dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Constable: Blindness, disabilities no obstacle to computer use at Wheaton nonprofit

If they were those kind of mothers at that kind of gathering , Ann Byrne and Kimberly Delaney could be trying to outdo each other with tales about their remarkable lives , successful computer-programming careers and high-achieving children .
Instead , they are just two blind women hard at work inside Donka , the Wheaton-based , not-for-profit agency that provides computer training and job services to people with physical , visual and learning disabilities .
`` I came to Donka in order to get employed , '' says Delaney , 54 , an Elmhurst mother of four whose vision problems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ native home of Vietnam .
`` My whole village was massacred and I was the sole survivor .
American soldiers found me . ''
She was wounded and lost all vision in one eye , was treated in the United States and eventually was adopted by an American family .
Delaney lost the remaining vision in her other eye in 2010 after she was diagnosed with leukemia , which might have been caused by her exposure to Agent Orange , the chemical defoliant used during the Vietnam War .
Under the guidance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistive technology trainer whose congenital glaucoma has left her blind since birth , Delaney is mastering Microsoft Windows and an Excel spreadsheet through use of the assistive technology JAWS software that provides verbal descriptions of her actions .
`` They really wanted to name it JAWS , '' quips Byrne , noting the awkward acronym stands for Job Access With Speech .
But that JAWS software is essential for computer users who ca n't see .
`` When a blind person uses the computer , there is n't a way to use the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phi Beta Kappa honor student who graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before starting her professional career in 1980 as a computer programmer for ComEd .
Some students benefit from large , high-contrast keyboards , magnifiers , joysticks and other devices .
Delaney worked as a computer programmer for Discover Card and Quaker Oats , and is expanding her skills .
`` Nobody knows your potential , '' Byrne says .
`` You have to work for it .
Here at Donka , we give our students tools . ''
Donka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haveren , who died in 1993 , wanted to do more than merely visit people in the DuPage County Convalescent Center in Wheaton .
`` He asked if he could bring a computer and start to teach people computers , '' remembers 88-year-old Joyce Van Der Molen , who knew Van Haveren through the Wheaton Christian Reformed Church .
Van Haveren chose the name Donka because it means `` thank you '' in Dutch , and he wanted to thank people .
`` I 'm still so convinced this does so much for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molen , a former president of the Donka board and a vital supporter of Donka during the decades that have seen more than 900 students graduate .
`` We had four graduates that first year and now we have between 30 to 35 graduates a year , '' says Leanne Vos , executive director of Donka , which features one-on-one training of 70 to 150 hours for each student .
The school also trains staff and faculty from Benedictine University , Northern Illinois University and the College of DuPage .
`` Every January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , 'We need $ 400,000 , ' '' Vos says .
The bulk of that annual budget comes from fundraising , donations to donkainc.org , successful grant applications and some assistance from the state 's Division of Rehabilitation Services .
`` Donka is a unique program , '' Vos says .
`` It 's opening doors for new opportunities . ''
Suffering vision problems since birth , Julie Chapel of Glen Ellyn says her Donka training helped her go back to the College of DuPage , get the training she needed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receptionist .
`` I was able to get straight A 's because I was able to see for the first time , '' says Chapel , 52 , who says Donka taught her how to use adaptive software and other devices .
`` Not only did I have the resources to see better , I had the confidence .
They were absolutely wonderful . ''
Not everyone who takes advantage of Donka is looking for a job .
`` I shop all the time and go on Facebook and do my email and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amy Bakker , 65 , a three-time cancer survivor who has lived at the convalescent center since a stroke four years ago .
A retired underwriter for an insurance company , Bakker had worked with computers but needed `` a refresher course , '' she says .
Fellow resident Deborah Emerson Masters , a former special education teacher and paralegal , says she plays bridge online thanks to instructor Linda Yurka and others .
`` They are wonderful , '' Masters says .
`` It 's not just the training .
It 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vos says .
Looking for volunteer hours required to be in the honors program at College of DuPage , Jared Crimmins , 20 , of Lombard saw Donka at a college event and volunteered .
Noting that it was n't all that different from the typical story of a college kid helping his parents navigate technology , Crimmins was hooked .
After his volunteer work was finished , Donka brought him on as an intern .
When that finished , he was back to being a volunteer .
He is working toward a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Illinois at Chicago .
`` A lot of us started as volunteers and we never left , '' says Sam Moore , a Warrenville resident who works as program manager for Donka .
`` Our goal is to get our students looking for work the skills they need . ''
There also is value in simply helping people realize their value , and focus not on limitations , but on potential .
`` Attitude is something we struggle against , '' a smiling Byrne says .
`` You can think with your @ @ @ @

Constable: Blindness, disabilities no obstacle to computer use at Wheaton nonprofit
By Burt Constable
bconstable@dailyherald.com
If they were those kind of mothers at that kind of gathering, Ann Byrne and Kimberly Delaney could be trying to outdo each other with tales about their remarkable lives, successful computer-programming careers and high-achieving children. Instead, they are just two blind women hard at work inside Donka, the Wheaton-based, not-for-profit agency that provides computer training and job services to people with physical, visual and learning disabilities.
"I came to Donka in order to get employed," says Delaney, 54, an Elmhurst mother of four whose vision problems began at age 3 in her war-torn native home of Vietnam. "My whole village was massacred and I was the sole survivor. American soldiers found me."
She was wounded and lost all vision in one eye, was treated in the United States and eventually was adopted by an American family. Delaney lost the remaining vision in her other eye in 2010 after she was diagnosed with leukemia, which might have been caused by her exposure to Agent Orange, the chemical defoliant used during the Vietnam War.
Under the guidance of Byrne, a Donka computer instructor and assistive technology trainer whose congenital glaucoma has left her blind since birth, Delaney is mastering Microsoft Windows and an Excel spreadsheet through use of the assistive technology JAWS software that provides verbal descriptions of her actions.
"They really wanted to name it JAWS," quips Byrne, noting the awkward acronym stands for Job Access With Speech. But that JAWS software is essential for computer users who can't see.
"When a blind person uses the computer, there isn't a way to use the mouse," says Byrne, a Phi Beta Kappa honor student who graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before starting her professional career in 1980 as a computer programmer for ComEd. Some students benefit from large, high-contrast keyboards, magnifiers, joysticks and other devices.
Delaney worked as a computer programmer for Discover Card and Quaker Oats, and is expanding her skills.
"Nobody knows your potential," Byrne says. "You have to work for it. Here at Donka, we give our students tools."
Donka began in 1987 when founder Don Van Haveren, who died in 1993, wanted to do more than merely visit people in the DuPage County Convalescent Center in Wheaton. "He asked if he could bring a computer and start to teach people computers," remembers 88-year-old Joyce Van Der Molen, who knew Van Haveren through the Wheaton Christian Reformed Church. Van Haveren chose the name Donka because it means "thank you" in Dutch, and he wanted to thank people.
"I'm still so convinced this does so much for their lives," say Van Der Molen, a former president of the Donka board and a vital supporter of Donka during the decades that have seen more than 900 students graduate.
"We had four graduates that first year and now we have between 30 to 35 graduates a year," says Leanne Vos, executive director of Donka, which features one-on-one training of 70 to 150 hours for each student. The school also trains staff and faculty from Benedictine University, Northern Illinois University and the College of DuPage.
"Every January, I walk to my desk and say, 'We need $400,000,'" Vos says. The bulk of that annual budget comes from fundraising, donations to donkainc.org, successful grant applications and some assistance from the state's Division of Rehabilitation Services. "Donka is a unique program," Vos says. "It's opening doors for new opportunities."
Suffering vision problems since birth, Julie Chapel of Glen Ellyn says her Donka training helped her go back to the College of DuPage, get the training she needed, and land a job as a medical receptionist.
"I was able to get straight A's because I was able to see for the first time," says Chapel, 52, who says Donka taught her how to use adaptive software and other devices. "Not only did I have the resources to see better, I had the confidence. They were absolutely wonderful."
Not everyone who takes advantage of Donka is looking for a job.
"I shop all the time and go on Facebook and do my email and communicate with my children," says Amy Bakker, 65, a three-time cancer survivor who has lived at the convalescent center since a stroke four years ago. A retired underwriter for an insurance company, Bakker had worked with computers but needed "a refresher course," she says.
Fellow resident Deborah Emerson Masters, a former special education teacher and paralegal, says she plays bridge online thanks to instructor Linda Yurka and others. "They are wonderful," Masters says.
"It's not just the training. It's the meaningful relationships they have," Vos says.
Looking for volunteer hours required to be in the honors program at College of DuPage, Jared Crimmins, 20, of Lombard saw Donka at a college event and volunteered. Noting that it wasn't all that different from the typical story of a college kid helping his parents navigate technology, Crimmins was hooked. After his volunteer work was finished, Donka brought him on as an intern. When that finished, he was back to being a volunteer. He is working toward a degree in computer science at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
"A lot of us started as volunteers and we never left," says Sam Moore, a Warrenville resident who works as program manager for Donka. "Our goal is to get our students looking for work the skills they need."
There also is value in simply helping people realize their value, and focus not on limitations, but on potential.
"Attitude is something we struggle against," a smiling Byrne says. "You can think with your eyes closed."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Man charged with attempted murder in Crystal Lake stabbing

A Crystal Lake man has been charged with attempted first degree murder , home invasion , residential burglary , aggravated @ @ @ @ @ of aggravated battery following the stabbing of another man in Crystal Lake .
Michael Vrba @ @ @ @ @ household member of the 29-year-old victim , was taken into custody following an investigation by @ @ @ @ @ Division of the sheriff 's office and his bond was set at $ 1 million @ @ @ @ @ on Thursday , Jan. 9 , sheriff 's deputies responded to the 6000 block of @ @ @ @ @ for an assist to rescue call .
Deputies there found the 29-year-old victim with knife @ @ @ @ @ by helicopter to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville , where he is listed in serious @ @ @ @ @ subsequent investigation that is still ongoing led to the arrest and charging of Vrba .
@ @ @ @ @ to call the criminal investigation division at ( 815 ) 334-4750 .

