more expensive ones .
There were 26 teardowns in Arlington Heights in 2018 and 23 through November 2019 .
A village analysis of six teardowns showed sale prices for old houses ranged from $ 187,000 to $ 275,000 , but their newer replacements ranged from $ 775,000 to nearly $ 1 million .
`` I 've watched them be torn down around the corner from me and put these homes up that are not affordable , '' said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chief proponents of new affordable housing rules .
`` I think a $ 3,500 fee is a small fee to pay for the privilege to buy a home that somebody could have lived in at an affordable rate . ''
But most trustees pushed back on a separate village staff proposal that would have charged the fee to owners who expanded their homes by 50 % or more .
Trustee Tom Schwingbeck said he reviewed a number of home addition projects while on the zoning board of appeals that were submitted by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2018 , there were 20 home additions of 50 % or more reviewed by village officials .
`` These are folks not increasing the size of their house and selling it , '' Schwingbeck said .
`` They 're trying to stay in their neighborhood and live there for many more years to come , and I do n't think we should discourage that from happening . ''
Trustees on Monday came to consensus on other parts of the proposed ordinance , which would put more teeth into existing affordable housing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2008 .
The ordinance would apply to all new residential housing developments , but only those of nine units or less would be exempt from providing cheaper units and could pay the $ 3,500-per-unit fee instead .
For new downtown apartments , a majority of the board agreed with the staff recommendation that 7.5 % of the development be deemed `` affordable , '' which would be priced for those making at or below 60 % of the area median income ( about $ 37,440 for a single person ) .
The advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That and other parts of the six-page draft ordinance will go back to the commission for review before returning to the board for a final vote .

Impact fee for teardowns proposed in Arlington Heights
Developers who tear down old houses in Arlington Heights would have to pay a $3,500 impact fee -- but residents who want to expand their existing homes wouldn't -- under draft affordable housing rules discussed by the village board.
Those were among the items supported by most board members during their lengthy review of a proposed inclusionary housing ordinance Monday night.
The proposed $3,500-per-unit linkage fee would be less than a $10,000 demolition fee charged in Highland Park and Lake Forest.
Arlington Heights officials say the fee -- which would go into a village housing trust fund -- was proposed in response to the growing trend replacing older, more affordable homes with newer, more expensive ones.
There were 26 teardowns in Arlington Heights in 2018 and 23 through November 2019.
A village analysis of six teardowns showed sale prices for old houses ranged from $187,000 to $275,000, but their newer replacements ranged from $775,000 to nearly $1 million.
"I've watched them be torn down around the corner from me and put these homes up that are not affordable," said Trustee Mary Beth Canty, one of the chief proponents of new affordable housing rules. "I think a $3,500 fee is a small fee to pay for the privilege to buy a home that somebody could have lived in at an affordable rate."
But most trustees pushed back on a separate village staff proposal that would have charged the fee to owners who expanded their homes by 50% or more.
Trustee Tom Schwingbeck said he reviewed a number of home addition projects while on the zoning board of appeals that were submitted by growing families who wanted to stay put.
In 2018, there were 20 home additions of 50% or more reviewed by village officials.
"These are folks not increasing the size of their house and selling it," Schwingbeck said. "They're trying to stay in their neighborhood and live there for many more years to come, and I don't think we should discourage that from happening."
Trustees on Monday came to consensus on other parts of the proposed ordinance, which would put more teeth into existing affordable housing guidelines that have been in place since 2008.
The ordinance would apply to all new residential housing developments, but only those of nine units or less would be exempt from providing cheaper units and could pay the $3,500-per-unit fee instead.
For new downtown apartments, a majority of the board agreed with the staff recommendation that 7.5% of the development be deemed "affordable," which would be priced for those making at or below 60% of the area median income (about $37,440 for a single person). The advisory housing commission recommended a 12.5% standard.
That and other parts of the six-page draft ordinance will go back to the commission for review before returning to the board for a final vote.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Naperville is getting the nation's first Australian Mexican restaurant

A restaurant chain with the flavors of Mexico , the relentless speed of the Big Apple and the fun-loving culture of the land Down Under is opening its first U.S. presence Thursday in Naperville .
Guzman y Gomez is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. at 1519 N. Naper Blvd.
, bringing its tacos , nachos , burritos and breakfast menu to America for the first time .
Known in Australia , where it started in 2006 , as GYG , Guzman y Gomez thrives on fast service , `` clean '' food without added preservatives , artificial flavors or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regular or mini sizes to cater to all appetites and budgets , co-founder Steven Marks said .
Marks started GYG with fellow New York native Robert Hazan after discovering all the Mexican food he could find in Australia was `` always horrible . ''
He had moved to Australia three years earlier to build a hotel after running hedge funds , but soon found himself diving into the restaurant business to improve the taste and quality of Australian Mexican food .
`` Like any good entrepreneur , you think you can do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges of building a successful restaurant in Australia -- where fruit and vegetable prices are high and where customer loyalty is hard to build among a population of 24 million with an abundance of choices -- forced GYG to innovate , Marks said .
`` We 're just relentless -- that 's where the New York part comes in , '' he said .
`` I 'm relentless on food quality and culture . ''
The restaurant allows diners to customize the toppings on their orders of tacos , nachos , loaded fries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's done in a Subway or Chipotle restaurant .
But unlike Subway or Chipotle , Guzman y Gomez has a dual line to speed up the custom-creating process .
`` We can go twice as fast , '' Marks said .
A team of eight staffers from the new Naperville restaurant trained in Australia for six weeks to learn the Guzman y Gomez processes and experience the culture firsthand .
Now they 're about to bring it to the suburbs in a restaurant and drive-through decorated with metals , woods , tiles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everything you see at GYG is unique to GYG , '' Marks said .
`` We have nothing replicated or copied from any other brand .
That 's what makes it very special . ''
Guzman y Gomez searched for two years to find the perfect U.S. location to launch its concept .
Market research proved the Chicago area would be the best to prove the brand ready for nationwide success , then Marks said , he fell in love with Naperville , which he said offers `` this great cross-section of the @ @ @

Naperville is getting the nation's first Australian Mexican restaurant
A large mural is part of the decor at the new Guzman y Gomez, a fast-food and fast-casual Mexican restaurant from Australia that opens its first U.S. location Thursday in Naperville. Courtesy of Guzman y Gomez
Beef nachos come in regular and mini sizes at Guzman y Gomez, which is set to open at 6 a.m. Thursday at 1519 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville. The Australia-based chain chose Naperville as the site to launch its first restaurant in the U.S. Courtesy of Guzman y Gomez
Burritos, tacos, even fries at Australian fast-food favorite Guzman y Gomez are made "clean," without added preservatives, artificial flavors, added colors or unacceptable additives. The restaurant chain opens its first U.S. presence Thursday morning in Naperville. Courtesy of Guzman y Gomez
Guacamole puts the finishing touch on loaded fries at Australian fast-food favorite Guzman y Gomez, which is set to launch its first restaurant in the U.S. on Thursday when it opens at 6 a.m. at 1519 N. Naper Blvd. in Naperville. Courtesy of Guzman y Gomez
A restaurant chain with the flavors of Mexico, the relentless speed of the Big Apple and the fun-loving culture of the land Down Under is opening its first U.S. presence Thursday in Naperville.
Guzman y Gomez is scheduled to open at 6 a.m. at 1519 N. Naper Blvd., bringing its tacos, nachos, burritos and breakfast menu to America for the first time.
Known in Australia, where it started in 2006, as GYG, Guzman y Gomez thrives on fast service, "clean" food without added preservatives, artificial flavors or added colors, and a menu with regular or mini sizes to cater to all appetites and budgets, co-founder Steven Marks said.
Marks started GYG with fellow New York native Robert Hazan after discovering all the Mexican food he could find in Australia was "always horrible." He had moved to Australia three years earlier to build a hotel after running hedge funds, but soon found himself diving into the restaurant business to improve the taste and quality of Australian Mexican food.
"Like any good entrepreneur, you think you can do it better," Marks said.
The challenges of building a successful restaurant in Australia -- where fruit and vegetable prices are high and where customer loyalty is hard to build among a population of 24 million with an abundance of choices -- forced GYG to innovate, Marks said.
"We're just relentless -- that's where the New York part comes in," he said. "I'm relentless on food quality and culture."
The restaurant allows diners to customize the toppings on their orders of tacos, nachos, loaded fries or burritos, similar to how it's done in a Subway or Chipotle restaurant. But unlike Subway or Chipotle, Guzman y Gomez has a dual line to speed up the custom-creating process.
"We can go twice as fast," Marks said.
A team of eight staffers from the new Naperville restaurant trained in Australia for six weeks to learn the Guzman y Gomez processes and experience the culture firsthand. Now they're about to bring it to the suburbs in a restaurant and drive-through decorated with metals, woods, tiles, flowers, photos and murals.
"Everything you see at GYG is unique to GYG," Marks said. "We have nothing replicated or copied from any other brand. That's what makes it very special."
Guzman y Gomez searched for two years to find the perfect U.S. location to launch its concept. Market research proved the Chicago area would be the best to prove the brand ready for nationwide success, then Marks said, he fell in love with Naperville, which he said offers "this great cross-section of the U.S."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-13--Rozner: Quenneville's return should be Blackhawks celebration

