dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--Cullerton's advice to next Senate president: Unify

SPRINGFIELD -- The outgoing leader of Illinois ' Senate offered a piece of advice for whoever next assumes the position : `` Bring everyone together . ''
Chicago Democrat John Cullerton surprised his colleagues in November when he announced his intention to resign from the General Assembly .
He spent almost 40 years as a lawmaker , first serving in the House before moving to the Senate , where he was elected president in 2009 .
Senators will choose the chamber 's new president in an election Sunday , ending what Cullerton called the `` very humbling experience '' of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added , has been expressed by `` everybody who has ever gone through this process . ''
`` Everybody is equal .
Everybody has the same ranking .
You 're asking your peers to elevate you to this powerful position , and you 're reminded of your shortcomings by your colleagues , '' Cullerton said in an interview reflecting on the previous session .
`` You have to win them over .
That 's where the humility comes in . ''
Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford , a Democrat from Maywood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Democrat from Oak Park , appear to be the front-runners .
If neither secures at least 30 votes to guarantee their election , there is a possibility another Democrat could enter the contest .
Cullerton said he is `` staying out of the race . ''
By abstaining from the vote , he ensures he will `` be friends with my successor for sure '' and no one can accuse him of working `` against or for anybody . ''
Once the chamber 's new leader is chosen , Cullerton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the party so the successes of the previous session can be continued .
`` I spent more time trying to accommodate the people who would n't vote for me so everybody felt like they were on the same team .
It can be bitter , '' he said .
`` Whoever wins , though , they have to really work to bring people together . ''
The vote is a `` personal '' one -- senators want to know what a potential new leader can bring to the caucus and chamber in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Senate president contest occurs at the opening of a new General Assembly , lawmakers inquire whether they are under consideration for a paid committee chairman or leadership position .
Because this vote is in the middle of a two-year session , Cullerton said he speculates the current posts will not change .
`` Once you do that , '' he continued , `` please reach out to the other side .
When you have a supermajority , you have nothing to lose to talk to the Republicans . ''
The minority party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because its members know they do not have enough votes to be successful .
And collaboration will result in `` a better work product . ''
Cullerton cited the Grand Bargain he worked on with former Minority Leader Christine Radogno -- a package of major legislation including an income tax increase and workers ' compensation reform -- that helped both parties during the budget impasse years under former Republican Gov .
Bruce Rauner .
`` You have to , if you do it like I did , focus on making sure everyone is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a very challenging , time-consuming and rewarding job , '' he said .
`` And it 's not about the amount of money you can raise . ''

Cullerton's advice to next Senate president: Unify
John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, says he is "staying out of the race" to succeed him as state Senate president. His colleagues will vote on his replacement in a special meeting Sunday. File photo
SPRINGFIELD -- The outgoing leader of Illinois' Senate offered a piece of advice for whoever next assumes the position: "Bring everyone together."
Chicago Democrat John Cullerton surprised his colleagues in November when he announced his intention to resign from the General Assembly. He spent almost 40 years as a lawmaker, first serving in the House before moving to the Senate, where he was elected president in 2009.
Senators will choose the chamber's new president in an election Sunday, ending what Cullerton called the "very humbling experience" of campaigning for votes. That sentiment, he added, has been expressed by "everybody who has ever gone through this process."
"Everybody is equal. Everybody has the same ranking. You're asking your peers to elevate you to this powerful position, and you're reminded of your shortcomings by your colleagues," Cullerton said in an interview reflecting on the previous session. "You have to win them over. That's where the humility comes in."
Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, a Democrat from Maywood, and Assistant Senate Majority Leader Don Harmon, a Democrat from Oak Park, appear to be the front-runners. If neither secures at least 30 votes to guarantee their election, there is a possibility another Democrat could enter the contest.
Cullerton said he is "staying out of the race." By abstaining from the vote, he ensures he will "be friends with my successor for sure" and no one can accuse him of working "against or for anybody."
Once the chamber's new leader is chosen, Cullerton said that person must heal any division within the party so the successes of the previous session can be continued.
"I spent more time trying to accommodate the people who wouldn't vote for me so everybody felt like they were on the same team. It can be bitter," he said. "Whoever wins, though, they have to really work to bring people together."
The vote is a "personal" one -- senators want to know what a potential new leader can bring to the caucus and chamber in terms of initiatives and ideas.
And when a Senate president contest occurs at the opening of a new General Assembly, lawmakers inquire whether they are under consideration for a paid committee chairman or leadership position. Because this vote is in the middle of a two-year session, Cullerton said he speculates the current posts will not change.
"Once you do that," he continued, "please reach out to the other side. When you have a supermajority, you have nothing to lose to talk to the Republicans."
The minority party will not make "unreasonable demands" because its members know they do not have enough votes to be successful. And collaboration will result in "a better work product."
Cullerton cited the Grand Bargain he worked on with former Minority Leader Christine Radogno -- a package of major legislation including an income tax increase and workers' compensation reform -- that helped both parties during the budget impasse years under former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
"You have to, if you do it like I did, focus on making sure everyone is on the same page. It's a very challenging, time-consuming and rewarding job," he said. "And it's not about the amount of money you can raise."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--Elgin man faces minimum 42-year prison term after skipping rape trial

An Elgin man who was a no-show for his trial this week faces a minimum 42-year prison term after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting a girl he knew .
A Kane County jury Thursday convicted Mario Piñeda , 36 , of the 0-100 block of South DuBois Avenue , of seven counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse , according to prosecutors .
During the four-day trial , prosecutors presented evidence that Piñeda sexually assaulted the victim multiple times in 2016 .
The victim eventually told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father filed a police report .
Judge Charles Petersen set Piñeda 's next court appearance for March 26 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions , sentencing and forfeiture of bail .
Piñeda , who had been free on $ 20,000 bail , last appeared in court in September 2019 and was absent last week during the final conference before his trial .
`` I 'm proud of this victim for showing the strength to tell her story at her abuser 's trial , '' State 's Attorney Joe McMahon said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Piñeda , who fled like a coward instead owning up to his selfish crimes . ''
Piñeda faces a minimum sentence of 42 years in prison and a top punishment of 210 years behind bars .
He also must serve 85 % of any sentence and must register as a sex offender for life .
An arrest warrant has been issued for Piñeda and anyone with information is asked to call the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at ( 630 ) 208-5160 .

Elgin man faces minimum 42-year prison term after skipping rape trial
An Elgin man who was a no-show for his trial this week faces a minimum 42-year prison term after a jury convicted him of sexually assaulting a girl he knew.
A Kane County jury Thursday convicted Mario Piñeda, 36, of the 0-100 block of South DuBois Avenue, of seven counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under 13 and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to prosecutors.
During the four-day trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Piñeda sexually assaulted the victim multiple times in 2016. She eventually told her parents, and her father filed a police report.
Judge Charles Petersen set Piñeda's next court appearance for March 26 for motions, sentencing and forfeiture of bail.
Piñeda, who had been free on $20,000 bail, last appeared in court in September 2019 and was absent last week during the final conference before his trial.
"I'm proud of this victim for showing the strength to tell her story at her abuser's trial," State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "Her courage towers over that of Mr. Piñeda, who fled like a coward instead owning up to his selfish crimes."
Piñeda faces a top punishment of 210 years. He must serve 85% of any sentence and must register as a sex offender for life.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Piñeda. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--New carryout restaurant in Mundelein to serve Texas barbecue

A new carryout-only barbecue joint is expected to open next month in Mundelein .
Smokin ' BBQ on 45 has taken over a storefront at 428 N. Lake St. in Hawley Lake Plaza .
The restaurant 's sign already is above the door .
The space previously had been home to In and Out BBQ .
In and Out opened in 2016 to rave reviews from customers but closed about a year later , village officials said .
In and Out 's predecessor , Hong Kong Chop Suey , moved out in 2012 , relocating elsewhere in town .
Ahead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ owners Danita and Lee Ward were awarded a $ 4,503 grant from the village board on Monday to improve the kitchen 's plumbing , electrical system and ventilation hood .
The cash came from Mundelein 's Business Incentive Grant program , which aims to help local businesses or commercial landlords improve the appearance of their properties or replace old signs .
The Wards briefly spoke to trustees about their plans for the eatery before the vote .
Questions focused on the cuisine more than the plans for the grant .
Lee Ward described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items will include ribs , beef brisket , pulled pork , turkey legs and hot links , the Wards said .
`` We love to smoke and grill , '' Danita Ward told the board .
Several trustees seemed eager to place an order .
`` I ca n't wait to try this , '' Trustee Dawn Abernathy said .
Trustee Kerston Russell asked if the couple brought samples to the meeting and joked that he was `` deeply disappointed '' when told there were none .
Smokin ' BBQ on 45 initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Wards said .
They hope to expand to weekdays within a year .
This is n't the first culinary venture for the Wards .
They 've operated Da Kitchen Catering Co. in Palatine since 2009 , village documents indicate .
Smokin ' BBQ on 45 will join several other restaurants in Hawley Lake Plaza , including Subway and the Eating Hub .
Smokin ' BBQ on 45 is the 10th Mundelein business to receive a village grant this fiscal year .
Grants have totaled $ 73,497 so far .
The grant program @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

