dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Fall season in some sports should be put on hold

Again , moving forward with high school sports in Illinois has been dealt a setback .
And there 's nothing on today 's horizon that would lead us to believe that 's going to change anytime soon .
We say the time has come for the Illinois High School Association to seriously consider doing what is being done elsewhere in parts of the country .
Cancel football , volleyball and soccer this fall , if not all sports .
The IHSA 's Phase 4 Return to Play plan last week was scaled back to include no contact in any sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois State Board of Education and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's office .
Late Tuesday afternoon , the IHSA announced it will defer to the Illinois Department of Public Health , ISBE and the governor 's office on all of its Return to Play guidelines moving forward .
We wait again to move forward , and now the IHSA waits with us .
We know canceling sports this fall is far from a popular opinion .
But at this point , we believe it would be the right decision .
We want high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coaches , school administrators and yes , sports writers , want high school sports back .
The IHSA wants sports back .
For many , it 's our livelihood and we all miss it tremendously .
On Friday night , Aug. 28 , we want to hear the crack of the pads , the cheerleaders performing to a packed stadium , the bands , the smell of brats and burgers on grills .
We want Friday Night Lights .
We want soccer games , we want volleyball matches .
But how ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of fall sports practices is scheduled Aug. 10 .
Is it realistic to think , with positive coronavirus cases on the rise in Illinois and all over the country , that football , soccer and volleyball can be played safely ?
The sobering answer is no .
The obstacles surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are many .
We do n't know if schools are going to be open for in-person learning .
We also do n't know how things are going to work if there is in-person learning .
And that obstacle has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how sports would come back .
IHSA executive director Craig Anderson has made it clear there 's no guarantee contact sports -- specifically football , soccer and volleyball in the fall -- will return in the fall .
In fact , he and many others have stated those sports probably can not return until we reach Phase 5 , and that seems a long way off .
`` Physical contact in football presents challenges , '' Anderson told me in late June .
`` If we can have some activities in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it paves the way to have some expanded activities that today might not look possible . ''
The IHSA tried to have activities this month but its Phase 4 plan was short-lived in its original form .
`` This setback , in my opinion , has created some alarm to the schools .
Now they say these provisions could take us into the fall and , if that is the case , then volleyball , soccer ( and ) football just can not be played under these limitations , '' Anderson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson also said the IHSA plans to meet with officials from ISBE and IDPH next week .
Shaw Media reported Monday the IHSA has told schools a decision will be made July 29 on fall sports .
Time is n't just running short here , folks .
We say time is up .
Hopefully things will change in the coming weeks , but based on the trend of the pandemic -- and what medical experts are saying -- that does n't appear likely .
It 's OK to allow summer camps to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be out in the sunshine doing things safely .
It 'll probably be OK for sports like golf and tennis to move forward .
But it 's now time for the IHSA to do the smart thing , the safe thing , and the right thing .
And that would be to put an indefinite hold on the fall season in sports that require physical contact .
Everything else , including moving those sports to spring , can be discussed after that .
First , let 's be smart and safe -- and @ @

Fall season in some sports should be put on hold
Again, moving forward with high school sports in Illinois has been dealt a setback.
And there's nothing on today's horizon that would lead us to believe that's going to change anytime soon.
We say the time has come for the Illinois High School Association to seriously consider doing what is being done elsewhere in parts of the country.
Cancel football, volleyball and soccer this fall, if not all sports.
The IHSA's Phase 4 Return to Play plan last week was scaled back to include no contact in any sport after the IHSA received guidance from the Illinois State Board of Education and Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the IHSA announced it will defer to the Illinois Department of Public Health, ISBE and the governor's office on all of its Return to Play guidelines moving forward.
We wait again to move forward, and now the IHSA waits with us.
We know canceling sports this fall is far from a popular opinion.
But at this point, we believe it would be the right decision.
We want high school sports back. Athletes, parents, coaches, school administrators and yes, sports writers, want high school sports back. The IHSA wants sports back.
For many, it's our livelihood and we all miss it tremendously.
On Friday night, Aug. 28, we want to hear the crack of the pads, the cheerleaders performing to a packed stadium, the bands, the smell of brats and burgers on grills. We want Friday Night Lights. We want soccer games, we want volleyball matches.
But how? We're in mid-July. The first day of fall sports practices is scheduled Aug. 10.
Is it realistic to think, with positive coronavirus cases on the rise in Illinois and all over the country, that football, soccer and volleyball can be played safely?
The sobering answer is no.
The obstacles surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic are many. We don't know if schools are going to be open for in-person learning. We also don't know how things are going to work if there is in-person learning. And that obstacle has to be cleared before we can think about how sports would come back.
IHSA executive director Craig Anderson has made it clear there's no guarantee contact sports -- specifically football, soccer and volleyball in the fall -- will return in the fall. In fact, he and many others have stated those sports probably cannot return until we reach Phase 5, and that seems a long way off.
"Physical contact in football presents challenges," Anderson told me in late June. "If we can have some activities in July and early August and do so safely, it paves the way to have some expanded activities that today might not look possible."
The IHSA tried to have activities this month but its Phase 4 plan was short-lived in its original form.
"This setback, in my opinion, has created some alarm to the schools. Now they say these provisions could take us into the fall and, if that is the case, then volleyball, soccer (and) football just cannot be played under these limitations," Anderson told ABC 7's Alexis McAdams Monday.
Anderson also said the IHSA plans to meet with officials from ISBE and IDPH next week. Shaw Media reported Monday the IHSA has told schools a decision will be made July 29 on fall sports.
July 29? Twelve days before practices "officially" begin?
Time isn't just running short here, folks. We say time is up. Hopefully things will change in the coming weeks, but based on the trend of the pandemic -- and what medical experts are saying -- that doesn't appear likely.
It's OK to allow summer camps to continue, with restrictions. Kids need to be out in the sunshine doing things safely. It'll probably be OK for sports like golf and tennis to move forward.
But it's now time for the IHSA to do the smart thing, the safe thing, and the right thing.
And that would be to put an indefinite hold on the fall season in sports that require physical contact.
Everything else, including moving those sports to spring, can be discussed after that.
First, let's be smart and safe -- and healthy.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--'No easy solutions': Indian Prairie District 204 unveils reopening plans

Families in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will face two choices when student registration for the new year begins next week during the coronavirus pandemic .
The district 's reopening plans call for a hybrid schedule alternating in-person instruction with virtual learning each week .
The K-12 system also will give students the option of reverting fully to remote learning through an `` online academy , '' but students would have to commit to that model for at least a full semester because of staffing limits , educators say .
As the pandemic sparks debate about how to teach students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs , ever-shifting safety protocols and concerns of a second wave of COVID-19 infections coinciding with flu season .
`` We are dealing with a complex constellation of issues as we finalize our plans , '' said Superintendent Adrian Talley , who took the helm of the district July 1 .
`` There are no easy solutions . ''
Bringing all students back to school every day is n't feasible because of physical distancing measures meant to slow the spread of the virus and better manage contract tracing if and when a student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , administrators say .
`` We would need many more classrooms and many more teachers because we would have to be splitting those groups into small class size amounts , '' Deputy Superintendent Doug Eccarius said .
Survey results also indicate a weekly blend of in-person instruction and remote learning was the first or second preference for 75 % of parents and 74 % of staff who responded to a questionnaire about their comfort levels .
`` We 're trying to look for a plan that gets students back in school but also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Eccarius said .
With classes set to resume Aug. 20 , students are expected to have an assigned schedule of two in-person instruction days and two remote instruction days each week based on their last name .
Mondays will combine whole class remote learning , possible grade-level specific activities , additional support for individual students and teacher prep time .
Students with special needs could attend school four or five days a week , with the district holding individualized education plan , or IEP , meetings remotely .
All students and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in school or on buses unless they have medical exemptions .
Anyone entering schools or buses also will have to self-report that they 're symptom-free .
On average , the district can accommodate about 12 to 15 students per classroom while still providing 6 feet of distancing between each student .
If there 's a positive case , the district 's health services staff will work with the county health department on contact tracing to identify individuals who need to self-quarantine .
A team of district nurses has completed Johns Hopkins University certification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` If we do n't ensure 6 feet of social distance , we have many more students who could be isolated or quarantined just because they were within 6 feet of a student who was identified with a positive case , '' Eccarius said .
`` What that would mean is we could have students who come to school , and then they have to miss school for 14 days in a row because they were isolated or quarantined . ''
Schools will try to limit student transitions between classes .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classrooms so students do n't have to move to other building locations .
`` We know that as we move to middle and high school there are more transitions that are going to occur , '' Eccarius said .
`` And we want to make sure that we can safely help students transition to those other classes . ''
Parents who elect to have their children learn exclusively online must register for the semester by Aug. 1 .
`` We 've heard from many parents who are afraid to send their child back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eccarius said .
District committees have been working on the return-to-school plans since at least April .
The group includes assistant superintendents and more than 60 members of the Indian Prairie Education Association .
Leaders of the teachers union , which also conducted a survey , did n't immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday .
District officials stress that the plans are fluid and that short-term closures remain a possibility .

