dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Check out this boat. It's safer for Elgin's water rescue team.

Water rescues near dams can be particularly harrowing as the churning waters known as `` the boil '' can pull in people and rescuers .
The Elgin Fire Department is painfully familiar with that , after two of its own died in 1974 during a rescue near the city 's dam in the Fox River .
The department now has a new tool expected to enhance safety , a Waterwog 3 rescue boat made by Creature Craft that works well near low-head dams , fire officials said .
Its most salient feature is an overhead roll cage .
`` If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current , it still has the capacity to keep everybody safe and we can still perform a rescue , '' Lt. Michael Przybylski said .
The nearly 14-foot boat has backup safety in the form of a rope about 300 feet long that can be pulled from shore , he said .
The total cost was $ 33,800 including training , but the city spent $ 14,910 after a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation .
The new boat replaced a 20-year-old dam entry watercraft , one of three Elgin Fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have the most updated , modern equipment to give firefighters and civilians the best possible chance for a positive outcome in a water rescue , '' Fire Chief Robb Cagann said .
The eight-member water rescue team on Tuesday trained with the new boat for the first time .
Creature Craft provided additional boats for the training that will continue through Thursday , when the boat goes into service .
Creature Craft owner and designer Darren Vancil , who came to Elgin for the three-day training , said about 25 fire agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchased rescue boats from his company , based in Colorado .
The company primarily builds white water rafting boats and started gaining traction among water rescuers about four years ago , he said .
The North Aurora Fire Protection District will observe a training in Elgin , which also got calls of interest from St. Charles and Algonquin , Przybylski said .
The closest emergency responder with this particular boat is in Wilmington , Illinois , he said .
Elgin 's water rescue and recovery team has responded to 69 calls in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also in Algonquin , Carpentersville , St. Charles , Bartlett , Gilberts , South Elgin and even Wilmington , fire department data shows .
The team also receives requests for trainings .
Water rescues are most dangerous when water levels are high , typically in the spring , Przybylski said .
He credited Lt. Josh Smith with crafting the grant application for the new boat .
`` This is something we 've been working on for a couple of years now , and finally it 's come to fruition . ''

Check out this boat. It's safer for Elgin's water rescue team.
Water rescues near dams can be particularly harrowing as the churning waters known as "the boil" can pull in people and rescuers.
The Elgin Fire Department is painfully familiar with that, after two of its own died in 1974 during a rescue near the city's dam in the Fox River.
The department now has a new tool expected to enhance safety, a Waterwog 3 rescue boat made by Creature Craft that works well near low-head dams, fire officials said. Its most salient feature is an overhead roll cage.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer The Elgin Fire Department's water rescue and recovery team trained on its new Creature Craft boat, the gray one in this photo, for the first time Tuesday in the Fox River near the Kimball Street dam. Creature Craft brought other boats to the three-day training.
"If the boats tip over because of the current, it still has the capacity to keep everybody safe and we can still perform a rescue," Lt. Michael Przybylski said.
The nearly 14-foot boat has backup safety in the form of a rope about 300 feet long that can be pulled from shore, he said. The total cost was $33,800 including training, but the city spent $14,910 after a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
The new boat replaced a 20-year-old dam entry watercraft, one of three Elgin Fire Department boats.
"It is vital to have the most updated, modern equipment to give firefighters and civilians the best possible chance for a positive outcome in a water rescue," Fire Chief Robb Cagann said.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer The Elgin Fire Department's water rescue and recovery team got a new Creature Craft boat thanks in part to a grant. Creature Craft brought other boats, such as this red one, to the three-day training that started Tuesday.
The eight-member water rescue team on Tuesday trained with the new boat for the first time. Creature Craft provided additional boats for the training that will continue through Thursday, when the boat goes into service.
Creature Craft owner and designer Darren Vancil, who came to Elgin for the three-day training, said about 25 fire agencies in the United States and abroad have purchased rescue boats from his company, based in Colorado. The company primarily builds white water rafting boats and started gaining traction among water rescuers about four years ago, he said.
The North Aurora Fire Protection District will observe a training in Elgin, which also got calls of interest from St. Charles and Algonquin, Przybylski said. The closest emergency responder with this particular boat is in Wilmington, Illinois, he said.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer The Elgin Fire Department's water rescue and recovery team trained on its new Creature Craft boat for the first time Tuesday in the Fox River near the Kimball Street dam.
Elgin's water rescue and recovery team has responded to 69 calls in the last decade, mostly in Elgin but also in Algonquin, Carpentersville, St. Charles, Bartlett, Gilberts, South Elgin and even Wilmington, fire department data shows. The team also receives requests for trainings.
Water rescues are most dangerous when water levels are high, typically in the spring, Przybylski said.
He credited Lt. Josh Smith with crafting the grant application for the new boat. "This is something we've been working on for a couple of years now, and finally it's come to fruition."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Hoffman Estates cancels remaining fests, live events for 2020