In a week , Joel Quenneville will return to Chicago a conquering hero , welcomed through a game-day equivalent of parades with all the spoils .
The video tribute will honor the most successful coach in Blackhawks history , the bench boss of the greatest decade the franchise has ever known .
The fans will provide the requisite standing ovation and players from both sides will tap their sticks , his former stars dwindling by the year , but the few remaining on the home side will watch the hoisted Cups on a giant video board and wonder how time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For most in attendance , players included , it will be bittersweet indeed .
It will also give those with an agenda the opportunity to turn it into a referendum on Jeremy Colliton , which is not only absurd but does a disservice to a Hall of Fame coach , now with the Florida Panthers .
Quenneville is among the best in the history of the sport , some of his best coaching unknown to the local experts when he was doing terrific work in St. Louis and Colorado .
In Chicago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took over a raw team with little discipline or structure , forced at times to bench players who not only went on to win three Stanley Cups , but will find themselves in the Hall of Fame later this decade or early the next .
And when they were at their best , it was Quenneville 's ability to win matchups and offer calm under duress that led the Hawks to the finish .
In particular and truly impressive was the way he managed the goaltending situation early in the 2015 postseason , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it together and finally shine as their best player in the final three series .
But what is happening now in Chicago would not be for Quenneville , a rebuild that requires young players to get ice time and develop .
This would not be enjoyable for him and he would not be excited about offering kids the opportunity to find their way at this level of the sport .
It 's not a knock on a legend .
To read it that way is to have a fundamental misunderstanding of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to accomplish .
It was just a lack of trust in youngsters when there was always a Michal Rozsival or Michal Handzus he could play instead , believing they had a better chance to give the coach what he needed that night .
Coaching predilection , if you will .
It 's convenient to forget now that there were young players who never got a proper look , who wound up elsewhere or tossed aside because it simply was n't going to happen here under Quenneville .
This is less criticism than reality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UC for the inexperienced , an understandable process for a coach trying to win tonight 's game , for someone with a vision of this month and this season .
And that 's no longer where the Hawks are as they try to find enough players to eventually return to where they want to be in a June far off in the distance .
Does that sound like something Quenneville would relish ?
He was an extraordinary coach in Chicago and remains so , but if he were behind the Hawks ' bench @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than the Hawks are currently winning , and developing players would not be on the agenda .
So to use this moment to judge Colliton is about as ridiculous as it gets , an opportune narrative that makes for a simplistic tale .
More than all else , this should be a chance for Hawks fans to celebrate a decade of brilliance , a coach among the greatest ever returning to his former rink and bringing with him so many great memories .
Joel Quenneville should be feted and receive all the @ @ @

Rozner: Quenneville's return should be Blackhawks celebration
Joel Quenneville, now coach of the Florida Panthers, gets his team pointed in the right direction in a recent game in Pittsburgh. Associated Press
Joel Quenneville is the most successful coach in Blackhawks history, winning the Stanley Cup three times in the last decade. Associated Press
In a week, Joel Quenneville will return to Chicago a conquering hero, welcomed through a game-day equivalent of parades with all the spoils.
The video tribute will honor the most successful coach in Blackhawks history, the bench boss of the greatest decade the franchise has ever known.
The fans will provide the requisite standing ovation and players from both sides will tap their sticks, his former stars dwindling by the year, but the few remaining on the home side will watch the hoisted Cups on a giant video board and wonder how time has flown by in an instant.
For most in attendance, players included, it will be bittersweet indeed.
It will also give those with an agenda the opportunity to turn it into a referendum on Jeremy Colliton, which is not only absurd but does a disservice to a Hall of Fame coach, now with the Florida Panthers.
Quenneville is among the best in the history of the sport, some of his best coaching unknown to the local experts when he was doing terrific work in St. Louis and Colorado.
In Chicago, it was long ago forgotten that he took over a raw team with little discipline or structure, forced at times to bench players who not only went on to win three Stanley Cups, but will find themselves in the Hall of Fame later this decade or early the next.
And when they were at their best, it was Quenneville's ability to win matchups and offer calm under duress that led the Hawks to the finish.
In particular and truly impressive was the way he managed the goaltending situation early in the 2015 postseason, when he waited patiently for Corey Crawford to get it together and finally shine as their best player in the final three series.
But what is happening now in Chicago would not be for Quenneville, a rebuild that requires young players to get ice time and develop.
This would not be enjoyable for him and he would not be excited about offering kids the opportunity to find their way at this level of the sport.
It's not a knock on a legend. To read it that way is to have a fundamental misunderstanding of who Quenneville is and what he wants to accomplish.
It was just a lack of trust in youngsters when there was always a Michal Rozsival or Michal Handzus he could play instead, believing they had a better chance to give the coach what he needed that night.
Coaching predilection, if you will.
It's convenient to forget now that there were young players who never got a proper look, who wound up elsewhere or tossed aside because it simply wasn't going to happen here under Quenneville.
This is less criticism than reality.
Second chances did not frequent the UC for the inexperienced, an understandable process for a coach trying to win tonight's game, for someone with a vision of this month and this season.
And that's no longer where the Hawks are as they try to find enough players to eventually return to where they want to be in a June far off in the distance.
Does that sound like something Quenneville would relish?
He was an extraordinary coach in Chicago and remains so, but if he were behind the Hawks' bench now he would not be winning any more than the Hawks are currently winning, and developing players would not be on the agenda.
So to use this moment to judge Colliton is about as ridiculous as it gets, an opportune narrative that makes for a simplistic tale.
More than all else, this should be a chance for Hawks fans to celebrate a decade of brilliance, a coach among the greatest ever returning to his former rink and bringing with him so many great memories.
Joel Quenneville should be feted and receive all the bouquets available.
He deserves it.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Feder: Story prompts WGN Radio to cut ties with Crain's Chicago Business

WGN 720-AM abruptly severed its longstanding partnership with Crain 's Chicago Business Monday over a story that speculated on a possible sale of the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station , Robert Feder writes .
As a result of the move , Crain 's editors , reporters and other contributors no longer will appear on any WGN Radio programs , and the station no longer will host the Monday-through-Thursday business news podcast `` Crain 's Daily Gist '' on its website .
A WGN microphone was removed from Crain 's newsroom Monday , sources said .
Despite denials from Nexstar executives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's stand-alone radio property , the Crain 's story by Dalton Barker quoted industry analysts suggesting that recent changes in personnel and programming were `` potentially positioning the 95-year-old Chicago station for another sale . ''
Nexstar acquired WGN Radio in September as part of its $ 6.4 billion takeover of parent company Tribune Media .
It inherited a nearly decade-old cross-promotional arrangement with Crain 's that included regular appearances on the noontime `` Wintrust Business Lunch '' by real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and director of digital strategy and custom media Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get the full report , and more Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Story prompts WGN Radio to cut ties with Crain's Chicago Business
WGN 720-AM abruptly severed its longstanding partnership with Crain's Chicago Business Monday over a story that speculated on a possible sale of the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station.
WGN 720-AM abruptly severed its longstanding partnership with Crain's Chicago Business Monday over a story that speculated on a possible sale of the Nexstar Media Group news/talk station, Robert Feder writes.
As a result of the move, Crain's editors, reporters and other contributors no longer will appear on any WGN Radio programs, and the station no longer will host the Monday-through-Thursday business news podcast "Crain's Daily Gist" on its website. A WGN microphone was removed from Crain's newsroom Monday, sources said.
Despite denials from Nexstar executives of any plans to sell the company's stand-alone radio property, the Crain's story by Dalton Barker quoted industry analysts suggesting that recent changes in personnel and programming were "potentially positioning the 95-year-old Chicago station for another sale."
Nexstar acquired WGN Radio in September as part of its $6.4 billion takeover of parent company Tribune Media. It inherited a nearly decade-old cross-promotional arrangement with Crain's that included regular appearances on the noontime "Wintrust Business Lunch" by real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin and director of digital strategy and custom media Frank Sennett, among other prominent staffers.
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-13--Naperville police chief recalls finding killer's body atop stabbing victim's