'No easy solutions': Indian Prairie District 204 unveils reopening plans
Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora plans to start the new year with a hybrid schedule. Daily Herald file photo
Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville plans to resume classes with a hybrid schedule alternating in-person instruction with virtual learning each week. Daily Herald file photo
Families in Indian Prairie Unit District 204 will face two choices when student registration for the new year begins next week during the coronavirus pandemic.
The district's reopening plans call for a hybrid schedule alternating in-person instruction with virtual learning each week.
The K-12 system also will give students the option of reverting fully to remote learning through an "online academy," but students would have to commit to that model for at least a full semester because of staffing limits, educators say.
As the pandemic sparks debate about how to teach students in the fall, districts face conflicting needs, ever-shifting safety protocols and concerns of a second wave of COVID-19 infections coinciding with flu season.
"We are dealing with a complex constellation of issues as we finalize our plans," said Superintendent Adrian Talley, who took the helm of the district July 1. "There are no easy solutions."
Bringing all students back to school every day isn't feasible because of physical distancing measures meant to slow the spread of the virus and better manage contract tracing if and when a student or teacher tests positive for the virus, administrators say.
"We would need many more classrooms and many more teachers because we would have to be splitting those groups into small class size amounts," Deputy Superintendent Doug Eccarius said.
Survey results also indicate a weekly blend of in-person instruction and remote learning was the first or second preference for 75% of parents and 74% of staff who responded to a questionnaire about their comfort levels.
"We're trying to look for a plan that gets students back in school but also provides some kind of consistency for parents," Eccarius said.
With classes set to resume Aug. 20, students are expected to have an assigned schedule of two in-person instruction days and two remote instruction days each week based on their last name. Mondays will combine whole class remote learning, possible grade-level specific activities, additional support for individual students and teacher prep time.
Students with special needs could attend school four or five days a week, with the district holding individualized education plan, or IEP, meetings remotely.
All students and staff will have to wear face coverings in school or on buses unless they have medical exemptions. Anyone entering schools or buses also will have to self-report that they're symptom-free.
On average, the district can accommodate about 12 to 15 students per classroom while still providing 6 feet of distancing between each student.
If there's a positive case, the district's health services staff will work with the county health department on contact tracing to identify individuals who need to self-quarantine.
A team of district nurses has completed Johns Hopkins University certification for contact tracing, Eccarius said.
"If we don't ensure 6 feet of social distance, we have many more students who could be isolated or quarantined just because they were within 6 feet of a student who was identified with a positive case," Eccarius said. "What that would mean is we could have students who come to school, and then they have to miss school for 14 days in a row because they were isolated or quarantined."
Schools will try to limit student transitions between classes. At the elementary level, teachers could come to classrooms so students don't have to move to other building locations.
"We know that as we move to middle and high school there are more transitions that are going to occur," Eccarius said. "And we want to make sure that we can safely help students transition to those other classes."
Parents who elect to have their children learn exclusively online must register for the semester by Aug. 1.
"We've heard from many parents who are afraid to send their child back to school under any circumstances," Eccarius said.
District committees have been working on the return-to-school plans since at least April. The group includes assistant superintendents and more than 60 members of the Indian Prairie Education Association. Leaders of the teachers union, which also conducted a survey, didn't immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday.
District officials stress that the plans are fluid and that short-term closures remain a possibility.
District 204 serves roughly 27,400 students in Naperville, Aurora, Plainfield and Bolingbrook.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--After house party shootings, Roselle discusses future of short-term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO

Short-term rentals in Roselle could be restricted or banned as a result of the June 27 rampage in which more than 60 shots were fired during a house party near Roselle and Picton roads .
`` What is being done to keep residents in Roselle safe ? ''
said one resident whose comment was read during Monday 's online village board meeting .
`` These types of incidents have occurred in other suburbs and have caused harm in those communities , as well . ''
Police arrived at the house to find one man dead and four others wounded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The property was advertised on VRBO and Airbnb .
As an alternative , the village could require property owners to register with the village before renting their property , limit the number of rental days , limit the number of people staying at the property or limit the number of short-term rentals any property owner can operate .
Village trustee David Pileski said the village should consider a referendum in November asking residents whether Roselle should be a home-rule community , which he said would give more leeway to regulate short-term rentals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Nov. 2 ballot is Aug. 17 .
`` We owe everyone the opportunity , '' Pileski said .
`` Just because it may be on the ballot does n't mean that it will be successful .
It gives our community a chance to have a dialogue and conversation .
Everyone deserves to have that opportunity . ''
Similar cases have raised concern around the suburbs .
A man was shot and killed in March during a party at a short-term rental in Barrington Hills .
Mayor Martin McLaughlin said short-term rentals already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorter than three months after a shootout on Route 14 in Barrington that injured two people who had been at a house party at a short-term rental property .
In Roselle , further discussions of short-term rentals will take place July 27 , with the mayor assigning two trustees look into home rule referendums and regulation of short-term rentals .
No one is charged and the investigation is still ongoing , Roselle police Chief Steve Herron said .
• Trey Arline is a corps member with Report for America , a national service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

After house party shootings, Roselle discusses future of short-term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO
Short-term rentals in Roselle could be restricted or banned as a result of the June 27 rampage in which more than 60 shots were fired during a house party near Roselle and Picton roads.
"What is being done to keep residents in Roselle safe?" said one resident whose comment was read during Monday's online village board meeting. "These types of incidents have occurred in other suburbs and have caused harm in those communities, as well."
Police arrived at the house to find one man dead and four others wounded, they said Tuesday in a statement. The property was advertised on VRBO and Airbnb.
Mayor Andy Maglio, Village Attorney Jim Knippen and Village Administrator Jeff O'Dell proposed a moratorium on short-term rentals.
As an alternative, the village could require property owners to register with the village before renting their property, limit the number of rental days, limit the number of people staying at the property or limit the number of short-term rentals any property owner can operate.
Village trustee David Pileski said the village should consider a referendum in November asking residents whether Roselle should be a home-rule community, which he said would give more leeway to regulate short-term rentals. The deadline for putting a proposal on the Nov. 2 ballot is Aug. 17.
"We owe everyone the opportunity," Pileski said. "Just because it may be on the ballot doesn't mean that it will be successful. It gives our community a chance to have a dialogue and conversation. Everyone deserves to have that opportunity."
Similar cases have raised concern around the suburbs. A man was shot and killed in March during a party at a short-term rental in Barrington Hills. Mayor Martin McLaughlin said short-term rentals already were prohibited.
Lake Barrington banned leases shorter than three months after a shootout on Route 14 in Barrington that injured two people who had been at a house party at a short-term rental property.
In Roselle, further discussions of short-term rentals will take place July 27, with the mayor assigning two trustees look into home rule referendums and regulation of short-term rentals.
No one is charged and the investigation is still ongoing, Roselle police Chief Steve Herron said.
• Trey Arline is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--District 303 to offer in-person, hybrid learning models, depending on grade level

St. Charles Unit District 303 elementary students are expected to return to school next month with modified in-person learning , while middle- and high schoolers will follow a hybrid model alternating between classroom and remote instruction .
Families will be able to choose an online-only option at all grade levels on a semester basis , according to the district 's Reopen School plan presented to the school board Monday .
Parents or guardians will be asked to select a fall instructional model and transportation option for each child by July 20 .
A special task force with more than 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020-21 school year that will allow for some flexibility during the coronavirus crisis , Superintendent Jason Pearson said .
All learning formats , social distancing regulations and other details are subject to change as state guidelines are updated -- or if COVID-19 cases spike in the area , he said .
`` This is certainly not territory that we 've traveled before as a school district , '' Pearson said .
`` Knowing that , our families and our staff have to be able to plan for the beginning of the school year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the district is expected to provide daily in-person instruction to early childhood and elementary students , with requirements such as face coverings , frequent cleaning and symptom screenings in place .
First- through fifth-graders will have a shortened day -- 8 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. -- and remain in their classrooms as much as possible , according to the plan .
A half-day schedule will be the only option for kindergartners .
Class sizes will be reduced based on classroom square footage and building configuration , Pearson said .
Administrators also are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instruction , lunch and other activities .
`` I think getting kids outdoors as much as possible can be a huge benefit for them , '' board member Michael Bryant said .
In addition to daily core instruction , elementary students are expected to have one elective , a 40-minute period for lunch and play time , an extra recess and some hands-on `` intervention time , '' said Jan Geier , assistant superintendent for leadership and school improvement .
`` I do n't think they 're going to lose out on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Early on , additional time will be spent ensuring students are comfortable with the new school day and familiarizing them with online tools , should the district need to revert to a fully remote model at any point , Geier said .
At the middle and high school levels , the district is implementing a hybrid model where students will alternate daily between in-person learning and online instruction , officials said .
With that format , which follows regular school hours , only half the students will be allowed in the building at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will complete assignments at home .
Students will be divided into two groups based on their last name .
Before the COVID-19 crisis , St. Charles East and North high schools had begun offering some blended courses that match the rigor and expectations of a traditional in-person class , Pearson said .
Educators are using those guidelines to ensure all courses -- including electives , Advanced Placement classes and career-centered programs -- are offered this year , he said , though some may be structured differently .
Most classes can be adapted into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but remote students interested in hands-on electives such as auto or culinary arts will be encouraged to hold off until they return to school .
Families can choose to transfer their children from in-person to remote learning at any time , Pearson said .
Once they choose online-only instruction , they will not be able to return to the in-person model for the rest of the semester .
Certain teachers at the elementary level will be designated to lead districtwide remote learning sections , which will be organized by grade but will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the middle and high schools , he said , an instructor could teach remote and in-person sections to provide students with `` as much continuity as possible . ''
Regardless of the instructional format , the plan includes strategies for assessing students ' social-emotional needs , developing positive relationships and offering personalized learning experiences , officials said .
Administrators are working to finalize details pertaining to transportation , lunch , electives , extracurricular activities and other aspects of the school day .
Updated information will be posted on the Reopen School Plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specific questions using the `` Let 's Talk ! ''
feature on the district website .
Nearly 12,300 students attend the district 's 16 schools , including 11 elementary schools , two middle schools , two high schools and an early childhood center .
District 303 covers St. Charles , and portions of West Chicago , South Elgin , Wayne , Campton Hills , Wasco , Elburn and unincorporated areas of Kane County .