Man charged with attempted murder in Crystal Lake stabbing
A Crystal Lake man has been charged with attempted first degree murder, home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated domestic battery and two counts of aggravated battery following the stabbing of another man in Crystal Lake.
Michael Vrba, 35, a former household member of the 29-year-old victim, was taken into custody following an investigation by the McHenry County Criminal Investigation Division of the sheriff's office and his bond was set at $1 million.
At about 6:22 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 9, sheriff's deputies responded to the 6000 block of Acorn Court in Crystal Lake for an assist to rescue call.
Deputies there found the 29-year-old victim with knife wounds. He was flown by helicopter to Advocate Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where he is listed in serious but stable condition.
The subsequent investigation that is still ongoing led to the arrest and charging of Vrba. Anyone with information is asked to call the criminal investigation division at (815) 334-4750.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Storm cancels more than 1,200 flights at O'Hare, Midway

More than 1,120 flights had been canceled by late Saturday afternoon at O'Hare International Airport due to a winter storm @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Midway Airport reported 88 cancellations as of 4 p.m. ComEd also reported @ @ @ @ @ outages around Chicago and the suburbs as of 4 p.m. A winter weather advisory remains @ @ @ @ @ the suburbs until 3 a.m. Sunday .
A lakeshore flood warning is also in effect @ @ @ @ @ until 6 a.m. Sunday .
Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are being reported @ @ @ @ @ in some areas this evening .
Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are @ @

Storm cancels more than 1,200 flights at O'Hare, Midway
High waves from Lake Michigan hit the lakefront trail near North Avenue as a winter storm moves through the Chicago area Saturday. Freezing rain left roads and trees glazed with ice Saturday across parts of northern Illinois and cut power to about 5,000 homes and businesses. Chicago Sun-Times via Associated Press
More than 1,100 flights had been canceled by Saturday night at O'Hare International Airport due to a winter storm that stretched across much of the country. Midway Airport reported 87 cancellations as of shortly after 9:30 p.m.
ComEd also reported about 188 active power outages around Chicago and the suburbs as of 9:30 p.m.
A winter weather advisory remains in effect for most of the suburbs until 3 a.m. Sunday.
A lakeshore flood warning is also in effect for Cook and Lake counties until 6 a.m. Sunday.
Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are being reported, and will reduce visibility in some areas, according to reports from the National Weather Service. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches are possible.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Mendoza: State won't collect red light camera fines. Suburbs: We'll get someone else to do it

Twenty-one suburbs will have to find a new way to collect delinquent red-light camera fines this year .
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she 's `` getting out of the business '' of using the state 's garnishment powers to collect the overdue fines .
In 2019 , the towns received nearly $ 2 million from Mendoza 's office , which generally took the money out of income tax refunds .
Most towns then split the fines with the company contracted to run the cameras .
Mendoza complained that red-light camera fines disproportionately affect poor and minority drivers and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whole .
Several elected officials in recent years have been caught up in ongoing federal corruption investigations involving red-light camera operators , including some suburban mayors and legislators .
`` The irony is that we 're doing the collecting work , but the vendors are the ones who are reaping the benefits , '' Mendoza said .
Mendoza 's office sent Aurora and Lakemoor more than $ 300,000 each in delinquent payments from scofflaws in both 2018 and 2019 .
Rosemont received more than $ 200,000 in each of the last two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ River Grove , Gurnee and Villa Park all got six-figure payments from the comptroller last year , as well .
Lakemoor Mayor Todd Weihofen said Mendoza 's decision to stop collecting delinquent fines is `` disappointing . ''
`` I wish she would have talked to the people she was serving before she made her decision , '' he said .
`` I just wish that if the state comptroller had data and research that backed up what she said that she 'd share it . ''
According to comptroller records , Mendoza @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lakemoor since 2017 .
That 's in addition to the $ 2.4 million Lakemoor collected on its own in red-light camera fines in 2017 and 2018 , according to the village 's annual audits .
The money is generated from cameras at just one intersection , routes 12 and 120 , in the village of 6,300 people .
Although Lakemoor 's red light cameras are down while the intersection is under construction , Weihofen said Mendoza 's decision wo n't stop the village from using them in the future .
The village has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handles recovery of other delinquencies , so Weihofen said the overdue red-light camera fines will be added to that company 's responsibilities .
Other municipal leaders echoed his sentiments .
`` We 'll probably go back to using a collection agency like we did before signing up with the comptroller 's program , '' said Kildeer Village Administrator Michael Talbett .
`` It 's not going to stop us from using the cameras .
We see the red light cameras as a legitimate traffic control device . ''
Carol Stream is owed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera fines since turning on the devices in 2009 .
The village was going to use the comptroller 's services until Mendoza announced her decision .
`` Our vendor does the collection and they 're actually not very good at it , unfortunately , '' said Carol Stream Village Manager Robert Mellor .
Red-light camera tickets cost about $ 100 , but double if late in most cases .
Statewide , Mendoza 's office remitted $ 11.2 million in delinquent fines to 60 municipalities last year .
That 's up from the $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year before .
There is growing bipartisan support in the state legislature to ban the devices .
State Rep. David McSweeney , a Barrington Hills Republican , has filed bills to eliminate the cameras .
He also wants the legislature to codify Mendoza 's decision in law `` so no future comptroller can collect these fines . ''
`` It 's a corrupt program , '' McSweeney said .
`` This is all about revenue and not about safety . ''
Some government watchdogs and members of the public have been skeptical about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three people were sentenced to prison in connection with a bribery scandal involving Chicago 's first red-light camera vendor .
In recent months , former state Sen. Martin Sandoval , a Chicago Democrat , was caught up in a federal corruption investigation involving vendor SafeSpeed , which has red-light camera contracts throughout the suburbs .
SafeSpeed CEO Nikki Zollar has denied any wrongdoing , and in a letter to Mendoza she said the company is cooperating with federal investigators .
Zollar called Mendoza 's allegations against SafeSpeed `` factually inaccurate and untrue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said two suburban mayors -- Oakbrook Terrace 's Tony Ragucci and McCook 's Jeffrey Tobolski -- had their houses raided by the FBI and tens of thousands of dollars in cash seized .
Both towns have SafeSpeed red light cameras installed .
Oakbrook Terrace came under scrutiny in 2017 when the Chicago Tribune reported the Illinois Department of Transportation , at the behest of Sandoval , reversed a decision that kept the city from installing red light cameras at Route 83 and 22nd Street .
In 2019 , Oakbrook Terrace collected $ 5.4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its annual audit .
Nearly $ 2.2 million of that went to SafeSpeed .

