dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--Fair maps advocates hopeful with deadline looming for redistricting referendum

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown uncertainty into lots of things , and a major one is the push for independent and transparent legislative redistricting in Illinois .
The General Assembly has a May 3 deadline to vote on the Fair Maps Amendment , which would ask voters in a November referendum to approve a state constitutional amendment that would put redistricting in the hands of an independent commission .
State Rep. Terra Costa Howard , a Glen Ellyn Democrat and co-sponsor of the bipartisan bill , said momentum had been building , but priorities have shifted .
`` This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I also have to focus on protecting people 's lives , making sure there is food supply , that businesses can keep running , '' she said .
`` That is the highest priority that we as legislators have right now . ''
`` I am very hopeful that we will be back and be able to put this matter before the voters .
It is very important , '' he said .
`` And if we are back and able to do that , we will also have known that we turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the curve . ''
District boundaries at the federal and state level are redrawn every 10 years to account for population changes as per the U.S. Census , which is taking place this year .
In Illinois , redistricting is done by the General Assembly in partisan and less-than-transparent ways .
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , the legislature has canceled its third consecutive session week and it 's unclear when lawmakers will go back to Springfield .
There are also unknowns regarding the ability of the U.S. Census -- which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday -- to conduct a full count during the pandemic .
It 's unclear how a delayed U.S. Census would affect the timing of a constitutional amendment vote in Illinois .
The Fair Maps Amendment would have to be approved by three-fifths of lawmakers in both the Illinois House and Senate , said Madeleine Doubek , executive director of the nonprofit Change Illinois , a nonpartisan group that advocates redistricting reform .
`` We 're very close to that in the Senate , '' she said .
`` We have strong bipartisan support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have more work to do there . ''
Change Illinois switched its plans for a rally in Springfield to a virtual `` rally in place '' to be held on Thursday .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has said he would support independent redistricting .
Some lawmakers , like Democrat state Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin , have said they wanted to see the final proposal before deciding whether to support the bill .
Doubek said the proposed legislation is detailed .
`` We know and understand that a historic overwhelming majority of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , '' she said .
`` So we are calling on lawmakers to honor that , and allow it to be debated and voted upon . ''
Costa Howard said the main concerns she 's heard about the bill are about the makeup of the commission and protecting underrepresented populations .
The bill is solid on both accounts , she said .
`` The intention to make sure that groups of people have actual representation , '' she said .
One should not assume it 's easy to spot gerrymandering based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cautioned .
`` The assumption that a lot of people make is that perfect squares is the proper way , and it 's simply not , '' she said .
Many have pointed to Illinois ' 4th Congressional District as an instance of gerrymandering , but that 's not a good example , according to Change Illinois .
That district was drawn to protect the interests of Latino and black populations , the group says .
Doubek said better examples are the state 's 6th Congressional District , held by Democrat Sean Casten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Will County , and the 59th Illinois House District , held by Democrat Daniel Didech and centered around Lincolnshire with a narrow arm that goes into Waukegan .
Both Casten and Didech said they support independent redistricting .
Casten pointed to Arizona 's nonpartisan commission and Iowa 's use of computer software .
`` I support efforts to curtail gerrymandering , which has enabled politicians to choose their voters rather than the other way around , '' he said .
Didech said he supports an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians should not be responsible for redistricting where they can tip the scales to keep an entrenched party in power , '' he said .
No matter which party is has the majority , `` Cheating is still cheating -- and it needs to stop , '' Doubek agreed .
If the General Assembly takes no action by the May 3 deadline , the effort will shift to persuading lawmakers to achieve independent redistricting via legislative action , advocates said .
`` I believe we were building momentum before the attention was turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curran said .
`` I believe that if we were able to re-engage on the issue , we will pick that momentum up . ''
Either way , the issue is pressing , Doubek said .
`` If we do n't do something , '' she said , `` we will be stuck with gerrymandered districts for an entire decade . ''

Fair maps advocates hopeful with deadline looming for redistricting referendum
Illinois' 59th House District, left, held by Democrat Daniel Didech, and 6th Congressional District, held by Democrat Sean Casten, are examples of gerrymandered districts, according to Change Illinois. The Fair Maps Amendment would put legislative redistricting in the hands of an independent commission.
The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown uncertainty into lots of things, and a major one is the push for independent and transparent legislative redistricting in Illinois.
The General Assembly has a May 3 deadline to vote on the Fair Maps Amendment, which would ask voters in a November referendum to approve a state constitutional amendment that would put redistricting in the hands of an independent commission.
State Rep. Terra Costa Howard, a Glen Ellyn Democrat and co-sponsor of the bipartisan bill, said momentum had been building, but priorities have shifted.
"This is my No. 1 priority, but I also have to focus on protecting people's lives, making sure there is food supply, that businesses can keep running," she said. "That is the highest priority that we as legislators have right now."
Co-sponsor state Sen. John Curran, a Republican from Downers Grove, agreed.
"I am very hopeful that we will be back and be able to put this matter before the voters. It is very important," he said. "And if we are back and able to do that, we will also have known that we turned the corner on this pandemic and flattened the curve."
District boundaries at the federal and state level are redrawn every 10 years to account for population changes as per the U.S. Census, which is taking place this year. In Illinois, redistricting is done by the General Assembly in partisan and less-than-transparent ways.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legislature has canceled its third consecutive session week and it's unclear when lawmakers will go back to Springfield. There are also unknowns regarding the ability of the U.S. Census -- which delayed field operations by two weeks to Wednesday -- to conduct a full count during the pandemic. It's unclear how a delayed U.S. Census would affect the timing of a constitutional amendment vote in Illinois.
The Fair Maps Amendment would have to be approved by three-fifths of lawmakers in both the Illinois House and Senate, said Madeleine Doubek, executive director of the nonprofit Change Illinois, a nonpartisan group that advocates redistricting reform.
"We're very close to that in the Senate," she said. "We have strong bipartisan support in the House as well, but we have more work to do there."
Change Illinois switched its plans for a rally in Springfield to a virtual "rally in place" to be held on Thursday.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he would support independent redistricting. Some lawmakers, like Democrat state Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin, have said they wanted to see the final proposal before deciding whether to support the bill.
Doubek said the proposed legislation is detailed.
"We know and understand that a historic overwhelming majority of the people in Illinois say they support it," she said. "So we are calling on lawmakers to honor that, and allow it to be debated and voted upon."
Costa Howard said the main concerns she's heard about the bill are about the makeup of the commission and protecting underrepresented populations. The bill is solid on both accounts, she said.
"The intention to make sure that groups of people have actual representation," she said.
One should not assume it's easy to spot gerrymandering based on the shape of districts, Costa Howard cautioned. "The assumption that a lot of people make is that perfect squares is the proper way, and it's simply not," she said.
Many have pointed to Illinois' 4th Congressional District as an instance of gerrymandering, but that's not a good example, according to Change Illinois. That district was drawn to protect the interests of Latino and black populations, the group says.
Doubek said better examples are the state's 6th Congressional District, held by Democrat Sean Casten and winding from central Lake County almost to Will County, and the 59th Illinois House District, held by Democrat Daniel Didech and centered around Lincolnshire with a narrow arm that goes into Waukegan. Both Casten and Didech said they support independent redistricting.
Casten pointed to Arizona's nonpartisan commission and Iowa's use of computer software. "I support efforts to curtail gerrymandering, which has enabled politicians to choose their voters rather than the other way around," he said.
Didech said he supports an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to end gerrymandering across the country. "Partisan politicians should not be responsible for redistricting where they can tip the scales to keep an entrenched party in power," he said.
No matter which party is has the majority, "Cheating is still cheating -- and it needs to stop," Doubek agreed.
If the General Assembly takes no action by the May 3 deadline, the effort will shift to persuading lawmakers to achieve independent redistricting via legislative action, advocates said.
"I believe we were building momentum before the attention was turned to, appropriately, coronavirus," Curran said. "I believe that if we were able to re-engage on the issue, we will pick that momentum up."
Either way, the issue is pressing, Doubek said.
"If we don't do something," she said, "we will be stuck with gerrymandered districts for an entire decade."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--Towns teaming up to reduce congestion at Algonquin, New Wilke roads

Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows are working together on a $ 4.5 million plan to ease congestion at the busy intersection of Algonquin and New Wilke roads on the border of the two communities .
The project is more than a decade in the making -- and it could take another four years or more to come to fruition -- but design engineering work will kick off soon to examine the existing intersection and draw up ways to make the busy corner more free flowing .
That could include the addition of a dedicated right turn lane on westbound Algonquin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars that queues during the morning and afternoon rush hours .
It 's rare for vehicles to make it through the intersection in one signal cycle .
`` A lot of people take Algonquin Road heading west home , '' said Rob Horne , public works director for Rolling Meadows .
`` If everyone in the right hand turn lane needs to turn right , it backs up pretty fast .
By providing dedicated turn lanes for those movements , it wo n't back up so much for the people who are just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other changes could include the extension of an 8-foot-wide bike path south along New Wilke that would connect to existing bike paths leading to Busse Woods .
Because of the new turn lane and bike path , officials anticipate installing new curb ramps and pedestrian crossing signals on two corners of the intersection .
Engineers also will examine how to increase the amount of space for cars within existing left turn lanes .
Upgrades proposed also include new traffic signals and countdown timers .
`` It 's really an intersection modernization and safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everything will be brought up to current standards . ''
Officials believe it will go a long way to improving the intersection , which has seen numerous accidents over the past five years .
Other busy nearby intersections , including Algonquin and Golf roads and New Wilke and Golf roads , have been widened and reconstructed in the last decade , but the Algonquin-New Wilke project has gotten deferred .
Horne attributed it to the recession more than a decade ago , and the difficulty since then in obtaining grant funds .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the project .
A preliminary cost breakdown estimates $ 3.5 million coming from the federal Surface Transportation Program , with Rolling Meadows and Arlington Heights splitting the remaining $ 1 million .
That would pay for construction , land acquisition , and phase two and three engineering .
For now , the two towns will split the $ 142,669 payment to Rosemont-based Christopher B. Burke Engineering for phase one preliminary engineering .
Rolling Meadows aldermen approved their share of the costs this month , and Arlington Heights trustees are expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , the engineering firm will obtain five years of crash data to do an analysis , and take vehicle and pedestrian traffic counts during the morning and afternoon rush hours .
The initial design is expected to take a year , followed by more design work and time to acquire land for the turn lane .
It could take until 2023 for shovels to be in the ground , Horne said .