Finding a dead man lying on top of another dead man in a Naperville apartment in 1981 was strange enough for then-patrol officer Robert Marshall .
But all these years later it became even stranger as Marshall , now Naperville 's police chief , and others learned of its connection to a decades-old cold-case murder .
Bruce Lindahl was the dead man found atop 18-year-old Charles Huber , whom he had stabbed to death near the sliding glass door of a Naperville apartment on Ogden Avenue , Marshall said .
Since Lindahl accidentally fatally stabbed himself in the attack , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that was it -- for years .
That all changed when investigators , using DNA technology that was n't available at the time of the original crimes , linked Lindahl with the 1976 strangulation of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer of Woodridge .
Now Lindahl also is suspected in the disappearance of a Downers Grove teen , the disappearance and death of an Aurora woman , and the rapes of other women .
Authorities are asking people associated with other possible victims to contact the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office or Lisle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference Monday as authorities explained the connection between these cases and Lindahl , Marshall reflected on the 1981 investigation .
Although it was tragic for the man killed in that case , the stabbing stopped Lindahl from victimizing more people , Marshall said .
`` Being one of the first officers on the scene and then hearing about all these other things that he was doing in the 1970s is obviously disturbing , '' Marshall said .
`` My take-away is justice can be delivered in many different ways . ''
Marshall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of other officers and a sergeant to the apartment where a woman later identified as Lindahl 's girlfriend had found the two bodies .
`` It was a very perplexing crime scene , '' Marshall said .
Investigators initially thought they had a double-homicide on their hands and a killer on the loose , Marshall said .
`` We determined through the autopsy that Lindahl had , in his rage of stabbing Mr. Huber , accidentally severed his own femoral artery and had bled to death , laying basically right on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Police determined Lindahl and Huber had met at a nearby bowling alley , then called Gala Lanes , on Aurora Avenue in Naperville .
But they never figured out exactly what brought Huber to Lindahl 's girlfriend 's apartment on the day he was killed .
Until recently , authorities said , no one knew Lindahl also was responsible for killing Maurer .
`` We in law enforcement , we 're relentless , '' Marshall said .
`` We never give up on these cases if they 're unresolved . ''

Naperville police chief recalls finding killer's body atop stabbing victim's
Finding a dead man lying on top of another dead man in a Naperville apartment in 1981 was strange enough for then-patrol officer Robert Marshall.
But all these years later it became even stranger as Marshall, now Naperville's police chief, and others learned of its connection to a decades-old cold-case murder.
Bruce Lindahl was the dead man found atop 18-year-old Charles Huber, whom he had stabbed to death near the sliding glass door of a Naperville apartment on Ogden Avenue, Marshall said. Since Lindahl accidentally fatally stabbed himself in the attack, and there was no one to charge, that was it -- for years.
That all changed when investigators, using DNA technology that wasn't available at the time of the original crimes, linked Lindahl with the 1976 strangulation of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer of Woodridge.
Now Lindahl also is suspected in the disappearance of a Downers Grove teen, the disappearance and death of an Aurora woman, and the rapes of other women.
Authorities are asking people associated with other possible victims to contact the DuPage County state's attorney's office or Lisle police.
As he stood at a news conference Monday as authorities explained the connection between these cases and Lindahl, Marshall reflected on the 1981 investigation.
Although it was tragic for the man killed in that case, the stabbing stopped Lindahl from victimizing more people, Marshall said.
"Being one of the first officers on the scene and then hearing about all these other things that he was doing in the 1970s is obviously disturbing," Marshall said. "My take-away is justice can be delivered in many different ways."
Marshall said he remembers being called along with a couple of other officers and a sergeant to the apartment where a woman later identified as Lindahl's girlfriend had found the two bodies.
"It was a very perplexing crime scene," Marshall said.
Investigators initially thought they had a double-homicide on their hands and a killer on the loose, Marshall said.
A coroner's report told them otherwise.
"We determined through the autopsy that Lindahl had, in his rage of stabbing Mr. Huber, accidentally severed his own femoral artery and had bled to death, laying basically right on top of Mr. Huber," Marshall said.
Police determined Lindahl and Huber had met at a nearby bowling alley, then called Gala Lanes, on Aurora Avenue in Naperville. But they never figured out exactly what brought Huber to Lindahl's girlfriend's apartment on the day he was killed.
Until recently, authorities said, no one knew Lindahl also was responsible for killing Maurer.
"We in law enforcement, we're relentless," Marshall said. "We never give up on these cases if they're unresolved."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-13--Carpentersville to pay $220,000 in settlement with former village manager

Carpentersville has agreed to pay $ 220,000 to settle a 2018 lawsuit brought by former Village Manager Mark Rooney , who claimed the village fired him and refused to pay him severance , according to documents obtained by the Daily Herald .
The settlement agreement , approved last week by the village board , states that Rooney has been paid all wages and benefits related to his employment , which was terminated Jan. 24 , 2018 .
The village 's payment `` instead represents compensation for Rooney 's claimed emotional distress as stated in the litigation , liability for which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
In exchange , Rooney has agreed to waive all allegations against Carpentersville and dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice .
The settlement agreement , obtained by the Daily Herald through the Freedom of Information Act , prevents either party from elaborating on the terms of the deal or initiating `` any form of publicity '' regarding the lawsuit .
In a prepared statement , Village Manager Eric Johnson said Carpentersville officials and Rooney have `` identified a mutually agreeable resolution to the litigation and disagreement between them , which is in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rooney 's attorney , Patrick Walsh , released a similar statement , saying the agreement was in the `` respective best interests '' of his client and the village .
The settlement ends a roughly two-year legal battle between the village and Rooney , who held the manager position for seven years .
After weeks of negotiations surrounding his employment , the village board voted in January 2018 to accept what it considered to be Rooney 's `` voluntary resignation , '' saying he had stopped reporting for work .
Rooney sued the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was placed on involuntary leave , then terminated from the position without receiving the $ 190,000 owed to him in severance and benefits per his contract .
Village officials at the time said Rooney was not entitled to the money because he left his post voluntarily .
The lawsuit alleged he was terminated without cause , and it sought at least $ 217,000 in compensatory damages for breach of contract and violation of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act .
In the settlement agreement , Carpentersville denies any wrongdoing , saying Rooney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract is not valid .
`` The contract entered by a previous village board can not be legally enforceable against a subsequent board , '' the deal says .
The settlement aims to `` reduce continuing expenses and the uncertainty of the outcome '' of litigation , as desired by both parties .

Carpentersville to pay $220,000 in settlement with former village manager
Carpentersville has agreed to pay $220,000 to settle a 2018 lawsuit brought by former Village Manager Mark Rooney, who claimed the village fired him and refused to pay him severance, according to documents obtained by the Daily Herald.
The settlement agreement, approved last week by the village board, states that Rooney has been paid all wages and benefits related to his employment, which was terminated Jan. 24, 2018. The village's payment "instead represents compensation for Rooney's claimed emotional distress as stated in the litigation, liability for which the village denies," the deal says.
In exchange, Rooney has agreed to waive all allegations against Carpentersville and dismiss the lawsuit with prejudice.
The settlement agreement, obtained by the Daily Herald through the Freedom of Information Act, prevents either party from elaborating on the terms of the deal or initiating "any form of publicity" regarding the lawsuit.
In a prepared statement, Village Manager Eric Johnson said Carpentersville officials and Rooney have "identified a mutually agreeable resolution to the litigation and disagreement between them, which is in the economic interests of both parties."
Rooney's attorney, Patrick Walsh, released a similar statement, saying the agreement was in the "respective best interests" of his client and the village.
The settlement ends a roughly two-year legal battle between the village and Rooney, who held the manager position for seven years.
After weeks of negotiations surrounding his employment, the village board voted in January 2018 to accept what it considered to be Rooney's "voluntary resignation," saying he had stopped reporting for work.
Rooney sued the village the following June, claiming he was placed on involuntary leave, then terminated from the position without receiving the $190,000 owed to him in severance and benefits per his contract.
Village officials at the time said Rooney was not entitled to the money because he left his post voluntarily. The lawsuit alleged he was terminated without cause, and it sought at least $217,000 in compensatory damages for breach of contract and violation of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act.
In the settlement agreement, Carpentersville denies any wrongdoing, saying Rooney's claim for damages related to his contract is not valid.
"The contract entered by a previous village board cannot be legally enforceable against a subsequent board," the deal says.
The settlement aims to "reduce continuing expenses and the uncertainty of the outcome" of litigation, as desired by both parties.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--House expected to vote Wednesday to send impeachment articles to Senate