New carryout restaurant in Mundelein to serve Texas barbecue
A new carryout-only barbecue joint is expected to open next month in Mundelein.
Smokin' BBQ on 45 has taken over a storefront at 428 N. Lake St. in Hawley Lake Plaza. The restaurant's sign already is above the door.
The space previously had been home to In and Out BBQ. In and Out opened in 2016 to rave reviews from customers but closed about a year later, village officials said.
In and Out's predecessor, Hong Kong Chop Suey, moved out in 2012, relocating elsewhere in town.
Ahead of the opening, Smokin' BBQ owners Danita and Lee Ward were awarded a $4,503 grant from the village board on Monday to improve the kitchen's plumbing, electrical system and ventilation hood. The cash came from Mundelein's Business Incentive Grant program, which aims to help local businesses or commercial landlords improve the appearance of their properties or replace old signs.
The Wards briefly spoke to trustees about their plans for the eatery before the vote. Questions focused on the cuisine more than the plans for the grant.
Lee Ward described the menu as Texas-style barbecue. Entree items will include ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, turkey legs and hot links, the Wards said.
"We love to smoke and grill," Danita Ward told the board.
Several trustees seemed eager to place an order.
"I can't wait to try this," Trustee Dawn Abernathy said.
Trustee Kerston Russell asked if the couple brought samples to the meeting and joked that he was "deeply disappointed" when told there were none.
Smokin' BBQ on 45 initially will limit its hours to weekends, the Wards said. They hope to expand to weekdays within a year.
This isn't the first culinary venture for the Wards. They've operated Da Kitchen Catering Co. in Palatine since 2009, village documents indicate.
Smokin' BBQ on 45 will join several other restaurants in Hawley Lake Plaza, including Subway and the Eating Hub.
Smokin' BBQ on 45 is the 10th Mundelein business to receive a village grant this fiscal year. Grants have totaled $73,497 so far.
The grant program has a $75,000 budget this year.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--Atlanta United signs defender Castillo to bolster left back

ATLANTA -- Atlanta United announced the signing of defender Edgar Castillo on Friday .
The 33-year-old Castillo gives the MLS @ @ @ @ @ to compete for playing time with teenager George Bello .
Castillo spent more than a @ @ @ @ @ MX before moving to MLS in 2018 .
He spent the last two seasons with @ @ @ @ @ Castillo played on two championships teams in Liga MX .
He also has played in @ @ @ @ @ national team after switching countries to play for the Americans in 2009 .
Atlanta United @ @ @ @ @ Champions League against Honduran club Motagua on Feb. 18 .

Atlanta United signs defender Castillo to bolster left back
ATLANTA -- Atlanta United announced the signing of defender Edgar Castillo on Friday.
The 33-year-old Castillo gives the MLS team a veteran left back to compete for playing time with teenager George Bello.
Castillo spent more than a decade in Mexico's Liga MX before moving to MLS in 2018. He spent the last two seasons with Colorado and New England.
Castillo played on two championships teams in Liga MX. He also has played in 18 games for the U.S. national team after switching countries to play for the Americans in 2009.
Atlanta United opens play in the CONCACAF Champions League against Honduran club Motagua on Feb. 18.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/apf-Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--Heat say Justise Winslow out for at least another 2 weeks

MIAMI -- The Miami Heat say Justise Winslow will miss at least two more weeks while recovering from a back @ @ @ @ @ only once since Dec. 4 and is slated to be out for at least the @ @ @ @ @ team originally called Winslow 's injury a back strain , then updated the diagnosis to @ @ @ @ @ played off the bench in Miami 's win at Indiana on Jan. 8 .
The @ @ @ @ @ reappeared after that game .
He has not played since .
Friday 's game in @ @ @ @ @ 41st of the season and the 30th that Winslow has missed .
He 's averaging @ @ @ @ @ and 4.0 assists for the Heat this season .

Heat say Justise Winslow out for at least another 2 weeks
MIAMI -- The Miami Heat say Justise Winslow will miss at least two more weeks while recovering from a back injury.
Winslow has played only once since Dec. 4 and is slated to be out for at least the remainder of January. The team originally called Winslow's injury a back strain, then updated the diagnosis to a bone bruise.
Winslow played off the bench in Miami's win at Indiana on Jan. 8. The team said the back problems reappeared after that game. He has not played since.
Friday's game in Oklahoma City is Miami's 41st of the season and the 30th that Winslow has missed. He's averaging 11.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists for the Heat this season.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--More than 800 flights canceled at O'Hare, Midway due to storm

The Federal Aviation Administration halted all flights in and out of Chicago 's O'Hare Airport Friday night due to a sprawling winter storm hitting large sections of the Midwest that led to the closure of schools , universities and government offices .
The FAA lifted the stop at 9:45 p.m. , but by then hundreds of flights already were canceled Friday at at one of the nation 's busiest airports .
At 8:15 p.m. , the Chicago Department of Aviation was reporting 670 flights had been canceled at O'Hare , with 169 flights canceled at Midway , the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is travel you do n't need to make , consider postponing it , '' said meteorologist Ricky Castro .
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Cook , DuPage , Kane , Lake , Will and Kankakee counties until 6 a.m. Saturday , and one began earlier today for Boone , DeKalb , Lee , McHenry , Ogle , Winnebago , Grundy , Kendall , LaSalle , Ford and Livingston counties .
One to 3 inches of snow are expected Friday night , with higher totals of 3 to 5 inches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be followed by ice and later sleet or freezing rain until Saturday morning , according to the ABC 7 AccuWeather Team .
On Saturday , the Chicago area can expect rain mixing to snow with some light additional accumulations .
Last weekend , the winter storm canceled more than 1,200 flights at Chicago airports .

More than 800 flights canceled at O'Hare, Midway due to storm
The Federal Aviation Administration halted all flights in and out of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Friday because of the storm. Associated Press
Travelers wait at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, where 670 flights had been canceled as of 8:15 p.m. Friday because of the winter storm. Associated Press
The Federal Aviation Administration halted all flights in and out of Chicago's O'Hare Airport Friday night due to a sprawling winter storm hitting large sections of the Midwest that led to the closure of schools, universities and government offices.
The FAA lifted the stop at 9:45 p.m., but by then hundreds of flights already were canceled Friday at at one of the nation's busiest airports. At 8:15 p.m., the Chicago Department of Aviation was reporting 670 flights had been canceled at O'Hare, with 169 flights canceled at Midway, the city's other international airport.
"If there is travel you don't need to make, consider postponing it," said meteorologist Ricky Castro.
A winter weather advisory is in effect for Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Will and Kankakee counties until 6 a.m. Saturday, and one began earlier today for Boone, DeKalb, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Winnebago, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Ford and Livingston counties.
One to 3 inches of snow are expected Friday night, with higher totals of 3 to 5 inches in Chicago's Northern suburbs. The snow will be followed by ice and later sleet or freezing rain until Saturday morning, according to the ABC 7 AccuWeather Team.
On Saturday, the Chicago area can expect rain mixing to snow with some light additional accumulations.
Last weekend, the winter storm canceled more than 1,200 flights at Chicago airports.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--On Bryant rumors, Epstein says Cubs don't 'have to do anything'

Kris Bryant probably had 18.6 million good reasons to skip meeting the media late Friday afternoon before the 35th annual Cubs Convention got underway at the Sheraton Grand Chicago .
The subject of intense trade rumors throughout the off-season and still awaiting a ruling on his service-time grievance , Bryant finds himself in a difficult position with spring training scheduled to open in just over three weeks .
The Cubs ' star third baseman was a no-show Friday , but not for reasons you 'd expect .
`` It 's a bummer , he 's got the flu , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to make it to the stage for opening ceremonies and was greeted with big applause .
`` Bad timing , '' Epstein said .
`` I hope he feels better , but better now than during the season . ''
On March 26 , the Cubs open the regular season against the Brewers at Milwaukee .
It seems fait accompli Bryant is going to be wearing a different uniform by then as Epstein unloads his $ 18.6 million salary and slashes needed payroll to get under the salary cap .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're not in a position where we have to do anything , '' Epstein said .
`` You want to always avoid being put in a corner where you have to make a deal and your back 's against the wall and you 're going to take any deal that 's out there .
`` We 're not at all in that position .
Looking at the longer time horizon of the next two years , I think it would be wise at some point to do something that looks out a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little bit less for the short term .
But that does n't have to happen now .
We 're not in a position where we have to move anybody . ''
If Bryant is traded , it wo n't be until after his grievance is decided .
The case has been dragging on throughout the winter , but Epstein is staying patient .
`` It 's beyond our control , '' he said .
`` I think it 's important to respect the process .
It 's a significant case for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on it .
It 's important to Kris , obviously , otherwise he would n't have filed the grievance .
I 'm not going sit here and complain about it . ''
If he wins the case , Bryant is eligible for free agency at the end of this season .
If he loses , the 2016 National League MVP is under contractual control for two more years .
`` It 's hard , '' shortstop Javier Baez said .
`` If a player like Kris Bryant is going to get traded , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there .
It 's going to be a whole different team without him , but we 'll see what happens .
`` We 'll see if that happens , who 's coming , who 's not .
I think we 'll keep Kris here his entire career .
If that ( trade ) happens , I do n't know what is going to be the reaction of the fans and of the players . ''
•The Cubs acquired relief pitcher Casey Sadler in a trade with the Dodgers Friday and reportedly agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lefty reliever Tyler Olson .
Sadler was a combined 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in 33 games with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay last season .