District 303 to offer in-person, hybrid learning models, depending on grade level
St. Charles Unit District 303 elementary students are expected to return to a modified in-person learning format when school starts Aug. 13, according to a Reopen School plan presented Monday. Brian Hill | Staff Photographer
St. Charles Unit District 303 elementary students are expected to return to school next month with modified in-person learning, while middle- and high schoolers will follow a hybrid model alternating between classroom and remote instruction.
Families will be able to choose an online-only option at all grade levels on a semester basis, according to the district's Reopen School plan presented to the school board Monday. Parents or guardians will be asked to select a fall instructional model and transportation option for each child by July 20.
A special task force with more than 100 members has been developing plans for the 2020-21 school year that will allow for some flexibility during the coronavirus crisis, Superintendent Jason Pearson said. All learning formats, social distancing regulations and other details are subject to change as state guidelines are updated -- or if COVID-19 cases spike in the area, he said.
"This is certainly not territory that we've traveled before as a school district," Pearson said. "Knowing that, our families and our staff have to be able to plan for the beginning of the school year."
When school starts Aug. 13, the district is expected to provide daily in-person instruction to early childhood and elementary students, with requirements such as face coverings, frequent cleaning and symptom screenings in place.
First- through fifth-graders will have a shortened day -- 8 a.m. to 1:40 p.m. -- and remain in their classrooms as much as possible, according to the plan. A half-day schedule will be the only option for kindergartners.
Class sizes will be reduced based on classroom square footage and building configuration, Pearson said. Administrators also are exploring ways to use school grounds for instruction, lunch and other activities.
"I think getting kids outdoors as much as possible can be a huge benefit for them," board member Michael Bryant said.
In addition to daily core instruction, elementary students are expected to have one elective, a 40-minute period for lunch and play time, an extra recess and some hands-on "intervention time," said Jan Geier, assistant superintendent for leadership and school improvement.
"I don't think they're going to lose out on a whole lot," she said.
Early on, additional time will be spent ensuring students are comfortable with the new school day and familiarizing them with online tools, should the district need to revert to a fully remote model at any point, Geier said.
At the middle and high school levels, the district is implementing a hybrid model where students will alternate daily between in-person learning and online instruction, officials said.
With that format, which follows regular school hours, only half the students will be allowed in the building at a time, while the other half will complete assignments at home. Students will be divided into two groups based on their last name.
Before the COVID-19 crisis, St. Charles East and North high schools had begun offering some blended courses that match the rigor and expectations of a traditional in-person class, Pearson said. Educators are using those guidelines to ensure all courses -- including electives, Advanced Placement classes and career-centered programs -- are offered this year, he said, though some may be structured differently.
Most classes can be adapted into an online learning format, Pearson said, but remote students interested in hands-on electives such as auto or culinary arts will be encouraged to hold off until they return to school.
Families can choose to transfer their children from in-person to remote learning at any time, Pearson said. Once they choose online-only instruction, they will not be able to return to the in-person model for the rest of the semester.
Certain teachers at the elementary level will be designated to lead districtwide remote learning sections, which will be organized by grade but will not be school-specific, Pearson said.
At the middle and high schools, he said, an instructor could teach remote and in-person sections to provide students with "as much continuity as possible."
Regardless of the instructional format, the plan includes strategies for assessing students' social-emotional needs, developing positive relationships and offering personalized learning experiences, officials said.
Administrators are working to finalize details pertaining to transportation, lunch, electives, extracurricular activities and other aspects of the school day. Updated information will be posted on the Reopen School Plan website.
Families are encouraged to ask specific questions using the "Let's Talk!" feature on the district website.
Nearly 12,300 students attend the district's 16 schools, including 11 elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools and an early childhood center. District 303 covers St. Charles, and portions of West Chicago, South Elgin, Wayne, Campton Hills, Wasco, Elburn and unincorporated areas of Kane County.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--36 Lake Zurich High students test positive for COVID-19

Lake County health authorities said Tuesday that 36 Lake Zurich High School students have tested positive for COVID-19 since the school suspended its summer sports camps last week amid several confirmed infections among participants .
However , Lake County Health Department officials say contact tracing and case investigation has identified multiple social gatherings prior to the athletic camps where the exposures may have occurred .
`` We continue to urge anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who may have had direct contact with a confirmed case to get a viral COVID-19 test and self-quarantine for 14 days from their last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Sana Ahmed , medical epidemiologist at the health department .
`` We need your help to help prevent further spread of this virus . ''
Officials say multiple students were turned away during health screenings when the high school opened its summer athletic camps July 6 .
Other students began experiencing symptoms during the day and were sent home , officials said .
School leaders were notified that evening that multiple students who attended camps later developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19 .
In the wake of those findings , Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps until further notice .
The high school will host another free mobile testing site Sunday in the Performing Arts Center parking lot , 300 Church St. in Lake Zurich .
Testing will be provided for students and staff from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. , followed by the general public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m .
The site may close early once 500 tests have been completed .
Testing is first come , first served , and long wait times are expected .

36 Lake Zurich High students test positive for COVID-19
Lake County health authorities said Tuesday that 36 Lake Zurich High School students have tested positive for COVID-19 since the school suspended its summer sports camps last week amid several confirmed infections among participants.
However, Lake County Health Department officials say contact tracing and case investigation has identified multiple social gatherings prior to the athletic camps where the exposures may have occurred.
"We continue to urge anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who may have had direct contact with a confirmed case to get a viral COVID-19 test and self-quarantine for 14 days from their last potential date of exposure," said Dr. Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist at the health department. "We need your help to help prevent further spread of this virus."
Officials say multiple students were turned away during health screenings when the high school opened its summer athletic camps July 6. Other students began experiencing symptoms during the day and were sent home, officials said.
School leaders were notified that evening that multiple students who attended camps later developed symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19.
In the wake of those findings, Lake Zurich Unit School District 95 suspended the camps until further notice.
The high school will host another free mobile testing site Sunday in the Performing Arts Center parking lot, 300 Church St. in Lake Zurich. Testing will be provided for students and staff from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., followed by the general public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site may close early once 500 tests have been completed. Testing is first come, first served, and long wait times are expected.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--July 14 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive map Suburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 78,719 cases in the suburbs as of Tuesday , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,678 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Tuesday , suburban Cook County had 40,603 cases and 2,044 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 55,583 cases and 2,697 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Des Plaines , 849 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling , 765 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine , 703 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood , 689 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 644 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg , 620 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights , 641 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 527 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 535 cases and 28 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 387 cases and 38 deaths in Elk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Northbrook , 371 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 288 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 132 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 9,794 cases and 487 deaths as of Tuesday .
• Top counts : 861 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 815 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 704 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 589 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Bensenville , 557 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 452 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard , 403 cases and 36 deaths in Elmhurst , 378 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 314 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton , 275 cases and 4 deaths in Villa Park , 261 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 195 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 10,462 cases and 412 deaths on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Top counts : 2,780 to 2,784 in Waukegan , 625 to 629 in Round Lake Beach , 400 to 404 in Mundelein , 330 to 334 in Gurnee , 250 to 254 in Round Lake , 205 to 209 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 205 to 209 in Lake Zurich , 175 to 179 in Vernon Hills , 175 to 179 in Wauconda , 155 to 159 in Libertyville , 110 to 114 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 8,214 cases with 285 deaths on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,483 cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,964 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 777 in Carpentersville , 358 in St. Charles , 348 in South Elgin , 224 in North Aurora , 219 in Geneva , 156 in Batavia , and 55 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,330 cases and 103 deaths , according to the health department Tuesday .
• 7,401 cases and 326 deaths , as of Tuesday .
• Cases per town include 464 in Naperville ( Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Will County portion ) .