Towns teaming up to reduce congestion at Algonquin, New Wilke roads
Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows are working together on a $4.5 million plan to ease congestion at the busy intersection of Algonquin and New Wilke roads on the border of the two communities.
The project is more than a decade in the making -- and it could take another four years or more to come to fruition -- but design engineering work will kick off soon to examine the existing intersection and draw up ways to make the busy corner more free flowing.
That could include the addition of a dedicated right turn lane on westbound Algonquin Road to reduce the long line of cars that queues during the morning and afternoon rush hours. It's rare for vehicles to make it through the intersection in one signal cycle.
"A lot of people take Algonquin Road heading west home," said Rob Horne, public works director for Rolling Meadows. "If everyone in the right hand turn lane needs to turn right, it backs up pretty fast. By providing dedicated turn lanes for those movements, it won't back up so much for the people who are just wanting to go straight west."
Other changes could include the extension of an 8-foot-wide bike path south along New Wilke that would connect to existing bike paths leading to Busse Woods.
Because of the new turn lane and bike path, officials anticipate installing new curb ramps and pedestrian crossing signals on two corners of the intersection.
Engineers also will examine how to increase the amount of space for cars within existing left turn lanes. Upgrades proposed also include new traffic signals and countdown timers.
"It's really an intersection modernization and safety measures," Horne said. "Everything will be brought up to current standards."
Officials believe it will go a long way to improving the intersection, which has seen numerous accidents over the past five years.
Other busy nearby intersections, including Algonquin and Golf roads and New Wilke and Golf roads, have been widened and reconstructed in the last decade, but the Algonquin-New Wilke project has gotten deferred. Horne attributed it to the recession more than a decade ago, and the difficulty since then in obtaining grant funds.
But now earmarked federal funds could pay for most of the project. A preliminary cost breakdown estimates $3.5 million coming from the federal Surface Transportation Program, with Rolling Meadows and Arlington Heights splitting the remaining $1 million. That would pay for construction, land acquisition, and phase two and three engineering.
For now, the two towns will split the $142,669 payment to Rosemont-based Christopher B. Burke Engineering for phase one preliminary engineering. Rolling Meadows aldermen approved their share of the costs this month, and Arlington Heights trustees are expected to vote soon.
As part of the work, the engineering firm will obtain five years of crash data to do an analysis, and take vehicle and pedestrian traffic counts during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
The initial design is expected to take a year, followed by more design work and time to acquire land for the turn lane. It could take until 2023 for shovels to be in the ground, Horne said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Six Flags Great America to hold off opening until COVID-19 threat passes

Because of COVID-19 concerns , Six Flags Great America in Gurnee wo n't open for the season until mid-May at the earliest , park officials announced Monday .
If the threat from COVID-19 extends beyond mid-May , officials said they will open as soon as it is safe to do so .
`` The safety of our guests and team members is always our highest priority , '' the statement reads .
`` We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation , and follow the most current guidance from federal , state , and local officials . ''
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the park property , which has been closed for the winter since January .
Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said she absolutely supports the decision .
`` Six Flags is doing the right thing by closing , '' Kovarik said .
`` It is tough on them financially and it has a halo effect on the whole retail corridor through there . ''
Park officials announced several changes to accommodate guests who have already pre-purchased tickets or season passes .
The valid dates on prepaid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the 2020 season .
Season passes will be extended for each day that the park is temporarily closed .
More information on how the closure will effect ticketholders can be found at sixflags.com/greatamerica/coronavirus .

Six Flags Great America to hold off opening until COVID-19 threat passes
Officials at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee announced Monday they will open the park when the threat from COVID-19 passes. Daily Herald file photo
Because of COVID-19 concerns, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee won't open for the season until mid-May at the earliest, park officials announced Monday.
If the threat from COVID-19 extends beyond mid-May, officials said they will open as soon as it is safe to do so.
"The safety of our guests and team members is always our highest priority," the statement reads. "We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and follow the most current guidance from federal, state, and local officials."
According to a news release issued Monday morning, no cases of COVID-19 have been reported at the park property, which has been closed for the winter since January.
Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said she absolutely supports the decision.
"Six Flags is doing the right thing by closing," Kovarik said. "It is tough on them financially and it has a halo effect on the whole retail corridor through there."
Park officials announced several changes to accommodate guests who have already pre-purchased tickets or season passes. The valid dates on prepaid tickets will be extended to the end of the 2020 season. Season passes will be extended for each day that the park is temporarily closed.
More information on how the closure will affect ticketholders can be found at sixflags.com/greatamerica/coronavirus.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--What others are writing about COVID-19

What others are writing about COVID-19

The U.S .
Tried to Build a New Fleet of Ventilators .
The Mission Failed .
U.S. public health officials have known for more than a decade that the lack of cheap , portable ventilators would be a major vulnerability in the case of a flu-like pandemic .
So they came up with a plan and the federal government signed a contract with a small medical devices maker in California .
The New York Times explains what went wrong .
On March 10 , 60 members of the Skagit Valley Chorale attended rehearsal at a church in Skagit County , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seattle .
Nearly three weeks later , 45 had tested positive for COVID-19 or were sick with symptoms , and two had died .
This `` super-spreading event '' poses interesting questions about transmission via aerosols .
The Los Angeles Times tells the story .
11 to 100,000 : What went wrong with coronavirus testing in the U.S .
The Washington Post 's Fact Checker team reconstructs what went wrong with COVID-19 testing and how the missteps gave the U.S. a false sense of how widespread the virus was .
Watch the video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Husband Got Coronavirus '' In Sunday 's special episode of The New York Time 's Daily , an editor for The New York Times Magazine describes in heart-wrenching detail how she has been caring for her husband , who has tested positive for COVID-19 , while trying to keep herself and her teenage daughter safe and healthy .
This essay is especially eye-opening for those of us whose greatest concerns have been what to binge-watch on Netflix .
Listen here .
He 's 18 and wants to hang with 'his boys . '
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop him .
For many parents , getting teenagers to stay at home is easier said than done .
The Washington Post shares their stories .

What others are writing about COVID-19
The U.S. Tried to Build a New Fleet of Ventilators. The Mission Failed.
U.S. public health officials have known for more than a decade that the lack of cheap, portable ventilators would be a major vulnerability in the case of a flu-like pandemic. So they came up with a plan and the federal government signed a contract with a small medical devices maker in California. The New York Times explains what went wrong.
Choir practice turns fatal. Airborne coronavirus strongly suspected
On March 10, 60 members of the Skagit Valley Chorale attended rehearsal at a church in Skagit County, Washington, about an hour south of Seattle. Nearly three weeks later, 45 had tested positive for COVID-19 or were sick with symptoms, and two had died. This "super-spreading event" poses interesting questions about transmission via aerosols. The Los Angeles Times tells the story.
11 to 100,000: What went wrong with coronavirus testing in the U.S.
The Washington Post's Fact Checker team reconstructs what went wrong with COVID-19 testing and how the missteps gave the U.S. a false sense of how widespread the virus was. Watch the video.
"What I Learned When My Husband Got Coronavirus"
In Sunday's special episode of The New York Time's Daily, an editor for The New York Times Magazine describes in heart-wrenching detail how she has been caring for her husband, who has tested positive for COVID-19, while trying to keep herself and her teenage daughter safe and healthy. This essay is especially eye-opening for those of us whose greatest concerns have been what to binge-watch on Netflix. Listen here.
He's 18 and wants to hang with 'his boys.' His mom hasn't been able to stop him.
For many parents, getting teenagers to stay at home is easier said than done. The Washington Post shares their stories.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--A song to make you smile: "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Three Little Birds '' by Bob Marley and the Wailers , released in 1977 .