On Bryant rumors, Epstein says Cubs don't 'have to do anything'
Patrick Kunzer/pkunzer@dailyherald.comKris Bryant came out for introductions Friday but not anywhere else Friday for the Cubs Convention. The star third baseman didn't get traded. He went to his room at the Chicago Grand Sheraton with the flu.
Kris Bryant probably had 18.6 million good reasons to skip meeting the media late Friday afternoon before the 35th annual Cubs Convention got underway at the Sheraton Grand Chicago.
The subject of intense trade rumors throughout the off-season and still awaiting a ruling on his service-time grievance, Bryant finds himself in a difficult position with spring training scheduled to open in just over three weeks.
The Cubs' star third baseman was a no-show Friday, but not for reasons you'd expect.
"It's a bummer, he's got the flu," Cubs president Theo Epstein said. Bryant was able to make it to the stage for opening ceremonies and was greeted with big applause.
"Bad timing," Epstein said. "I hope he feels better, but better now than during the season."
On March 26, the Cubs open the regular season against the Brewers at Milwaukee. It seems fait accompli Bryant is going to be wearing a different uniform by then as Epstein unloads his $18.6 million salary and slashes needed payroll to get under the salary cap.
Then again, maybe not.
"We're not in a position where we have to do anything," Epstein said. "You want to always avoid being put in a corner where you have to make a deal and your back's against the wall and you're going to take any deal that's out there.
"We're not at all in that position. Looking at the longer time horizon of the next two years, I think it would be wise at some point to do something that looks out a little bit more for the long term and a little bit less for the short term. But that doesn't have to happen now. We're not in a position where we have to move anybody."
If Bryant is traded, it won't be until after his grievance is decided. The case has been dragging on throughout the winter, but Epstein is staying patient.
"It's beyond our control," he said. "I think it's important to respect the process. It's a significant case for the industry. There's a lot riding on it. It's important to Kris, obviously, otherwise he wouldn't have filed the grievance. I'm not going sit here and complain about it."
If he wins the case, Bryant is eligible for free agency at the end of this season. If he loses, the 2016 National League MVP is under contractual control for two more years.
"It's hard," shortstop Javier Baez said. "If a player like Kris Bryant is going to get traded, he's one of the best players out there. It's going to be a whole different team without him, but we'll see what happens.
"We'll see if that happens, who's coming, who's not. I think we'll keep Kris here his entire career. If that (trade) happens, I don't know what is going to be the reaction of the fans and of the players."
•The Cubs acquired relief pitcher Casey Sadler in a trade with the Dodgers Friday and reportedly agreed to minor-league contracts with catcher Josh Phegley and lefty reliever Tyler Olson.
Sadler was a combined 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in 33 games with Los Angeles and Tampa Bay last season.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-17--Appeals court upholds pension benefits for widow of Buffalo Grove firefighter

An appellate panel has upheld a ruling that the widow of a Buffalo Grove firefighter who died of colon cancer is entitled to receive her husband 's full pension benefits .
A panel of three judges Friday affirmed the decision of a Lake County circuit court , which upheld the Buffalo Grove Firefighters Pension Board 's decision granting Kimberly Hauber , the widow of firefighter Kevin Hauber , his full pension of $ 101,549 a year .
Hauber , 51 , who worked nearly 24 years for the Buffalo Grove Fire Department , died in January 2018 after a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board ruled that Hauber 's colon cancer was the result of the cumulative effects of acts of duty .
However , the village contended that there is insufficient scientific evidence linking firefighting with colon cancer .
The village maintained that Kimberly Hauber instead should receive 75 percent of his pension , about $ 76,161 a year .
The difference , according to the village , will amount to about $ 1.7 million .
`` We continue to mourn the loss of Kevin Hauber and are grateful for the contributions he made to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to uphold our core obligation to be responsible stewards of property taxpayers ' funds , '' Village Manager Dane Bragg said in an announcement of the appeal .
The village also argued that the case could set a costly precedent for taxpayers across the state .
On Friday , however , the panel of the Appellate Court of Illinois Second District sided with the pension board .
The decision noted that fire department records showed Hauber responded to at least 127 fire calls that included building fires , vehicle fires , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of his career .
Buffalo Grove officials said Friday they were unable to comment on the case .
Thomas Duda , the attorney for Kimberly Hauber , could not be reached for comment Friday .

Appeals court upholds pension benefits for widow of Buffalo Grove firefighter
An appellate panel has upheld a ruling that the widow of a Buffalo Grove firefighter who died of colon cancer is entitled to receive her husband's full pension benefits.
A panel of three judges Friday affirmed the decision of a Lake County circuit court, which upheld the Buffalo Grove Firefighters Pension Board's decision granting Kimberly Hauber, the widow of firefighter Kevin Hauber, his full pension of $101,549 a year.
Hauber, 51, who worked nearly 24 years for the Buffalo Grove Fire Department, died in January 2018 after a long battle with cancer.
The fire pension board ruled that Hauber's colon cancer was the result of the cumulative effects of acts of duty.
However, the village contended that there is insufficient scientific evidence linking firefighting with colon cancer. The village maintained that Kimberly Hauber instead should receive 75 percent of his pension, about $76,161 a year. The difference, according to the village, will amount to about $1.7 million.
"We continue to mourn the loss of Kevin Hauber and are grateful for the contributions he made to our community; however, we are also required to uphold our core obligation to be responsible stewards of property taxpayers' funds," Village Manager Dane Bragg said in an announcement of the appeal.
The village also argued that the case could set a costly precedent for taxpayers across the state.
On Friday, however, the panel of the Appellate Court of Illinois Second District sided with the pension board.
The decision noted that fire department records showed Hauber responded to at least 127 fire calls that included building fires, vehicle fires, and outdoor fires involving flammable chemicals over the course of his career.
Buffalo Grove officials said Friday they were unable to comment on the case. Thomas Duda, the attorney for Kimberly Hauber, could not be reached for comment Friday.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--Correction: Australia-Dinosaur Trees story

CANBERRA , Australia -- Specialist firefighters have saved the world 's last remaining wild stand of a prehistoric tree from wildfires that razed forests west of Sydney , officials said Thursday .
Firefighters winched from helicopters to reach the cluster of fewer than 200 Wollemi Pines in a remote gorge in the Blue Mountains a week before a massive wildlife bore down , National Parks and Wildlife Service Director David Crust said .
The firefighters set up an irrigation system to keep the so-called dinosaur trees moist and pumped water daily from the gorge as the blaze that had burned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month edged closer .
Firefighting planes strategically bombed the fire front with fire retardant to slow its progress .
'That helped just to slow the intensity of the fire as it approached the site , ' Crust told Australian Broadcasting Corp. 'The Wollemi Pine is a particularly important species and the fact that this is the only place in the world where they exist and they exist in such small numbers is really significant , ' he added .
New South Wales state Environment Minister Matt Kean said the operation had saved the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singed .
'These pines outlived the dinosaurs , so when we saw the fire approaching we realized we had to do everything we could to save them , ' Kean said .
The Wollemi Pine had only been seen in its fossilized form and was thought long extinct before the stand was found in 1994 .
The fire that threatened it was brought under control this week after razing more than 510,000 hectares ( 1.26 million acres ) .
The fire also destroyed 90 % of the 5,000-hectare ( 12,400-acre ) Wollemi National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Crust said .
The exact location of the stand remains a closely guarded secret to help authorities protect the trees .
The Wollemi 's survival is one of the few positive stories to emerge from the unprecedented wildlife crisis in southeast Australia .
The fires have claimed at least 28 lives since September , destroyed more than 2,600 homes and razed more than 10.3 million hectares ( 25.5 million acres ) , mostly in New South Wales state .
The area burned is larger than the U.S. state of Indiana .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain this week in several areas .
The first green buds of regrowth have already emerged in some blacked forests following rain .

Correction: Australia-Dinosaur Trees story
CANBERRA, Australia -- In a story on Jan. 17, 2020, about specialist firefighters who have saved the world's last remaining wild stand of a prehistoric tree from Australia's wildfires, The Associated Press erroneously reported the size of Wollemi National Park. It is 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles), not 5,000 hectares (12,400 acres).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--USC beats UCLA 70-68 in 2OT, ends Bruins' unbeaten run

CARBONDALE , Ill. -- Gabby Walker took a bounce pass at the baseline and scored a left-handed layup as the clock was winding down , leading Southern Illinois to a 70-68 victory over No .
19 Missouri State on Friday night .
Southern Illinois had not beaten a Top 25 team since 1991 .
The loss ended Missouri State 's five-game win streak , and also ended the Bears ' school record 13-game Missouri Valley Conference road winning streak .
Kristen Nelson led the Salukis ( 10-6 , 2-3 ) with 14 points and three steals , Brittney Patrick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick also had five assists and eight rebounds .
Patrick threaded the bounce pass to Walker for the winner .
Alexa Willard scored 27 points for Missouri State ( 14-3 , 4-1 ) on 11-for-21 shooting but went 0 for 4 from beyond the 3-point line .
The Bears shot 1 of 9 from long distance and committed 17 turnovers .
The Blue Demons ( 16-2 , 6-0 Big East ) built a 47-33 advantage by halftime and maintained a double-digit lead through the second half .
Deja Church had 16 points and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which won its seventh straight .
A'riana Gray led the Musketeers ( 2-15 , 1-5 ) with 18 points and 11 rebounds .
Aaliyah Dunham added 15 points , and Lauren Wasylson and Carrie Gross scored 12 points each .