Mendoza: State won't collect red light camera fines. Suburbs: We'll get someone else to do it
Villa Park relied on the state to help collect overdue fines from red light cameras like this one at Route 83 and Riverside Road. Comptroller Susana Mendoza said that service is ending. Daily Herald file photo/2009
Traffic passes through the intersection of Randall Road and Acorn Lane in Lake in the Hills. Daily Herald file photo/2009
Twenty-one suburbs will have to find a new way to collect delinquent red-light camera fines this year.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza said she's "getting out of the business" of using the state's garnishment powers to collect the overdue fines.
In 2019, the towns received nearly $2 million from Mendoza's office, which generally took the money out of income tax refunds. Most towns then split the fines with the company contracted to run the cameras.
Mendoza complained that red-light camera fines disproportionately affect poor and minority drivers and that she has issues with the industry as a whole. Several elected officials in recent years have been caught up in ongoing federal corruption investigations involving red-light camera operators, including some suburban mayors and legislators.
"The irony is that we're doing the collecting work, but the vendors are the ones who are reaping the benefits," Mendoza said.
Mendoza's office sent Aurora and Lakemoor more than $300,000 each in delinquent payments from scofflaws in both 2018 and 2019. Rosemont received more than $200,000 in each of the last two years. Elk Grove Village, Fox River Grove, Gurnee and Villa Park all got six-figure payments from the comptroller last year, as well.
Lakemoor Mayor Todd Weihofen said Mendoza's decision to stop collecting delinquent fines is "disappointing."
"I wish she would have talked to the people she was serving before she made her decision," he said. "I just wish that if the state comptroller had data and research that backed up what she said that she'd share it."
According to comptroller records, Mendoza's office has collected $724,210 for Lakemoor since 2017. That's in addition to the $2.4 million Lakemoor collected on its own in red-light camera fines in 2017 and 2018, according to the village's annual audits. The money is generated from cameras at just one intersection, routes 12 and 120, in the village of 6,300 people.
Although Lakemoor's red light cameras are down while the intersection is under construction, Weihofen said Mendoza's decision won't stop the village from using them in the future. The village has a contract with a collection agency that handles recovery of other delinquencies, so Weihofen said the overdue red-light camera fines will be added to that company's responsibilities. Other municipal leaders echoed his sentiments.
"We'll probably go back to using a collection agency like we did before signing up with the comptroller's program," said Kildeer Village Administrator Michael Talbett. "It's not going to stop us from using the cameras. We see the red light cameras as a legitimate traffic control device."
Carol Stream is owed more than $1.4 million in delinquent red-light camera fines since turning on the devices in 2009. The village was going to use the comptroller's services until Mendoza announced her decision.
"Our vendor does the collection and they're actually not very good at it, unfortunately," said Carol Stream Village Manager Robert Mellor.
Red-light camera tickets cost about $100, but double if late in most cases.
Statewide, Mendoza's office remitted $11.2 million in delinquent fines to 60 municipalities last year. That's up from the $9.1 million distributed to 54 towns the year before.
There is growing bipartisan support in the state legislature to ban the devices. State Rep. David McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican, has filed bills to eliminate the cameras. He also wants the legislature to codify Mendoza's decision in law "so no future comptroller can collect these fines."
"It's a corrupt program," McSweeney said. "This is all about revenue and not about safety."
Some government watchdogs and members of the public have been skeptical about red light cameras from their inception.
Three people were sentenced to prison in connection with a bribery scandal involving Chicago's first red-light camera vendor. In recent months, former state Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat, was caught up in a federal corruption investigation involving vendor SafeSpeed, which has red-light camera contracts throughout the suburbs. SafeSpeed CEO Nikki Zollar has denied any wrongdoing, and in a letter to Mendoza she said the company is cooperating with federal investigators. Zollar called Mendoza's allegations against SafeSpeed "factually inaccurate and untrue."
A Chicago Sun-Times report last week said two suburban mayors -- Oakbrook Terrace's Tony Ragucci and McCook's Jeffrey Tobolski -- had their houses raided by the FBI and tens of thousands of dollars in cash seized. Both towns have SafeSpeed red light cameras installed. Oakbrook Terrace came under scrutiny in 2017 when the Chicago Tribune reported the Illinois Department of Transportation, at the behest of Sandoval, reversed a decision that kept the city from installing red light cameras at Route 83 and 22nd Street.
In 2019, Oakbrook Terrace collected $5.4 million in red-light camera fines, according to its annual audit. Nearly $2.2 million of that went to SafeSpeed.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Island Lake man found dead after boating on Georgia-South Carolina lake

The body of an Island Lake man who had been boating on a lake bordering the states of Georgia and South Carolina on Wednesday was recovered from the lake 's South Carolina shoreline Friday morning .
David Dean , 69 , who was the owner of Dean Printing Systems in Island Lake , had rented a pontoon boat from the Hartwell Marina on Lake Hartwell in the area of Sadlers Creek State Park Wednesday morning but never returned , Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Cpl .
Craig Fulghum said .
He added that the boat was found late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lake , but only a short distance from the South Carolina state line .
Rescue teams began searching for Dean immediately , but his body was n't spotted by Georgia DNR Aviation until Friday morning .
That stretch of South Carolina shoreline had already been looked at earlier in the search .
Fulghum said the search for Dean was complicated by the fact that the canopy on the boat was up and acting as a sail on the windy lake , allowing the boat to move despite the anchor being down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look for him .
Dean had been visiting an area near Lake Hartwell on a business trip according to his family , Fulghum said .
Dean 's body was taken to the Anderson County coroner 's office in South Carolina on Friday .
No one there could be reached for comment Saturday .
While the results of an autopsy will determine whether any further action by law enforcement is required , there 's nothing to indicate the death was suspicious , Fulghum said .
He added that the cold water on Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the strongest of swimmers .

Island Lake man found dead after boating on Georgia-South Carolina lake
The body of an Island Lake man who had been boating on a lake bordering the states of Georgia and South Carolina on Wednesday was recovered from the lake's South Carolina shoreline Friday morning.
David Dean, 69, who was the owner of Dean Printing Systems in Island Lake, had rented a pontoon boat from the Hartwell Marina on Lake Hartwell in the area of Sadlers Creek State Park Wednesday morning but never returned, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Cpl. Craig Fulghum said.
He added that the boat was found late Wednesday afternoon anchored on the Georgia side of the lake, but only a short distance from the South Carolina state line.
Rescue teams began searching for Dean immediately, but his body wasn't spotted by Georgia DNR Aviation until Friday morning. That stretch of South Carolina shoreline had already been looked at earlier in the search.
Fulghum said the search for Dean was complicated by the fact that the canopy on the boat was up and acting as a sail on the windy lake, allowing the boat to move despite the anchor being down and thus creating a wide potential area to look for him.
Dean had been visiting an area near Lake Hartwell on a business trip according to his family, Fulghum said.
Dean's body was taken to the Anderson County coroner's office in South Carolina on Friday. No one there could be reached for comment Saturday.
While the results of an autopsy will determine whether any further action by law enforcement is required, there's nothing to indicate the death was suspicious, Fulghum said. He added that the cold water on Wednesday would have been a challenge for anyone but the strongest of swimmers.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Grammar Moses: You say po-tay-to, I spell po-ta-to

Who exactly was it the United States killed on Jan. 3 that sparked a ramp-up of aggression between Iran and the U. S. ?
Or was it Qasem Soleimani ?
It depends which news source you read .
The first spelling is courtesy of The Associated Press .
The `` Qasem '' variation is employed by The Washington Post .
The New York Times has been going with something completely different : `` Qassim Suleimani . ''
The Daily Herald subscribes to both The Associated Press and Washington Post wire services , so we had to settle on one spelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with `` Qassem Soleimani '' because AP is our dominant source for world and national news and because we adhere to The Associated Press Stylebook ( for the most part ) .
We were having this very conversation as Iran started launching rockets at the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq , which houses U.S. troops .
The issue of the proper spelling of the Iranian general 's name does n't hold a candle to the gravity of the story at hand , but as a newspaper we sweat the details , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a lot of trouble spelling the man 's name right .
That 's because they spell it as he did -- in Arabic , a language that has an alphabet different from ours .
In case you forgot , our 26 letters are not the `` English '' alphabet but the `` Latin '' or `` Roman '' alphabet .
Changing words or names from one language to another without benefit of a shared alphabet is called `` transliteration . ''
It 's a predictable way to convert one character to another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sounds , which is known as `` transcription . ''
Think phonetics .
With transliteration , it 's easier to reverse engineer a word to its original language .
So , why the disparity in spellings ?
For many clusters of characters there is more than one transliterative system .
So you get variations , as with `` Soleimani . ''
One reason could be that there are many dialects of Arabic .
I imagine people have different interpretations of spellings because of that .
But I 'm no expert .
If I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.N. or code-breaking or something equally sexy .
When Ukraine became a hot topic of conversation last year after a certain phone call was made , I came to realize that after the country gained its independence its government established rules for transliteration of city names and such from Cyrillic into the Latin alphabet for legal proclamations and such .
And it changed `` Kiev '' to `` Kyiv . ''
I 'm not sure why that passed below my radar for 24 years or why mass producers of frozen `` chicken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's been out of vogue in its namesake for a quarter century .
With some languages there is just no easy pathway to English , which explains Hanukkah and Chanukah .
It 's also why if you use the translation function on your Thai sister-in-law 's Facebook posts to her friends about your shared trip to Mexico , you 're left wondering whether you were on the same trip .
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald .
Write him at jbaumann @ dailyherald.com .
Put Grammar Moses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can friend or follow Jim at facebook.com/baumannjim .

Grammar Moses: You say po-tay-to, I spell po-ta-to
Who exactly was it the United States killed on Jan. 3 that sparked a ramp-up of aggression between Iran and the U. S.?
Was it Qassem Soleimani?
Was it Qassim Suleimani?
Or was it Qasem Soleimani?
It depends which news source you read.
The first spelling is courtesy of The Associated Press. The "Qasem" variation is employed by The Washington Post.
The New York Times has been going with something completely different: "Qassim Suleimani."
The Daily Herald subscribes to both The Associated Press and Washington Post wire services, so we had to settle on one spelling for consistency. We decided to run with "Qassem Soleimani" because AP is our dominant source for world and national news and because we adhere to The Associated Press Stylebook (for the most part).
We were having this very conversation as Iran started launching rockets at the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq, which houses U.S. troops.
The issue of the proper spelling of the Iranian general's name doesn't hold a candle to the gravity of the story at hand, but as a newspaper we sweat the details, too.
I can't imagine Iranians are having a lot of trouble spelling the man's name right. That's because they spell it as he did -- in Arabic, a language that has an alphabet different from ours.
In case you forgot, our 26 letters are not the "English" alphabet but the "Latin" or "Roman" alphabet.
Changing words or names from one language to another without benefit of a shared alphabet is called "transliteration."
It's a predictable way to convert one character to another character or characters rather than by converting sounds, which is known as "transcription." Think phonetics.
With transliteration, it's easier to reverse engineer a word to its original language.
So, why the disparity in spellings?
For many clusters of characters there is more than one transliterative system. So you get variations, as with "Soleimani."
One reason could be that there are many dialects of Arabic. I imagine people have different interpretations of spellings because of that. But I'm no expert. If I were, I'd be working for the U.N. or code-breaking or something equally sexy.
When Ukraine became a hot topic of conversation last year after a certain phone call was made, I came to realize that after the country gained its independence its government established rules for transliteration of city names and such from Cyrillic into the Latin alphabet for legal proclamations and such.
And it changed "Kiev" to "Kyiv."
I'm not sure why that passed below my radar for 24 years or why mass producers of frozen "chicken Kiev" continue to use a spelling that's been out of vogue in its namesake for a quarter century.
With some languages there is just no easy pathway to English, which explains Hanukkah and Chanukah.
It's also why if you use the translation function on your Thai sister-in-law's Facebook posts to her friends about your shared trip to Mexico, you're left wondering whether you were on the same trip.
Write carefully!
• Jim Baumann is vice president/managing editor of the Daily Herald. Write him at jbaumann@dailyherald.com. Put Grammar Moses in the subject line. You also can friend or follow Jim at facebook.com/baumannjim.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Facts Matter: U.S. has not reinstated military draft