WASHINGTON ( AP ) -- The House is preparing to vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate to start the historic trial , several people told The Associated Press .
Speaker Nancy Pelosi was meeting privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps , ending her blockade almost a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Pelosi suggested the House vote on Wednesday to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed-door meeting .
The action will launch the rare Senate proceeding , only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history , a dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and the start of an election year .
The trial would begin in a matter of days .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is meeting behind closed doors later Tuesday with GOP senators as they negotiate the terms of the trial .
Senate Republicans are signaling they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are considering whether to allow a vote on such a motion to dismiss and another to subpoena testimony from new witnesses .
`` I think our members , generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss .
They think both sides need to be heard , '' Sen. Roy Blunt , R-Mo.
, who is part of the GOP leadership , said Monday .
Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impeachment trial starting in a matter of days , senators are still debating the rules of the proceedings .
GOP senators are conferring privately about whether to allow a motion to dismiss the charges against the president or to call additional witnesses for testimony .
Trump suggested over the weekend he might prefer simply dismissing the charges rather than giving legitimacy to charges from the House , which he considers a `` hoax . ''
It was an extraordinary suggestion , but one being proposed by Trump allies with support from some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is clear McConnell does not have the votes needed from his GOP majority to do that .
Key Republicans , Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah , said they , too , would oppose a motion to dismiss the charges .
Collins is leading an effort among some Republicans , including Romney and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska , to ensure the ground rules include plans to eventually consider voting to call witnesses .
`` My position is that there should be a vote on whether or not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton , the former national security adviser at the White House , who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run led by Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
`` I 've said I 'd like to hear from John Bolton , '' Romney told reporters Monday .
`` I expect that barring some kind of surprise , I 'll be voting in favor of hearing from witnesses after those opening arguments . ''
Democrats have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority in the Senate , to consider new testimony , arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosi 's monthlong delay in transmitting the charges .
McConnell drafting an organizing resolution that will outline the steps ahead .
Approving it will be among the first votes senators take after they are sworn as jurors by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for the Court of Impeachment .
Republicans control the chamber , 53-47 , and are all but certain to acquit Trump .
McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clinton 's trial in 1999 .
Senators says if witnesses are allowed , some Republicans may also try to subpoena Biden and his son , Hunter Biden , who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president .
Trump 's lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been pursing theories about the Bidens , but other Republicans are cool to embrace his work .
The claims against the Bidens are unfounded .
It takes just 51 votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or call witnesses .
Just four GOP senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony .
It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump .
Most Republicans appear willing to go along with McConnell 's plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later , rather than upfront , as Democrats want .
Collins is pushing to have at least the promise of witness votes included in the organizing resolution .
She and the others appear to be gathering support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure that we will have a process that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information , and yes , that would include witnesses , '' Murkowski told reporters .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters the House vote might come Wednesday .
`` Could be , '' he said .
Associated Press writers Matthew Daly , Andrew Taylor and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

House expected to vote Wednesday to send impeachment articles to Senate
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives to meet with the Democratic Caucus at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Pelosi, who has not yet relayed the articles of impeachment to the Senate for the trial of President Donald Trump, has said she will discuss her next steps in that delayed process during her meeting today with fellow Democrats. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the probe. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
FILE -- In this Dec. 4, 2019, file photo, fight shines on the U.S. Capitol dome in Washington. The votes are there. The rules and choreography are set, more or less. And now -- hear ye, hear ye -- the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is nearly set to begin. Here's what to expect when the Senate puts the impeachment articles against Trump on trial, starting as early as this coming week. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., tells reporters he has secured enough Republican votes to start President Donald Trump's impeachment trial and postpone a decision on witnesses and documents Democrats want, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, arrives for a closed meeting with fellow Republicans about the looming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, arrives for a closed meeting with fellow Republicans about the looming impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives to meet with the Democratic Caucus at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Pelosi, who has not yet relayed the articles of impeachment to the Senate for the trial of President Donald Trump, has said she will discuss her next steps in that delayed process during her meeting today with fellow Democrats. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the probe. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., arrives to meet with the Democratic Caucus at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020. Pelosi, who has not yet relayed the articles of impeachment to the Senate for the trial of President Donald Trump, has said she will discuss her next steps in that delayed process during her meeting today with fellow Democrats. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the probe. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House is preparing to vote Wednesday to send the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate to start the historic trial, several people told The Associated Press.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi was meeting privately Tuesday at the Capitol with House Democrats about next steps, ending her blockade almost a month after they voted to impeach Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
Pelosi suggested the House vote on Wednesday to transmit the charges and name the House managers for the case, according to one Democratic aide unauthorized to discuss the closed-door meeting.
The action will launch the rare Senate proceeding, only the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, a dramatic endeavor coming amid the backdrop of a politically divided nation and the start of an election year.
The trial would begin in a matter of days. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is meeting behind closed doors later Tuesday with GOP senators as they negotiate the terms of the trial.
Senate Republicans are signaling they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Trump as he has suggested. They are considering whether to allow a vote on such a motion to dismiss and another to subpoena testimony from new witnesses.
"I think our members, generally are not interested in the motion to dismiss. They think both sides need to be heard," Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., who is part of the GOP leadership, said Monday.
Trump was impeached by the Democratic-led House last month on charges of abuse of power over pushing Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and obstruction of Congress in the probe.
With the impeachment trial starting in a matter of days, senators are still debating the rules of the proceedings. GOP senators are conferring privately about whether to allow a motion to dismiss the charges against the president or to call additional witnesses for testimony.
Trump suggested over the weekend he might prefer simply dismissing the charges rather than giving legitimacy to charges from the House, which he considers a "hoax."
It was an extraordinary suggestion, but one being proposed by Trump allies with support from some GOP senators, including McConnell.
But it is clear McConnell does not have the votes needed from his GOP majority to do that.
Key Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, said they, too, would oppose a motion to dismiss the charges.
Collins is leading an effort among some Republicans, including Romney and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, to ensure the ground rules include plans to eventually consider voting to call witnesses.
"My position is that there should be a vote on whether or not witnesses should be called," Collins said.
Romney said he wants to hear from John Bolton, the former national security adviser at the White House, who others have said raised alarms about the alternative foreign policy toward Ukraine being run led by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.
"I've said I'd like to hear from John Bolton," Romney told reporters Monday. "I expect that barring some kind of surprise, I'll be voting in favor of hearing from witnesses after those opening arguments."
Democrats have been pushing Republicans, who have the majority in the Senate, to consider new testimony, arguing that fresh information has emerged during Pelosi's monthlong delay in transmitting the charges.
McConnell drafting an organizing resolution that will outline the steps ahead. Approving it will be among the first votes senators take after they are sworn as jurors by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts for the Court of Impeachment.
Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, and are all but certain to acquit Trump. McConnell is hesitant to call new witnesses who would prolong the trial. He prefers to model Trump's trial partly on the process used for then-President Bill Clinton's trial in 1999.
Senators says if witnesses are allowed, some Republicans may also try to subpoena Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, who served on the board of a gas company in Ukraine while his father was vice president.
Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani has been pursing theories about the Bidens, but other Republicans are cool to embrace his work. The claims against the Bidens are unfounded.
It takes just 51 votes during the impeachment trial to approve rules or call witnesses. Just four GOP senators could form a majority with Democrats to insist on new testimony. It also would take only 51 senators to vote to dismiss the charges against Trump.
Most Republicans appear willing to go along with McConnell's plan to start the trial first then consider witnesses later, rather than upfront, as Democrats want.
Collins is pushing to have at least the promise of witness votes included in the organizing resolution. She and the others appear to be gathering support.
"I've been working to make sure that we will have a process that we can take a vote on whether or not we need additional information, and yes, that would include witnesses," Murkowski told reporters.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer told reporters the House vote might come Wednesday. "Could be," he said.
Associated Press writers Matthew Daly, Andrew Taylor and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Bears training camp is coming home to Halas Hall after 18 years in Bourbonnais

The Bears announced Tuesday that they 'll hold their training camp this year at newly renovated Halas Hall in Lake Forest , following 18 consecutive summers at Olivet Nazerene University in Bourbonnais .
`` We will host training camp practices at Halas Hall in 2020 , while maintaining a public component to many of the sessions to incorporate our loyal and passionate fans , '' Bears President & CEO Ted Phillips said in a statement .
`` Olivet Nazarene University continues to be a valued and committed partner , but with the recent investment in our campus expansion and state-of-the-art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is important to stay home for training camp .
We would like to thank Olivet Nazarene University , including President John Bowling , and the Bourbonnais community for their 18 years of partnership and hospitality . ''
The Bears were one of the NFL 's last teams to hold training camp at a site separate from their regular facility , creating a unique and intimate fan experience .
However , the writing has been on the wall for this announcement ever since the team began expanding Halas Hall in March 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facility 's square footage with a focus on enhancing football operations , including huge weight-room and field upgrades .
The Bears will continue to give away a limited number of free tickets to fans who 'll be allowed to attend practice at the Lake Forest facility , roughly 85 miles north of Olivet Nazarene .
More details will be announced this spring , following the release of the 2020 schedule .