July 14 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
This illustration shows the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Courtesy of U.S. Centers for Disease Control
Interactive map Suburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 78,719 cases in the suburbs as of Tuesday, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 3,678 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Tuesday, suburban Cook County had 40,603 cases and 2,044 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 55,583 cases and 2,697 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,834 cases and 101 deaths in Des Plaines, 849 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling, 765 cases and 19 deaths in Palatine, 703 cases and 22 deaths in Streamwood, 689 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 644 cases and 19 deaths in Schaumburg, 620 cases and 34 deaths in Arlington Heights, 641 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 527 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 535 cases and 28 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 387 cases and 38 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 371 cases and 40 deaths in Northbrook, 371 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 288 cases and 8 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 132 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 9,794 cases and 487 deaths as of Tuesday.
• Top counts: 861 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 815 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 704 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 589 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 558 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 557 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 452 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard, 403 cases and 36 deaths in Elmhurst, 378 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 314 cases and 22 deaths in Wheaton, 275 cases and 4 deaths in Villa Park, 261 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 195 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County • The county listed 10,462 cases and 412 deaths on its website as of Tuesday.
• Top counts: 2,780 to 2,784 in Waukegan, 625 to 629 in Round Lake Beach, 400 to 404 in Mundelein, 330 to 334 in Gurnee, 250 to 254 in Round Lake, 205 to 209 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 205 to 209 in Lake Zurich, 175 to 179 in Vernon Hills, 175 to 179 in Wauconda, 155 to 159 in Libertyville, 110 to 114 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 8,214 cases with 285 deaths on its website Tuesday.
• Top counts: 3,483 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,964 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 777 in Carpentersville, 358 in St. Charles, 348 in South Elgin, 224 in North Aurora, 219 in Geneva, 156 in Batavia, and 55 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,330 cases and 103 deaths, according to the health department Tuesday.
Will County
• 7,401 cases and 326 deaths, as of Tuesday.
• Cases per town include 464 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 88 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--A sentence is coming Thursday for AJ's death: Mother could get 60 years in prison

Fifteen months ago , the recovery of 5-year old AJ Freund 's battered body from a shallow grave in rural Woodstock ended a frantic six-day search and ignited widespread public sentiment over his death that still resonates .
On Thursday , McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt will sentence AJ 's mother , JoAnn Cunningham , 37 , for her part in the boy 's beating death in the family 's Crystal Lake home .
After maintaining her innocence for nearly eight months , Cunningham in December reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a single count of first-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 to 60 years in prison .
The charge was modified to eliminate the possibility of a life sentence , but Cunningham will have to serve 100 % of whatever term she receives .
That means the maximum would be akin to life , prosecutors have said .
AJ 's father , Andrew Freund Sr. , has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges , and is awaiting trial .
Both have been held in McHenry County jail on $ 5 million bail since their arrests after Freund Sr. led authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 , 2019 .
The sentencing hearing for Cunningham begins at 9 a.m. Space will be limited in the courtroom because of COVID-19 restrictions , as well as in a jury assembly room where closed circuit-video/audio of the proceeding will be shown .
An array of witnesses , including doctors , a child abuse expert and others , have been summoned to testify .
Freund Sr. , who has implicated JoAnn in their son 's death , will not be called as a witness , McHenry County State 's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by presenting evidence of aggravation , Kenneally said .
That 's expected to include AJ 's medical records and testimony from an emergency room doctor who treated him Dec. 18 , 2018 , when the boy reportedly said `` Maybe mommy did n't mean to hurt me '' while being treated for a large bruise on his hip .
The defense will follow with what it considers to be mitigating factors showing Cunningham deserves a lesser sentence .
Her court-appointed attorney , Angelo Mourelatos , said Tuesday Cunningham 's psychological , psychiatric and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence .
Cunningham has a right to make a statement in her defense , but she is not required to and there has been no indication what will happen .
All records , reports , evaluations , photos , videos , interviews and other information involving the case have been kept private under a protective order .
On Tuesday , Wilbrandt agreed with prosecutors that certain photos and videos either showing AJ 's siblings or containing graphic images should not be publicized and are banned to still photography or television coverage by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` factual basis '' for her guilty plea , which includes details of the night AJ died .
That document states that if she had gone to trial prosecutors would have presented evidence that AJ had been the victim of `` a number of prior incidents of child abuse , torment , and callous neglect '' at the hands of his mother in the years and months before his death .
Because the defense has stipulated to much of the information , Kenneally said the proceeding could wrap up in a day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case a second day is needed .
As they have in conjunction with other court appearances by Cunningham and Freund , members of the ROAR for AJ group held signs outside the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock Tuesday morning .
Huntley resident Jeff Berggren , who has two kids , including a son who will be turning 7 , said he would be disappointed if the sentence is n't 60 years .
`` All the horrible things he experienced , the life he had , '' Berggren said .
`` Your parents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be your safe place . ''

A sentence is coming Thursday for AJ's death: Mother could get 60 years in prison
Fifteen months ago, the recovery of 5-year-old AJ Freund's battered body from a shallow grave in rural Woodstock ended a frantic six-day search and ignited widespread public sentiment over his death that still resonates.
On Thursday, McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt will sentence AJ's mother, JoAnn Cunningham, 37, for her part in the boy's beating death in the family's Crystal Lake home.
After maintaining her innocence for nearly eight months, Cunningham in December reached an agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to a single count of first-degree murder, which carries a sentence of 20 to 60 years in prison.
The charge was modified to eliminate the possibility of a life sentence, but Cunningham will have to serve 100% of whatever term she receives. That means the maximum would be akin to life, prosecutors have said.
AJ's father, Andrew Freund Sr., has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges, and is awaiting trial. Both have been held in McHenry County jail on $5 million bail since their arrests after Freund Sr. led authorities to his son's body on April 24, 2019.
The sentencing hearing for Cunningham begins at 9 a.m. Space will be limited in the courtroom because of COVID-19 restrictions, as well as in a jury assembly room where closed circuit-video/audio of the proceeding will be shown.
An array of witnesses, including doctors, a child abuse expert and others, have been summoned to testify. Freund Sr., who has implicated JoAnn in their son's death, will not be called as a witness, McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally said Tuesday.
Prosecutors will begin the hearing by presenting evidence of aggravation, Kenneally said. That's expected to include AJ's medical records and testimony from an emergency room doctor who treated him Dec. 18, 2018, when the boy reportedly said "Maybe mommy didn't mean to hurt me" while being treated for a large bruise on his hip.
The defense will follow with what it considers to be mitigating factors showing Cunningham deserves a lesser sentence. Her court-appointed attorney, Angelo Mourelatos, said Tuesday Cunningham's psychological, psychiatric and substance abuse evaluations will be entered as evidence.
Cunningham has a right to make a statement in her defense, but she is not required to and there has been no indication what will happen.
All records, reports, evaluations, photos, videos, interviews and other information involving the case have been kept private under a protective order.
On Tuesday, Wilbrandt agreed with prosecutors that certain photos and videos either showing AJ's siblings or containing graphic images should not be publicized and are banned to still photography or television coverage by the media.
Cunningham previously signed an 11-page "factual basis" for her guilty plea, which includes details of the night AJ died. That document states that if she had gone to trial prosecutors would have presented evidence that AJ had been the victim of "a number of prior incidents of child abuse, torment, and callous neglect" at the hands of his mother in the years and months before his death.
Kenneally said the defense has stipulated to much of the information and expected the presentations to finish Thursday. However, Wilbrandt indicated he wanted to consider the information before imposing the sentence. Court time has been scheduled for that purpose from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Friday.
As they have in conjunction with other court appearances by Cunningham and Freund, members of the ROAR for AJ group held signs outside the McHenry County courthouse in Woodstock Tuesday morning.
Huntley resident Jeff Berggren, who has two kids, including a son who will be turning 7, said he would be disappointed if the sentence isn't 60 years.
"All the horrible things he experienced, the life he had," Berggren said. "Your parents and your house -- that's supposed to be your safe place."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Recreational pot sales create $52 million in Illinois revenue in first six months

Since January , Illinois residents and visitors have spent nearly $ 240 million on legalized recreational marijuana , producing $ 52 million in state revenue , according to a news release from the governor 's office .
Of that , $ 34.7 million came from excise taxes , while $ 18 million came from sales taxes .
Per the law , 8 % of that revenue will be shared with local governments , while the Illinois Department of Revenue estimates $ 25.9 million from excise and sales taxes will be directed to the state 's General Revenue Fund .
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenues collected from recreational cannabis sales will be reinvested through the R3 program ( Restore , Reinvest and Renew ) in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the justice system , and to address substance abuse and prevention and mental health concerns .
The R3 program on Tuesday announced $ 31.5 million in grant opportunities to organizations working in historically underserved communities across Illinois .
`` Illinois has done more to put justice and equity at the forefront of this industry than any other state in the nation , and we 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the war on drugs have the opportunity to participate , '' Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday in a news release .
The announcement signals progress for one of the legalization bill 's three main social equity measures .
Another , which is aimed at allowing groups from areas disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs to obtain an ownership stake in the industry , has stalled amid licensing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic .
A lead marijuana advisor to Pritzker has said September is a goal date for when new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released .
Another key equity measure is expungements for low-level marijuana offenses , and the governor 's office said Pritzker is working with Chicago State 's Attorney Kim Foxx , the Illinois Prisoner Review Board , and Illinois state 's attorneys to advance those goals .
• Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit , nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide .
It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation .

Recreational pot sales create $52 million in Illinois revenue in first six months
Since January, Illinois residents and visitors have spent nearly $240 million on legalized recreational marijuana, producing $52 million in state revenue, according to a news release from the governor's office.
Of that, $34.7 million came from excise taxes, while $18 million came from sales taxes.
Per the law, 8% of that revenue will be shared with local governments, while the Illinois Department of Revenue estimates $25.9 million from excise and sales taxes will be directed to the state's General Revenue Fund.
Also under the law, 25 percent of revenues collected from recreational cannabis sales will be reinvested through the R3 program (Restore, Reinvest and Renew) in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the justice system, and to address substance abuse and prevention and mental health concerns.
The R3 program on Tuesday announced $31.5 million in grant opportunities to organizations working in historically underserved communities across Illinois.
"Illinois has done more to put justice and equity at the forefront of this industry than any other state in the nation, and we're ensuring that communities that have been hurt by the war on drugs have the opportunity to participate," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday in a news release.
The announcement signals progress for one of the legalization bill's three main social equity measures. Another, which is aimed at allowing groups from areas disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs to obtain an ownership stake in the industry, has stalled amid licensing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A lead marijuana advisor to Pritzker has said September is a goal date for when new dispensary and craft grow licenses will be released.
Another key equity measure is expungements for low-level marijuana offenses, and the governor's office said Pritzker is working with Chicago State's Attorney Kim Foxx, the Illinois Prisoner Review Board, and Illinois state's attorneys to advance those goals.
• Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government and distributed to more than 400 newspapers statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Partially in-person, fully online -- District 203 parents can choose

Naperville Unit District 203 's roughly 16,500 students can return to in-person learning for half of regular school days on an alternating schedule or can opt for a fully online academy as the district prepares to begin a new year during the COVID-19 pandemic .
School board members on Monday heard the first version of the district 's Return to Learn plan , which administrators said is designed to be open to change as COVID-19 case counts or public health guidance evolve .
The plan emphasizes goals of responding to health and safety needs , while returning students to in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the academic and social/emotional conditions they need to succeed , Superintendent Dan Bridges said .
`` As educators , we recognize the great need for students to get back to in-person learning , '' Bridges said .
`` When it is safe to do so , we know that in-person education is best for our students . ''
But the district is `` starting slow , '' he said , with a hybrid model that will allow up to half of students at each school to learn in the building at a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through scheduled and independent online instruction .
Students will be grouped into A and B cohorts based on last name , but all students residing in the same household , regardless of last name , will be in the same cohort .
Students such as some in the early childhood program and those in specialized or multi-needs classrooms who have individual education plans will be given special consideration to receive fully in-person learning , said Christine Igoe , assistant superintendent for student services .
By starting with roughly 50 % capacity at each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adjust to distancing requirements , face coverings , cleaning protocols and scheduling changes to allow no more than 50 people in one space at a time .
Students and staff members also must adjust to a requirement to self-certify every day before boarding a bus or entering a school building that they are free of COVID-19 symptoms and to protocols for returning to class after COVID-19 exposure or infection .
School board members asked a variety of questions about the plan , and administrators promised to keep the board and community updated as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will allow us to quickly pivot , '' Bridges said .
Parents and guardians must decide quickly -- by July 22 -- if they want to enroll their children in the online academy or have them attend school in the hybrid model .
Those who enroll in the online academy must do so for a trimester for elementary and middle school students or a full semester for high school students .
`` I appreciate that we 're giving people options , '' school board member Kristine Gericke said .
`` We want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone . ''
Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 20 -- although half of the students following the hybrid model will start with online work that day .
The in-person schedule for each grade level will remain the same , and students in the online academy should expect to be available for learning during the same hours as if attending in person .
Bridges said the district plans to spend roughly $ 1.1 million to buy more iPads for younger students to ensure equitable access to technology .
The district also anticipates increasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for anyone who forgets and on instructional content to ensure the online academy meets the needs of all students who enroll .
School board President Kristin Fitzgerald thanked the community for an outpouring of comments , which were summarized in 177 pages of documents , before the board heard the Return to Learn plan .
School board members said they know families will have questions specific to their situations .
Administrators directed parents with specific questions to use the `` Let 's Talk ! ''
feature on the district website .

Partially in-person, fully online -- District 203 parents can choose
Naperville Unit District 203 has presented plans for its roughly 16,500 students to return to classes this fall. Daily Herald file photo
Naperville Unit District 203's roughly 16,500 students can return to in-person learning for half of regular school days on an alternating schedule or can opt for a fully online academy as the district prepares to begin a new year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
School board members on Monday heard the first version of the district's Return to Learn plan, which administrators said is designed to be open to change as COVID-19 case counts or public health guidance evolve.
The plan emphasizes goals of responding to health and safety needs, while returning students to in-person learning as much as possible -- with the academic and social/emotional conditions they need to succeed, Superintendent Dan Bridges said.
"As educators, we recognize the great need for students to get back to in-person learning," Bridges said. "When it is safe to do so, we know that in-person education is best for our students."
But the district is "starting slow," he said, with a hybrid model that will allow up to half of students at each school to learn in the building at a time while the other half learn at home through scheduled and independent online instruction.
Students will be grouped into A and B cohorts based on last name, but all students residing in the same household, regardless of last name, will be in the same cohort.
Students such as some in the early childhood program and those in specialized or multi-needs classrooms who have individual education plans will be given special consideration to receive fully in-person learning, said Christine Igoe, assistant superintendent for student services.
By starting with roughly 50% capacity at each building, Bridges said, educators can adjust to distancing requirements, face coverings, cleaning protocols and scheduling changes to allow no more than 50 people in one space at a time.
Students and staff members also must adjust to a requirement to self-certify every day before boarding a bus or entering a school building that they are free of COVID-19 symptoms and to protocols for returning to class after COVID-19 exposure or infection.
School board members asked a variety of questions about the plan, and administrators promised to keep the board and community updated as adjustments are made.
"Our plan will allow us to quickly pivot," Bridges said.
Parents and guardians must decide quickly -- by July 22 -- if they want to enroll their children in the online academy or have them attend school in the hybrid model. Those who enroll in the online academy must do so for a trimester for elementary and middle school students or a full semester for high school students.
"I appreciate that we're giving people options," school board member Kristine Gericke said. "We want to make this a little less anxious for everyone."
Classes are scheduled to begin Aug. 20 -- although half of the students following the hybrid model will start with online work that day. The in-person schedule for each grade level will remain the same, and students in the online academy should expect to be available for learning during the same hours as if attending in person.
Bridges said the district plans to spend roughly $1.1 million to buy more iPads for younger students to ensure equitable access to technology. The district also anticipates increasing spending on masks to provide a supply for anyone who forgets and on instructional content to ensure the online academy meets the needs of all students who enroll.
School board President Kristin Fitzgerald thanked the community for an outpouring of comments, which were summarized in 177 pages of documents, before the board heard the Return to Learn plan.
School board members said they know families will have questions specific to their situations. Administrators directed parents with specific questions to use the "Let's Talk!" feature on the district website.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Rozner: Eddie O raring to go with playoff hockey