Following the U.S. drone hit earlier this month that killed Iran Gen. Qassem Soleimani , there was an increase in Google searches for the phrase `` draft age , '' according to Snopes.com .
Soon after that , some people received a text message claiming the user had been picked for the draft and should report to the nearest military branch for `` immediate departure to Iran . ''
A follow-up text said the user would be `` fined and sent to jail for minimum 6 years '' if he or she did n't reply , Snopes said .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the draft has not been reinstated and the text messages did not come from the military .
The agency responsible for implementing a draft , the Selective Service , took to Twitter to say it was `` conducting business as usual . ''
The Selective Service said , if necessary , the president and Congress would have to pass legislation in order to authorize a draft .
A Jan. 7 statement from the U.S. Army Recruiting Command said , `` these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been in effect since 1973 .
The military has been an all-volunteer force since that time . ''
Information about volunteering can be found at a local Army recruiting station , the statement said .
Iran did n't receive payment from U.S. , other nations During an address Wednesday at the White House , President Donald Trump said Iran received a payment after agreeing to a deal restricting that nation 's nuclear power .
`` Iran 's hostility substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013 , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given $ 150 billion , not to mention $ 1.8 billion in cash . ''
But that money originally belonged to Iran , according to The Associated Press .
The $ 150 billion the president cited referred to funds that had been frozen by foreign banks as a result of international sanctions over Iran 's nuclear program .
After the nuclear deal was signed in 2015 and the sanctions were lifted , Iran gained access to its money .
The `` $ 1.8 billion in cash '' was money the U.S. owed Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a decades-old claim between the two countries , '' according to The Washington Post .
In the 1970s , Iran paid the U.S. $ 400 million for military equipment that was never delivered , the Post said .
Shortly after agreeing to the sale , the relationship between the two countries was disrupted when Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Iran .
In January 2016 the $ 400 million was returned to Iran , along with $ 1.3 billion ( not $ 1.8 billion ) in interest .
A `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it appear Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden made a racist statement , received more than a million views after it was posted New Year 's Day , according to PolitiFact.com .
In the 17-second clip , Biden says , `` The culture , our culture , our culture is not imported from some African nation or some Asian nation , it is our English jurisprudential culture -- our European culture . ''
In some social media posts , the clip includes the comment , `` It 's almost like Joe Biden is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //apnews.com/57b3faa9aedcbdfcf167463eeb8eea63 '' > according to The Associated Press .
< /URL > The short video was taken from Biden 's 13-minute answer after he was asked about his work combating domestic assault and sexual violence , PolitiFact said .
The former vice president was speaking at a Dec. 30 event in New Hampshire .
Biden talked about his work in the Senate when he supported the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 .
He goes on to say violence against women is rooted in European culture and the U.S. must change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unedited statement , Biden said , `` Folks , this is about changing the culture , our culture , our culture .
It 's not imported from some African nation or some Asian nation .
It 's our English jurisprudential culture , our European culture that says it 's all right . ''
As wildfires sweep across Australia , stories and photos showing devastation to the area 's wildlife have been circulating on the internet .
A photo recently making the rounds on social media shows a koala bear face down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resting in four containers while being treated for burns .
The koala , named Jeremy , was rescued from an Australian fire and was treated for burns , but it happened five years ago , according to Snopes.com .
The image was posted on the Australian Marine Wildlife Research & Rescue Organization Facebook page in January 2015 , Snopes said .
The research and rescue group said Jeremy , a young male koala being treated for second-degree burns , was the first bush fire victim at the clinic and was `` doing very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' • Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News .
Contact him at boboswald33 @ gmail.com .

Facts Matter: U.S. has not reinstated military draft
A hoax about the military draft had the Selective Service taking to Twitter to refute the claim.
Following the U.S. drone hit earlier this month that killed Iran Gen. Qassem Soleimani, there was an increase in Google searches for the phrase "draft age," according to Snopes.com.
Soon after that, some people received a text message claiming the user had been picked for the draft and should report to the nearest military branch for "immediate departure to Iran."
A follow-up text said the user would be "fined and sent to jail for minimum 6 years" if he or she didn't reply, Snopes said.
But there is no draft age, because the draft has not been reinstated and the text messages did not come from the military.
The agency responsible for implementing a draft, the Selective Service, took to Twitter to say it was "conducting business as usual."
The Selective Service said, if necessary, the president and Congress would have to pass legislation in order to authorize a draft.
A Jan. 7 statement from the U.S. Army Recruiting Command said, "these texts are false and were not initiated by this command or the U.S. Army.
"The draft has not been in effect since 1973. The military has been an all-volunteer force since that time."
Information about volunteering can be found at a local Army recruiting station, the statement said.
Iran didn't receive payment from U.S., other nations
During an address Wednesday at the White House, President Donald Trump said Iran received a payment after agreeing to a deal restricting that nation's nuclear power.
"Iran's hostility substantially increased after the foolish Iran nuclear deal was signed in 2013," Trump said. "And they were given $150 billion, not to mention $1.8 billion in cash."
But that money originally belonged to Iran, according to The Associated Press.
The $150 billion the president cited referred to funds that had been frozen by foreign banks as a result of international sanctions over Iran's nuclear program. After the nuclear deal was signed in 2015 and the sanctions were lifted, Iran gained access to its money.
The "$1.8 billion in cash" was money the U.S. owed Iran, due to "the settlement of a decades-old claim between the two countries," according to The Washington Post.
In the 1970s, Iran paid the U.S. $400 million for military equipment that was never delivered, the Post said. Shortly after agreeing to the sale, the relationship between the two countries was disrupted when Americans were taken hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Iran.
In January 2016 the $400 million was returned to Iran, along with $1.3 billion (not $1.8 billion) in interest.
Video edited to make Biden appear racist
A "deceptively edited" video, which makes it appear Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden made a racist statement, received more than a million views after it was posted New Year's Day, according to PolitiFact.com.
In the 17-second clip, Biden says, "The culture, our culture, our culture is not imported from some African nation or some Asian nation, it is our English jurisprudential culture -- our European culture."
In some social media posts, the clip includes the comment, "It's almost like Joe Biden is a racist," according to The Associated Press.
The short video was taken from Biden's 13-minute answer after he was asked about his work combating domestic assault and sexual violence, PolitiFact said. The former vice president was speaking at a Dec. 30 event in New Hampshire.
Biden talked about his work in the Senate when he supported the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. He goes on to say violence against women is rooted in European culture and the U.S. must change that culture, PolitiFact said.
In the unedited statement, Biden said, "Folks, this is about changing the culture, our culture, our culture. It's not imported from some African nation or some Asian nation. It's our English jurisprudential culture, our European culture that says it's all right."
Koala pic not from recent Australian fires
As wildfires sweep across Australia, stories and photos showing devastation to the area's wildlife have been circulating on the internet.
A photo recently making the rounds on social media shows a koala bear face down on a pile of towels with its paws resting in four containers while being treated for burns.
The koala, named Jeremy, was rescued from an Australian fire and was treated for burns, but it happened five years ago, according to Snopes.com.
The image was posted on the Australian Marine Wildlife Research & Rescue Organization Facebook page in January 2015, Snopes said. The research and rescue group said Jeremy, a young male koala being treated for second-degree burns, was the first bush fire victim at the clinic and was "doing very well and is in great spirits."
• Bob Oswald is a veteran Chicago-area journalist and former news editor of the Elgin Courier-News. Contact him at boboswald33@gmail.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--J&J Ventures Gaming acquires Libertyville-based Tap Room Gaming

J & J Ventures Gaming , based in Effingham , has acquired Libertyville-based Tap Room Gaming , putting the 90-year-old company in the position of providing gambling machines , marketing and customer service for more than 2,000 clients .
`` We are excited to merge our business efforts and expand further into the Chicago area , '' J & J Ventures CEO Bob Willenborg said in a written statement .
`` Tap Room Gaming brings sophisticated marketing and customer services to us .
With our gaming systems and technology , the overall entertainment experience will be enhanced . ''
Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO of Tap Room Gaming and also the former Democratic state senator of the 31st District , also addressed the acquisition in the same news release .
`` Tap Room Gaming 's foundation has been built on customer service , '' Bond wrote of the merger , which was completed in late December .
`` We used our expertise in the industry to help drive success for our customers .
We wanted to continue this tradition and know that each establishment 's partnership we 've built over the years will continue to succeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J & J to move our customers forward . ''