Hoffman Estates officials are canceling all remaining special events and festivals for 2020 due to lingering COVID-19 precautions , with the exception of those that can be held virtually and the quarterly Coffee with the Board at village hall .
Among the dropped events are Northwest Celtic Fest , Platzkonzert Germanfest and the ceremonial lighting of the village 's holiday tree .
Mayor Bill McLeod said he believes Coffee with the Board , next scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday , July 18 , is something that can be safely held with safety protocols and in one of the largest rooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Virtual events still going ahead include numerous educational and discussion sessions by the village 's Health & Human Services Department , and the `` Forward Together '' virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Thursday .
`` Forward Together '' will feature a discussion of issues such as justice in policing , racial concerns , diversity and inclusion .
Moderated by the Rev .
Larry Bullock , senior pastor at Living Faith Cathedral Worship Center Church in Palatine , it also will include a panel of McLeod , U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Chief Ted Bos , Pastor Freddie Rogers of Destiny Church , Rabbi Taron Tachman of Beth Tikvah , Black Lives Matter representative Tim McGowan and Muslim community representative Nazeem Hashmi .
Village commissions planning virtual events for the rest of 2020 are required to present them to the village manager 's office for review .
`` If they 're truly , truly virtual , I do n't have a problem with them , '' McLeod told trustees at Monday 's village board meeting .
`` But we 'll have to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department open houses and citizen academies also are prohibited through the end of the year .
A discussion of 2021 events is expected in either December or January .
`` It 's horrible to have to do this , but I think for everybody 's well-being it 's the best idea , '' Trustee Karen Mills said .
Village liability was another issue some trustees identified as a concern .
`` Nobody 's going to be signing waivers so I would say let 's cancel everything , '' Trustee Gary Stanton said .

Hoffman Estates cancels remaining fests, live events for 2020
Hoffman Estates officials are canceling all remaining special events and festivals for 2020 due to lingering COVID-19 precautions, with the exception of those that can be held virtually and the quarterly Coffee with the Board at village hall.
Among the dropped events are Northwest Celtic Fest, Platzkonzert Germanfest and the ceremonial lighting of the village's holiday tree.
Mayor Bill McLeod said he believes Coffee with the Board, next scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, July 18, is something that can be safely held with safety protocols and in one of the largest rooms of village hall at 1900 Hassell Road.
Virtual events still going ahead include numerous educational and discussion sessions by the village's Health & Human Services Department, and the "Forward Together" virtual town hall at 6 p.m. Thursday.
"Forward Together" will feature a discussion of issues such as justice in policing, racial concerns, diversity and inclusion. Moderated by the Rev. Larry Bullock, senior pastor at Living Faith Cathedral Worship Center Church in Palatine, it also will include a panel of McLeod, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, state Rep. Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Police Chief Ted Bos, Pastor Freddie Rogers of Destiny Church, Rabbi Taron Tachman of Beth Tikvah, Black Lives Matter representative Tim McGowan and Muslim community representative Nazeem Hashmi.
Registration is required at attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5618156280733793291.
Village commissions planning virtual events for the rest of 2020 are required to present them to the village manager's office for review.
"If they're truly, truly virtual, I don't have a problem with them," McLeod told trustees at Monday's village board meeting. "But we'll have to make sure there's no mission creep."
Department open houses and citizen academies also are prohibited through the end of the year. A discussion of 2021 events is expected in either December or January.
"It's horrible to have to do this, but I think for everybody's well-being it's the best idea," Trustee Karen Mills said.
Village liability was another issue some trustees identified as a concern.
"Nobody's going to be signing waivers so I would say let's cancel everything," Trustee Gary Stanton said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Beach Park man accused of killing dad with garden shears plans insanity defense

A Beach Park man charged with killing his father with garden shears in July 2019 will pursue an insanity defense , his attorney said Tuesday .
George W. Bryce , 22 , is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of his 70-year-old father , Warren Bryce .
The elder Bryce died July 19 , 2019 , one day after , authorities say , his son stabbed him with the shears during an argument .
`` Just so the court 's aware , we 've tendered an insanity defense to the ( prosecution ) and they were consulting with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tuesday during a pretrial hearing conducted over Zoom .
`` We 're anxiously awaiting word back from what they intend to do with that . ''
In September 2019 , a Lake County Judge ordered Bryce to a mental health facility in Elgin for treatment , based largely on a report issued by a court-appointed psychologist .
After more than two months at the facility , the staff at the state Health and Human Services facility declared Bryce mentally fit to stand trial .
He was transferred back to the Lake County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 3 million bail .
Bryce 's trial had been set to begin April 20 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
His case is scheduled to return to court for another status hearing July 21 .