It 's only a matter of time before Eddie Olczyk finds his way to the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster .
But it 's not just in that role that he understands the game 's value .
It 's in his 35 years in the NHL that he has learned what the game means to those who need it .
And it 's why he knows the return to action Aug. 1 is significant .
`` It 's an opportunity to entertain , '' Olczyk said .
`` We know what 's happening in the real world .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's an opportunity for all of us in hockey to at least bring some enjoyment to people 's lives , to turn on a TV or a radio , and watch or listen to your favorite team , to see the Blackhawks in the playoffs .
`` We all know you ca n't get away from real life , but at least for a few hours it 's good for the mind and soul to have something else .
`` Players and coaches and organizations look at this chance here to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a city by going out and entertaining .
`` It 's really exciting to have this possibility .
There 's still a lot or hurdles , but it 's an opportunity to put a smile on somebody 's face and I think that 's a good thing considering this pandemic we 're living through , even if it 's for a short period of time . ''
Exactly where he 'll be broadcasting from is unclear , though he expects to find out in the next few days .
Olczyk has Hawks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he 's also the face of the national NBC broadcast along with Doc Emrick .
Based on what the other sports are discussing , it 's likely that the local broadcasts will originate from studios in the hometown , while the national broadcast teams will be on site in the bubble .
Olczyk will be a part of both , eventually .
`` I do n't know all the logistics yet , '' Olczyk said .
`` It 's just nice to know that the games are on the schedule and I 'll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon . ''
Olczyk has passed the time during the shutdown like the rest of us , though one big change is he 's returned to the golf course for the first time in more than a decade .
`` It 's a good way to get outside , '' Olczyk said .
`` It would be better if I could straighten out my driver . ''
The much bigger news is last week he welcomed his first grandchild , Audrey Marie , courtesy of daughter-in-law Erika and son Eddie .
Grandpa Edzo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we forget , but he says he 's been assured that he has no more reason to fear COVID-19 than anyone else .
`` I 've talked to my doctors and they told me I 'm not in any higher risk category .
I 'm far enough removed from chemo that I do n't have to worry about it , '' said the 53-year-old Olczyk .
`` Believe it or not , it 's three years on Aug. 4 that I found out .
`` Even before I got sick , I used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think as you get older you just become more aware of your surroundings and try to lead a healthy life .
`` I feel good .
Looking forward to getting back to work . ''
As for what 's going to happen when play resumes , you can count Olczyk among those who does n't have a clue as to who will have an advantage .
`` The analytics , the numbers , the results of a season series or anything that happened five or six months ago , it 's absolutely irrelevant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a new season , a completely new season .
`` I do believe that you need the guy in goal , you need hockey health and you have to stay away from the virus .
Those three things have to happen .
But young teams ?
Older teams ?
Experienced teams ?
I do n't have the answer .
I wish I could handicap it .
`` I love long shots .
I 'm a horse player .
You want to back a 99-1 shot ?
I ca n't argue with you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his rounds of the league via telephone , one thing has become clear .
`` Every team I 've talked to thinks they have a shot , '' Olczyk said .
`` The core guys I 've talked to , or management teams , they all say same thing .
They all say , 'Why not us ? '
But in a five-game series , Game 1 is pretty much a must .
You 're asking for trouble if you lose Game 1 .
`` I think it has a chance to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobody knows .
Just have to wait and see .
But if those three things happen , any team could go on a two-month heater and all of a sudden they 're playing for the Stanley Cup . ''
Good luck picking a winner .
Let 's just hope we get the chance to see it happen .

Rozner: Eddie O raring to go with playoff hockey
Former Blackhawks player and now broadcaster Eddie Olczyk speaks during the team's fan convention last July. Associated Press
It's only a matter of time before Eddie Olczyk finds his way to the Hall of Fame as a broadcaster.
But it's not just in that role that he understands the game's value. It's in his 35 years in the NHL that he has learned what the game means to those who need it.
And it's why he knows the return to action Aug. 1 is significant.
"It's an opportunity to entertain," Olczyk said. "We know what's happening in the real world. This is not the real world, but it's an opportunity for all of us in hockey to at least bring some enjoyment to people's lives, to turn on a TV or a radio, and watch or listen to your favorite team, to see the Blackhawks in the playoffs.
"We all know you can't get away from real life, but at least for a few hours it's good for the mind and soul to have something else.
"Players and coaches and organizations look at this chance here to bring some positive feelings and galvanize a community or a city by going out and entertaining.
"It's really exciting to have this possibility. There's still a lot or hurdles, but it's an opportunity to put a smile on somebody's face and I think that's a good thing considering this pandemic we're living through, even if it's for a short period of time."
Exactly where he'll be broadcasting from is unclear, though he expects to find out in the next few days. Olczyk has Hawks and NBC Sports Chicago obligations, but he's also the face of the national NBC broadcast along with Doc Emrick.
Based on what the other sports are discussing, it's likely that the local hockey broadcasts will originate from studios in the hometown, while the national broadcast teams will be on site in the bubble. Olczyk will be a part of both, eventually.
"I don't know all the logistics yet," Olczyk said. "It's just nice to know that the games are on the schedule and I'll get to work with Pat Foley again soon."
Olczyk has passed the time during the shutdown like the rest of us, though one big change is he's returned to the golf course for the first time in more than a decade.
"It's a good way to get outside," Olczyk said. "It would be better if I could straighten out my driver."
The much bigger news is last week he welcomed his first grandchild, Audrey Marie, courtesy of daughter-in-law Erika and son Eddie.
Grandpa Edzo is also a cancer survivor, lest we forget, but he says he's been assured that he has no more reason to fear COVID-19 than anyone else.
"I've talked to my doctors and they told me I'm not in any higher risk category. I'm far enough removed from chemo that I don't have to worry about it," said the 53-year-old Olczyk. "Believe it or not, it's three years on Aug. 4 that I found out.
"Even before I got sick, I used to carry hand sanitizer around. I think as you get older you just become more aware of your surroundings and try to lead a healthy life.
"I feel good. Looking forward to getting back to work."
As for what's going to happen when play resumes, you can count Olczyk among those who doesn't have a clue as to who will have an advantage.
"The analytics, the numbers, the results of a season series or anything that happened five or six months ago, it's absolutely irrelevant," Olczyk laughed. "This is a new season, a completely new season.
"I do believe that you need the guy in goal, you need hockey health and you have to stay away from the virus. Those three things have to happen. But young teams? Older teams? Experienced teams? I don't have the answer. I wish I could handicap it.
"I love long shots. I'm a horse player. You want to back a 99-1 shot? I can't argue with you."
And as Olczyk has made his rounds of the league via telephone, one thing has become clear.
"Every team I've talked to thinks they have a shot," Olczyk said. "The core guys I've talked to, or management teams, they all say same thing. They all say, 'Why not us?' But in a five-game series, Game 1 is pretty much a must. You're asking for trouble if you lose Game 1.
"I think it has a chance to be really exciting if everyone's healthy. Nobody knows. Just have to wait and see. But if those three things happen, any team could go on a two-month heater and all of a sudden they're playing for the Stanley Cup."
Good luck picking a winner. Let's just hope we get the chance to see it happen.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Durty Nellie's gets OK to host acoustic rooftop concerts

Palatine village council members have approved a proposal for acoustic rooftop concerts downtown , as establishments continue to seek ways to draw in customers during the pandemic .
Durty Nellie 's on Smith Street will host the rooftop entertainment on two consecutive weekends this month under the measure council members supported at a meeting Monday night .
The shows are set from 7 to 10 p.m .
Village officials last month gave restaurants and bars permission for longer operating hours for outdoor dining and drinking .
They later reversed their initial prohibition on live entertainment , agreeing to permit ambient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday .
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said he had no objections to the Durty Nellie 's rooftop plan .
The village has recourse if problems are reported , he said .
`` If anybody has a complaint , the police go out , they respond and document it , '' Ottesen said .
`` There 's some discretion used by the officer that 's out there because , as you probably can guess , everybody has kind of a different tolerance for anything , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Durty Nellie 's has scheduled the duo Sucker Punch for the rooftop Friday night and solo act Keith Semple on Saturday .
The Belvederes will do an acoustic set July 24 and twosome Pino Farina will perform on July 25 .
In addition , Durty Nellie 's is looking to host three monthly shows under a tent with social distancing , according to a document submitted to the village .
The musical performances would be in August , September and October .
Meanwhile , the village might stop its practice of installing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they are used for restaurant and bar service .
Spaces can be closed at the discretion of village officials to accommodate the outdoor eating and drinking beyond a sidewalk .
Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz suggested finding a way to make it `` a little more aesthetically pleasing '' around the parking spots .
He stressed there is no desire to take away or reduce the outdoor service .
Ottesen said crowd-control fencing -- possibly covered with a sleeve with `` Palatine '' on it -- could replace the barriers .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the sidewalks for the establishments .
`` They would n't be losing any of their outdoor tables , '' Ottesen said .
`` It would just be kind of a reconfiguration , so we can look at that . ''
Palatine council members have committed to the outdoor service through Labor Day weekend , but are expected to revisit the issue in September .

Durty Nellie's gets OK to host acoustic rooftop concerts
Palatine village council members have approved a proposal for acoustic rooftop concerts downtown, as establishments continue to seek ways to draw in customers during the pandemic.
Durty Nellie's on Smith Street will host the rooftop entertainment on two consecutive weekends this month under the measure council members supported at a meeting Monday night. The shows are set from 7 to 10 p.m.
Village officials last month gave restaurants and bars permission for longer operating hours for outdoor dining and drinking. They later reversed their initial prohibition on live entertainment, agreeing to permit ambient or acoustic-type music until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Palatine Village Manager Reid Ottesen said he had no objections to the Durty Nellie's rooftop plan. The village has recourse if problems are reported, he said.
"If anybody has a complaint, the police go out, they respond and document it," Ottesen said. "There's some discretion used by the officer that's out there because, as you probably can guess, everybody has kind of a different tolerance for anything, but I think they use good discretion."
Durty Nellie's has scheduled the duo Sucker Punch for the rooftop Friday night and solo act Keith Semple on Saturday. The Belvederes will do an acoustic set July 24 and twosome Pino Farina will perform on July 25.
In addition, Durty Nellie's is looking to host three monthly shows under a tent with social distancing, according to a document submitted to the village. The musical performances would be in August, September and October.
Meanwhile, the village might stop its practice of installing concrete barriers around some public parking spaces when they are used for restaurant and bar service. Spaces can be closed at the discretion of village officials to accommodate the outdoor eating and drinking beyond a sidewalk.
Palatine Mayor Jim Schwantz suggested finding a way to make it "a little more aesthetically pleasing" around the parking spots. He stressed there is no desire to take away or reduce the outdoor service.
Ottesen said crowd-control fencing -- possibly covered with a sleeve with "Palatine" on it -- could replace the barriers. He also said officials will explore making better use of the sidewalks for the establishments.
"They wouldn't be losing any of their outdoor tables," Ottesen said. "It would just be kind of a reconfiguration, so we can look at that."
Palatine council members have committed to the outdoor service through Labor Day weekend, but are expected to revisit the issue in September.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--Wauconda Area Library will reopen to public Wednesday