J&J Ventures Gaming acquires Libertyville-based Tap Room Gaming
J & J Ventures Gaming, based in Effingham, has acquired Libertyville-based Tap Room Gaming, putting the 90-year-old company in the position of providing gambling machines, marketing and customer service for more than 2,000 clients.
"We are excited to merge our business efforts and expand further into the Chicago area," J & J Ventures CEO Bob Willenborg said in a written statement. "Tap Room Gaming brings sophisticated marketing and customer services to us. With our gaming systems and technology, the overall entertainment experience will be enhanced."
Michael Bond of Grayslake, the now former CEO of Tap Room Gaming and also the former Democratic state senator of the 31st District, also addressed the acquisition in the same news release.
"Tap Room Gaming's foundation has been built on customer service," Bond wrote of the merger, which was completed in late December. "We used our expertise in the industry to help drive success for our customers. We wanted to continue this tradition and know that each establishment's partnership we've built over the years will continue to succeed, which is why we've chosen J & J to move our customers forward."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Chilly Open in Arlington Heights lives up to its billing

If the goal of the Arlington Heights Park District 's annual Chilly Open was for golfers to show how tough @ @ @ @ @ miserable weather , they got their wish Saturday .
Most though would have preferred snow @ @ @ @ @ Arlington Lakes Golf Club .
`` We like seeing the snow more than the rain @ @ @ @ @ of a 'Chilly Open ' flavor , '' said Tim Govern , Arlington Heights Park @ @ @ @ @ He said almost 100 people registered for the event , which includes a round of @ @ @ @ @ for a prize and all the chili one can eat .
Prizes were awarded to @ @ @ @ @ , female and senior divisions .
Govern estimated about 70-80 people would show up and @ @ @ @ @ deterred some from playing more than the rain or snow .
`` It 's still @ @ @ @ @ that 's for sure , '' he said .
`` People look like they are @ @ @ @ @ out of the house in January . ''

Chilly Open in Arlington Heights lives up to its billing
If the goal of the Arlington Heights Park District's annual Chilly Open was for golfers to show how tough they are by playing in miserable weather, they got their wish Saturday. Most though would have preferred snow for the event at the Arlington Lakes Golf Club.
"We like seeing the snow more than the rain; it gives it more of a 'Chilly Open' flavor," said Tim Govern, Arlington Heights Park District golf operations manager.
He said almost 100 people registered for the event, which includes a round of golf, a raffle ticket for a prize and all the chili one can eat. Prizes were awarded to the top players in male, female and senior divisions.
Govern estimated about 70-80 people would show up and said the wind may have deterred some from playing more than the rain or snow. "It's still a pretty good turnout, that's for sure," he said. "People look like they are having fun and enjoying getting out of the house in January."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Northwest suburban teacher facing child porn charges

A Lake in the Hills man accused of possessing and disseminating child pornography also has been `` suspended from duty indefinitely '' at his teaching job , officials said Friday .
Scott E. Pollack , 45 , of the 5900 block of Lucerne Lane , has been charged with nine counts of dissemination of child pornography , one count of possession of child pornography and one count of unauthorized video recording , all felonies , according to a news release from the Lake in the Hills Police Department .
The charges stem from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul 's ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who download and trade child pornography online , the release said .
Pollack is a teacher and former wrestling coach at Holmes Middle School in Wheeling , and Community Consolidated School District 21 included a statement on its website that said the district had been informed of Pollack 's arrest , and Raoul 's office had assured them the charges did not involve any District 21 students .
`` Mr. Pollack has been suspended from duty indefinitely , '' the district 's statement said .
`` CCSD21 and Holmes Middle School are cooperating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney General 's office , and other local law enforcement agencies .
`` The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority , and we will continue to work with law enforcement and our community partners to ensure a safe learning environment for all .
Counseling and student support teams will be available to any student who may need it . ''
Pollack is being held at the McHenry County jail and is due in bond court Saturday morning .

Northwest suburban teacher facing child porn charges
A Lake in the Hills man accused of possessing and disseminating child pornography also has been "suspended from duty indefinitely" at his teaching job, officials said Friday.
Scott E. Pollack, 45, of the 5900 block of Lucerne Lane, has been charged with nine counts of dissemination of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of unauthorized video recording, all felonies, according to a news release from the Lake in the Hills Police Department. The charges stem from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul's ongoing efforts to apprehend the most active offenders who download and trade child pornography online, the release said.
Pollack is a teacher and former wrestling coach at Holmes Middle School in Wheeling, and Community Consolidated School District 21 included a statement on its website that said the district had been informed of Pollack's arrest, and Raoul's office had assured them the charges did not involve any District 21 students.
"Mr. Pollack has been suspended from duty indefinitely," the district's statement said. "CCSD21 and Holmes Middle School are cooperating with the Wheeling Police Department, Illinois Attorney General's office, and other local law enforcement agencies.
"The safety and well-being of our students is our top priority, and we will continue to work with law enforcement and our community partners to ensure a safe learning environment for all. Counseling and student support teams will be available to any student who may need it."
Pollack is being held at the McHenry County jail and is due in bond court Saturday morning.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Elk Grove VFW officially dedicates new elevator

Local officials , donors and military veterans gathered on Saturday to officially dedicate a new elevator at the Elk Grove VFW Post 9284 .
Though the ceremony was short , it marked the culmination of a nearly four-year fundraising and construction effort so that people with disabilities could finally access the 1972 building at 400 E. Devon Ave. Elk Grove Village-based political consultant Kitty Weiner spearheaded the elevator fundraising campaign .
She saw the need when she drove disabled veteran Alberto Velasco to the VFW Post so he could give a lecture on the Wounded Warrior Project veterans service organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the stairs ) , '' said Weiner , adding that four other veterans carried Velasco out of his wheelchair in order to get him in and out of the post 's upstairs banqueting hall .
Weiner approached Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson for assistance , and he made overtures to area businesses and organizations to help out .
Significantly , Castle Chevrolet North donated a 2017 Corvette to the VFW for a `` Vette for Vets Car Raffle . ''
And Elk Grove Village-based Mikerphone Brewery was an early donor with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasting and music event that would become its annual `` Smells Like a Beer Fest '' that raises funs for area charities .
Nearly $ 179,000 total was raised by Elk Grove Village donors and businesses .
After some false starts with previous contractors , William and Sean Keeley of Villa Park-based Keeley Construction stepped in to take over the elevator building addition project in April 2019 .
The three-level elevator passed inspection and was put into operation in late October .
Yet members of the VFW Post opted to hold off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday season .
Veteran Buzz Buzzelli , an Elk Grove VFW member since 1971 , said the elevator was a welcome addition to a building with lots of history .
In many cases , it was literally built up by its members .
`` Once the foundation and the steel structure went it , from then on it was all done by members , '' said Buzzelli , citing brick layers , plumbers and carpenters who helped create a home for the Elk Grove VFW that traces it charter back to 1963 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have not attended meetings for quite some time , '' said VFW Post commander Wally Campbell .
`` But now they 're able to get in . ''

Elk Grove VFW officially dedicates new elevator
The Elk Grove Village VFW officially dedicated its new elevator on Saturday with a brief ribbon cutting and ceremony. Courtesy of Emil Schiavo/Elk Grove Village
Local officials, donors and military veterans gathered on Saturday to officially dedicate a new elevator at the Elk Grove VFW Post 9284. Though the ceremony was short, it marked the culmination of a nearly four-year fundraising and construction effort so that people with disabilities could finally access the 1972 building at 400 E. Devon Ave.
Elk Grove Village-based political consultant Kitty Weiner spearheaded the elevator fundraising campaign. She saw the need when she drove disabled veteran Alberto Velasco to the VFW Post so he could give a lecture on the Wounded Warrior Project veterans service organization.
"Somehow, I forgot (about the stairs)," said Weiner, adding that four other veterans carried Velasco out of his wheelchair in order to get him in and out of the post's upstairs banqueting hall.
Weiner approached Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson for assistance, and he made overtures to area businesses and organizations to help out.
Significantly, Castle Chevrolet North donated a 2017 Corvette to the VFW for a "Vette for Vets Car Raffle." And Elk Grove Village-based Mikerphone Brewery was an early donor with $10,000 raised from a 2017 beer tasting and music event that would become its annual "Smells Like a Beer Fest" that raises funs for area charities.
Nearly $179,000 total was raised by Elk Grove Village donors and businesses. After some false starts with previous contractors, William and Sean Keeley of Villa Park-based Keeley Construction stepped in to take over the elevator building addition project in April 2019.
The three-level elevator passed inspection and was put into operation in late October. Yet members of the VFW Post opted to hold off on the official ribbon-cutting ceremony until after the holiday season.
Veteran Buzz Buzzelli, an Elk Grove VFW member since 1971, said the elevator was a welcome addition to a building with lots of history. In many cases, it was literally built up by its members.
"Once the foundation and the steel structure went it, from then on it was all done by members," said Buzzelli, citing brick layers, plumbers and carpenters who helped create a home for the Elk Grove VFW that traces it charter back to 1963.
"We have a couple of members who have not attended meetings for quite some time," said VFW Post commander Wally Campbell. "But now they're able to get in."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Report: US, China reach agreement to resume economic talks

WASHINGTON -- The United States and China have agreed to resume semiannual talks on economic and trade issues , according to a published report .
These discussions had been conducted in previous administrations but had been halted by the Trump administration .
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that the resumption of the talks , which were started in the George W. Bush administration and continued in the Obama administration , was set to be announced on Wednesday when the Trump administration signs a Phase One trade agreement with China in Washington .
The newspaper said that the new talks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Phase Two trade deal , which will cover a number of contentious issues involving Chinese policies that the Trump administration contends are unfair trade practices but were not resolved in the Phase One negotiations .
Henry Paulson had started the US-China talks when he was Treasury secretary under George W. Bush with top officials from both countries meeting twice a year .
The discussions were continued during all eight years of the Obama administration although the talks were reduced to just once a year .
When President Donald Trump took office in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feeling they had failed to achieve significant results in tackling unfair Chinese trade practices and reducing America 's huge trade deficits with China , the largest with any country .
The Trump administration instead launched more targeted trade negotiations , which ended up triggering a tit-for-tat trade war between the world 's two biggest economies .
Both countries imposed billions of dollars of tariffs on the other country 's products .
Those tariffs raised uncertainties among businesses , slowed global economic growth and roiled financial markets .
Both countries announced a Phase One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in December as part of a cease-fire in the trade war .
Administration officials said that the details of the Phase One deal would be released after the agreement is signed Wednesday .