Bears training camp is coming home to Halas Hall after 18 years in Bourbonnais
Hydro therapy at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. The Chicago Bears held a media tour of the expansion on Thursday. The expansion included a 162,500-square-foot football operations addition to the already existing 143,000-square-foot facility and a 30,600-square-foot remodeling project on the northeast side of the building. Daily Herald file photo
New lounge at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. The Chicago Bears held a media tour of the expansion on Thursday. The expansion included a 162,500-square-foot football operations addition to the already existing 143,000-square-foot facility and a 30,600-square-foot remodeling project on the northeast side of the building. Daily Herald file photo
Media take a tour of the new locker room at Halas Hall in Lake Forest. The Chicago Bears held a media tour of the expansion on Thursday. The expansion included a 162,500-square-foot football operations addition to the already existing 143,000-square-foot facility and a 30,600-square-foot remodeling project on the northeast side of the building. Daily Herald file photo
The Bears announced Tuesday that they'll hold their training camp this year at newly renovated Halas Hall in Lake Forest, following 18 consecutive summers at Olivet Nazerene University in Bourbonnais.
"We will host training camp practices at Halas Hall in 2020, while maintaining a public component to many of the sessions to incorporate our loyal and passionate fans," Bears President & CEO Ted Phillips said in a statement. "Olivet Nazarene University continues to be a valued and committed partner, but with the recent investment in our campus expansion and state-of-the-art facilities in Lake Forest, we feel it is important to stay home for training camp. We would like to thank Olivet Nazarene University, including President John Bowling, and the Bourbonnais community for their 18 years of partnership and hospitality."
The Bears were one of the NFL's last teams to hold training camp at a site separate from their regular facility, creating a unique and intimate fan experience. However, the writing has been on the wall for this announcement ever since the team began expanding Halas Hall in March 2018, a project that more than doubled the facility's square footage with a focus on enhancing football operations, including huge weight-room and field upgrades.
The Bears will continue to give away a limited number of free tickets to fans who'll be allowed to attend practice at the Lake Forest facility, roughly 85 miles north of Olivet Nazarene. More details will be announced this spring, following the release of the 2020 schedule.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Freezing rain, drizzle for Wednesday morning commute?

Freezing rain and drizzle are in the forecast for Wednesday morning 's commute , according to the National Weather Service @ @ @ @ @ start between 6 and 9 a.m. Wednesday with temperatures still below freezing in places , @ @ @ @ @ and last a few hours until temperatures rise .
Drivers should be on alert for @ @ @ @ @ than average commute times .

Freezing rain, drizzle possible for your morning commute
Freezing rain and drizzle are in the forecast for Wednesday morning's commute, according to the National Weather Service. Daily Herald File Photo
Freezing rain and drizzle are in the forecast for this morning, according to the National Weather Service.
A winter weather advisory will be in effect for 8 a.m. until noon today for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.
The freezing drizzle could lead to ice on sidewalks, roads and bridges.
Areas of fog are also possible this morning.
Drivers should be on alert for slick conditions and expect longer than average commute times.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--33 crosses, sign mark anniversary of fatal kennel fire near Carol Stream

The anniversary of a fire at a kennel near Carol Stream and the lives of the dogs that died there was marked with 33 white crosses and a sign with a rainbow emerging from a cloud that read `` You Are Loved . ''
The Jan. 14 , 2019 , fire exposed what DuPage County prosecutors called `` cruel and inhumane conditions '' inside the kennel that housed 58 dogs near North Avenue and County Farm Road .
The fire killed 29 dogs and several others were unaccounted for .
A name was handwritten on each cross , including Koko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of debris , tethered to a bar in a second-floor bathtub after the fire .
Many of the charges against the operator , Garrett Mercado , are related to Koko .
Mercado has pleaded not guilty to 28 misdemeanors -- 14 counts of animal cruelty and 14 counts of violation of owner 's duties .
Mercado is set to appear in court for a status hearing Jan. 23 , when his attorney , Harry Smith , is expected to give prosecutors a list of expert witnesses who could be called should the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carol Stream stopped by the former kennel to place a flower at the site only to find the crosses there already .
`` It 's so nice that someone was able to do this , '' Shilling said .
She said she used to board her dog there in the 1980s but had used other boarders in the years since .
`` I felt so badly when it happened , even just for living nearby , '' she said .

33 crosses, sign mark anniversary of fatal kennel fire near Carol Stream
The anniversary of a fire at a kennel near Carol Stream and the lives of the dogs that died there was marked with 33 white crosses and a sign with a rainbow emerging from a cloud that read "You Are Loved."
The Jan. 14, 2019, fire exposed what DuPage County prosecutors called "cruel and inhumane conditions" inside the kennel that housed 58 dogs near North Avenue and County Farm Road. The fire killed 29 dogs and several others were unaccounted for.
A name was handwritten on each cross, including Koko, a dog found beneath a pile of debris, tethered to a bar in a second-floor bathtub after the fire.
Many of the charges against the operator, Garrett Mercado, are related to Koko. Mercado has pleaded not guilty to 28 misdemeanors -- 14 counts of animal cruelty and 14 counts of violation of owner's duties.
Mercado is set to appear in court for a status hearing Jan. 23, when his attorney, Harry Smith, is expected to give prosecutors a list of expert witnesses who could be called should the case go to trial.
Lori Shilling of Carol Stream stopped by the former kennel to place a flower at the site only to find the crosses there already.
"It's so nice that someone was able to do this," Shilling said. She said she used to board her dog there in the 1980s but had used other boarders in the years since. "I felt so badly when it happened, even just for living nearby," she said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Dailly delivers news of growth during first State of Schaumburg address

Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly delivered his first State of the Village address Tuesday , offering news of recent and upcoming businesses and an explanation of the role the village plays in making the community attractive to private investment .
His audience at Chandler 's Chophouse was composed of about 200 members of the Schaumburg Business Association .
The information they heard was up-to-the-minute , as later that morning Dailly attended the grand opening of Schaumburg Banquet and Schaumburg Bar & Grill , two new businesses he discussed in the address .
They are sharing the massive building at 1301 American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grillhouse by David Burke , and Entourage restaurants Later Tuesday , Dailly was scheduled to preside over the village board 's vote on DR Horton 's proposal for 260 row homes on the Veridian development that 's replacing the former Motorola Solutions campus .
The next steps of the Veridian development and the village 's proposed entertainment district across Meacham Road ranked highly among Dailly 's news .
The latest proposal for the 225-acre Veridian site is MedProperties Group 's plan for three medical office buildings along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
It will join the assisted living community of Harbor Chase , the new headquarters of The Boler Company , a retail and residential area to be called The District , an urban-style park , The Element at Veridian apartment building and the recently opened Topgolf Schaumburg .
Dailly said the village soon will choose a developer and plan for a `` walkable entertainment hub '' that will replace the single-story office buildings north of the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center .
Construction likely wo n't begin until next year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward to this thing being open , '' Dailly said .
Among new restaurants on the horizon are Perry 's Steakhouse & Grille on the west side of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg and the Skylark Japanese restaurant chain opening its first location in the U.S. , in the former Chevys Fresh Mex building at Golf and Meacham roads .
Woodfield Mall has just announced the imminent arrival of two new stores , Versona and Sally Beauty , along with a Peppa Pig World of Play Indoor Play Center that 's expected to become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And who says malls are dying ? ''
Dailly said .
`` Go Woodfield ! ''
A nearly 43,000-square-foot grocery store in the former Babies R Us building on Golf Road is on schedule to open in the spring , but its name has not yet been disclosed by the company .
In answering a related question from the audience , Dailly confirmed that a quick solution still eludes the village in getting a new tenant for the former Dominick 's store in Town Square due to Albertsons -- the parent company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there to eliminate competition in the area .
New residential developments on the horizon include the 373-unit , four-story Algonquin at Plum Grove apartment building at 1014 E. Algonquin Road and a pending proposal for a single-family home development on 62 acres along Summit Drive .
Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 plans to sell that land to Nitti Development LLC of Glendale Heights .
The new mayor also discussed the village board 's decision to repeal its ban on video gambling to stop Schaumburg 's restaurants from being at a competitive disadvantage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five recreational marijuana dispensaries .
While the village tries to be business-friendly in a number of ways , Dailly said two that were especially relevant to the past year : a $ 60 million investment in capital and street improvements , as well as the reduction of the property tax levy by 5 % .
Improving sales taxes and careful budgeting are important factors in the ability to lower the levy and help both residents and businesses , he added .
While the village provided $ 38 million of the recent capital improvements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through grants , Dailly said .
`` We felt we needed to do more to maintain our infrastructure , '' he added .
`` Without doubt , 2019 was truly a great year for Schaumburg . ''