USC beats UCLA 70-68 in 2OT, ends Bruins' unbeaten run
LOS ANGELES -- Aliyah Jeune scored 27 points, Alissa Pili added 19 and Southern California beat No. 7 UCLA 70-68 in double overtime on Friday night, ending the Bruins' run as the nation's only remaining unbeaten team.
The Bruins (16-1, 5-1 Pac-12) had a 64-59 lead with 3:17 remaining in the second OT before the Trojans (9-8, 1-5) rallied, going on a 10-2 run to close the game. Pili's three-point play with 27 seconds remaining put USC in the lead for good.
UCLA had a chance to tie, but Chantal Horvat missed a layup with 2 seconds left. Natalie Chou forced double overtime with a 3-pointer from the corner at the buzzer.
Jeune and Alissa Pili also had double-doubles. Pili had 17 rebounds, and Jeune added 13.
Japreece Dean scored 24 points and Charisma Osborne had 20 for UCLA, which was missing star forward Michaela Onyenwere, who was sidelined with a sprained ankle.
NO. 8 OREGON STATE 81, CALIFORNIA 44
CORVALLIS, Ore. -- Destiny Slocum had 15 points and 11 assists and Oregon State rebounded from its first loss of the season to beat California.
Patricia Morris gave Oregon State (16-1, 4-1 Pac-12) a lift off the bench with a career-high 13 points.
Oregon State was playing for the first time since losing 55-47 to Arizona State on Sunday in Tempe.
Jaelyn Brown had a game-high 23 points for the Bears (8-8, 0-5), who have lost five games in a row.
NO. 14 DEPAUL 91, XAVIER 68
CINCINNATI -- Chante Stonewall scored 22 points, Lexi Held added 19 and DePaul eased past Xavier.
The Blue Demons (16-2, 6-0 Big East) built a 47-33 advantage by halftime and maintained a double-digit lead through the second half.
Deja Church had 16 points and Sonya Morris scored 11 for DePaul, which won its seventh straight.
A'riana Gray led the Musketeers (2-15, 1-5) with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Aaliyah Dunham added 15 points, and Lauren Wasylson and Carrie Gross scored 12 points each.
DePaul scored 25 points off Xavier's 24 turnovers.
NO. 18 ARIZONA STATE 67, WASHINGTON 50
SEATTLE -- Ja'Tavia Tapley had 15 points, 10 players figured in the scoring and Arizona State rolled past Washington.
Jamie Ruden added 10 points for the Sun Devils (14-4, 4-2 Pac-12), who won their fourth straight game.
Washington (10-6, 2-3) leads the Pac-12 in forced turnovers and steals per game. Arizona State's opportunistic defense forced 18 turnovers and scored 20 points off the miscues.
Amber Melgoza led Washington with 13 points and four assists. Mai-Loni Henson had 12 points and eight rebounds, and Haley Van Dyke scored 10 points,
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 70, NO. 19 MISSOURI STATE 68
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Gabby Walker took a bounce pass at the baseline and scored a left-handed layup as the clock was winding down, leading Southern Illinois past Missouri State.
Southern Illinois had not beaten a Top 25 team since 1991. The loss ended Missouri State's five-game win streak, and also ended the Bears' school record 13-game Missouri Valley Conference road winning streak.
Kristen Nelson led the Salukis (10-6, 2-3) with 14 points and three steals, Brittney Patrick and Nicole Martin added 12 points each. Patrick also had five assists and eight rebounds. Patrick threaded the bounce pass to Walker for the winner.
Alexa Willard scored 27 points for Missouri State (14-3, 4-1) on 11-for-21 shooting but went 0 for 4 from beyond the 3-point line. The Bears shot 1 of 9 from long distance and committed 17 turnovers.
NO. 21 ARIZONA 74, WASHINGTON STATE 67
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Cate Reese scored 26 points and led Arizona to a win over Washington State.
Reese made all 11 of her free throws and the Wildcats (14-3, 3-3 Pac-12) made 21 of 22 from the foul line. Aari McDonald added 19 points and eight rebounds.
The Cougars (9-8, 2-3) shot 56% (28 of 50) from the field, but were 4 of 9 from the foul line.
Chanelle Molina had 19 points, Borislava Hristova scored 14 and Ula Motuga added 10 for Washington State.
___
More AP women's basketball: https://apnews.com/Womenscollegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--'We want change': Hundreds rally in Geneva for Fox Valley Women's March

During a Saturday afternoon rally to kick off the second annual Fox Valley Women 's March , organizer Mary O'Connor challenged the hundreds in attendance with a call to action : Get out and vote .
Going a step further , she asked participants to encourage at least 10 new or disengaged voters to learn about the issues , research the candidates and visit the polls this year .
The hope , she says , is that each of those 10 people will spread the message to 10 more people , and so on .
`` The 2020 elections may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's history , '' O'Connor said .
`` Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy , and it is important that all voices be heard . ''
Spearheaded by We Can Lead Change-Fox Valley and the Kane County Coalition , the Fox Valley Women 's March aims to inspire change , advocate for equality and promote political engagement at the local level .
Organizers estimate 1,200 people braved the cold and blustery weather to participate in this year 's `` March to the Polls '' through downtown Geneva -- a larger crowd than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many carried handmade signs with phrases ranging from `` Equality for Everyone '' and `` Hear Me Roar '' to more specific messages about issues such as health care and immigration reform .
The Geneva event coincided with other Women 's March anniversary demonstrations around the world , including a rally and march in Woodstock , and a `` march only '' event that drew thousands to Chicago .
Elgin residents Michelle Zappia-Eickmeier and her mom , Terry Zappia , have participated in the Women 's March in Chicago since the historic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday 's weather forecast brought them to the event closer to home this year , they said , but their mission remains the same .
`` We 're real frustrated with the direction that the country 's going in as far as rights for women ( and ) rights in general , '' Zappia-Eickmeier said .
`` We want change .
We want to push the vote ... and get this country going back in the right direction . ''
Gun control , climate change , the 2020 census and equality for all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were among the other key topics addressed by a variety of guest speakers .
They included Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns , Kane County State 's Attorney Joe McMahon , state Rep. Karina Villa , and U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood , Bill Foster and Raja Krishnamoorthi .
Michelle Meyer of Aurora-based Mutual Ground also addressed the crowd , as did Geneva residents Hannah Paschke and Karoline Anthony , student representatives of the March for Our Lives movement against gun violence .
Several other activists , political candidates and grass-roots organizations were there , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indivisible team from DuPage County , said leader Sandra Alexander of Glen Ellyn .
She has carried the same sign since participating in the 2017 march in Chicago : `` Rise Up , Resist Bigotry . ''
`` We come today for common purposes : To march and to be heard , '' O'Connor said .
`` We march because we care .
We march for action , empowerment and for a better and more just America .
We march for the future generations .
And nothing is going to stop us .
@

'We want change': Hundreds rally in Geneva for Fox Valley Women's March
During a Saturday afternoon rally to kick off the second annual Fox Valley Women's March, organizer Mary O'Connor challenged the hundreds in attendance with a call to action: Get out and vote.
Going a step further, she asked participants to encourage at least 10 new or disengaged voters to learn about the issues, research the candidates and visit the polls this year. The hope, she says, is that each of those 10 people will spread the message to 10 more people, and so on.
"The 2020 elections may be the most important in our nation's history," O'Connor said. "Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and it is important that all voices be heard."
Spearheaded by We Can Lead Change-Fox Valley and the Kane County Coalition, the Fox Valley Women's March aims to inspire change, advocate for equality and promote political engagement at the local level.
Organizers estimate 1,200 people braved the cold and blustery weather to participate in this year's "March to the Polls" through downtown Geneva -- a larger crowd than last year when they estimate 700 attended. Many carried handmade signs with phrases ranging from "Equality for Everyone" and "Hear Me Roar" to more specific messages about issues such as health care and immigration reform.
The Geneva event coincided with other Women's March anniversary demonstrations around the world, including a rally and march in Woodstock, and a "march only" event that drew thousands to Chicago.
Elgin residents Michelle Zappia-Eickmeier and her mom, Terry Zappia, have participated in the Women's March in Chicago since the historic inaugural event in 2017. Uncertainty over Saturday's weather forecast brought them to the event closer to home this year, they said, but their mission remains the same.
"We're real frustrated with the direction that the country's going in as far as rights for women (and) rights in general," Zappia-Eickmeier said. "We want change. We want to push the vote ... and get this country going back in the right direction."
Gun control, climate change, the 2020 census and equality for all races, genders, faiths and abilities were among the other key topics addressed by a variety of guest speakers. They included Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns, Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon, state Rep. Karina Villa, and U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood, Bill Foster and Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Michelle Meyer of Aurora-based Mutual Ground also addressed the crowd, as did Geneva residents Hannah Paschke and Karoline Anthony, student representatives of the March for Our Lives movement against gun violence.
Several other activists, political candidates and grass-roots organizations were there, including more than a dozen members of an Indivisible team from DuPage County, said leader Sandra Alexander of Glen Ellyn. She has carried the same sign since participating in the 2017 march in Chicago: "Rise Up, Resist Bigotry."
"We come today for common purposes: To march and to be heard," O'Connor said. "We march because we care. We march for action, empowerment and for a better and more just America. We march for the future generations. And nothing is going to stop us."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--Storm's aftermath affects flights, traffic; big freeze is coming

After snow and freezing rain roiled the region and a big , blustery freeze moved in , police advised drivers Saturday to postpone the errands and hunker down .
As of about 2:30 p.m. Saturday , nearly 250 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport and 30 at Midway Airport as a result of the storm that blew in Friday and caused the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop .
About 800 flights were canceled Friday at both airports .
The Chicago Department of Aviation Saturday evening is reporting delays of less than 15 minutes at O'Hare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the afternoon reaching 45 mph could cause more angst for flyers .
`` Crews are working diligently and are prepared and equipped to return the airports to normal operations as soon as conditions permit , '' a Chicago Department of Aviation official said .
On the roads , slick conditions prevailed and public works departments in the suburbs raced to clear snow before the big chill moved in later Saturday .
Temperatures were dropping into the 20s in the midafternoon , and they will continue down to a low in the single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wind chil advisory for Kane , McHenry and other counties out west from 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday , with wind chills possibly reaching 20 below zero .
On Sunday , the high is predicted to be 15 degrees .
Illinois State Police Sgt .
Jacqueline Cepeda said authorities were not aware of any fatal crashes statewide as a result of the snowfall .
However , multiple fender-benders and spinouts have been reported throughout the suburbs .
`` There are n't any specific roads at this time that we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do ask drivers that if they must drive during these conditions , to please drive carefully and responsibly , '' she said .
`` We ask the public to allow extra time for travel , decrease their speed , increase traveling distance between cars and to keep their eyes on the road at all times .
We also ask that if they see emergency vehicles , or any vehicle with their lights flashing , to please move over and slow down , '' Cepeda said .
Air travelers are advised to check with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time to drive to the airport .