A song to make you smile: "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Bob Marley gives a concert in Bourget, Paris, on July 3, 1980. Associated Press
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley and the Wailers, released in 1977.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-29--Arlington Park won't open until at least June 1

Arlington Park has canceled its first month of live racing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The track will not open until June at the earliest .
In an email to season box holders , track management announced the scheduled May 1 opening of the local oval will not happen .
Chris Pepsnik , manager of VIP services at Arlington , also wrote , `` We are in the process of discussing an ideal time to begin racing for the 2020 racing season and will have an announcement later this spring .
`` For those of you who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your patience , if new pricing options are established partial refunds will be addressed .
You will receive a prorated refund for Mother 's Day . ''
The email came shortly after parent company Churchill Downs Inc. announced furloughs and pay cuts Thursday involving staff at 10 racing/gaming properties , including Arlington , three racinos and six casinos .
At Arlington , the two most significant individuals furloughed were racing secretary Chris Polzin and racing manager Valerie Riggs .
Their open-ended absences preclude any possibility of live racing at Arlington .
The storied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live programs ending Sept. 26 .
The status of the Arlington Million -- still targeted for Aug. 15 -- now moves into limbo .
Said Mike Campbell , president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen 's Association : '' We support the President and the governor and all other officials and medical professionals who continue to try and battle through this extremely difficult time of national crisis .
`` We are certainly respectful of any reasoned response to the COVID pandemic .
As Gov .
( J.B. ) Pritzker has said , all indications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak in Chicago and all surrounding regions . ''
Arlington shut down all off-track betting operations two weeks ago .
Current full-season prices include $ 3,600 for a six-seat box with an additional charge of $ 600 for Million Day and an added $ 120 for the Fourth of July .
Mike Benson of Rolling Meadows -- a season box holder since 2003 -- said : '' They 're doing the right thing .
You ca n't run a race meet without people and there 's no rationale whatsoever for jeopardizing the greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in time . ''
There has been no disruption in racing at Arlington since 1998-99 , when chairman Richard L. Duchossois shut down his track over what he felt was unfavorable treatment by the state legislature and other concerns .
It reopened in May 2000 as a business entity merged with Churchill Downs Inc .
Prior to that , after a catastrophic fire July 31 , 1985 , Duchossois and associates Joe Joyce , Sheldon Robbins and Ralph Ross held a `` Miracle Million '' three weeks later in front of temporary facilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late August 1986 , Arlington hosted a 15-day `` International Festival of Racing '' to significant acclaim .
In 1987 , the track held an extended `` tent meeting '' that included the seventh running of the Million .
Arlington Park was closed for reconstruction for all of 1988 with Million VIII run as a special event at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto .

Arlington Park won't open until at least June 1
Arlington Park will be closed through May because of COVID-19, according to track officials. Daily Herald File Photo
Arlington Park has canceled its first month of live racing in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The track will not open until June at the earliest.
In an email to season box holders, track management announced the scheduled May 1 opening of the local oval will not happen.
Chris Pepsnik, manager of VIP services at Arlington, also wrote, "We are in the process of discussing an ideal time to begin racing for the 2020 racing season and will have an announcement later this spring.
"For those of you who have paid in full we ask for your patience, if new pricing options are established partial refunds will be addressed. You will receive a prorated refund for Mother's Day."
The email came shortly after parent company Churchill Downs Inc. announced furloughs and pay cuts Thursday involving staff at 10 racing/gaming properties, including Arlington, three racinos and six casinos.
At Arlington, the two most significant individuals furloughed were racing secretary Chris Polzin and racing manager Valerie Riggs. Their open-ended absences preclude any possibility of live racing at Arlington.
The storied track had been scheduled to host 68 live programs ending Sept. 26.
The status of the Arlington Million -- still targeted for Aug. 15 -- now moves into limbo.
Said Mike Campbell, president of the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association:
"We support the President and the governor and all other officials and medical professionals who continue to try and battle through this extremely difficult time of national crisis.
"We are certainly respectful of any reasoned response to the COVID pandemic. As Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker has said, all indications are that the pandemic has yet to peak in Chicago and all surrounding regions."
Arlington shut down all off-track betting operations two weeks ago.
Current full-season prices include $3,600 for a six-seat box with an additional charge of $600 for Million Day and an added $120 for the Fourth of July.
Mike Benson of Rolling Meadows -- a season box holder since 2003 -- said:
"They're doing the right thing. You can't run a race meet without people and there's no rationale whatsoever for jeopardizing the greater good for horse racing at this point in time."
There has been no disruption in racing at Arlington since 1998-99, when chairman Richard L. Duchossois shut down his track over what he felt was unfavorable treatment by the state legislature and other concerns.
It reopened in May 2000 as a business entity merged with Churchill Downs Inc.
Prior to that, after a catastrophic fire July 31, 1985, Duchossois and associates Joe Joyce, Sheldon Robbins and Ralph Ross held a "Miracle Million" three weeks later in front of temporary facilities.
One year later, beginning in late August 1986, Arlington hosted a 15-day "International Festival of Racing" to significant acclaim.
In 1987, the track held an extended "tent meeting" that included the seventh running of the Million.
Arlington Park was closed for reconstruction for all of 1988 with Million VIII run as a special event at Woodbine Racecourse in Toronto.
Duchossois's rebuilt racing palace opened in June 1989.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Macy's to furlough majority of its 130,000 workers

NEW YORK -- Macy 's says it will temporarily stop paying tens of thousands of employees who were thrown out of work when the chain closed its stores in response to collapsing sales during the pandemic .
The majority of its 125,000 employees , including stock people and sales clerks , will still collect health benefits , but the company said that it is transitioning to an `` absolute minimum workforce '' needed to maintain basic operations .
Macy 's has lost the bulk of its sales due to the temporarily closing of all 500 of its stores starting March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most dramatic sign that even big name retailers are seeing their business evaporate and that the $ 2 trillion rescue package passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last week may have come too late for some .
Nordstrom said last week it was furloughing a portion of its corporate staff .
And shoe company Designer Brands Inc. , which operates DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse , furloughed 80 % of its workers , effective this past weekend .
Analysts expect more furloughs to come as retailers scramble to pay their employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the single biggest monthly fixed cost for retailers , according to investment research firm Cowen & Co .
The furlough of workers will have negative consequences for an economy in which the retail industry supports one out of four workers .
`` This could push us further into a damaging recession that will last longer than the duration of the crisis , '' said Neil Saunders , managing director of GlobalData Retail .
More than 190,000 stores , including J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus , have temporarily closed , accounting for nearly 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to Saunders .
Discounters , grocers and wholesale clubs that sell essential items like groceries remain open , although they have their own challenges of keeping up with shoppers who continue to stockpile canned goods , paper towels and other staples .
According to a recent report by Cowen & Co , department stores have enough cash to make it to about five to eight months with their stores temporarily closed .
Macy 's , however , has enough for five months , Cowen said .
When announcing the temporary closures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying their workers but they were looking at a two-week timetable .
That moment has now passed and the furloughs have become increasingly necessary as the coronavirus rapidly spreads .
The big question is how much of these furloughs will lead to permanent layoffs .
Rent the Runway , a pioneer in fashion rental , confirmed earlier Monday , that it was laying off its retail store staff and said it may not be able to reopen its stores that temporarily shuttered earlier this month .
Its online subscription service still continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said earlier this month that it may be forced to permanently layoff some its employees after temporarily shuttering 3,441 of its 5,062 stores globally .
Coresight Research 's Deborah Weinswig now forecasts a new record high of 15,000 stores will close this year , up from her original prediction of 8,000 -- all because of the viral outbreak .
Analysts believe that already ailing stores with heavy debt loads like J.C. Penney , and J. Jill may have to dramatically close more stores or be pushed closer to bankruptcy .
Even before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores and mall-based clothing stores , had been struggling to reinvent themselves as shoppers shift more of their purchases online and embrace experiences like cooking classes and subscription services .
Now , the pandemic has forced people to stay home and clamp down on spending for non-essential items like clothing .
Macy 's said that there wo n't be as many furloughs in its online operations , which continue to operate .
Employees who are enrolled in health benefits will continue to receive coverage with the company covering 100 % of the premium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on a staggered basis as business resumes , '' Macy 's said .
To survive in the meantime , Macy 's , like a slew of other retailers , have taken steps to preserve their cash .
Macy 's has suspended its dividend , drawn down its line of credit , frozen hiring and spending , and cancelled orders .
It said Monday it is now evaluating all financing options .

Macy's to furlough majority of its 130,000 workers
Macy's on Monday said it is transitioning to an "absolute minimum workforce" needed to maintain basic operations. Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Macy's says it will temporarily stop paying tens of thousands of employees who were thrown out of work when the chain closed its stores in response to collapsing sales during the pandemic.
The majority of its 125,000 employees, including stock people and sales clerks, will still collect health benefits, but the company said that it is transitioning to an "absolute minimum workforce" needed to maintain basic operations. Macy's has lost the bulk of its sales due to the temporarily closing of all 500 of its stores starting March 18.
The move is perhaps the most dramatic sign that even big name retailers are seeing their business evaporate and that the $2 trillion rescue package passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump last week may have come too late for some.
Nordstrom said last week it was furloughing a portion of its corporate staff. And shoe company Designer Brands Inc., which operates DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, furloughed 80% of its workers, effective this past weekend.
Analysts expect more furloughs to come as retailers scramble to pay their employees from fast-dwindling cash reserves. Labor is the single biggest monthly fixed cost for retailers, according to investment research firm Cowen & Co.
The furlough of workers will have negative consequences for an economy in which the retail industry supports one out of four workers.
"This could push us further into a damaging recession that will last longer than the duration of the crisis," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.
More than 190,000 stores, including J.C. Penney and Neiman Marcus, have temporarily closed, accounting for nearly 50% of the U.S. retail square footage, according to Saunders. Discounters, grocers and wholesale clubs that sell essential items like groceries remain open, although they have their own challenges of keeping up with shoppers who continue to stockpile canned goods, paper towels and other staples.
According to a recent report by Cowen & Co, department stores have enough cash to make it to about five to eight months with their stores temporarily closed. Macy's, however, has enough for five months, Cowen said.
When announcing the temporary closures, most retailers said they would keep paying their workers but they were looking at a two-week timetable. That moment has now passed and the furloughs have become increasingly necessary as the coronavirus rapidly spreads.
The big question is how much of these furloughs will lead to permanent layoffs. Rent the Runway, a pioneer in fashion rental, confirmed earlier Monday, that it was laying off its retail store staff and said it may not be able to reopen its stores that temporarily shuttered earlier this month. Its online subscription service still continues to operate.
Swedish retailer H&M said earlier this month that it may be forced to permanently layoff some its employees after temporarily shuttering 3,441 of its 5,062 stores globally.
Coresight Research's Deborah Weinswig now forecasts a new record high of 15,000 stores will close this year, up from her original prediction of 8,000 -- all because of the viral outbreak. Analysts believe that already ailing stores with heavy debt loads like J.C. Penney, and J. Jill may have to dramatically close more stores or be pushed closer to bankruptcy.
Even before the pandemic, traditional retailers, particularly department stores and mall-based clothing stores, had been struggling to reinvent themselves as shoppers shift more of their purchases online and embrace experiences like cooking classes and subscription services. Now, the pandemic has forced people to stay home and clamp down on spending for non-essential items like clothing.
Macy's said that there won't be as many furloughs in its online operations, which continue to operate. Employees who are enrolled in health benefits will continue to receive coverage with the company covering 100% of the premium.
"We expect to bring colleagues back on a staggered basis as business resumes," Macy's said.
To survive in the meantime, Macy's, like a slew of other retailers, have taken steps to preserve their cash. Macy's has suspended its dividend, drawn down its line of credit, frozen hiring and spending, and cancelled orders. It said Monday it is now evaluating all financing options.
Follow Anne D'Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Glenbard South hoping for a second start for its boys volleyball program