Dailly delivers news of growth during first State of Schaumburg address
Schaumburg Mayor Tom Dailly delivered his first State of the Village address Tuesday, offering news of recent and upcoming businesses and an explanation of the role the village plays in making the community attractive to private investment.
His audience at Chandler's Chophouse was composed of about 200 members of the Schaumburg Business Association.
The information they heard was up to the minute, as later that morning Dailly attended the grand opening of Schaumburg Banquet and Schaumburg Bar & Grill, two new businesses he discussed in the address. They are sharing the massive building at 1301 American Lane previously occupied by The Clubhouse, Grillhouse by David Burke, and Entourage restaurants
Later Tuesday, Dailly was scheduled to preside over the village board's vote on DR Horton's proposal for 260 row homes on the Veridian development that's replacing the former Motorola Solutions campus.
The next steps of the Veridian development and the village's proposed entertainment district across Meacham Road ranked highly among Dailly's news.
The latest proposal for the 225-acre Veridian site is MedProperties Group's plan for three medical office buildings along the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, near the former Motorola museum, Dailly said.
The office buildings would join the assisted living community of Harbor Chase, the new headquarters of The Boler Co, a retail and residential area to be called The District, an urban-style park, The Element at Veridian apartment building and the recently opened Topgolf Schaumburg.
Dailly said the village soon will choose a developer and plan for a "walkable entertainment hub" that will replace the single-story office buildings north of the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. Construction likely won't begin until next year, he added.
"I really look forward to this thing being open," Dailly said.
Among new restaurants on the horizon are Perry's Steakhouse & Grille, on the west side of the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, and the Skylark Japanese restaurant chain's first location in the U.S., in the former Chevys Fresh Mex building at Golf and Meacham roads.
Woodfield Mall has just announced the imminent arrival of two new stores, Versona and Sally Beauty, along with a Peppa Pig World of Play Indoor Play Center that's expected to become a popular destination beginning this summer.
"And who says malls are dying?" Dailly said. "Go, Woodfield!"
A nearly 43,000-square-foot grocery store in the former Babies R Us building on Golf Road is on schedule to open in the spring, but its name has not yet been disclosed by the company.
In answering a related question from the audience, Dailly confirmed that a quick solution still eludes the village in getting a new tenant for the former Dominick's store in Town Square because Albertsons -- the parent company of Jewel-Osco -- is sitting on its lease there to eliminate competition in the area.
New residential developments on the horizon include the 373-unit, four-story Algonquin at Plum Grove apartment building at 1014 E. Algonquin Road and a pending proposal for a single-family home development on 62 acres along Summit Drive. Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 plans to sell that land to Nitti Development LLC of Glendale Heights.
The new mayor also discussed the village board's decision to repeal its ban on video gambling to stop Schaumburg's restaurants from being at a competitive disadvantage, as well as to allow up to five recreational marijuana dispensaries.
While the village tries to be business-friendly in a number of ways, Dailly said two were especially relevant to the past year: a $60 million investment in capital and street improvements and the reduction of the property tax levy by 5%. Improving sales taxes and careful budgeting are important factors in the ability to lower the levy and help both residents and businesses, he added.
While the village provided $38 million of the recent capital improvements, the remaining $22 million came through grants, Dailly said.
"We felt we needed to do more to maintain our infrastructure," he added. "Without doubt, 2019 was truly a great year for Schaumburg."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Peter Asher's new book shares his long and winding road with The Beatles

Peter Asher always was the exception to a hard-and-fast rule : If you spent any time with The Beatles , you had to write a book .
Groupies , roadies , nearly everyone associated with the band has written about the Fab Four .
Asher is just as much a Beatles insider , with an overlapping career that has taken him here , there and everywhere .
He had hit records in the 1960s as half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon .
He lived with Paul McCartney in the early days when Paul was dating Asher 's sister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asher shied away from book offers until a publisher approached him with an idea inspired by his weekly hosting gig on the Beatles channel for SiriusXM radio .
The result is Asher 's `` The Beatles From A to Zed : An Alphabetical Mystery Tour . ''
It is n't a memoir , but a guide using letters of the alphabet as jumping-off points into the Beatles universe .
`` I 'm writing about music as much as I am , or more in fact , than I am about people and places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Asher said .
On Wednesday , he 'll be in Naperville to talk about the book at 7 p.m. at Anderson 's Bookshop .
Before the visit , Asher spoke with the Daily Herald about his memories of John , Paul , George and Ringo .
Q : What was Beatlemania like from your perspective ?
A : Peter and Gordon certainly experienced a mini version of it as we all did because , particularly in America , the British Invasion became sort of conflated as one big thing .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Beatles and 10 % the rest of us put together in the sense that the Beatles opened the door -- not to diminish the contribution of terrific bands like The Kinks and the Stones and the genuinely important bands of the British Invasion .
Q : You got to know McCartney through your sister , Jane , an actress and his muse .
He spent so much time at your parents ' house , they let him use the guest room for a couple of years as his London residence .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A : There was a time that the fan buildup outside the house got a bit much , and my father , who 's a brilliant and quite eccentric man , enjoyed the challenge of finding a way for Paul to get out of the house ... And there was a way over two roofs and out through a neighbor 's house who collaborated in the scheme .
Q : You co-owned the Indica art gallery where John Lennon and Yoko Ono met in 1966 .
Do you get blamed for that from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get blamed .
We 're on the road now doing shows , and a couple of nights in Cleveland , when I told that story ... somebody in the audience did in fact yell out , `` It 's you !
You broke up the Beatles ! ''
I had to explain that I politely rejected that theory .
Q : At Apple Records , the label founded by the Beatles , you discovered James Taylor and signed him to his first record deal .
What was it like for him to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me his tape , and I went crazy and told him how wonderful I thought it was and explained that I got this new job as head of A & R for Apple and I could sign people and `` would you like a record deal ? ''
And he said , `` Yes please , I 'd love one , '' and I did n't really think through how odd it must be because there were probably a lot of Americans jumping on planes , going , `` I 'm going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Oh sure you are .
In James ' case , that was n't even the reason for the trip , but within days I had him in the office meeting them and playing a couple of songs for George and Paul , I think .
In the song , 'Carolina In My Mind , ' there 's a reference to a `` a holy host of others standin ' around me , '' and that is a reference to The Beatles .
Q : Taylor wrote `` Something in the Way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Something '' has the same line .
Was Taylor bothered by that ?
A : Obviously , there 's a point where you may initially kind of go , `` Oh look , he stole a bit of a song . ''
But he certainly was n't upset and , in a way , was flattered that George had fallen in love with the song enough that the lyric stuck in George 's head .
Q : As a producer and manager , what were your fondest memories when you were trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you nailed it ?
A : I think those moments would actually be sort of the hits .
`` You 're No Good '' with Linda Ronstadt , when Andrew Gold , who was a genius musician , and I came up with the final arrangement idea for that song .
We felt very good about it ... '' Fire and Rain , '' another hit , same thing .
We were working on the drum fills with Russ Kunkel , which he worked out at my house .
We played them with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loud with sticks .
It would have gotten in the way of the fact that we were rehearsing with just a piano and neighbors and all that .
And the brushes sounded so good , we tried it in the studio , and other than the brilliance of the song , and James ' singing of course , I think those drum fills are one of the things that make that particular arrangement so clever .
Q : An enduring Beatles question : What 's going on in `` Norwegian Wood ? ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is arson .
I keep getting people going , `` No , no he 's just going to light a fire in the fireplace or have a cigarette or smoke a joint '' or all kinds of explanations .
No .
The idea is that he 's ( angry ) and he 's going to set fire to this woman 's house .
`` Norwegian Wood , '' Paul says , is a reference to paneling I put in my bedroom , but I ca n't remember putting up paneling .
I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of white pine ...
It 's a John song mostly , anyway , but I think Paul contributed the wood factor and John probably contributed the arson .
Q : What were their personalities really like ?
A : The cliché Beatles descriptions , of course , like all cliches , are based in reality .
Paul is the friendly , diplomatic one .
George was the quiet one .
John did n't brook disagreement .
Ringo was the one everyone 's kids and mothers loved and was the funniest .
...
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , like the perfect storm , formed a group with personalities that provide someone for everybody to be in love with , and everybody was .