The Wauconda Area Library will reopen to the public Wednesday -- but as is the case at other suburban libraries , safety precautions will be in place to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus .
Perhaps most significantly , patrons will need to call ( 847 ) 526-6225 and make appointments to visit the library , 801 N. Main St. Also , everyone must wear masks , and many popular amenities wo n't be available .
Director Elizabeth Greenup said there 's an air of `` nervous excitement '' among employees as they prepare for reopening .
`` The building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felt empty without our patrons , '' Greenup said .
`` However , there is a nervousness about safety and a sadness that we ca n't provide a full experience yet . ''
The building has been closed to the public since mid-March because of the pandemic .
The library board approved the reopening plan Monday .
Patrons will be able to browse for materials and check them out , but they wo n't be allowed to sit and read or work at tables as they once did .
Additionally , study rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be off limits , as will the maker space and the play areas in the Kid City youth department .
Visitors will see that tables and other furniture have been rearranged to create barriers and one-way traffic patterns .
Also , plastic shields have been installed at the service desks to separate employees from patrons .
Likewise , yellow tape has been applied to the carpet to create social distancing zones .
Greenup 's team is going with an appointment-only system to manage patrons ' expectations and prevent negative experiences in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call to make an appointment so we can explain to them what to expect when they arrive , '' she said .
`` We were afraid that a parent would show up with three kids in tow expecting Kid City to be fully open .
Once they realize it 's not , we expected reactions of anger , frustration and tears -- all completely understandable . ''
The library will be open to the general public Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. , on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1 p.m. People with special needs or who are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus can make appointments to visit the library between 9 and 10 a.m. on weekdays .
Employees will clean the library between appointments .
The library has offered grab-and-go service since late June , and that will remain available during operating hours , as well as on Saturdays from 1 to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m .
Patrons should return items using two exterior book drops .
Returned items will be quarantined for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before being processed and reshelved .

Wauconda Area Library will reopen to public Wednesday
The maker space in the youth department of the Wauconda Area Library will be off limits when the facility reopens to the public. Courtesy of Wauconda Area Library
Yellow tape has been added to the carpet inside the Wauconda Area Library to create personal zones and ensure social distancing. Courtesy of Wauconda Area Library
Editor's note: The library's operating hours have been updated.
The Wauconda Area Library will reopen to the public Wednesday -- but as is the case at other suburban libraries, safety precautions will be in place to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Perhaps most significantly, patrons will need to call (847) 526-6225 and make appointments to visit the library, 801 N. Main St. Also, everyone must wear masks, and many popular amenities won't be available.
Director Elizabeth Greenup said there's an air of "nervous excitement" among employees as they prepare for reopening.
"The building was built for public use and has felt empty without our patrons," Greenup said. "However, there is a nervousness about safety and a sadness that we can't provide a full experience yet."
The building has been closed to the public since mid-March because of the pandemic. The library board approved the reopening plan Monday.
Patrons will be able to browse for materials and check them out, but they won't be allowed to sit and read or work at tables as they once did.
Additionally, study rooms, vending machines, computers and photocopiers will be off limits, as will the maker space and the play areas in the Kid City youth department.
Visitors will see that tables and other furniture have been rearranged to create barriers and one-way traffic patterns.
Also, plastic shields have been installed at the service desks to separate employees from patrons. Likewise, yellow tape has been applied to the carpet to create social distancing zones.
Greenup's team is going with an appointment-only system to manage patrons' expectations and prevent negative experiences in the building.
"We want patrons to call to make an appointment so we can explain to them what to expect when they arrive," she said. "We were afraid that a parent would show up with three kids in tow expecting Kid City to be fully open. Once they realize it's not, we expected reactions of anger, frustration and tears -- all completely understandable."
The library will be open to people who make appointments Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
People with special needs or who are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus can make appointments to visit the library between 9 and 10 a.m. on weekdays.
Employees will clean the library between appointments.
The library has offered grab-and-go service since late June, and that will remain available during operating hours, as well as on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m.
Patrons should return items using two exterior book drops. Returned items will be quarantined for five days in a large meeting room before being processed and reshelved.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--WGA amateur tourneys to allow one spectator per participant

The Western Golf Association 's three most prestigious championships certainly will look different this year thanks to ongoing pandemic concerns .
An announcement from the PGA Tour this week declared that there will be no spectators at its tournaments through the FedEx Cup Playoffs .
That means the second of those three postseason events -- the BMW Championship Aug. 25-30 at Olympia Fields Country Club -- can be viewed only on television .
Spectators will also be scarce at the WGA 's two upcoming amateur championships .
Each of the 120 participants in the 120th Women 's Western Amateur , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed to bring only one spectator onto the grounds at Prestwick Country Club in south suburban Frankfort .
The tourney runs through Saturday , July 25 .
The men 's Western Amateur , first held in 1899 , tees off the following week at Crooked Stick , in Carmel , Ind .
Each player there is allowed one caddie and one guest .
The PGA Tour has n't allowed spectators since resuming its schedule on June 11 following a three-month shutdown .
The policy was to end at this week 's Memorial tournament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy on that last week .
`` Our BMW Championship team has been working tirelessly over the past several months to develop a comprehensive plan for a limited number of spectators , following guidance from the PGA Tour and county and state officials , '' said Vince Pellegrino , the WGA 's senior vice president for tournaments .
`` However , we understand the challenges and concerns that COVID-19 has created and recognize the decision to proceed without spectators is in the best interests of everyone involved . ''
Sarah Shipley , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend her Women 's Western title .
She 's has accepted an invitation into a Symetra Tour event in Battle Creek , Mich. , instead .
The Women 's Western field will be headed by last year 's other finalist , Antonia Matte of Chile .
Five Northwestern players -- Brooke Riley , Kelly Su , Kelly Sim , Rachel DeAngulo and Charlotte Hillary -- will be in the field as will Illinois senior Tristyn Nowlin , a tourney finalist in 2018 .
Prestwick , designed by the late Chicago architect Larry Packard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first time but was the site of the Western Junior in 1972 when Nancy Lopez won as a 15-year old .
Lopez went on to win that event the next three years and then took the Western Amateur title in 1976 before enjoying a legendary career on the LPGA Tour .
Other former Women 's Western champions include Patty Berg , Louise Suggs , Beth Daniel , Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn .
This year 's format calls for 36 holes of stroke play qualifying before the field will be cut to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play competition .
The champion will be crown on Saturday , July 25 .
David Lipsky , who finished his collegiate career at Northwestern in 2011 and had previously won two pro events in Europe and one in Asia , notched his first victory on the PGA 's Korn Ferry Tour at the TPC San Antonio Challenge in Texas on Sunday .
Lipsky , who won by four shots , went to the same high school in La Canada , Calif. , as Collin Morakawa , Sunday 's winner at the PGA 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Kevin Streelman tied for seventh in the Workday event , his fourth top-10 finish of the season and second in a row .
Both the PGA and Korn Ferry circuits will stay in the same towns for tournaments this week .
Streelman is in the field at the Memorial , played on the same course as the Workday was , and Lipsky is again in San Antonio but the Oaks Course will be used this week instead of the Canyons .
Kemper Lakes has named Matt Simon as its new head professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a position at Glen View Club , in Glenview .
Billiter was the Illinois PGA Player of the Year in 2017 .
Simon had been on the staff at Biltmore , in North Barrington .
Kyle English , who tied for first in the Illinois PGA 's first tournament of the season last week , won the IPGA Assistants title on Monday .
English , from Crestwicke in Bloomington , shot a 6-under-par 66 at Cress Creek , in Naperville , to win by one over Jeff Kellen , of Butler National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the season is Monday ( JULY 20 ) .
It 's the fourth annual TimeSavers/Salute Outing to benefit military families and will be held at Rolling Green , in Arlington Heights .
Rob Wuethrich , a senior at Illinois Wesleyan , has been named the Jack Nicklaus National Division III Player of the Year .