Big freeze with wind chill advisory is arriving as airports, traffic recover from storm
The snow and rain are moving out, and on cue tumultous winds and frigid temperatures are joining forces to create an ice factory in the region.
Gusts of up to 45 mph were forecast for Saturday evening with a low of 3 degrees, and the cold is projected to continue Sunday.
As of 6 p.m. Saturday, nearly 231 flights were canceled at O'Hare International Airport and 28 at Midway Airport as a result of the storm that blew in Friday and caused the Federal Aviation Administration to issue a ground stop. About 800 flights were canceled Friday at both airports.
The Chicago Department of Aviation Saturday evening is reporting delays of less than 15 minutes at O'Hare and Midway.
"Crews are working diligently and are prepared and equipped to return the airports to normal operations as soon as conditions permit," a Chicago Department of Aviation official said Saturday.
On the roads, slick conditions prevailed and public works departments in the suburbs raced to clear snow before temperatures dropped from the 30s Saturday morning into the 20s in the midafternoon. The National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for Kane, McHenry and other counties out west from 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, with wind chills possibly reaching 20 below zero.
Illinois State Police Sgt. Jacqueline Cepeda said authorities were not aware of any fatal crashes statewide as a result of the snowfall. However, multiple fender-benders and spinouts have been reported throughout the suburbs.
"There aren't any specific roads at this time that we are asking drivers to avoid, but we do ask drivers that if they must drive during these conditions, to please drive carefully and responsibly," she said.
"We ask the public to allow extra time for travel, decrease their speed, increase traveling distance between cars and to keep their eyes on the road at all times. We also ask that if they see emergency vehicles, or any vehicle with their lights flashing, to please move over and slow down," Cepeda said.
Air travelers are advised to check with their airlines for delays and allow plenty of time to drive to the airport.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--Constable: Shirtless children's hospital 'mayor' brings strength and smiles for everyone

Comfortable in his skin , 11-year-old Michael Carr of Bloomingdale sometimes peels off his shirt when he makes his rounds .
`` I 'm known for it there , '' Michael says of the shirtless look he 's perfected during his more than four years as a cancer patient at Lurie Children 's Hospital in Chicago .
`` I 'm the mayor of the 18th floor .
I like to play with kids , make them laugh and help them , even if they have tubes and everything . ''
Michael helps raise the spirits of adults , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ man .
I like to call him the mayor of Lurie Children 's , '' says Dr. Stewart Goldman , the division head of hematology , oncology , neuro-oncology and stem cell transplantation at the hospital , who says he finds `` absolute joy '' in treating patients such as Michael who still want to be kids .
`` He 'll come up and rub my belly and ask if I have twins in there , which I love .
He 's an inspiration .
You ca n't help but be happy when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' With his shirt off , Michael can show off the faint scar near the center of his chest where doctors inserted a port for his chemotherapy .
Three years ago this month , Michael got to make the triumphant walk in front of family , friends and his medical team to ring the End of Chemo bell and celebrate .
That summer his family hosted a Done With Chemo party in the family 's backyard with bounce houses and waterslides .
Michael 's cancer returned in October 2017 , and Michael has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemotherapy ever since .
His parents , Gia and Michael , recall how Michael got sick as a first-grader at Erickson Elementary School in Bloomingdale .
`` I threw up every morning , '' the boy says .
`` Then there was the day they picked me up at school and took me to the hospital and I got an IV . ''
On Oct. 20 , 2015 , Michael was diagnosed with medulloblastoma , a type of brain tumor that starts at the base of the skull and affects between 250 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later , two days before his 7th birthday , he had his first brain surgery at Lurie Children 's Hospital to remove the tumor .
Then came 30 days of radiation at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center in Warrenville .
`` That 's where I got the stickers , '' Michael says proudly , rushing off to his Chicago Blackhawks-themed bedroom to grab the laminated sheet of stickers awarded him after treatments .
`` I enjoyed that .
They always kept me asleep for it . ''
While Michael , and his parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not pleasant , Michael has found a way to make the best of it .
`` At first , getting my port in hurted .
Next thing you know , I got used to it , '' Michael says .
`` I really enjoy the hospital , the doctors and nurses .
I have ice cream , Coke and Goldfish , and sometimes Oreos . ''
He loves being the big brother to Frankie , 9 , and 7-year-old Joey .
His smile knows no boundaries .
`` He does make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` He handles everything just like this , '' says his dad , who owns GMC Realty .
All the pokes , probes and potions do n't seem to bother him .
`` Sometimes , '' Michael says , lowering his voice as if he 's telling a secret , `` just to be dramatic , I fake it . ''
He even finds a silver lining in that first chemo session that made all his brown hair fall out .
`` I did n't even have to get haircuts , '' Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form of a tumor on the left side of his head , requiring a second surgery where part of the tumor was too difficult to remove from his brain .
He had a third surgery after he had a seizure , stared off into space and starting drooling while at a local restaurant with his dad .
`` That was kind of weird , '' Michael says of the seizure .
`` I felt like I needed to throw up and then I could n't remember anything .
I just woke up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye roll , Michael nods in his dad 's direction .
`` To him , it was scary , '' Michael concedes .
`` I was talking to you and you just started drifting away , '' his dad recalls .
`` It was terrifying , '' his mom says .
While the cancer 's return was devastating news , the fifth-grader now is part of a new and novel trial where he takes a combination of oral chemo drugs to keep his cancer from getting worse .
`` Given all that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarkably well , '' says Goldman , who notes that Lurie Children 's is one of 11 top hospitals nationwide that make up the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium , which is dedicated to curing illnesses in children such as Michael .
Things are stable now , Gia says , noting that her son gets scanned every two months to check on the tumor 's progress .
`` There are still options out there , '' she said .
In the meantime , Michael and his family are doing all they can to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jan. 26 , Michael will participate in Aon 's Step Up for Kids -- climbing 1,643 steps to raise money to support Family Services at Lurie Children 's .
This will be the fourth year the Carr family has participated with their `` Miracles for Michael '' team , which will probably consist of more than 50 family members and friends wearing matching T-shirts .
`` Mine says , 'Miracles 4 Me , ' '' notes Michael , who also designed the logo featuring him as Superman crushing cancer .
To find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donate to Michael 's team , visit foundation.luriechildrens.org and search for `` Miracles for Michael . ''
The steps will be difficult , but Michael has experience with difficult journeys .
`` How about when I 'm done with all this , you put that in the paper ? ''
says Michael , who knows the thrill of ringing that End of Chemo bell .
`` That was nice , and I 'm going to be able to do it again . ''

Constable: Shirtless children's hospital 'mayor' brings strength and smiles for everyone
During his treatment for cancer, Michael Carr, right, of Bloomingdale, shares a moment with his brothers Frankie, center, and Joey in the halls of Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. Courtesy of Gia Carr
Undergoing treatment for brain cancer, Michael Carr of Bloomingdale says he enjoys his friendship with Dr. Stewart Goldman and all the health care professionals at Chicago's Lurie Children's Hospital. Courtesy of Gia Carr
Comfortable in his skin, 11-year-old Michael Carr of Bloomingdale sometimes peels off his shirt when he makes his rounds.
"I'm known for it there," Michael says of the shirtless look he's perfected during his more than four years as a cancer patient at Lurie Children's Hospital in Chicago. "I'm the mayor of the 18th floor. I like to play with kids, make them laugh and help them, even if they have tubes and everything."
Michael helps raise the spirits of adults, too.
"Michael Carr is an exceptional young man. I like to call him the mayor of Lurie Children's," says Dr. Stewart Goldman, the division head of hematology, oncology, neuro-oncology and stem cell transplantation at the hospital, who says he finds "absolute joy" in treating patients such as Michael who still want to be kids. "He'll come up and rub my belly and ask if I have twins in there, which I love. He's an inspiration. You can't help but be happy when you spend time with Michael Carr."
With his shirt off, Michael can show off the faint scar near the center of his chest where doctors inserted a port for his chemotherapy. Three years ago this month, Michael got to make the triumphant walk in front of family, friends and his medical team to ring the End of Chemo bell and celebrate. That summer his family hosted a Done With Chemo party in the family's backyard with bounce houses and waterslides.
Michael's cancer returned in October 2017, and Michael has been enduring a new trial of oral chemotherapy ever since.
His parents, Gia and Michael, recall how Michael got sick as a first-grader at Erickson Elementary School in Bloomingdale.
"I threw up every morning," the boy says. "Then there was the day they picked me up at school and took me to the hospital and I got an IV."
On Oct. 20, 2015, Michael was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of brain tumor that starts at the base of the skull and affects between 250 and 500 kids a year. Three days later, two days before his 7th birthday, he had his first brain surgery at Lurie Children's Hospital to remove the tumor. Then came 30 days of radiation at the Northwestern Medicine Proton Center in Warrenville.
"That's where I got the stickers," Michael says proudly, rushing off to his Chicago Blackhawks-themed bedroom to grab the laminated sheet of stickers awarded him after treatments. "I enjoyed that. They always kept me asleep for it."
While Michael, and his parents, acknowledge the stages of fighting cancer are not pleasant, Michael has found a way to make the best of it.
"At first, getting my port in hurted. Next thing you know, I got used to it," Michael says. "I really enjoy the hospital, the doctors and nurses. I have ice cream, Coke and Goldfish, and sometimes Oreos."
He loves being the big brother to Frankie, 9, and 7-year-old Joey.
His smile knows no boundaries.
"He does make it easy," his mom says.
"He handles everything just like this," says his dad, who owns GMC Realty.
All the pokes, probes and potions don't seem to bother him.
"Sometimes," Michael says, lowering his voice as if he's telling a secret, "just to be dramatic, I fake it."
He even finds a silver lining in that first chemo session that made all his brown hair fall out.
"I didn't even have to get haircuts," Michael gushes.
The cancer returned in the form of a tumor on the left side of his head, requiring a second surgery where part of the tumor was too difficult to remove from his brain. He had a third surgery after he had a seizure, stared off into space and starting drooling while at a local restaurant with his dad.
"That was kind of weird," Michael says of the seizure. "I felt like I needed to throw up and then I couldn't remember anything. I just woke up in the hospital."
With a slight eye roll, Michael nods in his dad's direction. "To him, it was scary," Michael concedes.
"I was talking to you and you just started drifting away," his dad recalls.
"It was terrifying," his mom says.
While the cancer's return was devastating news, the fifth-grader now is part of a new and novel trial where he takes a combination of oral chemo drugs to keep his cancer from getting worse.
"Given all that's happened to him, he's doing remarkably well," says Goldman, who notes that Lurie Children's is one of 11 top hospitals nationwide that make up the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium, which is dedicated to curing illnesses in children such as Michael.
Things are stable now, Gia says, noting that her son gets scanned every two months to check on the tumor's progress.
"There are still options out there," she said.
In the meantime, Michael and his family are doing all they can to support other kids and families. On Sunday, Jan. 26, Michael will participate in Aon's Step Up for Kids -- climbing 1,643 steps to raise money to support Family Services at Lurie Children's. This will be the fourth year the Carr family has participated with their "Miracles for Michael" team, which will probably consist of more than 50 family members and friends wearing matching T-shirts.
"Mine says, 'Miracles 4 Me,'" notes Michael, who also designed the logo featuring him as Superman crushing cancer. To find out more about the fundraiser or to donate to Michael's team, visit foundation.luriechildrens.org and search for "Miracles for Michael."
The steps will be difficult, but Michael has experience with difficult journeys.
"How about when I'm done with all this, you put that in the paper?" says Michael, who knows the thrill of ringing that End of Chemo bell. "That was nice, and I'm going to be able to do it again."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--SAG Awards are like family for production manager from Buffalo Grove