Ahead of Naperville appearance, Peter Asher shares his long and winding road with The Beatles
Peter Asher's new book, "The Beatles From A to Zed," is an outgrowth of his radio show, "From Me To You," on SiriusXM's The Beatles Channel. Asher doesn't profess to be a band expert. "What I am is a Beatles fan," he says. "I'm a musician who loves their music and who got to know them a bit and be present at some of their events in their life where our careers kind of overlapped." Courtesy of Keith Putney Productions
Paul McCartney and Peter Asher around the time the Beatles were planning to create Apple Records. Courtesy of Keith Putney Productions
John Lennon, George Harrison, Peter Asher and George Martin in Studio Two at EMI Studios. Asher is coming to Naperville Wednesday night to talk about his new book, "The Beatles From A to Zed: An Alphabetical Mystery Tour." Courtesy of Keith Putney Productions
Peter Asher always was the exception to a hard-and-fast rule: If you spent any time with The Beatles, you had to write a book.
Groupies, roadies, nearly everyone associated with the band has written about the Fab Four.
Asher is just as much a Beatles insider, with an overlapping career that has taken him here, there and everywhere. He had hit records in the 1960s as half of the pop duo Peter and Gordon. He lived with Paul McCartney in the early days when Paul was dating Asher's sister and helped start Apple Records.
But Asher shied away from book offers until a publisher approached him with an idea inspired by his weekly hosting gig on the Beatles channel for SiriusXM radio.
The result is Asher's "The Beatles From A to Zed: An Alphabetical Mystery Tour." It isn't a memoir, but a guide using letters of the alphabet as jumping-off points into the Beatles universe.
"I'm writing about music as much as I am, or more in fact, than I am about people and places and things, and I enjoy that," Asher said.
On Wednesday, he'll be in Naperville to talk about the book at 7 p.m. at Anderson's Bookshop. Before the visit, Asher spoke with the Daily Herald about his memories of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
Q: What was Beatlemania like from your perspective?
A: Peter and Gordon certainly experienced a mini version of it as we all did because, particularly in America, the British Invasion became sort of conflated as one big thing. I think in reality it was 90% the Beatles and 10% the rest of us put together in the sense that the Beatles opened the door -- not to diminish the contribution of terrific bands like The Kinks and the Stones and the genuinely important bands of the British Invasion.
Q: You got to know McCartney through your sister, Jane, an actress and his muse. He spent so much time at your parents' house, they let him use the guest room for a couple of years as his London residence. How did your parents deal with fans?
A: There was a time that the fan buildup outside the house got a bit much, and my father, who's a brilliant and quite eccentric man, enjoyed the challenge of finding a way for Paul to get out of the house ... And there was a way over two roofs and out through a neighbor's house who collaborated in the scheme.
Q: You co-owned the Indica art gallery where John Lennon and Yoko Ono met in 1966. Do you get blamed for that from Beatles fans?
A: I do get blamed. We're on the road now doing shows, and a couple of nights in Cleveland, when I told that story ... somebody in the audience did in fact yell out, "It's you! You broke up the Beatles!" I had to explain that I politely rejected that theory.
Q: At Apple Records, the label founded by the Beatles, you discovered James Taylor and signed him to his first record deal. What was it like for him to meet the band?
A. He played me his tape, and I went crazy and told him how wonderful I thought it was and explained that I got this new job as head of A & R for Apple and I could sign people and "would you like a record deal?" And he said, "Yes please, I'd love one," and I didn't really think through how odd it must be because there were probably a lot of Americans jumping on planes, going, "I'm going to go to London and meet The Beatles." Oh sure you are.
In James' case, that wasn't even the reason for the trip, but within days I had him in the office meeting them and playing a couple of songs for George and Paul, I think.
In the song, 'Carolina In My Mind,' there's a reference to a "a holy host of others standin' around me," and that is a reference to The Beatles.
Q: Taylor wrote "Something in the Way She Moves." George Harrison's "Something" has the same line. Was Taylor bothered by that?
A: Obviously, there's a point where you may initially kind of go, "Oh look, he stole a bit of a song." But he certainly wasn't upset and, in a way, was flattered that George had fallen in love with the song enough that the lyric stuck in George's head.
Q: As a producer and manager, what were your fondest memories when you were trying to find the right arrangement, and you nailed it?
A: I think those moments would actually be sort of the hits. "You're No Good" with Linda Ronstadt, when Andrew Gold, who was a genius musician, and I came up with the final arrangement idea for that song. We felt very good about it ..."Fire and Rain," another hit, same thing.
We were working on the drum fills with Russ Kunkel, which he worked out at my house. We played them with brushes partly because it would be too loud with sticks. It would have gotten in the way of the fact that we were rehearsing with just a piano and neighbors and all that.
And the brushes sounded so good, we tried it in the studio, and other than the brilliance of the song, and James' singing of course, I think those drum fills are one of the things that make that particular arrangement so clever.
Q: An enduring Beatles question: What's going on in "Norwegian Wood?"
A: The end of the song is arson. I keep getting people going, "No, no he's just going to light a fire in the fireplace or have a cigarette or smoke a joint" or all kinds of explanations. No. The idea is that he's (angry) and he's going to set fire to this woman's house.
"Norwegian Wood," Paul says, is a reference to paneling I put in my bedroom, but I can't remember putting up paneling. I did put some shelves up that were sort of white pine ... It's a John song mostly, anyway, but I think Paul contributed the wood factor and John probably contributed the arson.
Q: What were their personalities really like?
A: The cliché Beatles descriptions, of course, like all cliches, are based in reality. Paul is the friendly, diplomatic one. George was the quiet one. John didn't brook disagreement. Ringo was the one everyone's kids and mothers loved and was the funniest.
... The Beatles, through some magical confluence of circumstances, like the perfect storm, formed a group with personalities that provide someone for everybody to be in love with, and everybody was.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Former Stevenson High teacher and acclaimed playwright Joel Drake Johnson dies

A retired Stevenson High School theater teacher who found acclaim as a playwright is being remembered for his impact on students and his work for the stage .
Johnson , who had homes in Chicago and Michigan , taught at the Lincolnshire school from 1985 to 2005 .
While a teacher and afterward , he wrote plays that were performed in the Chicago area and beyond .
A native of the Dixon area , Johnson earned degrees at Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign .
Johnson came to Stevenson after teaching stints at Central Methodist College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high schools .
He and fellow theater teacher Cynthia Burrows , who also was hired in 1985 , designed new courses to make more theater classes available .
Johnson also helped budding student playwrights by developing the TBA : Playwrights Club .
`` His impact is so huge , '' said Burrows , who retired in 2018 .
`` He educated people who became actors and playwrights and teachers . ''
State Rep. Daniel Didech , a 2005 Stevenson graduate from Buffalo Grove , was among Johnson 's students .
He described Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who created a space where everyone felt free to express themselves creatively . ''
In 2002 , three of Johnson 's students won prizes in a national youth playwriting contest , and he took great pride in their victories .
`` I do n't think anything has meant as much as when those three kids won their awards , '' Johnson said in a 2005 Stevenson High magazine article .
Burrows said she learned a lot from Johnson , too -- including the importance of trusting herself as an educator and being gentle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was always about the students , '' she said .
`` It was never about us . ''
After leaving Stevenson , Johnson taught playwriting at Northwestern and DePaul universities .
But writing plays was his primary focus .
Johnson wrote pieces that were produced at a number of Chicago-area theatres , including Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens .
Outside Chicago , productions of his work were staged in New York , Los Angeles and elsewhere .
His plays included `` Four Places , '' `` The End of the Tour , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the semi-autobiographical `` Before My Eyes . ''
A production of Johnson 's play `` Rasheeda Speaking '' played off-Broadway under the direction of `` Sex and the City 's '' Cynthia Nixon .
Johnson was nominated five times for a Jefferson Award , the Chicago theater community 's version of the Tony Award .
In a 1998 Daily Herald interview , Johnson described one of the reasons he enjoyed writing for the stage .
`` I 'm interested in characters that despite their quirkiness and eccentricities ... keep plowing forward , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Johnson said .
Johnson 's husband , Larry B. Salzmann , said Johnson often wrote about underdogs whose voices needed to be heard .
`` I am glad that his words will give him an immortality that most of us only can wish for , '' Salzmann said .
In addition to his husband , Johnson 's survivors include two brothers and a sister .
A celebration of Johnson 's life will be held in Chicago this spring .

Former Stevenson High teacher and acclaimed playwright Joel Drake Johnson dies
Retired Stevenson High School teacher Joel Drake Johnson has died. The acclaimed playwright, whose work was performed in Chicago, New York and elsewhere, was 70. Courtesy of Stevenson High School
A retired Stevenson High School theater teacher who found acclaim as a playwright is being remembered for his impact on students and his work for the stage.
Joel Drake Johnson, 70, died Saturday of cancer.
Johnson, who had homes in Chicago and Michigan, taught at the Lincolnshire school from 1985 to 2005. While a teacher and afterward, he wrote plays that were performed in the Chicago area and beyond.
A native of the Dixon area, Johnson earned degrees at Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Johnson came to Stevenson after teaching stints at Central Methodist College in Missouri and Highland Park and Deerfield high schools.
He and fellow theater teacher Cynthia Burrows, who also was hired in 1985, designed new courses to make more theater classes available. Johnson also helped budding student playwrights by developing the TBA: Playwrights Club.
"His impact is so huge," said Burrows, who retired in 2018. "He educated people who became actors and playwrights and teachers."
State Rep. Daniel Didech, a 2005 Stevenson graduate from Buffalo Grove, was among Johnson's students. He described Johnson as "a friendly, welcoming teacher who created a space where everyone felt free to express themselves creatively."
In 2002, three of Johnson's students won prizes in a national youth playwriting contest, and he took great pride in their victories.
"I don't think anything has meant as much as when those three kids won their awards," Johnson said in a 2005 Stevenson High magazine article.
Burrows said she learned a lot from Johnson, too -- including the importance of trusting herself as an educator and being gentle with students.
"I learned that it was always about the students," she said. "It was never about us."
After leaving Stevenson, Johnson taught playwriting at Northwestern and DePaul universities. But writing plays was his primary focus.
Johnson wrote pieces that were produced at a number of Chicago-area theatres, including Steppenwolf and Victory Gardens. Outside Chicago, productions of his work were staged in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere.
His plays included "Four Places," "The End of the Tour," "The Fall to Earth," and the semi-autobiographical "Before My Eyes." A production of Johnson's play "Rasheeda Speaking" played off-Broadway under the direction of "Sex and the City's" Cynthia Nixon.
Johnson was nominated five times for a Jefferson Award, the Chicago theater community's version of the Tony Award.
In a 1998 Daily Herald interview, Johnson described one of the reasons he enjoyed writing for the stage.
"I'm interested in characters that despite their quirkiness and eccentricities ... keep plowing forward, keep working to improve their lives," Johnson said.
Johnson's husband, Larry B. Salzmann, said Johnson often wrote about underdogs whose voices needed to be heard.
"I am glad that his words will give him an immortality that most of us only can wish for," Salzmann said.
In addition to his husband, Johnson's survivors include two brothers and a sister.
A celebration of Johnson's life will be held in Chicago this spring.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--Aurora man charged with ramming estranged wife's car while she was in it

A 44-year-old Aurora man has been charged with repeatedly ramming his estranged wife 's car while she was in it .
Carlos Abrego , of the 600 block of Harvest Avenue , faces felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon , aggravated battery on a public way and criminal damage to property in connection with the Jan. 7 case , according to Kane County court records .
Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said officers responded at 2:25 p.m. to an area near Elmwood Drive and Illinois Avenue on the city 's near west side for a report a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities she parked her 2019 Nissan Sentra on the 600 block of North Elmwood .
But the woman 's husband , whom she recently was separated from , pulled into the same lot in his 2003 Chevy TrailBlazer , Lewbel said .
The woman drove off , but Abrego followed and chased her in his SUV , and `` while doing so , rammed the back of her car several times , '' Lewbel said .
Police drove the victim , who was not injured , back to her home , and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with front-end damage and later arrested him , Lewbel said .
Abrego was released from the Kane County jail Monday after posting 10 % of his $ 20,000 bail .
He is next due in court on Jan. 24 and faces a sentence ranging from probation to five years in prison if convicted of the most severe charge .