Authorities say he used garden shears to fatally stab his father during argument
A Beach Park man charged with killing his father with garden shears in July 2019 will pursue an insanity defense, his attorney said Tuesday.
George W. Bryce, 22, is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying of his 70-year-old father, Warren Bryce. The elder Bryce died July 19, 2019, one day after, authorities say, his son stabbed him with the shears during an argument.
"Just so the court's aware, we've tendered an insanity defense to the (prosecution) and they were consulting with an expert," Bryce attorney John Radosevich said Tuesday during a pretrial hearing conducted over Zoom. "We're anxiously awaiting word back from what they intend to do with that."
In September 2019, a Lake County Judge ordered Bryce to a mental health facility in Elgin for treatment, based largely on a report issued by a court-appointed psychologist. After more than two months at the facility, the staff at the state Health and Human Services facility declared Bryce mentally fit to stand trial. He was transferred back to the Lake County jail, where he remains held on $3 million bail.
Bryce's trial had been set to begin April 20 but was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. His case is scheduled to return to court for another status hearing July 21.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--July 7 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code

Interactive mapSuburbs ' portion Since the outbreak began , there have been 75,710 cases in the suburbs as of Tuesday , 51 % of the state 's total , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
There have been 3,604 deaths in the suburbs , representing 51 % of all deaths in Illinois .
Cook County • As of Tuesday , suburban Cook County had 39,233 cases and 2,006 deaths , according to the state .
In Chicago : 53,820 cases and 2,645 fatalities .
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Des Plaines , 837 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling , 733 cases and 18 deaths in Palatine , 688 cases and 21 deaths in Streamwood , 672 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect , 618 cases and 18 deaths in Schaumburg , 577 cases and 32 deaths in Arlington Heights , 568 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview , 518 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park ( Cook County portion ) , 508 cases and 23 deaths in Hoffman Estates , 382 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northbrook , 353 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows , 279 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights , and 129 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
DuPage County • The county reported 9,395 cases and 473 deaths as of Tuesday .
• Top counts : 842 cases and 9 deaths in Addison , 799 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago , 683 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights , 549 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville ( DuPage County portion ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bensenville , 531 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream , 429 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard , 355 cases and 33 deaths in Elmhurst , 353 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) , 290 cases and 21 deaths in Wheaton , 266 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park , 258 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park ( DuPage County portion ) , 177 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn .
Lake County • The county listed 10,006 cases and 405 deaths on its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counts : 2,725 to 2,729 in Waukegan , 615 to 619 in Round Lake Beach , 385 to 389 in Mundelein , 310 to 314 in Gurnee , 250 to 254 in Round Lake , 195 to 199 in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , 180 to 184 in Lake Zurich , 170 to 174 in Vernon Hills , 170 to 174 in Wauconda , 140 to 144 in Libertyville , 105 to 109 in Grayslake .
Kane County • The county confirmed 7,964 cases with 277 deaths on its website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 1,926 in Elgin ( Kane County portion ) , 761 in Carpentersville , 329 in St. Charles , 310 in South Elgin , 217 in North Aurora , 211 in Geneva , 141 in Batavia , and 53 in Algonquin ( Kane County portion ) .
McHenry County • 2,160 cases and 98 deaths , according to the health department Tuesday .
• 6,996 cases and 322 deaths , as of Tuesday .
• Cases per town include 425 in Naperville ( Will County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Will County portion ) .