To the public , the SAG Awards -- airing Sunday -- might look like just another movie and TV awards program .
But production manager Adam Cohen , who grew up in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling , calls it something else .
`` It 's a Chicago family affair ! ''
Cohen said .
And he 's not kidding .
When the TNT and TBS networks broadcast the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at 7 p.m. on Sunday , audiences wo n't know how many former or current suburbanites work behind the scenes to make the production happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) grew up in Barrington and takes time off from his job as a Chicago criminal defense attorney to work the SAG show .
Other production personnel include Buffalo Grove High School grad Jonathan Rosenberg of Arlington Heights ; Morton Grove brothers Noah , Mark and Mike Simmons ; interns Kelly Rogers of Elk Grove Village and Sheridan Hurtig of Mundelein ; and Adam 's wife , Rachel Heller Cohen , from Highland Park .
`` We are like family , really , '' Adam Cohen said .
`` Everyone knows everybody .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even though we only work together for three months .
`` When I got married , most of them came to the wedding , When my mom passed away , they sent me flowers and got me gift cards for meals . ''
Sunday marks Cohen 's 16th SAG Awards show , the Screen Actors Guild 's annual recognition of the year 's best performances in television and motion pictures .
Cohen , 39 , lived in Wheeling until he was 5 .
He lived in Buffalo Grove until he graduated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bradley University in Peoria as an accounting major .
`` I realized very quickly working on tax returns and finances was not for me , '' he said .
So he switched over to be a TV/movie major .
`` The irony is that I now work with figures and budgets for productions . ''
As a freelance producer , Cohen has amassed an impressive resume of projects , among them `` The Red Nose Day Special '' and a March Madness Final 4 concert , along with `` Pipe Dreams '' and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golf Channel .
As the production manager on the SAG Awards , he does pretty much everything .
`` I have my hands in every department , '' Cohen said .
`` I oversee the entire production .
I hire the staff , supervise the production assistants and coordinators , handle the vendors , catering , security , order the internet fiber lines , keep the production accounts , make sure the payroll gets processed properly , order the bottled water , 350 walkie-talkies and tuxedos .
If you need a golf cart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see . ''
Cohen admitted the SAGs can be stressful , but he says it 's still a lot of fun .
`` We 've got this thing down , running smooth , '' he said .
`` The show responsibilities have become second nature at this point . ''
As soon as Cohen finishes the SAG Awards , he will turn his attention to his next job as the international production manager for the 92nd Academy Awards show on Feb. 9 .
`` My job is to take the main show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world to all the countries that have paid to broadcast the Oscars , like Canada , Japan , France and India , '' Cohen said .
He works on three to 15 shows a year , but the SAGs are his favorite .
`` I keep coming back to this show because it 's a family . ''

SAG Awards are like family for production manager from Buffalo Grove
Stevenson High School grad Adam Cohen poses with Shelley Fabares, his favorite actress and a former SAG Awards committee member. Cohen, who grew up in Wheeling and Buffalo Grove, is the show's production manager. Courtesy of Adam Cohen
Adam Cohen, who grew up in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, works as a freelance producer for the SAG Awards and others. The ceremony airs Sunday, Jan. 19, on TBS and TNT. Courtesy of Adam Cohen
SAG Awards production manager Adam Cohen, who grew up in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, poses with his wife, Rachel Heller Cohen, before a past awards ceremony. Courtesy of Adam Cohen
SAG Awards production manager Adam Cohen, who grew up in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, poses with his wife, Rachel Heller Cohen, before last year's ceremony. Courtesy of Adam Cohen
To the public, the SAG Awards -- airing Sunday -- might look like just another movie and TV awards program.
But production manager Adam Cohen, who grew up in Buffalo Grove and Wheeling, calls it something else.
"It's a Chicago family affair!" Cohen said. And he's not kidding.
When the TNT and TBS networks broadcast the 26th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at 7 p.m. on Sunday, audiences won't know how many former or current suburbanites work behind the scenes to make the production happen.
Todd Cohen (no relation to Adam) grew up in Barrington and takes time off from his job as a Chicago criminal defense attorney to work the SAG show.
Production coordinator Mike Reyes hails from Oak Park.
Other production personnel include Buffalo Grove High School grad Jonathan Rosenberg of Arlington Heights; Morton Grove brothers Noah, Mark and Mike Simmons; interns Kelly Rogers of Elk Grove Village and Sheridan Hurtig of Mundelein; and Adam's wife, Rachel Heller Cohen, from Highland Park.
"We are like family, really," Adam Cohen said. "Everyone knows everybody. We keep in touch throughout the year, even though we only work together for three months.
"When I got married, most of them came to the wedding, When my mom passed away, they sent me flowers and got me gift cards for meals."
Sunday marks Cohen's 16th SAG Awards show, the Screen Actors Guild's annual recognition of the year's best performances in television and motion pictures.
Cohen, 39, lived in Wheeling until he was 5. He lived in Buffalo Grove until he graduated from Stevenson High School, then went to Bradley University in Peoria as an accounting major.
That didn't last long.
"I realized very quickly working on tax returns and finances was not for me," he said. So he switched over to be a TV/movie major.
"The irony is that I now work with figures and budgets for productions."
As a freelance producer, Cohen has amassed an impressive resume of projects, among them "The Red Nose Day Special" and a March Madness Final 4 concert, along with "Pipe Dreams" and "Chasing The Dream" on the Golf Channel.
As the production manager on the SAG Awards, he does pretty much everything.
"I have my hands in every department," Cohen said. "I oversee the entire production. I hire the staff, supervise the production assistants and coordinators, handle the vendors, catering, security, order the internet fiber lines, keep the production accounts, make sure the payroll gets processed properly, order the bottled water, 350 walkie-talkies and tuxedos. If you need a golf cart for security, I'm the one you see."
Cohen admitted the SAGs can be stressful, but he says it's still a lot of fun.
"We've got this thing down, running smooth," he said. "The show responsibilities have become second nature at this point."
As soon as Cohen finishes the SAG Awards, he will turn his attention to his next job as the international production manager for the 92nd Academy Awards show on Feb. 9.
"My job is to take the main show feed and send it out into the world to all the countries that have paid to broadcast the Oscars, like Canada, Japan, France and India," Cohen said.
He works on three to 15 shows a year, but the SAGs are his favorite.
"I keep coming back to this show because it's a family."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--After felony convictions, Elgin man now has chance to become a marijuana craft grower