If high school sports can resume this spring , Glenbard South 's boys volleyball program wo n't be starting over .
The Raiders will get a second chance to get started .
Glenbard South 's first-year program made it through four practices before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` It hurts everybody not being able to practice and play , '' said Raiders coach Chad Grant , noting only his freshmen played last year if they played at all , `` but it hurts us a little bit more since our sophomores through seniors are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as high school volleyball goes . ''
Glenbard South , the smallest school in District 87 , also was the only Glenbard school without a boys volleyball program .
There had been interest in a program because Glenbard South 's main feeder school , Glen Crest Middle School in Glen Ellyn , has long had a boys volleyball team .
`` There are kids in the building that have been asking me about this for years , '' said Grant , the coach of the Raiders ' girls program for nine years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ six seasons before taking over the Raiders ' boys this year .
The interest increased to the point Glenbard South decided it could support a program , athletic director Tim Carlson said .
The district has a strong history in boys volleyball .
Glenbard West owns seven state trophies , including three championships .
Glenbard East took third in 2006 .
Glenbard South 's program was approved in August by the district board of education .
It will be parent-funded the first three years , primarily through a $ 270 fee and fundraising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Grant and Carlson had been working through the school year to get the program off the ground , with scheduling the hardest part of the job .
They started with a JV team as well as a freshman A and a freshman B squad with plans to add a varsity team next season .
That plan to add varsity next year and play in the Upstate Eight Conference remains in place .
Grant attracted four players from his 2015 IHSA third-place Addison Trail team to coach the Raiders with him : Alex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jacob Grygo , the latter two as volunteers while they played at Benedictine University .
The Raiders practiced with 23 freshmen , 11 or 12 sophomores , three juniors and a senior , Grant said , calling the freshman class `` very strong . ''
Grant also coaches the Raiders ' freshman boys basketball team , which helped him recruit for volleyball .
The only positive to having the season suspended is that the program can save on expenses .
`` We 're saving a little bit , I guess , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` but at the same time we 're not able to really launch the program off the ground because we have n't been able to play any games or participate in that way . ''
Glenbard South was n't the only school trying to get a program going this spring .
District 155 was launching a co-op girls lacrosse team comprised of players from Crystal Lake South , Crystal Lake Central , Cary-Grove and Prairie Ridge .
The team went 15-0 last year as a JV squad .
The Mid-Suburban League East Division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacrosse varsity play this spring .

Glenbard South hoping for a second start for its boys volleyball program
The newly formed Glenbard South boys volleyball team runs through its first practice earlier this month. Photo courtesy of Glenbard South athletics
If high school sports can resume this spring, Glenbard South's boys volleyball program won't be starting over.
The Raiders will get a second chance to get started.
Glenbard South's first-year program made it through four practices before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It hurts everybody not being able to practice and play," said Raiders coach Chad Grant, noting only his freshmen played last year if they played at all, "but it hurts us a little bit more since our sophomores through seniors are already definitely behind everybody else as far as high school volleyball goes."
Glenbard South, the smallest school in District 87, also was the only Glenbard school without a boys volleyball program. There had been interest in a program because Glenbard South's main feeder school, Glen Crest Middle School in Glen Ellyn, has long had a boys volleyball team.
"There are kids in the building that have been asking me about this for years," said Grant, the coach of the Raiders' girls program for nine years. He coached Addison Trail's boys for six seasons before taking over the Raiders' boys this year.
The interest increased to the point Glenbard South decided it could support a program, athletic director Tim Carlson said.
The district has a strong history in boys volleyball. Glenbard West owns seven state trophies, including three championships. Glenbard East took third in 2006.
Glenbard South's program was approved in August by the district board of education. It will be parent-funded the first three years, primarily through a $270 fee and fundraising that was suspended when the season was.
Grant and Carlson had been working through the school year to get the program off the ground, with scheduling the hardest part of the job. They started with a JV team as well as a freshman A and a freshman B squad with plans to add a varsity team next season.
That plan to add varsity next year and play in the Upstate Eight Conference remains in place.
Grant attracted four players from his 2015 IHSA third-place Addison Trail team to coach the Raiders with him: Alex Dickmann, Zach Vaca. Arlind Rojba and Jacob Grygo, the latter two as volunteers while they played at Benedictine University.
The Raiders practiced with 23 freshmen, 11 or 12 sophomores, three juniors and a senior, Grant said, calling the freshman class "very strong."
Grant also coaches the Raiders' freshman boys basketball team, which helped him recruit for volleyball.
The only positive to having the season suspended is that the program can save on expenses.
"We're saving a little bit, I guess, by not playing," Carlson said, "but at the same time we're not able to really launch the program off the ground because we haven't been able to play any games or participate in that way."
Glenbard South wasn't the only school trying to get a program going this spring.
District 155 was launching a co-op girls lacrosse team comprised of players from Crystal Lake South, Crystal Lake Central, Cary-Grove and Prairie Ridge. The team went 15-0 last year as a JV squad.
The Mid-Suburban League East Division also planned to begin boys and girls lacrosse varsity play this spring.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Ben Franklin stockholders approve CAFCU acquisition

Stockholders of Ben Franklin Financial , the holding company for Ben Franklin Bank of Illinois , recently approved the bank 's acquisition by Corporate America Family Credit Union .
First announced last July , CAFCU will acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of Arlington Heights-based Ben Franklin Bank in an all-cash transaction .
Financial terms were not announced .
Ben Franklin Bank , which has branches in Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows , will be dissolved and become branch locations of CAFCU , according to the credit union .
Ben Franklin customers will become members of CAFCU with full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and services , as well as its larger lending limit , the credit union said last summer .
In addition to the stockholder 's approval , the bank also received approval of the sale from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago .
Approvals are still needed from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation , the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation , the National Credit Union Administration and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency , officials said in a statement .
The acquisition is expected to become final in the third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ben Franklin Bank was established in 1893 in Chicago as a building and loan association and has since become a full-service bank with and $ 93.2 million in assets .
It moved to Arlington Heights in 1967 as Douglas Savings and Loan , and changed its name to Ben Franklin Bank in 1998 .
CAFCU is 15th largest credit union in Illinois with assets totaling $ 616 million and providing banking services to more than 67,000 members , according to its website .
Other suburban locations include Rosemont , Streamwood and Warrenville .

Ben Franklin stockholders approve CAFCU acquisition
Stockholders of Ben Franklin Financial, the holding company for Ben Franklin Bank of Illinois, recently approved the bank's acquisition by Corporate America Family Credit Union.
First announced last July, CAFCU will acquire the assets and assume the liabilities of Arlington Heights-based Ben Franklin Bank in an all-cash transaction. Financial terms were not announced.
Ben Franklin Bank, which has branches in Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows, will be dissolved and become branch locations of CAFCU, according to the credit union. Ben Franklin customers will become members of CAFCU with full access to the credit union's products and services, as well as its larger lending limit, the credit union said last summer.
In addition to the stockholder's approval, the bank also received approval of the sale from the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. Approvals are still needed from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the National Credit Union Administration and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, officials said in a statement.
The acquisition is expected to become final in the third quarter of 2020, officials said.
Ben Franklin Bank was established in 1893 in Chicago as a building and loan association and has since become a full-service bank with and $93.2 million in assets. It moved to Arlington Heights in 1967 as Douglas Savings and Loan, and changed its name to Ben Franklin Bank in 1998.
CAFCU is 15th largest credit union in Illinois with assets totaling $616 million and providing banking services to more than 67,000 members, according to its website. Other suburban locations include Rosemont, Streamwood and Warrenville.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Chargers sign kick returner/wide receiver Darius Jennings

COSTA MESA , Calif. -- Darius Jennings has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers , the team said @ @ @ @ @ past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans , and has been utilized more as a @ @ @ @ @ He led the league in kick return average in 2018 ( 31.7 yards ) and @ @ @ @ @ a touchdown against Miami .
Jennings entered the league as an undrafted free agent with @ @ @ @ @ .
He appeared in eight games for the Titans last season and was a restricted @ @ @ @ @ not offered a contract .
Kick returns is one area where the Chargers are looking @ @ @ @ @ 26th in the league last season , averaging only 20.7 yards per return .