Report: US, China reach agreement to resume economic talks
FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2018, file photo, American flags are displayed together with Chinese flags on top of a trishaw in Beijing. The United States and China have agreed to resume semiannual talks on economic and trade issues, according to a published report. These discussions had been conducted in previous administrations but had been halted by the Trump administration, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- The United States and China have agreed to resume semiannual talks on economic and trade issues, according to a published report. These discussions had been conducted in previous administrations but had been halted by the Trump administration.
The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that the resumption of the talks, which were started in the George W. Bush administration and continued in the Obama administration, was set to be announced on Wednesday when the Trump administration signs a Phase One trade agreement with China in Washington.
The newspaper said that the new talks would be separate from negotiations over a Phase Two trade deal, which will cover a number of contentious issues involving Chinese policies that the Trump administration contends are unfair trade practices but were not resolved in the Phase One negotiations.
Henry Paulson had started the US-China talks when he was Treasury secretary under George W. Bush with top officials from both countries meeting twice a year. The discussions were continued during all eight years of the Obama administration although the talks were reduced to just once a year.
When President Donald Trump took office in 2017, his administration halted the discussions, feeling they had failed to achieve significant results in tackling unfair Chinese trade practices and reducing America's huge trade deficits with China, the largest with any country.
The Trump administration instead launched more targeted trade negotiations, which ended up triggering a tit-for-tat trade war between the world's two biggest economies. Both countries imposed billions of dollars of tariffs on the other country's products.
Those tariffs raised uncertainties among businesses, slowed global economic growth and roiled financial markets. Both countries announced a Phase One agreement resolving some of the issues between in December as part of a cease-fire in the trade war.
Administration officials said that the details of the Phase One deal would be released after the agreement is signed Wednesday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--U.S. soldier from Aurora killed in Afghanistan

A U.S. soldier killed Saturday by an explosion in Afghanistan has been identified as a 21-year-old Aurora resident .
The city of Aurora mourned Miguel Villalon in a statement on its Facebook page Saturday night .
Villalon , who attended East Aurora High School , was one of two service members killed in an explosion when their vehicle struck an roadside bomb in the Kandahar province , the post said .
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack , according to The Associated Press .
Mayor Richard C. Irvin , who also served in the U.S. Army , extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement .
`` Miguel was a young soldier with dreams for the future and a desire to make a difference in the world today , '' Irvin said in the statement .
`` Much like all of us who have left from our hometown of Aurora to serve our country , our goal is to do our job well and return to our family and friends .
Sadly , Miguel made the ultimate sacrifice as he protected our freedom from the front lines .
`` The City of Lights shines much dimmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stand with his family and provide support .
Godspeed , young soldier , '' Irvin wrote .
`` We thank Miguel for his courage , commitment and service .
May he rest in peace . ''

U.S. soldier from Aurora killed in Afghanistan
A U.S. soldier killed Saturday by an explosion in Afghanistan has been identified as a 21-year-old Aurora resident.
The city of Aurora mourned Miguel Villalon in a statement on its Facebook page Saturday night. Villalon, who attended East Aurora High School, was one of two service members killed in an explosion when their vehicle struck an roadside bomb in the Kandahar province, the post said. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to The Associated Press.
Mayor Richard C. Irvin, who also served in the U.S. Army, extended condolences to Villalon's loved ones in the statement.
"Miguel was a young soldier with dreams for the future and a desire to make a difference in the world today," Irvin said in the statement. "Much like all of us who have left from our hometown of Aurora to serve our country, our goal is to do our job well and return to our family and friends. Sadly, Miguel made the ultimate sacrifice as he protected our freedom from the front lines.
"The City of Lights shines much dimmer because of this loss. We'll stand with his family and provide support. Godspeed, young soldier," Irvin wrote. "We thank Miguel for his courage, commitment and service. May he rest in peace."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--District 300 staff members jump into action when student collapses

Officials credit good staff training and the availability of automated external defibrillators with helping save the life of a Dundee-Crown High School student-athlete who collapsed during basketball practice .
The 17-year-old was jumping rope in the school gym the afternoon of Nov. 17 when he went into cardiac arrest and became unresponsive .
Within seconds , coaches jumped into action .
They did CPR and then used an AED to shock the teen .
Athletic Director Steve Gertz said trainer Brenna Tschida and coaches Connor Loehrke , Bob Sweeney and Lance Huber were instrumental in attending to the student , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to notify others on the radio that help was needed .
After-school staff called 911 .
Carpentersville Police Officer Jason Nilles was first on the scene and took over CPR until fire department paramedics arrived , according to Fire Chief John-Paul Schilling .
The student had a heartbeat , was breathing and was taken to the hospital for additional treatment , officials said .
`` The CPR training and AED training that our district requires for all of our coaches saved a life , '' Gertz said of Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope never to use worked . ''
Superintendent Fred Heid and school board members last month honored staff involved in the emergency response .
And the fire chief presented lifesaving awards to Loehrke , Sweeney , Tschida and Nilles at a Carpentersville village board meeting .
`` The proper application of your training and equipment exemplifies your dedication to the preservation of a life and service to our community , '' Schilling told them .
Dundee-Crown has six AEDs .
District 300 has 50 in total , located throughout the district 's 27 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburbs .
All of the machines are being replaced with newer ones as part of a replacement cycle buyback program , according to the superintendent .
The new devices have better monitoring software , he said , which means anytime an AED triggers , it reads for a heart rate and will only shock accordingly .
• Do you know any Suburban Heroes ?
Share your story at heroes @ dailyherald.com .

District 300 staff members jump into action when student collapses
Carpentersville Fire Chief John-Paul Schilling presents Dundee-Crown High School athletic trainer Brenna Tschida and coach Connor Loehrke with lifesaving awards at a recent village board meeting. Courtesy of District 300
Dundee-Crown High School maintenance employee Jesse Martinez, left, coach Bob Sweeney, athletic trainer Brenna Tschida, Ccach Lance Huber and coach Connor Loehrke were honored with lifesaving awards in December by Community Unit District 300. Courtesy of District 300
Officials credit good staff training and the availability of automated external defibrillators with helping save the life of a Dundee-Crown High School student-athlete who collapsed during basketball practice.
The 17-year-old was jumping rope in the school gym the afternoon of Nov. 17 when he went into cardiac arrest and became unresponsive.
Within seconds, coaches jumped into action. They did CPR and then used an AED to shock the teen.
Athletic Director Steve Gertz said trainer Brenna Tschida and coaches Connor Loehrke, Bob Sweeney and Lance Huber were instrumental in attending to the student, while maintenance employee Jesse Martinez was quick to notify others on the radio that help was needed.
After-school staff called 911. Carpentersville Police Officer Jason Nilles was first on the scene and took over CPR until fire department paramedics arrived, according to Fire Chief John-Paul Schilling.
The student had a heartbeat, was breathing and was taken to the hospital for additional treatment, officials said.
"The CPR training and AED training that our district requires for all of our coaches saved a life," Gertz said of Algonquin-based Community Unit District 300. "Our emergency plan that we hope never to use worked."
Superintendent Fred Heid and school board members last month honored staff involved in the emergency response. And the fire chief presented lifesaving awards to Loehrke, Sweeney, Tschida and Nilles at a Carpentersville village board meeting.
"The proper application of your training and equipment exemplifies your dedication to the preservation of a life and service to our community," Schilling told them.
Dundee-Crown has six AEDs. District 300 has 50 in total, located throughout the district's 27 schools in the Fox Valley and Northwest suburbs. All of the machines are being replaced with newer ones as part of a replacement cycle buyback program, according to the superintendent.
The new devices have better monitoring software, he said, which means anytime an AED triggers, it reads for a heart rate and will only shock accordingly.
• Do you know any Suburban Heroes? Share your story at heroes@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-11--Schaumburg police seeking to ID armed robber of Jewel

Schaumburg police are seeking the public 's help in identifying a young man who robbed a supermarket clerk at gunpoint @ @ @ @ @ responded to a call of an armed robbery at Jewel , 1151 S. Roselle Road @ @ @ @ @ a.m. Jan. 7 .
The robber , whose image was recorded in a surveillance video @ @ @ @ @ approached a clerk at a register from whom he demanded money while showing a black @ @ @ @ @ the store with approximately $ 400 and was last seen heading west on foot , @ @ @ @ @ is described as a male between the ages of 17 and 24 , 5-foot-6 to @ @ @ @ @ and 170 pounds .
Anyone with information is asked to call ( 847 ) 882-3534 @ @ @ @ @ .