Felony drug convictions nearly 23 years ago turned life upside down for Peter Maccaro , who said he spent years rebuilding professionally and financially .
Now , the 58-year-old Elgin man hopes to start a new chapter by taking advantage of marijuana 's legalization , particularly its social equity program that gives people with marijuana-related criminal records a leg up into the new business .
Maccaro , who until last year worked as a corporate trainer for Aramark Corp. and now is a hemp grower , hopes to be awarded one of 40 state licenses for marijuana craft growers available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he can get extra points on his application and pay reduced application and license fees .
`` I did n't ever think that being arrested on charges of marijuana would be a plus , '' Maccaro said .
Maccaro said he moved to Elgin from Colorado in his late 20s to be with his mother , who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer , and started growing marijuana at home because his mother 's oncologist said it could help with nausea .
`` I read every single book I could find on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elgin Community College , '' he said .
He was arrested in May 1996 , not long after his mother died , when his girlfriend , with whom he 'd broken up , called police to report he was growing marijuana , he said .
`` She got back at me .
...
It was horrible , '' he said .
Maccaro was arrested after he was accused of growing more than 50 cannabis plants at his residence and was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver of up to 5,000 grams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kane County court records show .
He was arrested again in September 1996 and charged with felony cannabis possession and possession of drug paraphernalia .
Maccaro pleaded guilty to both Kane County charges in early 1997 and was sentenced to 6½ years in prison on the May 1996 case and a year in prison on the September 1996 case , records show .
He was accepted into the `` impact incarceration program , '' or boot camp , in February 1997 .
Maccaro said he completed the program -- `` 120 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day '' -- and was released on probation .
`` A lot of people would look at it and say , 'Marijuana caused you a lot of problems . '
But I guess my look at it is that marijuana laws caused me a lot of problems , '' Maccaro said .
`` Would I do it again ?
Absolutely .
The main focus when I started growing marijuana was to get a quality product to give to my mother to help with her cancer . ''
At the time of his arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Evanston , where he worked as a chef and other roles as needed , he said .
Once released , his probation officer told him he needed to find a job locally , so he got a job in construction in Elgin .
His relationship with the restaurant soured and the partnership eventually ended , he said .
`` I had a hard time finding a decent job , '' Maccaro said .
`` I felt like even after I paid my debt to society , I still had to keep paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was fighting with my background . ''
After about a decade in construction , Maccaro said , he finally got a job as research and development chef with Whole Foods Market , which did background checks going back only seven years .
`` When I found that out I said , ' I 'm good .
I 'm golden , ' '' he said .
He was hired in 2013 by Aramark Corp. , whose background checks also did n't go as far back as his conviction .
`` Twenty years later I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before all the problems -- making decent money with a decent job and a decent schedule , '' he said .
Maccaro said he worked for Aramark as executive chef , food services director and corporate trainer .
An Aramark representative confirmed his employment there .
Maccaro said he decided to leave his corporate job last year to follow his longtime passion and work as a grower for Old Barn Hemp in Huntley , where he was hired June 1 .
`` I decided to jump off and take the chance to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love , but also knowing legalization was coming , '' he said .
Peter Maccaro of Elgin started working last year as a grower at Old Barn Hemp in Huntley in anticipation of applying to become a marijuana craft grower -- for which he might have an advantage in the state 's marijuana-related social equity law .
Peter Maccaro of Elgin started working last year as a grower at Old Barn Hemp in Huntley in anticipation of applying to become a marijuana craft grower -- for which he might have an advantage in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Getting a license So far only the existing 21 medical marijuana cultivation centers across the state have been approved to grow recreational marijuana .
The Illinois Department of Agriculture will accept applications for craft growers -- intended to be smaller businesses -- Feb. 14 through March 16 , and will award up to 40 licenses by July 1 .
Under marijuana legalization , Maccaro 's lesser felony conviction qualifies for expungement and allows him to participate in the social equity program .
Social equity applicants are eligible for 200 points on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 points ; a $ 2,500 application fee , instead of $ 5,000 ; and receiving technical assistance , grants and low-interest loans .
The license fee is $ 20,000 for social equity applicants and double that for everyone else .
Maccaro also plans to apply for a marijuana transportation license , again by leveraging social equity for extra points and reduced fees .
As for Maccaro 's more serious felony conviction , it is not an automatic disqualifier for getting a craft grower license .
Applicants are required to disclose their criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Department of Agriculture spokesman Joe Kienzler said .
When assessing criminal records , the department will consider factors including the age of the applicant at the time of the crime and how many years have passed , as well as evidence of `` present fitness and professional character , '' according to published rules .
Maccaro , who is partnering with longtime friend Jeff Schroeder of Elgin for the craft growing business , said he expects intense competition for licenses and hopes that his good conduct for nearly a quarter-century will play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Chicago firm Locke Lord , with whom Maccaro and Schroeder consulted in October , said the scoring of applications is designed to be based on factual components .
Those include the suitability of the proposed facility and employee training plan , plus plans for safety , cultivation , record-keeping and more .
`` When it comes to reviewing someone 's record , I am not sure how much the human factor will have an effect , '' said Standa , whose firm has a cannabis-related blog .
`` It 's still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's look at the application as a whole and how many points are they eligible for .
... Are they in the top 40 applicants and if so , do they get a license ? ''
Maccaro and Schroeder said they have been looking for a space in Elgin for their business venture .
They figured they need about 25,000 square feet , including 5,000 square feet of growing area , to start .
The license application requires , at a minimum , a lease or purchase option for a facility where local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
So far the partners have n't found a suitable space but are confident they 'll find one , Maccaro said .
`` We talked to a number of people who have had buildings open here in Elgin for years , and we were not able to convince them to give us a shot , '' he said .
`` There is still a lot of stigma . ''
Maccaro earned a horticulture seminar certification last fall from Oaksterdam University , which calls itself `` America 's first cannabis college . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana business in Colorado and has spent time there learning how to breed new strains .
Some key things he learned : Maintain a correct pH level , feed plants properly and inoculate roots with a beneficial bacteria tea .
`` It 's a weed ; it 's not rocket surgery , '' he said .
Maccaro said he got his medical marijuana card last summer -- he qualifies because of a hepatitis C diagnosis -- which allowed him to start growing marijuana at home and check out local dispensaries for research .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispensaries typically offer more than a dozen indica strains of cannabis but only one or two of sativa strains .
`` As I researched , I found out sativa is the most popular , but the problem is they take longer to grow , they do n't yield as much and it 's more expensive to produce , '' he said .
`` We are going to be the sativa guys .
We are going to concentrate on that spectrum of the business . ''
Schroeder said the idea of partnering with Maccaro @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medical marijuana dispensary in Rolling Meadows .
`` He 's known Pete and I for 20-plus years and he was saying , 'This would be perfect for you guys . '
'' Maccaro is the `` poster boy '' for marijuana social equity , Schroeder said .
`` He was impacted by the illegality of it , and the law now , and the Pritzker administration , is doing lots of stuff to make amends .
And the fact that he 's also an expert at what we are trying to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Kim Gilmore , who heads Gilmore Marketing Concepts in Elgin , is working on the marketing and business plan for the craft growing venture , which required research based in states that previously legalized marijuana , she said .
`` There 's only so many of these golden tickets , '' Gilmore said .
`` We 're just crossing our fingers that he 's the perfect candidate . ''

After felony convictions, Elgin man now has chance to become a marijuana craft grower
Felony drug convictions nearly 23 years ago turned life upside down for Peter Maccaro, who said he spent years rebuilding professionally and financially.
Now, the 58-year-old Elgin man hopes to start a new chapter by taking advantage of marijuana's legalization, particularly its social equity program that gives people with marijuana-related criminal records a leg up into the new business.
Maccaro, who until last year worked as a corporate trainer for Aramark Corp. and now is a hemp grower, hopes to be awarded one of 40 state licenses for marijuana craft growers available by July 1. Under social equity, he can get extra points on his application and pay reduced application and license fees.
"I didn't ever think that being arrested on charges of marijuana would be a plus," Maccaro said.
Two arrests
Maccaro said he moved to Elgin from Colorado in his late 20s to be with his mother, who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and started growing marijuana at home because his mother's oncologist said it could help with nausea.
"I read every single book I could find on it. I took botany classes at Elgin Community College," he said.
He was arrested in May 1996, not long after his mother died, when his girlfriend, with whom he'd broken up, called police to report he was growing marijuana, he said. "She got back at me. ... It was horrible," he said.
Maccaro was arrested after he was accused of growing more than 50 cannabis plants at his residence and was charged with felony possession with intent to deliver of up to 5,000 grams of cannabis and felony possession of LSD, Kane County court records show.
He was arrested again in September 1996 and charged with felony cannabis possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Maccaro pleaded guilty to both Kane County charges in early 1997 and was sentenced to 6½ years in prison on the May 1996 case and a year in prison on the September 1996 case, records show.
He was accepted into the "impact incarceration program," or boot camp, in February 1997. Maccaro said he completed the program -- "120 days, they make you sing that every day" -- and was released on probation.
"A lot of people would look at it and say, 'Marijuana caused you a lot of problems.' But I guess my look at it is that marijuana laws caused me a lot of problems," Maccaro said. "Would I do it again? Absolutely. The main focus when I started growing marijuana was to get a quality product to give to my mother to help with her cancer."
Finding a job
At the time of his arrest, Maccaro was co-owner of Trio restaurant in Evanston, where he worked as a chef and other roles as needed, he said.
Once released, his probation officer told him he needed to find a job locally, so he got a job in construction in Elgin. He eventually sold his stake in the partnership, he said.
"I had a hard time finding a decent job," Maccaro said. "I felt like even after I paid my debt to society, I still had to keep paying and paying because of this thing I was fighting with my background."
After about a decade in construction, Maccaro said, he finally got a job as research and development chef with Whole Foods Market, which did background checks going back only seven years. "When I found that out I said, 'I'm good. I'm golden,'" he said.
He was hired in 2013 by Aramark Corp., whose background checks also didn't go as far back as his conviction. "Twenty years later I finally got back to where I was before all the problems -- making decent money with a decent job and a decent schedule," he said.
Maccaro said he worked for Aramark as executive chef, food services director and corporate trainer. An Aramark representative confirmed his employment there.
Maccaro said he decided to leave his corporate job last year to follow his longtime passion and work as a grower for Old Barn Hemp in Huntley, where he was hired June 1.
"I decided to jump off and take the chance to not only go back and do what I love, but also knowing legalization was coming," he said.
- Rick West | Staff Photographer Peter Maccaro of Elgin started working last year as a grower at Old Barn Hemp in Huntley in anticipation of applying to become a marijuana craft grower -- for which he might have an advantage in the state's marijuana-related social equity law.
So far only the existing 21 medical marijuana cultivation centers across the state have been approved to grow recreational marijuana. The Illinois Department of Agriculture will accept applications for craft growers -- intended to be smaller businesses -- Feb. 14 through March 16, and will award up to 40 licenses by July 1.
Under marijuana legalization, Maccaro's lesser felony conviction qualifies for expungement and allows him to participate in the social equity program.
Social equity applicants are eligible for 200 points on the application, out of a possible total 1,000 points; a $2,500 application fee, instead of $5,000; and receiving technical assistance, grants and low-interest loans. The license fee is $20,000 for social equity applicants and double that for everyone else.
Maccaro also plans to apply for a marijuana transportation license, again by leveraging social equity for extra points and reduced fees.
As for Maccaro's more serious felony conviction, it is not an automatic disqualifier for getting a craft grower license. Applicants are required to disclose their criminal record and go through a background check, Department of Agriculture spokesman Joe Kienzler said.
When assessing criminal records, the department will consider factors including the age of the applicant at the time of the crime and how many years have passed, as well as evidence of "present fitness and professional character," according to published rules.
Maccaro, who is partnering with longtime friend Jeff Schroeder of Elgin for the craft growing business, said he expects intense competition for licenses and hopes that his good conduct for nearly a quarter-century will play in his favor.
Attorney David Standa of the Chicago firm Locke Lord, with whom Maccaro and Schroeder consulted in October, said the scoring of applications is designed to be based on factual components. Those include the suitability of the proposed facility and employee training plan, plus plans for safety, cultivation, record-keeping and more.
"When it comes to reviewing someone's record, I am not sure how much the human factor will have an effect," said Standa, whose firm has a cannabis-related blog. "It's still going to be, 'Hey, let's look at the application as a whole and how many points are they eligible for. ... Are they in the top 40 applicants and if so, do they get a license?"
Hands-on research
Maccaro and Schroeder said they have been looking for a space in Elgin for their business venture. They figured they need about 25,000 square feet, including 5,000 square feet of growing area, to start.
The license application requires, at a minimum, a lease or purchase option for a facility where local zoning allows marijuana growing, attorney Standa said. So far the partners haven't found a suitable space but are confident they'll find one, Maccaro said.
"We talked to a number of people who have had buildings open here in Elgin for years, and we were not able to convince them to give us a shot," he said. "There is still a lot of stigma."
Maccaro earned a horticulture seminar certification last fall from Oaksterdam University, which calls itself "America's first cannabis college." He said he has friends in the marijuana business in Colorado and has spent time there learning how to breed new strains.
Some key things he learned: Maintain a correct pH level, feed plants properly and inoculate roots with a beneficial bacteria tea. "It's a weed; it's not rocket surgery," he said.
Maccaro said he got his medical marijuana card last summer -- he qualifies because of a hepatitis C diagnosis -- which allowed him to start growing marijuana at home and check out local dispensaries for research. For example, he found out that dispensaries typically offer more than a dozen indica strains of cannabis but only one or two of sativa strains.
"As I researched, I found out sativa is the most popular, but the problem is they take longer to grow, they don't yield as much and it's more expensive to produce," he said. "We are going to be the sativa guys. We are going to concentrate on that spectrum of the business."
Schroeder said the idea of partnering with Maccaro came from a mutual friend who manages a medical marijuana dispensary in Rolling Meadows. "He's known Pete and I for 20-plus years and he was saying, 'This would be perfect for you guys.'"
Maccaro is the "poster boy" for marijuana social equity, Schroeder said.
"He was impacted by the illegality of it, and the law now, and the Pritzker administration, is doing lots of stuff to make amends. And the fact that he's also an expert at what we are trying to do ... he's got it all."
Kim Gilmore, who heads Gilmore Marketing Concepts in Elgin, is working on the marketing and business plan for the craft growing venture, which required research based in states that previously legalized marijuana, she said.
"There's only so many of these golden tickets," Gilmore said. "We're just crossing our fingers that he's the perfect candidate."
• Daily Herald staff writer Harry Hitzeman contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--National Archives says it was wrong to alter images