Chargers sign kick returner/wide receiver Darius Jennings
FILE - In this Sept. 19, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Titans' Darius Jennings (15) runs a kickoff return against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Jennings has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The team announced the move on Monday, March 30, 2020. Associated Press
FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2019, file photo, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Darius Jennings (15) warms up before the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta. Jennings has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. The team announced the move on Monday, March 30, 2020. Associated Press
COSTA MESA, Calif. -- Darius Jennings has signed a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, the team said Monday.
Jennings spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, and has been utilized more as a returner than wide receiver. He led the league in kick return average in 2018 (31.7 yards) and had a 94-yard return for a touchdown against Miami. Jennings entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 2015. He appeared in eight games for the Titans last season and was a restricted free agent, but was not offered a contract.
Kick returns is one area where the Chargers are looking to improve. They were 26th in the league last season, averaging only 20.7 yards per return.
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Naperville, Orlando promoters planning online Isolation Music Festival

A two-day live music festival is in the works for Naperville and Orlando -- and unlimited other places with internet access -- as organizers plan the first online streaming Isolation Music Festival .
Listeners can join through Twitch or IHEARTRADIO on April 18 and 19 to access eight-hour days of up-and-coming DJs , pop artists , acoustic indie or rock performances , hip-hop acts and possibly comedy or motivational speakers , organizers say .
It 's free , but concert promoters Chad Addie of Karben Studios in Naperville and Kyle Jung of Dedicated Productions in Orlando , ask listeners to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page .
That way , they say , performers who are suddenly without venues for their shows because of the COVID-19 pandemic can earn back some of the income they 'd been expecting .
`` I 've seen the impact firsthand that it 's having on the artists that I work with , '' said Addie , whose Karben Studios is a marketing agency and musician management service .
`` We 're just trying to get these artists something to get through this . ''
The festival will have a `` grass-roots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with artists performing from wherever they can during a period of social distancing and stay-at-home orders .
It should come as a welcome release to all who choose to get involved , organizers say .
Musicians get an audience and a way to connect digitally with the fan bases they 've worked hard to build .
Viewers watching at home on Twitch get an immersive audiovisual experience with the chance to chat with artists after each show .
Listeners tuning in through iHeartRadio get what Jung called `` an additional distraction from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commuting to an essential job where work must go on .
`` Music brings hope in a way that very few things can , '' Jung said .
Making a career out of making music is n't easy in the best of times .
`` When you get into a field like this , there 's a lot of risk involved , '' Jung said .
`` There 's a lot of sacrifice that comes with that -- a lot of sleepless nights and a whole lot of questions from family . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancellations started piling up , the longtime friends `` put our heads together and did n't sleep for about a week and put all of this together '' to plan the fest , Addie said .
Performers will include DJ Shawna , the official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks and a client of Addie 's , as well as DJ JaeBea , both of Milwaukee .
Also set to play are Milk Majer , a DJ based in Chicago , and Roman State and JC Carter , both based in Florida .
Addie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colleges and universities , music aggregation services and other industry contacts to seek artists from across the nation and world to stream their shows as part of the fest .
They 're seeking a lineup of about 20 acts to fill 20 hours across the event 's two days .
`` Everyone we 've reached out to has said yes , '' Addie said .
`` It 's a pretty obvious decision for most artists . ''
Although inspired by the loneliness of the stay-at-home orders to help decrease the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make roots into the in-person world in the future , organizers say .
It could become quarterly or monthly online to start .
`` The ultimate goal once this craziness is over , '' Addie said , `` is we actually want to have a physical event where we can bring a lot of these artists together . ''

Naperville, Orlando promoters planning online Isolation Music Festival
Kyle Jung of Dedicated Productions in Orlando is working with Chad Addie of Karben Studios in Naperville to produce the first Isolation Music Festival, set to stream live online April 18 and 19. Courtesy of Dedicated Productions
Chad Addie, CEO of Karben Studios in Naperville, is working with his friend Kyle Jung at Dedicated Productions in Florida to plan Isolation Music Festival, a two-day livestreaming concert event, for April 18 and 19. Courtesy of Karben Studios
DJ Shawna, who works as the official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks during noncoronavirus times, is one of the artists Karben Studios has booked to perform during Isolation Music Festival, a livestreaming concert event April 18 and 19. Courtesy of Karben Studios
A two-day live music festival is in the works for Naperville and Orlando -- and unlimited other places with internet access -- as organizers plan the first online streaming Isolation Music Festival.
Listeners can join through Twitch or IHEARTRADIO on April 18 and 19 to access eight-hour days of up-and-coming DJs, pop artists, acoustic indie or rock performances, hip-hop acts and possibly comedy or motivational speakers, organizers say.
It's free, but concert promoters Chad Addie of Karben Studios in Naperville and Kyle Jung of Dedicated Productions in Orlando, ask listeners to donate what they can through a GoFundMe page. That way, they say, performers who are suddenly without venues for their shows because of the COVID-19 pandemic can earn back some of the income they'd been expecting.
"I've seen the impact firsthand that it's having on the artists that I work with," said Addie, whose Karben Studios is a marketing agency and musician management service. "We're just trying to get these artists something to get through this."
The festival will have a "grass-roots, from-our-living-room-to-yours style," Jung said, with artists performing from wherever they can during a period of social distancing and stay-at-home orders.
It should come as a welcome release to all who choose to get involved, organizers say. Musicians get an audience and a way to connect digitally with the fan bases they've worked hard to build. Viewers watching at home on Twitch get an immersive audiovisual experience with the chance to chat with artists after each show. Listeners tuning in through iHeartRadio get what Jung called "an additional distraction from the craziness," especially if they're commuting to an essential job where work must go on.
"Music brings hope in a way that very few things can," Jung said.
Making a career out of making music isn't easy in the best of times.
"When you get into a field like this, there's a lot of risk involved," Jung said. "There's a lot of sacrifice that comes with that -- a lot of sleepless nights and a whole lot of questions from family."
That's why as soon as concert cancellations started piling up, the longtime friends "put our heads together and didn't sleep for about a week and put all of this together" to plan the fest, Addie said.
Performers will include DJ Shawna, the official DJ for the Milwaukee Bucks and a client of Addie's, as well as DJ JaeBea, both of Milwaukee. Also set to play are Milk Majer, a DJ based in Chicago, and Roman State and JC Carter, both based in Florida.
Addie and Jung continue to reach out through colleges and universities, music aggregation services and other industry contacts to seek artists from across the nation and world to stream their shows as part of the fest. They're seeking a lineup of about 20 acts to fill 20 hours across the event's two days.
"Everyone we've reached out to has said yes," Addie said. "It's a pretty obvious decision for most artists."
Although inspired by the loneliness of the stay-at-home orders to help decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Isolation Music Festival could make roots into the in-person world in the future, organizers say. It could become quarterly or monthly online to start.
"The ultimate goal once this craziness is over," Addie said, "is we actually want to have a physical event where we can bring a lot of these artists together."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--With new controls in place, Medline again using ethylene oxide at Waukegan plant

Medline Industries has resumed operations using ethylene oxide , a potential cancer causing gas , to sterilize medical equipment and devices at its facility in Waukegan .
Sterilization services at 1160 Northpoint Boulevard resumed Friday following the installation , testing , review and approval of a $ 10 million emission control system that captures 99.99 % of the ethylene oxide used there .
The plant employs 400 at the manufacturing and sterilization facility and is running three shifts , according to company spokesman Jesse Greenberg .
Besides its usual business of sterilizing surgical packs used by health care professionals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Food and Drug Administration for approval to reprocess N95 respirators and other face masks using ethylene oxide , Greenberg said .
Medline voluntarily discontinued the sterilization services on Dec. 13 , pending compliance with new state rules .
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency , Medline was allowed to resume operations after being found in compliance with new standards regarding the use of ethylene oxide .
The action followed consultation with the Illinois Attorney General 's office .
In a news release on the decision , the IEPA said the testing was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency representatives were on site to monitor and ensure it was done to applicable standards .
The agency said a review of final reports for the negative pressure system , continuous emissions monitoring system and `` stack '' emissions showed Medline complies with the Matt Haller Act .
Haller was a Willowbrook resident and outspoken opponent of Sterigenics , which used ethylene oxide to sterilize equipment .
He died last year of stomach cancer .
The Sterigenics facility closed last fall after more than 30 years and the company is being sued by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its operations .
Greenberg said the emission controls at Medline `` brings the most advanced safety technology in the world , '' to Waukegan .
Medline must meet monthly and annual caps on ethylene oxide emissions and conduct annual testing , according to the IEPA .
Visit www2.illinois.gov/epa for more information .
In late 2018 , the Lake County Health Department learned of concerns about the use of ethylene oxide at Medline 's facility as well as Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee .
Vantage uses the chemical to produce household items such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continuous monitoring system was put into operation in April 2019 .
Air monitoring around the two plants began last June .
According to the most recent health department update , a final 30-day period of monitoring will be conducted to provide post emission control data .
Many of the components sterilized in Waukegan are required to treat sick patients and those affected by COVID-19 , such as endotracheal tubes if a patient is put on a respirator and protective equipment like gowns and tubing , Greenberg said .