Schaumburg police seeking to ID armed robber of Jewel
This is a surveillance video image of a young man who robbed a Jewel clerk at gunpoint Jan. 7 and whom Schaumburg police are seeking the public's help in identifying. Courtesy of Schaumburg Police Department
This is a surveillance video image of a young man who robbed a Jewel clerk at gunpoint Jan. 7 and whom Schaumburg police are seeking the public's help in identifying. Courtesy of Schaumburg Police Department
Schaumburg police are seeking the public's help in identifying a young man who robbed a supermarket clerk at gunpoint early last Tuesday.
Officers responded to a call of an armed robbery at Jewel, 1151 S. Roselle Road in the village at 1:51 a.m. Jan. 7.
The robber, whose image was recorded in a surveillance video, entered the store and approached a clerk at a register from whom he demanded money while showing a black handgun. The robber exited the store with approximately $400 and was last seen heading west on foot, police said.
The robber is described as a male between the ages of 17 and 24, 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8, weighing between 140 and 170 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call (847) 882-3534 or email investigations@schaumburg.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-12--'You're not prepared for it' • Close friends mourn Aurora soldier

Aurora is mourning the loss of U.S. Army Pfc .
Miguel Villalon , the 21-year-old East Aurora High School grad killed Saturday by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan , but the void is being felt particularly among three of his closest friends .
Together they formed a `` squad , '' said one of those friends , Marlo Guzon , who exchanged social media messages with Villalon as recently as Friday .
`` The last message I sent was please come home in one piece and be careful because I 'm watching the news , '' Guzon said , adding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fine .
The Pentagon confirmed Sunday that Villalon and a second soldier died Saturday after their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the southern province of Kandahar .
They were assigned to the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion , 3rd Brigade Combat Team , 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg , North Carolina , according to the defense department .
`` He was always one of those people that I could talk to about anything .
We talked about literally everything , from ( the ) Marvel Cinematic Universe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one of the friends who did n't attend East Aurora High School ( he went to West Aurora ) .
`` The first day I met him I made him take the Harry Potter Pottermore Quiz .
And he got Gryffindor , '' Guzon said .
That was significant , he added , because `` those who get into Gryffindor are very chivalrous , courageous . ''
But Villalon could also loosen up , as when he surprised his friends by singing karaoke .
`` That boy could sing like Axl Rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't even know he could sing like that . ''
Another member of the group , Rodrigo Hull , said Villalon always made time for others .
Within the group , he was the peacemaker .
`` Thanks to him making the ultimate sacrifice , people like us can have freedom , '' Hull said .
In messages to his friends , Villalon described his life in the military , the hot weather where he was stationed , and asked them to send fruit snacks .
He also discussed his future ambitions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He knew things about cars , he knew things about electricity .
He wanted to build homes , '' Hull said .
Friend Gerardo Franco recalled gathering with Villalon , Hull and Guzon the day before Villalon was supposed to ship out .
The occasion was festive , with visits to Navy Pier and Chinatown and the BomboBar , an ice cream venue in the West Loop .
`` I did n't expect it to be the last time I would see him , '' he said , describing his friend as someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good spirits .
`` When everybody was maybe yelling and stuff , he tried to get everybody laughing , '' Franco added .
Franco said he has a cousin in the military and understands that death can happen .
`` Sometimes we overlook it .
All we do is hope it does n't .
When it does , you 're not prepared for it , '' he said .

'You're not prepared for it': Close friends mourn Aurora soldier
Friends Miguel Villalon, left, and Marlo Guzon. Villalon was killed Saturday while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Courtesy of Marlo Guzon
Miguel Villalon, far right, with friends, from left, Marlo Guzon, Rodrigo Hull and Gerardo Franco. Villalon was killed Saturday while serving in the U.S. Army in Afghanistan. Courtesy of Marlo Guzon
Aurora is mourning the loss of U.S. Army Pfc. Miguel Villalon, the 21-year-old former East Aurora High School student killed Saturday by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, but the void is being felt particularly among three of his closest friends.
Together they formed a "squad," said one of those friends, Marlo Guzon, who exchanged social media messages with Villalon as recently as Friday.
"The last message I sent was please come home in one piece and be careful because I'm watching the news," Guzon said, adding that Villalon assured him he was doing fine.
The Pentagon confirmed Sunday that Villalon and a second soldier died Saturday after their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in the southern province of Kandahar. They were assigned to the 307th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, according to the defense department.
Guzon called Villalon a steadying influence within their tight circle.
"He was always one of those people that I could talk to about anything. We talked about literally everything, from (the) Marvel Cinematic Universe to music," said Guzon, the only one of the friends who didn't attend East Aurora High School (he went to West Aurora).
"The first day I met him I made him take the Harry Potter Pottermore Quiz. And he got Gryffindor," Guzon said. That was significant, he added, because "those who get into Gryffindor are very chivalrous, courageous."
But Villalon could also loosen up, as when he surprised his friends by singing karaoke.
"That boy could sing like Axl Rose," Guzon said. "We didn't even know he could sing like that."
Another member of the group, Rodrigo Hull, said Villalon always made time for others. Within the group, he was the peacemaker.
"Thanks to him making the ultimate sacrifice, people like us can have freedom," Hull said.
In messages to his friends, Villalon described his life in the military, the hot weather where he was stationed, and asked them to send fruit snacks.
He also discussed his future ambitions.
"He was very well-rounded. He knew things about cars, he knew things about electricity. He wanted to build homes," Hull said.
Friend Gerardo Franco recalled gathering with Villalon, Hull and Guzon the day before Villalon was supposed to ship out. The occasion was festive, with visits to Navy Pier and Chinatown and the BomboBar, an ice cream venue in the West Loop.
"I didn't expect it to be the last time I would see him," he said, describing his friend as someone who tried to keep things positive and in good spirits.
"When everybody was maybe yelling and stuff, he tried to get everybody laughing," Franco added.
Franco said he has a cousin in the military and understands that death can happen.
"Sometimes we overlook it. All we do is hope it doesn't. When it does, you're not prepared for it," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-12--One year after fire, future of kennel near Carol Stream remains in question

A devastating fire that killed 29 dogs in a kennel near Carol Stream a year ago Tuesday spurred a new state law and led to animal cruelty charges against its operator , but the decrepit building still looks much as it did after erupting in flames .
The Jan. 14 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 operator , Garrett Mercado , has pleaded not guilty to 28 misdemeanors -- 14 counts of animal cruelty and 14 counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He 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 .
Smith , a Wheaton lawyer , did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment on his client 's case .
If convicted , Mercado could face up to almost a year in jail .
After a six-month investigation into the blaze , prosecutors laid out in disturbing detail the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the counts against Mercado involve a dog named Koko , who was found beneath a pile of debris , tethered to a bar in a second-floor bathtub , DuPage State 's Attorney Robert Berlin said .
`` During the fire , that tethering was so tight that it was unlikely Koko would have been able to lay down , and if so , would not have been able to move , and Koko died during the fire , '' Berlin said last July .
The smoke had barely cleared when critics questioned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the number of dogs housed there .
Some of those critics formed DuPage 29 , a Facebook group tracking the court case and calling for accountability from rescue groups that placed dogs with Mercado after pulling the animals from shelters .
DuPage 29 also has rebuked rescue groups for largely staying silent on the operations of the kennel , though some defended Mercado in the immediate aftermath of the fire .
`` We want to see that they 're just being more responsible with the dogs they place in general , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ representing DuPage 29 , which he described as a forum for `` people that want to make sure that theses dogs are not forgotten . ''
Rescues typically set up pledge campaigns to pluck dogs from high-kill shelters .
Before contributing , donors should ask rescue volunteers if they 're placing the dogs in training facilities and for how long and what they 're doing to find pets permanent homes , Elias said .
`` Putting the dogs somewhere is not the same thing as caring for the dogs , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kennel , Mercado worked as a trainer of rescue dogs with histories of behavioral issues .
Eight months before the fire , a county animal control officer following up on a complaint reported finding a `` horrible odor '' and piles of feces in the kennel runs .
But the kennel passed its last routine inspection with the state department of agriculture in September 2018 .
The facility had just 13 operational runs and lacked fire prevention safety measures , and no one was on site to supervise the animals for about five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Berlin .
The charges against Mercado are unrelated to the cause of the fire , which previously was classified as undetermined .
Under the new state law that took effect at the start of the year , kennels must either be staffed at all times or have fire sprinkler systems or alarm systems that notify fire departments , as a requirement of a license application or renewal with the department of agriculture .
`` It goes beyond saving animals , '' said State Rep. Diane Pappas , an Itasca Democrat who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a bill to help protect our firefighters because responding to a kennel fire where there are animals that may potentially injure those firefighters because they do n't realize what 's happening and they may acting on instinct , that 's a really dangerous fire for firefighters to go into , and the sooner we can get them there , the better off everybody will be . ''
Several firefighters suffered dog bites battling the kennel fire .
About two dozen dogs were saved .
But the kennel remains a stark reminder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the makeshift memorials are gone .
The windows are still boarded , and a dumpster filled with debris sits in the driveway , opposite a `` for sale by owner sign . ''
No one returned a message left with the phone number listed on the sign .
Some portions of the structure have been torn down , but according to DuPage County building department records , no demolition permit has been applied for or issued .
Property tax bills on the kennel site are addressed to Joanne Grossman , who could not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stream owns a house to the north .
`` It is true that the property is contiguous to Carol Stream 's corporate boundaries , so the village would be in a position to annex the property and control future development and use if the property owner wished to do that but we have not had any conversation with anybody about doing that , '' Community Development Director Don Bastian said .
The village originally purchased the residential property in 2013 for strategic value to annex properties to the west , Bastian said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibility '' the village will put it back up for sale in the near future .