WASHINGTON -- Officials at the National Archives on Saturday said they would remove from display an altered photo of the 2017 Women 's March in which signs held by marchers that were critical of President Donald Trump had been blurred .
In tweets on Saturday , the museum said : `` We made a mistake . ''
`` As the National Archives of the United States , we are and have always been completely committed to preserving our archival holdings , without alteration , '' one of the tweets said .
`` This photo is not an archival record held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we licensed to use as a promotional graphic , '' another tweet said .
`` Nonetheless , we were wrong to alter the image . ''
The altered 49-by-69-inch photograph was part of a display that showed the 2017 march from one perspective and , viewed from another angle , showed a 1913 black-and-white image of a women 's suffrage march also on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington .
The display linked momentous demonstrations for women 's rights more than a century apart on the same stretch of pavement .
Marchers in the 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Getty Images , were shown carrying a variety of signs , at least four of which were altered by the museum .
A placard that proclaims `` God Hates Trump '' has `` Trump '' blotted out so that it reads `` God Hates . ''
A sign that reads `` Trump & GOP -- Hands Off Women '' has the word Trump blurred out .
Signs with messages that referenced women 's anatomy -- which were prevalent at the march -- are also digitally altered .
Museum officials initially defended the alterations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the museum hosts groups of students and young people , for whom some of the words could have been perceived as inappropriate .
On Saturday after the museum 's acknowledgment , Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley said he was pleased that the National Archives is `` out of the photoshop business . ''
`` It 's refreshing that the National Archives stepped up and fixed a grave wrong , '' he said .
`` It 's more important than ever that U.S. government institutions keep their integrity intact with the American public @ @

National Archives says it was wrong to alter images
This is a close-up of an altered sign in a photograph from the Women's March in 2017 that is on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The original image is populated with a variety of signs; at least four of the signs are altered in the exhibit at the National Archives. MUST CREDIT: Washington Post photo by Salwan Georges
WASHINGTON -- Officials at the National Archives on Saturday said they would remove from display an altered photo of the 2017 Women's March in which signs held by marchers that were critical of President Donald Trump had been blurred.
In tweets on Saturday, the museum said: "We made a mistake."
"As the National Archives of the United States, we are and have always been completely committed to preserving our archival holdings, without alteration," one of the tweets said.
"This photo is not an archival record held by the @usnatarchives, but one we licensed to use as a promotional graphic," another tweet said. "Nonetheless, we were wrong to alter the image."
The altered 49-by-69-inch photograph was part of a display that showed the 2017 march from one perspective and, viewed from another angle, showed a 1913 black-and-white image of a women's suffrage march also on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington. The display linked momentous demonstrations for women's rights more than a century apart on the same stretch of pavement.
Marchers in the 2017 photograph, taken by Mario Tama of Getty Images, were shown carrying a variety of signs, at least four of which were altered by the museum. A placard that proclaims "God Hates Trump" has "Trump" blotted out so that it reads "God Hates." A sign that reads "Trump & GOP -- Hands Off Women" has the word Trump blurred out. Signs with messages that referenced women's anatomy -- which were prevalent at the march -- are also digitally altered.
Museum officials initially defended the alterations as an effort to be nonpartisan and because the museum hosts groups of students and young people, for whom some of the words could have been perceived as inappropriate.
But in a Washington Post article published Friday, prominent historians expressed dismay.
On Saturday after the museum's acknowledgment, Rice University historian Douglas Brinkley said he was pleased that the National Archives is "out of the photoshop business."
"It's refreshing that the National Archives stepped up and fixed a grave wrong," he said. "It's more important than ever that U.S. government institutions keep their integrity intact with the American public."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-18--Fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Carol Stream under scrutiny

State and local authorities are investigating three cases of Legionnaires ' disease -- two of them fatal -- at a Covenant Living retirement home in Carol Stream .
`` Two residents of Windsor Park have died from a combination of Legionnaires ' disease and other underlying conditions , '' DuPage County Health Department spokesman Don Bolger said Saturday .
The names of the Covenant Living at Windsor Park residents , ages and when they died are considered `` protected health information '' and could not be released , officials said .
Legionnaires ' disease struck at another local Covenant Living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed at Covenant Living at the Holmstad in Batavia , the Kane County Health Department reported in October .
Several Holmstad residents were hospitalized as a result .
The illness broke out at the Windsor Park retirement community after May 2019 , officials said .
The Illinois Department of Public Health and DuPage experts are collecting information from the site and will visit Windsor Park to test its water .
Windsor Park staff members are also seeking answers and `` taking action based on its water management plan and implementing multiple control measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DuPage County officials said .
Covenant Living could not be reached for comment Saturday .
Covenant officials are providing information to `` potentially impacted '' residents , staff members and visitors about Legionnaires ' disease and `` are following IDPH recommendations to identify other potential cases and to ensure appropriate testing and clinical management , '' DuPage County health department officials said .
Legionnaires ' disease is a serious lung infection or pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria , according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control .
People can become ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ containing the bacteria .
The bacteria can be found in cooling towers , showers , fountains and hot tubs .
The disease commonly occurs in residential settings with complicated water systems like hotels , cruise ships and hospitals , state experts said .
It is not contagious from person to person and most healthy individuals do not get the disease after exposure .

Fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Carol Stream under investigation
Authorities are investigating three cases of Legionnaires' disease, two of them fatal, at the Covenant Living of Windsor Park retirement home. Daily Herald File Photo
State and local authorities are investigating three cases of Legionnaires' disease -- two of them fatal -- at a Covenant Living retirement home in Carol Stream.
"Two residents of Windsor Park have died from a combination of Legionnaires' disease and other underlying conditions," DuPage County Health Department spokesman Don Bolger said Saturday.
The names of the Covenant Living at Windsor Park residents, ages and when they died are considered "protected health information" and could not be released, officials said.
Legionnaires' disease struck at another local Covenant Living complex in 2019. Thirteen cases were confirmed at Covenant Living at the Holmstad in Batavia, the Kane County Health Department reported in October. Several Holmstad residents were hospitalized as a result.
The Illinois Department of Public Health and DuPage experts are collecting information from Windsor Park and will test its water.
Covenant Living issued a statement saying Windsor Park has "a resident residing in skilled nursing who was admitted from the local community and tested positive for the Legionella bacteria. Our prayers are with this individual at this time."
Covenant officials also said that "within the last 12 months, we had two other cases, one in May of 2019 and another in November of 2019. We believe each is unique and unrelated given the timeframe. Our top priority is the health, safety and well-being of our residents."
Windsor Park is "taking action based on its water management plan and implementing multiple control measures" that include flushing the plumbing system, DuPage County officials said.
The company is "following IDPH recommendations to identify other potential cases and to ensure appropriate testing and clinical management," health department officials said.
Covenant officials have informed employees and residents.
Legionnaires' disease is a serious lung infection or pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. People can become ill by breathing in mist or swallowing water containing the bacteria.
The bacteria can be found in cooling towers, showers, fountains and hot tubs. The disease commonly occurs in residential settings with complicated water systems like hotels, cruise ships and hospitals, state experts said.
It is not contagious from person to person and most healthy individuals do not get the disease after exposure.
"Covenant Living, as a matter of policy, regulations and procedures, adheres to a strict water treatment plan specifically utilized to address Legionella. This includes regularly flushing of sinks and showers in health care and performing tests and treating our water sources," company officials said.