With new controls in place, Medline again using ethylene oxide at Waukegan plant
Medline Industries has resumed operations using ethylene oxide, a potential cancer-causing gas, to sterilize medical equipment and devices at its facility in Waukegan.
Sterilization services at 1160 Northpoint Boulevard resumed Friday following the installation, testing, review and approval of a $10 million emission control system that captures 99.99% of the ethylene oxide used there.
The plant employs 400 at the manufacturing and sterilization facility and is running three shifts, according to company spokesman Jesse Greenberg.
Besides its usual business of sterilizing surgical packs used by health care professionals, the company is working with the federal Food and Drug Administration for approval to reprocess N95 respirators and other face masks using ethylene oxide, Greenberg said.
Medline voluntarily discontinued the sterilization services on Dec. 13, pending compliance with new state rules.
According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Medline was allowed to resume operations after being found in compliance with new standards regarding the use of ethylene oxide. The action followed consultation with the Illinois Attorney General's office.
In a news release on the decision, the IEPA said the testing was conducted by a third-party contractor, but agency representatives were on site to monitor and ensure it was done to applicable standards.
The agency said a review of final reports for the negative pressure system, continuous emissions monitoring system and "stack" emissions showed Medline complies with the Matt Haller Act.
Haller was a Willowbrook resident and outspoken opponent of Sterigenics, which used ethylene oxide to sterilize equipment. He died last year of stomach cancer.
The Sterigenics facility closed last fall after more than 30 years and the company is being sued by dozens who say their health was harmed by its operations.
Greenberg said the emission controls at Medline "brings the most advanced safety technology in the world," to Waukegan.
Medline must meet monthly and annual caps on ethylene oxide emissions and conduct annual testing, according to the IEPA. Visit www2.illinois.gov/epa for more information.
In late 2018, the Lake County Health Department learned of concerns about the use of ethylene oxide at Medline's facility as well as Vantage Specialty Chemicals in Gurnee. Vantage uses the chemical to produce household items such as soap and shampoo. Its continuous monitoring system was put into operation in April 2019.
Air monitoring around the two plants began last June. According to the most recent health department update, a final 30-day period of monitoring will be conducted to provide post emission control data.
Many of the components sterilized in Waukegan are required to treat sick patients and those affected by COVID-19, such as endotracheal tubes if a patient is put on a respirator and protective equipment like gowns and tubing, Greenberg said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--State announces 8 new deaths, 461 new coronavirus cases

Illinois health officials announced eight new deaths from coronavirus infections and 461 new cases today .
That brings number of @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak began .
There are now 5,056 confirmed cases in the state as well @ @ @ @ @ deaths were a man in his 50s , a man in his 60s , a @ @ @ @ @ a woman in her 70s in Cook County ; a man in his 60s in @ @ @ @ @ in his 50s and a man in his 60s in Will County ; and a @ @ @ @ @ Kendall County .
The majority of confirmed cases remain largely in Chicago and the outlying @ @

State announces 8 new deaths, 461 new coronavirus cases
An inmate at the Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill was one of the eight new coronavirus victims, Illinois Department of Public Health officials announced Monday.
That brings the total number of deaths statewide to 73. In the 24-hour period, 461 more people were diagnosed, bringing the total to 5,057 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, officials reported at Gov. J.B. Pritzker's daily media briefing.
The outbreak at Stateville also includes 12 prisoners who are hospitalized with the disease, some on ventilators. Seventy-seven other prisoners with symptoms are being isolated at the prison. And 11 staff members are also isolated, officials said.
Illinois Department of Corrections personnel are seeking to control the spread of the infection with daily health checks, limited movement around the prison, protective gear for the staff, and daily temperature checks as staff members enter the facility, officials said.
The deaths announced Monday were a man in his 50s, a man in his 60s, a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s in Cook County; a man in his 60s in DuPage County; a man in his 50s and a man in his 60s in Will County; and a woman in her 60s in Kendall County.
In a separate news release, the Kane County coroner's office said an 88-year-old man from Huntley died from the coronavirus Monday.
The state health department reports 2,198 cases in Chicago, 1,529 in suburban Cook County, 320 in DuPage, 113 in Kane, 343 in Lake, 52 in McHenry and 224 in Will.
A Cook County map at https://ccdphcd.shinyapps.io/covid19/ shows Glenview with 77 cases, Des Plaines with 36, Schaumburg 19, Palatine 18, Mount Prospect 13, Wheeling 13, Arlington Heights 11, Streamwood 9, Elk Grove Village 8, Rolling Meadows 6 and Hoffman Estates 6 cases.
Lake County reported it is monitoring 10 long-term care facilities that have 36 cases combined.
Pritzker announced 500 beds for coronavirus patients are expected to be ready this week at McCormick Place in Chicago, with another 500 beds ready by next week. Ultimately, the facility is expected to have enough space to handle 3,000 patients. The facility will be operated by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois National Guard.
Pritzker also announced plans to reopen two closed hospitals: the former Advocate Sherman Medical Center in Elgin and the former Metro South Medical Center in Blue Island.
The governor reiterated his complaint that pleas for assistance from the federal government were not being heard, forcing Illinois to find other avenues and compete with other states and the federal government to secure the medical equipment necessary.
"The latest federal shipment pales in comparison to our request," Pritzker said. "And it was not the N95 masks we had requested and were promised, but surgical masks, which we didn't ask for."
He touted a state contract where 5.5 million N95 masks were procured. When asked what the state's fight against the coronavirus is costing, Pritzker said he doesn't have a solid figure yet.
"Honestly, cost is a consideration because you don't want to get gouged, but I am focused on keeping as many people safe and healthy as I can right now," he said.
After days of double-digit deaths from the virus and more than 1,000 new cases announced on Sunday, IDPH director Dr. Ngozi Ezike warned the latest numbers did not mean that deaths and illnesses are trending down.
"There's a lot of data we're looking at, so you can't look at it day-to-day, you have to look over trends," she said. "There may be a blip."
Pritzker echoed Ezike's warning.
"We have to look at today's numbers, and the next day, and the next day," he said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--Trump defends extending virus guidelines as spread continues

WASHINGTON -- Siding with public health experts ' dire projections , President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision to extend restrictive social distancing guidelines through the end of April , while bracing the nation for a coronavirus death toll that could exceed 100,000 people .
`` Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days , '' Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference .
He called refraining from public outings `` our shared patriotic duty '' during the outbreak .
The comments came a day after Trump made a dramatic course reversal and announced that he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and get the economy back up and running by Easter , as he said last week he hoped to do .
In the face of stark projections from his team and searing images of overwhelmed hospitals in his native New York City , Trump instead extended to April 30 the social distancing guidelines , which had been set to expire Monday .
Many states and local governments already have stiffer controls in place on mobility and gatherings .
`` The worst that could happen is you do it too early and all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump said during a nearly hour-long call-in interview with `` Fox & Friends '' as members of his coronavirus task force fanned out across other media outlets to warn the virus ' spread was only just beginning .
Trump 's impulse to reopen the country , driven by pleas from business leaders , met a sober reality check from health experts , including Dr. Anthony Fauci , the government 's top infectious disease expert , who on Sunday said the U.S. could experience between 100,000-200,000 deaths and millions of infections from the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington that the struggle against the coronavirus will not be resolved quickly even as Trump expressed a longing for normalcy .
`` It would not have been a good idea to pull back at a time when you really need to be pressing your foot on the pedal as opposed to on the brakes , '' Fauci said on CNN on Monday , describing how he and Dr. Deborah Birx , the coronavirus task force coordinator , had convinced Trump to reconsider .
`` We showed him the data .
He looked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away , '' Fauci said .
`` It was a pretty clear picture .
Dr. Debbie Birx and I went in to the Oval Office and leaned over the desk and said , 'Here are the data .
Take a look . '
He just shook his head and said , ' I guess we got to do it . '
'' Americans are now being asked to prepare for at least another 30 days of severe economic and social disruption , with schools and businesses closed and public life upended .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local government orders to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus , and employment claims have already skyrocketed .
Trump also spoke with the nation 's governors Monday , as did other members of his administration .
Birx told the governors that it 's `` several weeks away from the peak of the curve for the United States . ''
Trump said that modeling projected substantially more deaths if the nation did not incorporate social distancing .
`` I thought that was a very important study they did and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my own mind and maybe in your minds , '' Trump said in an audio that was obtained by The Associated Press .
Republican Gov .
Larry Hogan of Maryland voiced appreciation for the $ 2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that Trump signed into law last week and the president 's acknowledgment that states will need more help , but he also emphasized that governors are `` still frustrated '' about a scarcity of medical supplies .
The federal guidelines that Trump elected to continue recommend against group gatherings larger than 10 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health problems to stay home .
People are urged to work at home when possible and avoid restaurants , bars , nonessential travel and shopping trips .
Reflecting the extended restrictions , congressional officials on Monday said curbs on visitors to the U.S. Capitol would last an additional month , through April .
All tours in the Capitol Visitor Center are halted and only lawmakers , aides , credentialed visitors and journalists will be allowed in the Capitol and congressional office buildings .
For more than a week , Trump had been bombarded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged him to begin reopening the nation 's economy , at least in places with low infection rates , and warned of catastrophic consequences that could damage his reelection chances if it remained shuttered for much longer .
Trump told `` Fox & Friends '' that `` nobody '' was `` more worried '' about the economic impact on the country than he was .
But he said , `` We want to do something where we have the least death . ''
Trump , who has largely avoided talk of potential death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday that said 2.2 million people or more could have died had social distancing measures not been put in place .
And he said the country would be doing well if it `` can hold '' the number of deaths `` down to 100,000 . ''
In addition to the numbers , Trump said he was moved by harrowing scenes from New York , particularly hard-hit Elmhurst Hospital in his native Queens .
He described the images he 'd seen on television with `` body bags all over , in hallways .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trucks -- freezer trucks ... because they ca n't handle the bodies , there are so many of them .
...
I 've seen things that I 've never seen before . ''
But experts warn that those scenes could play out across the country , as the virus spreads .
Birx and Fauci said even areas that have so far been spared must prepare for the eventuality that they , too , will become hot spots , with undetected cases likely in existence now .
`` It 's critical that even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be circulating in your community , '' Birx told `` CBS This Morning '' on Monday .
Fauci said on ABC 's `` Good Morning America '' that smaller U.S. cities are now ripe for the kind of acceleration that has occurred in New York .
`` If you look throughout the country there are a number of smaller cities that are sort of percolating along , '' Fauci said .
`` It looks like it 's low level , it starts to accelerate , then it goes way up . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases reported by Monday morning , with more than 2,500 deaths , according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins .
Most people who contract COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms , which can include fever and cough but also milder cases of pneumonia , sometimes requiring hospitalization .
The risk of death is greater for older adults and people with other health problems .
Hospitals in the most afflicted areas are straining to handle patients and some are short of critical supplies .
In the `` Fox & Friends '' interview , Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hazard pay for medical professionals who are on the front lines of the pandemic .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin agreed , telling Fox Business Network in a separate interview that the idea `` makes a lot of sense '' and is `` definitely something we 'll put in the next bill . ''
Some lawmakers have said a fourth economic relief package eventually will be needed .
Meanwhile , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday that she wants the House to be ready as soon as it returns , perhaps in late April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy and strengthening the response to the virus .
She said she wanted the package to improve broadband , bolster hospitals and state and local governments and increase direct payments to Americans .
Pelosi said it should also strengthen safety requirements for first responders and medical workers and broaden workers ' leave for caring for relatives .
For weeks , Trump had minimized the gravity of the pandemic , and Pelosi on Sunday accused Trump of `` denial '' in the crisis and called it `` deadly . ''
Asked whether she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi told CNN : `` Yes , I am .
I 'm saying that . ''
`` She 's a sick puppy in my opinion , '' Trump said .
`` I think it 's a disgrace to her country , her family . ''