One year after fire, future of kennel near Carol Stream remains in question
Sherie Gechas of Lisle is reunited with her dog, Jackson, a year ago at DuPage County Animal Services in Wheaton. Jackson was rescued from the fire inside the kennel near Carol Stream Jan. 14, 2018. Daily Herald file photo
A devastating fire that killed 29 dogs in a kennel near Carol Stream a year ago Tuesday spurred a new state law and led to animal cruelty charges against its operator, but the decrepit building still looks much as it did after erupting in flames.
The Jan. 14 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 operator, Garrett Mercado, has pleaded not guilty to 28 misdemeanors -- 14 counts of animal cruelty and 14 counts of violation of owner's duties.
He 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.
Smith, a Wheaton lawyer, did not respond to phone and email messages seeking comment on his client's case. If convicted, Mercado could face up to almost a year in jail.
After a six-month investigation into the blaze, prosecutors laid out in disturbing detail the conditions inside the kennel. Some of the counts against Mercado involve a dog named Koko, who was found beneath a pile of debris, tethered to a bar in a second-floor bathtub, DuPage State's Attorney Robert Berlin said.
"During the fire, that tethering was so tight that it was unlikely Koko would have been able to lay down, and if so, would not have been able to move, and Koko died during the fire," Berlin said last July.
The smoke had barely cleared when critics questioned the cleanliness of the kennel, its staffing and the number of dogs housed there.
Some of those critics formed DuPage 29, a Facebook group tracking the court case and calling for accountability from rescue groups that placed dogs with Mercado after pulling the animals from shelters. DuPage 29 also has rebuked rescue groups for largely staying silent on the operations of the kennel, though some defended Mercado in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
"We want to see that they're just being more responsible with the dogs they place in general," said John Elias, a Chicago attorney representing DuPage 29, which he described as a forum for "people that want to make sure that theses dogs are not forgotten."
Rescues typically set up pledge campaigns to pluck dogs from high-kill shelters. Before contributing, donors should ask rescue volunteers if they're placing the dogs in training facilities and for how long and what they're doing to find pets permanent homes, Elias said.
"Putting the dogs somewhere is not the same thing as caring for the dogs," he said.
As the licensed operator of the kennel, Mercado worked as a trainer of rescue dogs with histories of behavioral issues.
Eight months before the fire, a county animal control officer following up on a complaint reported finding a "horrible odor" and piles of feces in the kennel runs. But the kennel passed its last routine inspection with the state department of agriculture in September 2018.
The facility had just 13 operational runs and lacked fire prevention safety measures, and no one was on site to supervise the animals for about five hours before the fire broke out, according to Berlin. The charges against Mercado are unrelated to the cause of the fire, which previously was classified as undetermined.
Under the new state law that took effect at the start of the year, kennels must either be staffed at all times or have fire sprinkler systems or alarm systems that notify fire departments, as a requirement of a license application or renewal with the department of agriculture.
"It goes beyond saving animals," said State Rep. Diane Pappas, an Itasca Democrat who introduced the legislation. "It's also a bill to help protect our firefighters because responding to a kennel fire where there are animals that may potentially injure those firefighters because they don't realize what's happening and they may acting on instinct, that's a really dangerous fire for firefighters to go into, and the sooner we can get them there, the better off everybody will be."
Several firefighters suffered dog bites battling the kennel fire. About two dozen dogs were saved.
But the kennel remains a stark reminder of the dogs that died, even if the makeshift memorials are gone. The windows are still boarded, and a dumpster filled with debris sits in the driveway, opposite a "for sale by owner sign." No one returned a message left with the phone number listed on the sign. Some portions of the structure have been torn down, but according to DuPage County building department records, no demolition permit has been applied for or issued.
Property tax bills on the kennel site are addressed to Joanne Grossman, who could not be reached. The village of Carol Stream owns a house to the north.
"It is true that the property is contiguous to Carol Stream's corporate boundaries, so the village would be in a position to annex the property and control future development and use if the property owner wished to do that but we have not had any conversation with anybody about doing that," Community Development Director Don Bastian said.
The village originally purchased the residential property in 2013 for strategic value to annex properties to the west, Bastian said. He said there's a "good possibility" the village will put it back up for sale in the near future.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-12--New lighting, sound systems installed at Baker Center in St. Charles

Theatrical lighting and sound systems have been installed in the auditorium of the Baker Community Center , creating new opportunities for the historic St. Charles building to be used as a performance venue .
The upgrades were designed and completed late last year by the Norris Cultural Arts Center through an agreement with the park district , which operates the Baker facility .
Though the arts center organization plans to use the space for future events , board member Mark Smith said , the project was intended as a gift to the St. Charles community as a whole .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` The community benefits from it , and we benefit from having a second performance venue , which happens to be in a very high-traffic downtown area . ''
The 95-year-old Baker Center is used for some park district programming , such as dance classes and small-scale recitals , Director Holly Cabel said .
The auditorium is also frequently rented for weddings , graduation parties and other gatherings , including a 2017 fundraising gala celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Norris Cultural Arts Center .
During the event , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to put on a funny musical production for its audience , Smith said .
Working through those logistics was somewhat of a challenge , he said , but that did n't stop organizers from recognizing the facility 's potential .
`` Our experience made us realize that could be a real interesting performance venue if we had sufficient lighting and sound systems , '' he said .
`` Now they 've got a more professional , capable stage and an infrastructure that would go along to support a much bigger variety of events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal with the park district to design and install the new infrastructure and train facility staff members on how to use it , Smith said .
In turn , the organization can use the space for free 12 days a year for the next five years .
Funds for the project were available in a trust created by the late Lester and Dellora Norris , St. Charles philanthropists who founded the cultural arts center , Smith said .
He declined to disclose the exact cost of the improvements , but said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The Baker Center underwent a major renovation in 2017 -- a project spearheaded by the facility 's board -- that added an elevator , bathrooms , air conditioning , heating and other improvements to make the building more accessible .
The recent upgrades completed by the cultural arts center were more specific to the use of the auditorium , enhancing its current and future rental opportunities , Cabel said .
`` The result really is about the community center being able to offer additional cultural events , '' she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ programming aligns with the Norris family 's vision and the overarching mission of the arts center , Smith said .
Already , the organization has scheduled an event series at the Baker Center that includes four Saturday night concerts and four Wednesday afternoon events .
Details can be found at norrisculturalarts.com .
`` We think it makes a lot of sense , and the park district agrees with us , '' Smith said .
`` We 're forging ahead and hoping for good reception from the community . ''

New lighting, sound systems installed at Baker Center in St. Charles
Theatrical lighting and sound systems have been installed in the auditorium of the Baker Community Center, creating new opportunities for the historic St. Charles building to be used as a performance venue.
The upgrades were designed and completed late last year by the Norris Cultural Arts Center through an agreement with the park district, which operates the Baker facility. Though the arts center organization plans to use the space for future events, board member Mark Smith said, the project was intended as a gift to the St. Charles community as a whole.
"This was kind of a win-win," he said. "The community benefits from it, and we benefit from having a second performance venue, which happens to be in a very high-traffic downtown area."
The 95-year-old Baker Center is used for some park district programming, such as dance classes and small-scale recitals, Director Holly Cabel said. The auditorium is also frequently rented for weddings, graduation parties and other gatherings, including a 2017 fundraising gala celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Norris Cultural Arts Center.
During the event, the organization brought in its own equipment to put on a funny musical production for its audience, Smith said. Working through those logistics was somewhat of a challenge, he said, but that didn't stop organizers from recognizing the facility's potential.
"Our experience made us realize that could be a real interesting performance venue if we had sufficient lighting and sound systems," he said. "Now they've got a more professional, capable stage and an infrastructure that would go along to support a much bigger variety of events."
The cultural arts center negotiated a deal with the park district to design and install the new infrastructure and train facility staff members on how to use it, Smith said. In turn, the organization can use the space for free 12 days a year for the next five years.
Funds for the project were available in a trust created by the late Lester and Dellora Norris, St. Charles philanthropists who founded the cultural arts center, Smith said. He declined to disclose the exact cost of the improvements, but said it was in the "low six-figure range."
The Baker Center underwent a major renovation in 2017 -- a project spearheaded by the facility's board -- that added an elevator, bathrooms, air conditioning, heating and other improvements to make the building more accessible.
The recent upgrades completed by the cultural arts center were more specific to the use of the auditorium, enhancing its current and future rental opportunities, Cabel said.
"The result really is about the community center being able to offer additional cultural events," she said.
Expanding the opportunity for that type of programming aligns with the Norris family's vision and the overarching mission of the arts center, Smith said. Already, the organization has scheduled an event series at the Baker Center that includes four Saturday night concerts and four Wednesday afternoon events. Details can be found at norrisculturalarts.com.
"We think it makes a lot of sense, and the park district agrees with us," Smith said. "We're forging ahead and hoping for good reception from the community."