WGA amateur tourneys to allow one spectator per participant
The Western Golf Association's upcoming amateur tournaments won't be completely deprived of fans like the PGA's tournaments have been so far. Associated Press
The Western Golf Association's three most prestigious championships certainly will look different this year thanks to ongoing pandemic concerns.
An announcement from the PGA Tour this week declared that there will be no spectators at its tournaments through the FedEx Cup Playoffs. That means the second of those three postseason events -- the BMW Championship Aug. 25-30 at Olympia Fields Country Club -- can be viewed only on television.
Spectators will also be scarce at the WGA's two upcoming amateur championships. Each of the 120 participants in the 120th Women's Western Amateur, which begins on Monday, will be allowed to bring only one spectator onto the grounds at Prestwick Country Club in south suburban Frankfort. The tourney runs through Saturday, July 25.
The men's Western Amateur, first held in 1899, tees off the following week at Crooked Stick, in Carmel, Ind. Each player there is allowed one caddie and one guest.
The PGA Tour hasn't allowed spectators since resuming its schedule on June 11 following a three-month shutdown. The policy was to end at this week's Memorial tournament in Ohio but the circuit changed its policy on that last week.
"Our BMW Championship team has been working tirelessly over the past several months to develop a comprehensive plan for a limited number of spectators, following guidance from the PGA Tour and county and state officials," said Vince Pellegrino, the WGA's senior vice president for tournaments. "However, we understand the challenges and concerns that COVID-19 has created and recognize the decision to proceed without spectators is in the best interests of everyone involved."
Prestwick preview:
Sarah Shipley, a University of Kentucky senior, won't defend her Women's Western title. She's has accepted an invitation into a Symetra Tour event in Battle Creek, Mich., instead.
The Women's Western field will be headed by last year's other finalist, Antonia Matte of Chile. Five Northwestern players -- Brooke Riley, Kelly Su, Kelly Sim, Rachel DeAngulo and Charlotte Hillary -- will be in the field as will Illinois senior Tristyn Nowlin, a tourney finalist in 2018.
Prestwick, designed by the late Chicago architect Larry Packard, is hosting the Western Amateur for the first time but was the site of the Western Junior in 1972 when Nancy Lopez won as a 15-year old. Lopez went on to win that event the next three years and then took the Western Amateur title in 1976 before enjoying a legendary career on the LPGA Tour.
Other former Women's Western champions include Patty Berg, Louise Suggs, Beth Daniel, Stacy Lewis and Ariya Jutanugarn. This year's format calls for 36 holes of stroke play qualifying before the field will be cut to 32 players for three days of match play competition. The champion will be crown on Saturday, July 25.
NU alum wins:
David Lipsky, who finished his collegiate career at Northwestern in 2011 and had previously won two pro events in Europe and one in Asia, notched his first victory on the PGA's Korn Ferry Tour at the TPC San Antonio Challenge in Texas on Sunday.
Lipsky, who won by four shots, went to the same high school in La Canada, Calif., as Collin Morakawa, Sunday's winner at the PGA's Workday Charity Open in Ohio. Wheaton's Kevin Streelman tied for seventh in the Workday event, his fourth top-10 finish of the season and second in a row.
Both the PGA and Korn Ferry circuits will stay in the same towns for tournaments this week. Streelman is in the field at the Memorial, played on the same course as the Workday was, and Lipsky is again in San Antonio but the Oaks Course will be used this week instead of the Canyons.
Bits and pieces:
Kemper Lakes has named Matt Simon as its new head professional. He replaces Jim Billiter, who took a position at Glen View Club, in Glenview. Billiter was the Illinois PGA Player of the Year in 2017. Simon had been on the staff at Biltmore, in North Barrington.
Kyle English, who tied for first in the Illinois PGA's first tournament of the season last week, won the IPGA Assistants title on Monday. English, from Crestwicke in Bloomington, shot a 6-under-par 66 at Cress Creek, in Naperville, to win by one over Jeff Kellen, of Butler National.
The area's first charity event of the season is Monday (JULY 20). It's the fourth annual TimeSavers/Salute Outing to benefit military families and will be held at Rolling Green, in Arlington Heights.
Rob Wuethrich, a senior at Illinois Wesleyan, has been named the Jack Nicklaus National Division III Player of the Year.
• Twitter: ZiehmLen


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-14--AP sources: MLB players may have Kessler lead grievance

NEW YORK -- The baseball players ' association has discussed hiring noted sports lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to litigate a contemplated grievance against clubs accusing Commissioner Rob Manfred and management of failing to act in good faith to complete the longest season economically feasible .
Talks to hire Kessler were disclosed to The Associated Press by several people familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made .
A grievance has not yet been filed and an agreement with Kessler has not been finalized , the people said .
In divisive talks reminiscent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the sides failed to reach an economic agreement last month .
Management initially proposed 82 games and a sliding scale of salaries , while the union countered at 114 games and full prorated pay under the formula of the initial March 26 agreement that dealt with the pandemic .
MLB 's final proposal of 60 games at prorated pay was rejected by players , who had wanted 70 games and instead preferred leaving open the possibility of a grievance before arbitrator Mark Irvings .
Players dared Manfred to set the schedule unilaterally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 67 days starting July 23 in ballparks without spectators .
While the union maintains a longer season was economically feasible consistent with the March deal , MLB says it feared a second wave of the virus that could cause cancellation of the postseason , when $ 787 million in broadcast revenue is earned .
Manfred also has cited provisions in the agreement that said MLB had no obligation to start the season while there were legal limits on playing in front of fans .
Union officials have asked for a broad disclosure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports networks and real estate ventures adjacent to ballparks and could ask Irvings to order document production .
The 66-year-old Kessler is co-executive chairman of Winston & Strawn and co-chair of its antitrust/competition and sports law practices .
Then at Weil , Gotshal & Manges , he was a leading lawyer retained by the NFL Players Association in the Freeman McNeil lawsuit that led to a jury in 1992 striking down the NFL 's limited free agency system .
Kessler also has represented the National Basketball Players Association , the National Hockey League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their antitrust suit against the league that failed to succeed in 2000 , prior to unionization .
He currently is representing American women players in their pending discrimination suit against the U.S. Soccer Federation ; wage claims were dismissed but working condition allegations are scheduled for trial in September .
Kessler left Weil in 2003 for Dewey Ballantine and in 2012 joined Winston & Strawn .
He helped college athletes win a judgment last year that the NCAA had violated antitrust laws by adopting rules that were illegal restraints .
While at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was hired by the Major League Baseball Players Association in 2018 as its senior director of collective bargaining and legal .
Irvings ruled against the union this year in the grievance claiming the Chicago Cubs violated the collective bargaining agreement when they delayed his major league debut .

AP sources: MLB players may have Kessler lead grievance
FILE- In this July 8, 2011, file photo, attorney Jeffrey Kessler enters a Manhattan law office in New York. Several people familiar with the conversations tell The Associated Press that the baseball players' association has discussed hiring the noted sports lawyer to litigate a contemplated grievance. In divisive talks reminiscent of baseball's eight work stoppages from 1972-95, the sides failed to reach an economic agreement last month. Associated Press
NEW YORK -- The baseball players' association has discussed hiring noted sports lawyer Jeffrey Kessler to litigate a contemplated grievance against clubs accusing Commissioner Rob Manfred and management of failing to act in good faith to complete the longest season economically feasible.
Talks to hire Kessler were disclosed to The Associated Press by several people familiar with the conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made. A grievance has not yet been filed and an agreement with Kessler has not been finalized, the people said.
In divisive talks reminiscent of baseball's eight work stoppages from 1972-95, the sides failed to reach an economic agreement last month.
Management initially proposed 82 games and a sliding scale of salaries, while the union countered at 114 games and full prorated pay under the formula of the initial March 26 agreement that dealt with the pandemic. MLB's final proposal of 60 games at prorated pay was rejected by players, who had wanted 70 games and instead preferred leaving open the possibility of a grievance before arbitrator Mark Irvings.
Players dared Manfred to set the schedule unilaterally, and MLB called for 60 games over 67 days starting July 23 in ballparks without spectators.
While the union maintains a longer season was economically feasible consistent with the March deal, MLB says it feared a second wave of the virus that could cause cancellation of the postseason, when $787 million in broadcast revenue is earned. Manfred also has cited provisions in the agreement that said MLB had no obligation to start the season while there were legal limits on playing in front of fans.
Union officials have asked for a broad disclosure by teams of financial relationships with regional sports networks and real estate ventures adjacent to ballparks and could ask Irvings to order document production.
The 66-year-old Kessler is co-executive chairman of Winston & Strawn and co-chair of its antitrust/competition and sports law practices.
Then at Weil, Gotshal & Manges, he was a leading lawyer retained by the NFL Players Association in the Freeman McNeil lawsuit that led to a jury in 1992 striking down the NFL's limited free agency system. Kessler also has represented the National Basketball Players Association, the National Hockey League Players Association and Major League Soccer players in their antitrust suit against the league that failed to succeed in 2000, prior to unionization.
He currently is representing American women players in their pending discrimination suit against the U.S. Soccer Federation; wage claims were dismissed but working condition allegations are scheduled for trial in September.
Kessler left Weil in 2003 for Dewey Ballantine and in 2012 joined Winston & Strawn. He helped college athletes win a judgment last year that the NCAA had violated antitrust laws by adopting rules that were illegal restraints.
While at Weil he worked with Bruce Meyer, who was hired by the Major League Baseball Players Association in 2018 as its senior director of collective bargaining and legal.
Irvings ruled against the union this year in the grievance claiming the Chicago Cubs violated the collective bargaining agreement when they delayed his major league debut.
___
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