Trump defends extending virus guidelines as spread continues
President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the Rose Garden of the White House, Monday, March 30, 2020, in Washington. Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Siding with public health experts' dire projections, President Donald Trump on Monday defended his decision to extend restrictive social distancing guidelines through the end of April, while bracing the nation for a coronavirus death toll that could exceed 100,000.
"Challenging times are ahead for the next 30 days," Trump said during a Rose Garden press conference. He called refraining from public outings "our shared patriotic duty" during the outbreak.
The comments came a day after Trump made a dramatic course reversal and announced that he would not be moving to ease the guidelines and get the economy back up and running by Easter, as he said last week he hoped to do.
In the face of stark projections from his team and searing images of overwhelmed hospitals in his native New York City, Trump instead extended to April 30 the social distancing guidelines, which had been set to expire Monday. Many states and local governments already have stiffer controls in place on mobility and gatherings.
"The worst that could happen is you do it too early and all of a sudden it comes back," Trump said during a nearly hour-long call-in interview with "Fox & Friends" as members of his coronavirus task force fanned out across other media outlets to warn the virus' spread was only just beginning.
Trump's impulse to reopen the country, driven by pleas from business leaders, met a sober reality check from health experts, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease expert, who on Sunday said the U.S. could experience between 100,000-200,000 deaths and millions of infections from the pandemic.
That warning hardened a recognition in Washington that the struggle against the coronavirus will not be resolved quickly even as Trump expressed a longing for normalcy.
"It would not have been a good idea to pull back at a time when you really need to be pressing your foot on the pedal as opposed to on the brakes," Fauci said Monday on CNN, describing how he and Dr. Deborah Birx, the coronavirus task force coordinator, had convinced Trump to reconsider.
"We showed him the data. He looked at the data. He got it right away," Fauci said. "It was a pretty clear picture. Dr. Debbie Birx and I went in to the Oval Office and leaned over the desk and said, 'Here are the data. Take a look.' He just shook his head and said, 'I guess we got to do it.'"
Americans are now being asked to prepare for at least another 30 days of severe economic and social disruption, with schools and businesses closed and public life upended. A majority of Americans remain under state or local government orders to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus, and employment claims have already skyrocketed.
Trump said it was "pretty unlikely" that he would need to issue a nationwide stay-at-home order, adding he was in touch with governors on their actions.
Trump spoke with the nation's governors Monday, as did other members of his administration. Birx told the governors that it's "several weeks away from the peak of the curve for the United States." Trump said that modeling projected substantially more deaths if the nation did not incorporate social distancing.
"I thought that was a very important study they did and it sure solved a lot of problems in my own mind and maybe in your minds," Trump said in an audio that was obtained by The Associated Press.
Republican Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland voiced appreciation for the $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill that Trump signed into law last week and the president's acknowledgement that states will need more help, but he also emphasized that governors are "still frustrated" about a scarcity of medical supplies.
Governors also remain unsatisfied with the availability of testing kits to screen patients for the virus.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said the U.S. had now tested more than 1 million samples for the coronavirus.
But it wasn't clear if that figure represented actual patients or samples processed. With a population of over 330 million, 1 million patients tested would represent about one-third of 1 percent of all Americans. By comparison, South Korea has tested roughly twice as many people as a percentage of its population. Still, Trump boasted testing was "at a level that no other country has reached."
Public health experts have estimated the U.S. should be testing between 100,000 and 150,000 patients daily to track and contain the virus. Azar said the U.S. is testing "nearly 100,000 samples per day." Vice President Mike Pence said nearly three weeks ago that 4 millions tests were being distributed around the country
"I can tell you that every single governor in this United States understands the importance and the fact that we are way behind the curve on test kits," said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee.
The federal guidelines that Trump elected to continue recommend against group gatherings larger than 10 and urge older people and anyone with existing health problems to stay home. People are urged to work at home when possible and avoid restaurants, bars, nonessential travel and shopping trips.
For more than a week, Trump had been bombarded by calls from outside business leaders who urged him to begin reopening the nation's economy, at least in places with low infection rates, and warned of catastrophic consequences that could damage his reelection chances if it remained shuttered for much longer.
Trump told "Fox & Friends" that "nobody" was "more worried" about the economic impact on the country than he was. But he said, "We want to do something where we have the least death."
Trump, who has largely avoided talk of potential death and infection rates, cited projection models Sunday that said 2.2 million people or more could have died had social distancing measures not been put in place. And he said the country would be doing well if it "can hold" the number of deaths "down to 100,000."
In addition to the numbers, Trump said he was moved by harrowing scenes from New York, particularly hard-hit Elmhurst Hospital in his native Queens. He described the images he'd seen on television with "body bags all over, in hallways. I've been watching them bring in trailer trucks -- freezer trucks ... because they can't handle the bodies, there are so many of them. ... I've seen things that I've never seen before."
But experts warn that those scenes could play out across the country, as the virus spreads. Birx and Fauci said even areas that have so far been spared must prepare for the eventuality that they, too, will become hot spots, with undetected cases likely in existence now.
Fauci said on ABC's "Good Morning America" that smaller U.S. cities are now ripe for the kind of acceleration that has occurred in New York.
"If you look throughout the country there are a number of smaller cities that are sort of percolating along," Fauci said. "It looks like it's low level, it starts to accelerate, then it goes way up."
The U.S. had more than 140,000 COVID-19 cases reported by Monday morning, with more than 2,500 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins.
Most people who contract COVID-19 have mild or moderate symptoms, which can include fever and cough but also milder cases of pneumonia, sometimes requiring hospitalization. The risk of death is greater for older adults and people with other health problems. Hospitals in the most afflicted areas are straining to handle patients and some are short of critical supplies.
In the "Fox & Friends" interview, Trump also said his administration was considering providing hazard pay for medical professionals who are on the front lines of the pandemic. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin agreed, telling Fox Business Network in a separate interview that the idea "makes a lot of sense" and is "definitely something we'll put in the next bill." Some lawmakers have said a fourth economic relief package eventually will be needed.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Monday she wants the House to be ready as soon as it returns, perhaps in late April, to approve a fourth bill boosting the economy and strengthening the response to the virus. She said she wanted the package to improve broadband, bolster hospitals and state and local governments and increase direct payments to Americans.
Pelosi said it should also strengthen safety requirements for first responders and medical workers and broaden workers' leave for caring for relatives.
For weeks, Trump had minimized the gravity of the pandemic, and Pelosi on Sunday accused Trump of "denial" in the crisis and called it "deadly."
Trump lashed back on Fox Monday morning.
"She's a sick puppy in my opinion," Trump said. "I think it's a disgrace to her country, her family"
Associated Press writers Alan Suderman in Richmond, Virginia, Rachel La Corte in Olympia, and Darlene Superville contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--New equipment, staff pouring in for Lake Zurich assisted living center hit by virus