Aurora man charged with ramming estranged wife's car while she was in it
A 44-year-old Aurora man has been charged with repeatedly ramming his estranged wife's car while she was in it.
Carlos Abrego, of the 600 block of Harvest Avenue, faces felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery on a public way and criminal damage to property in connection with the Jan. 7 case, according to Kane County court records.
Aurora police spokesman Paris Lewbel said officers responded at 2:25 p.m. to an area near Elmwood Drive and Illinois Avenue on the city's near west side for a report a disturbance.
Lewbel said the victim told authorities she parked her 2019 Nissan Sentra on the 600 block of North Elmwood.
But the woman's husband, whom she recently was separated from, pulled into the same lot in his 2003 Chevy TrailBlazer, Lewbel said.
The woman drove off, but Abrego followed and chased her in his SUV, and "while doing so, rammed the back of her car several times," Lewbel said.
Police drove the victim, who was not injured, back to her home, and police saw Abrego's SUV in the driveway with front-end damage and later arrested him, Lewbel said.
Abrego was released from the Kane County jail Monday after posting 10% of his $20,000 bail.
He is next due in court on Jan. 24 and faces a sentence ranging from probation to five years in prison if convicted of the most severe charge.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-14--'I think I just shot and killed Liz': Startling voicemail opens ex-cop's murder trial

The trial of a former Chicago police officer on murder charges began Monday with audio of a calm but startling voicemail message that then-71-year-old Lorin Volberding left on his neighbor 's phone .
`` It 's about 1:30 .
I think I just shot and killed Liz , '' Volberding said on that voicemail message .
`` I need help . ''
Lawyers waived opening statements at the start of Volberding 's bench trial in connection with the Feb. 3 , 2017 , shooting death of his wife , Elizabeth Volberding .
Lorin Volberding , now 74 and reportedly suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts of first-degree murder .
If convicted , he faces a minimum 45 years in prison because his wife 's slaying was committed with a gun .
On voicemail messages that Lorin Volberding left his neighbors , Cindy Leprich-Gort and her husband , David Gort , the former policeman spoke casually about an apparent dispute with his wife .
Both Elizabeth and Lorin Volberding were retired Chicago Police Department officers .
`` Drag me off to the hospital , drag me off to jail , '' Volberding said on the message to Cindy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
... We love you guys .
I just could n't handle it anymore .
OK .
Bye . ''
Alarmed by the message , Leprich-Gort said she called 911 .
In a separate message to David Gort , Lorin Volberding said his wife was `` laying in a pool of blood in our kitchen . ''
`` Maybe you can help both of us , '' Lorin Volberding said on the message .
`` I 'm practically an invalid .
Arrest me if you want .
I just ca n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wiped away tears after hearing the voicemail audio played in court Monday .
Since his arrest , a spotty memory , surgery and throat cancer have taken a toll on Lorin Volberding 's health , his attorney , Henry Sugden , has said .
In August , a McHenry County judge determined Lorin Volberding was mentally fit to stand trial .
Psychologist Robert Meyer testified at a fitness hearing last year that Lorin Volberding appeared to have partial memories and could participate in the trial .
Meyer also said he knew from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had argued with his wife and she threw utensils , including a knife , at him .
Although Volberding allegedly told police he took a gun from an armoire and shot his wife , these details did not come out during his evaluation , when he claimed no recollection of what happened .
The day Elizabeth Volberding died was n't the first time Spring Grove police had been to the couple 's home in the 10800 block of Riviera Drive .
On Jan. 19 , 2015 , nearly two years before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a neighbor 's house .
She reported her husband was barricaded in the basement of their home , Spring Grove Police Chief Thomas Sanders testified .
`` When we got there , he was lying on the floor in the basement , '' Sanders said .
`` He was highly intoxicated and agitated . ''
Lorin Volberding sat still Monday as he watched police body camera footage of officers placing him in handcuffs and leading him out of his home .
The February 2017 video showed several alcohol bottles on the kitchen table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said killed Elizabeth Volberding .
In the background , Spring Grove officers lift Lorin Volberding off the floor , while his wife lies feet away in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to her neck .
Prosecutors previously had offered Lorin Volberding a plea deal , which he denied in open court Monday .
If he had agreed to plead guilty to an amended count of first-degree murder , prosecutors would have forgone a mandatory 25-year sentencing enhancement , and Lorin Volberding would have received the minimum 20-year sentence .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts , among others , is set to be heard at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock .
A bench trial is heard by a judge alone without a jury .

'I think I just shot and killed Liz': Startling voicemail opens ex-cop's murder trial
The trial of a former Chicago police officer on murder charges began Monday with audio of a calm but startling voicemail message that then-71-year-old Lorin Volberding left on his neighbor's phone.
"It's about 1:30. I think I just shot and killed Liz," Volberding said on that voicemail message. "I need help."
Lawyers waived opening statements at the start of Volberding's bench trial in connection with the Feb. 3, 2017, shooting death of his wife, Elizabeth Volberding. Lorin Volberding, now 74 and reportedly suffering from dementia, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he faces a minimum 45 years in prison because his wife's slaying was committed with a gun.
On voicemail messages that Lorin Volberding left his neighbors, Cindy Leprich-Gort and her husband, David Gort, the former policeman spoke casually about an apparent dispute with his wife. Both Elizabeth and Lorin Volberding were retired Chicago Police Department officers.
"Drag me off to the hospital, drag me off to jail," Volberding said on the message to Cindy Leprich-Gort. "Do what you need to do. ... We love you guys. I just couldn't handle it anymore. OK. Bye."
It was Elizabeth Volberding's 68th birthday.
Alarmed by the message, Leprich-Gort said she called 911. In a separate message to David Gort, Lorin Volberding said his wife was "laying in a pool of blood in our kitchen."
"Maybe you can help both of us," Lorin Volberding said on the message. "I'm practically an invalid. Arrest me if you want. I just can't stand it anymore."
Lorin Volberding wiped away tears after hearing the voicemail audio played in court Monday. Since his arrest, a spotty memory, surgery and throat cancer have taken a toll on Lorin Volberding's health, his attorney, Henry Sugden, has said.
In August, a McHenry County judge determined Lorin Volberding was mentally fit to stand trial. Psychologist Robert Meyer testified at a fitness hearing last year that Lorin Volberding appeared to have partial memories and could participate in the trial.
Meyer also said he knew from a police report that Volberding allegedly told police he had argued with his wife and she threw utensils, including a knife, at him. Although Volberding allegedly told police he took a gun from an armoire and shot his wife, these details did not come out during his evaluation, when he claimed no recollection of what happened.
The day Elizabeth Volberding died wasn't the first time Spring Grove police had been to the couple's home in the 10800 block of Riviera Drive.
On Jan. 19, 2015, nearly two years before the shooting, Elizabeth Volberding called 911 from a neighbor's house. She reported her husband was barricaded in the basement of their home, Spring Grove Police Chief Thomas Sanders testified.
"When we got there, he was lying on the floor in the basement," Sanders said. "He was highly intoxicated and agitated."
Lorin Volberding sat still Monday as he watched police body camera footage of officers placing him in handcuffs and leading him out of his home.
The February 2017 video showed several alcohol bottles on the kitchen table, where police found the gun they said killed Elizabeth Volberding. In the background, Spring Grove officers lift Lorin Volberding off the floor, while his wife lies feet away in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to her neck.
Prosecutors previously had offered Lorin Volberding a plea deal, which he denied in open court Monday. If he had agreed to plead guilty to an amended count of first-degree murder, prosecutors would have forgone a mandatory 25-year sentencing enhancement, and Lorin Volberding would have received the minimum 20-year sentence.
More testimony from pathologists and two crime lab experts, among others, is set to be heard at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the McHenry County Courthouse in Woodstock. A bench trial is heard by a judge alone without a jury.