Donations of protective gear have poured in for a Lake Zurich assisted living center that late last week reported dire shortages as residents and employees battled a COVID-19 virus outbreak .
Officials with the company that manages Cedar Lake Assisted Living & Memory Care , 777 Church St. , also say they 're hiring nurses , caregivers and other professionals from the Lake Zurich area after the virus ' spread led to a staff shortage at the facility .
`` There has been an outpouring of support from the Lake Zurich community , '' said William Swearingen , senior vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spectrum Retirement Communities .
`` ( It ) has been overwhelming and heartwarming . ''
Cedar Lake has 65 residents .
Nine tested positive for the COVID-19 virus last week , company officials said .
One , a woman who had been in hospice care at Cedar Lake , died Friday at a hospital , Swearingen said .
That resident had multiple health issues that create a higher risk of death if the virus is contracted , he added .
The remaining eight infected residents are hospitalized , improving and doing well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities in Libertyville , Lombard , Cary , Streamwood , South Elgin , Burr Ridge and Palos Heights , as well as in nine other states .
Eight Cedar Lake residents are in precautionary isolation , Swearingen said , not the 17 that were initially reported to be isolated .
Cedar Lake 's staff total dropped by about 20 % after the outbreak began because of suspected infection or fears of infection .
Two workers tested positive last week .
Neither are caregivers , and both are recovering , Swearingen said .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease have since been cleared by tests .
Reeling from the outbreak , Spectrum officials reached out to other organizations Friday to request replacement personnel and equipment , and word spread via the Daily Herald and other media .
The response , Swearingen said , was `` astounding . ''
`` We have received numerous donations which helped alleviate the temporary challenge , '' Swearingen said .
`` The generosity by private citizens , local businesses , schools , and others was incredible . ''
As a result , the situation at Cedar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
As of Friday , clusters of COVID-19 cases had been discovered at five long-term care facilities in Lake County .
Thirteen residents and 10 employees had tested positive .
Lake County Health Department officials have refused to publicly identify the facilities experiencing outbreaks , and they wo n't confirm Cedar Lake is among them .
They would say the facilities are in Lake Zurich , Wauconda , Gurnee , Lincolnshire , and Zion , with one affected facility in each town .
The health department has been communicating with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crisis , said Chris Covelli , a spokesman for the county 's crisis team .
Facilities are advised to check employees for fever and other symptoms once or twice a day .
Patients who develop symptoms should either be tested or presumed to be infected and be isolated from other residents , Covelli said .
Additionally , the department recommends keeping sick people together as best as possible to limit spread of the virus .
The department has been distributing personal protective equipment to long-term care facilities , but the supply is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ region , Covelli said .
The department has requested additional gear from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency , he said .
Swearingen said health care providers need consistent recommendations and guidelines from health care authorities , as well as open dialogue with those agencies .
He 's also called for greater testing for health care staff .

New equipment, staff pouring in for Lake Zurich assisted living center hit by virus
Donations of protective gear have poured in for a Lake Zurich assisted living center that late last week reported dire shortages as residents and employees battled a COVID-19 outbreak.
Officials with the company that manages Cedar Lake Assisted Living & Memory Care, 777 Church St., also say they're hiring nurses, caregivers and other professionals from the Lake Zurich area after the virus' spread led to a staff shortage.
"There has been an outpouring of support from the Lake Zurich community," said William Swearingen, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Denver-based Spectrum Retirement Communities. "(It) has been overwhelming and heartwarming."
Cedar Lake has 65 residents. Nine tested positive for COVID-19 last week, company officials said. One, a woman who had been in hospice care at Cedar Lake, died Friday at a hospital, Swearingen said.
That resident had multiple health issues that create a higher risk of death if the virus is contracted, he added.
The remaining eight infected residents are hospitalized, improving and doing well, said Swearingen, whose company also operates facilities in Libertyville, Lombard, Cary, Streamwood, South Elgin, Burr Ridge and Palos Heights, as well as in nine other states.
Eight Cedar Lake residents are in precautionary isolation, Swearingen said, not 17 as initially reported.
Cedar Lake's staff total dropped by about 20% after the outbreak began because of suspected infection or fears of infection.
Two workers tested positive last week. Neither are caregivers, and both are recovering, Swearingen said. Other employees who were presumed to have the disease have since been cleared by tests.
Reeling from the outbreak, Spectrum officials reached out to other organizations Friday to request replacement personnel and equipment, and word spread via the Daily Herald and other media.
The response, Swearingen said, was "astounding."
"We have received numerous donations which helped alleviate the temporary challenge," Swearingen said. "The generosity by private citizens, local businesses, schools, and others was incredible."
As a result, the situation at Cedar Lake has "significantly improved," he said.
Clusters of COVID-19 cases had been discovered at 10 long-term care facilities in Lake County, up from five Friday, said Chris Covelli, a spokesman for the county's crisis team. Twenty-two residents have tested positive, and three have died. Fourteen employees have tested positive, while two employees are ill with symptoms resembling COVID-19.
"It is imperative that staff members at these facilities, and every essential employee, stay home if they feel ill or exhibit symptoms of COVID-19," Lake County Health Department Executive Director Mark Pfister said in a news release.
The health department has refused to publicly identify the facilities experiencing outbreaks, and they won't confirm Cedar Lake is among them.
The department has been communicating with all long-term care facilities in the county during the crisis, Covelli said.
Facilities are advised to check employees for fever and other symptoms once or twice a day. Patients who develop symptoms should either be tested or presumed to be infected and be isolated from other residents, Covelli said.
Additionally, the department recommends keeping sick people together as best as possible to limit spread of the virus.
The department has been distributing personal protective equipment to long-term care facilities, but the supply is running thin throughout the county and the region, Covelli said. The department has requested additional gear from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, he said.
Swearingen said health care providers need consistent recommendations and guidelines from health care authorities, as well as open dialogue with those agencies. He's also called for greater testing for health care staff.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-03-30--'A spiritual giant': Naperville church pastor dies after coronavirus diagnosis

A Naperville pastor known as a `` spiritual giant '' has died about a week after falling seriously ill with the coronavirus .
The Rev .
Angel Escamilla tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday , Calvary Church Lead Pastor Marty Sloan said in a Facebook video .
Escamilla , 67 , was hospitalized with pneumonia .
Family members said they were notified of his passing on Sunday evening .
Escamilla had served in ministry for more than 40 years .
His widow , Becky Escamilla , thanked church members for an outpouring of support .
`` Angel has made his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of God .
We cry , but we are not hopeless , '' she said in a Facebook message to the congregation .
`` The impression of his life has affected many .
It 's impossible to count the lives he impacted .
He will live in our hearts forever . ''
The couple had two sons and 10 grandchildren , according to a church biography .
One of their sons , also an associate pastor at Calvary , called him a `` spiritual giant . ''
`` If you have ever had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you know the amazing man of God he is , '' Michael Escamilla told the congregation .
`` Dad lived every day of his life to leave a spiritual legacy for those who would follow him .
Just a few days ago , one of his grandkids said to Papi : 'You gave us a legacy and life to strive to be like . '
`` Our family will be shaped and blessed because of the legacy of our Dad .
Future generations will love , bless others , minister and lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new legacy for the Escamillas . ''
His family is postponing a memorial service amid the coronavirus crisis and the statewide stay-at-home order .
`` I know there will be many of you who will want to be present to help us celebrate his home going and convey your love and support , '' Michael Escamilla said .
`` After we are able to meet in large gatherings again , our family will convey the details of a time to celebrate his life . ''
Sloan asked that church members continue to pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personally found Pastor Angel to be a man of strong faith in the Lord , a man in the Word , and a man of great prayer !
If anyone ever spoke into the heavens in prayer , it was Pastor Angel , '' Sloan said in the message .
`` He will be forever missed on our team and in the church family . ''

'A spiritual giant': Naperville church pastor dies after coronavirus diagnosis
The Rev. Angel Escamilla, a pastor at Calvary Church in Naperville, has died after testing positive for the coronavirus. Courtesy of Alberto Arteaga
A Naperville pastor known as a "spiritual giant" has died about a week after falling seriously ill with the coronavirus.
The Rev. Angel Escamilla tested positive for COVID-19 last Tuesday, Calvary Church Lead Pastor Marty Sloan said in a Facebook video. Escamilla, 67, was hospitalized with pneumonia. Family members said they were notified of his passing on Sunday evening.
Escamilla had served in ministry for more than 40 years. His widow, Becky Escamilla, thanked church members for an outpouring of support.
"Angel has made his step from this life into the presence of God. We cry, but we are not hopeless," she said in a Facebook message to the congregation. "The impression of his life has affected many. It's impossible to count the lives he impacted. He will live in our hearts forever."
The couple had two sons and 10 grandchildren, according to a church biography. One of their sons, also an associate pastor at Calvary, called him a "spiritual giant."
"If you have ever had the privilege of being around my dad, you know the amazing man of God he is," Michael Escamilla told the congregation. "Dad lived every day of his life to leave a spiritual legacy for those who would follow him. Just a few days ago, one of his grandkids said to Papi: 'You gave us a legacy and life to strive to be like.'
"Our family will be shaped and blessed because of the legacy of our Dad. Future generations will love, bless others, minister and lead their families well because Dad started a new legacy for the Escamillas."
His family is postponing a memorial service amid the coronavirus crisis and the statewide stay-at-home order.
"I know there will be many of you who will want to be present to help us celebrate his home going and convey your love and support," Michael Escamilla said. "After we are able to meet in large gatherings again, our family will convey the details of a time to celebrate his life."
Sloan asked that church members continue to pray for Escamilla's family.
"I personally found Pastor Angel to be a man of strong faith in the Lord, a man in the Word, and a man of great prayer! If anyone ever spoke into the heavens in prayer, it was Pastor Angel," Sloan said in the message. "He will be forever missed on our team and in the church family."