July 7 COVID-19 cases per county; search by ZIP code
Testing has increased significantly throughout the state over the past several days, which has resulted in a slight uptick in positive cases. Associated Press/June 27
Interactive mapSuburbs' portion Since the outbreak began, there have been 75,710 cases in the suburbs as of Tuesday, 51% of the state's total, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. There have been 3,604 deaths in the suburbs, representing 51% of all deaths in Illinois.
Cook County• As of Tuesday, suburban Cook County had 39,233 cases and 2,006 deaths, according to the state. In Chicago: 53,820 cases and 2,645 fatalities.
• Top suburb counts from the county health department and medical examiner's office: 1,792 cases and 99 deaths in Des Plaines, 837 cases and 59 deaths in Wheeling, 733 cases and 18 deaths in Palatine, 688 cases and 21 deaths in Streamwood, 672 cases and 10 deaths in Mount Prospect, 618 cases and 18 deaths in Schaumburg, 577 cases and 32 deaths in Arlington Heights, 568 cases and 48 deaths in Glenview, 518 cases and 10 deaths in Hanover Park (Cook County portion), 508 cases and 23 deaths in Hoffman Estates, 382 cases and 37 deaths in Elk Grove Village, 362 cases and 39 deaths in Northbrook, 353 cases and 12 deaths in Rolling Meadows, 279 cases and 7 deaths in Prospect Heights, and 129 cases and 19 deaths in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
DuPage County• The county reported 9,395 cases and 473 deaths as of Tuesday.
• Top counts: 842 cases and 9 deaths in Addison, 799 cases and 14 deaths in West Chicago, 683 cases and 11 deaths in Glendale Heights, 549 cases and 33 deaths in Naperville (DuPage County portion), 543 cases and 12 deaths in Bensenville, 531 cases and 29 deaths in Carol Stream, 429 cases and 24 deaths in Lombard, 355 cases and 33 deaths in Elmhurst, 353 cases and 11 deaths in Aurora (DuPage County portion), 290 cases and 21 deaths in Wheaton, 266 cases and 3 deaths in Villa Park, 258 cases and 2 deaths in Hanover Park (DuPage County portion), 177 cases and 3 deaths in Glen Ellyn.
Lake County • The county listed 10,006 cases and 405 deaths on its website as of Monday.
• Top counts: 2,725 to 2,729 in Waukegan, 615 to 619 in Round Lake Beach, 385 to 389 in Mundelein, 310 to 314 in Gurnee, 250 to 254 in Round Lake, 195 to 199 in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), 180 to 184 in Lake Zurich, 170 to 174 in Vernon Hills, 170 to 174 in Wauconda, 140 to 144 in Libertyville, 105 to 109 in Grayslake.
Kane County• The county confirmed 7,964 cases with 277 deaths on its website Tuesday.
• Top counts: 3,426 cases in Aurora (Kane County portion), 1,926 in Elgin (Kane County portion), 761 in Carpentersville, 329 in St. Charles, 310 in South Elgin, 217 in North Aurora, 211 in Geneva, 141 in Batavia, and 53 in Algonquin (Kane County portion).
McHenry County• 2,160 cases and 98 deaths, according to the health department Tuesday.
Will County
• 6,996 cases and 322 deaths, as of Tuesday.
• Cases per town include 425 in Naperville (Will County portion) and 72 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--New indictment adds charges against man accused of killing McHenry County sheriff's deputy

A federal grand jury in Rockford on Tuesday returned a superseding indictment that adds new charges against Floyd E. Brown , who is accused of killing McHenry County Deputy Jacob Keltner .
Keltner , who was a member of the U.S .
Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force , was fatally shot on March 7 , 2019 , while helping serve an arrest warrant on Brown , now 41 , at the Extended Stay America in Rockford .
Brown , a Springfield resident , had burglary warrants from McLean and Champaign counties , a failure to appear warrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued by the Illinois Department of Corrections , Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said at the time .
Brown fled after the shooting but was arrested after a hourslong standoff with state police along Interstate 55 northeast of Springfield , authorities said .
Brown was originally charged with one count of killing a federal law enforcement officer and two counts of illegal firearm possession .
The superseding indictment returned Tuesday renews the three prior counts and adds several new charges : one count of attempting to kill a deputy marshal and two special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault Keltner ; one count of using a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault a deputy marshal and two special deputy marshals ; one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence , causing the death of Keltner ; and one count of discharging a firearm during the assault and attempted murder of the deputy marshal and two special deputy marshals .
Keltner , 35 , was a 13-year police veteran who came from a law enforcement family and left behind a wife @ @ @ @

New indictment adds charges against man accused of killing McHenry County sheriff's deputy
A federal grand jury in Rockford on Tuesday returned a superseding indictment that adds new charges against Floyd E. Brown, who is accused of killing McHenry County Deputy Jacob Keltner.
Keltner, who was a member of the U.S. Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, was fatally shot on March 7, 2019, while helping serve an arrest warrant on Brown, now 41, at the Extended Stay America in Rockford.
Brown, a Springfield resident, had burglary warrants from McLean and Champaign counties, a failure to appear warrant from Sangamon County and a parole violation issued by the Illinois Department of Corrections, Rockford Police Chief Dan O'Shea said at the time.
Brown fled after the shooting but was arrested after a hourslong standoff with state police along Interstate 55 northeast of Springfield, authorities said.
Brown was originally charged with one count of killing a federal law enforcement officer and two counts of illegal firearm possession.
The superseding indictment returned Tuesday renews the three prior counts and adds several new charges: one count of attempting to kill a deputy marshal and two special deputy marshals; one count of using a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault Keltner; one count of using a deadly and dangerous weapon to forcibly assault a deputy marshal and two special deputy marshals; one count of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, causing the death of Keltner; and one count of discharging a firearm during the assault and attempted murder of the deputy marshal and two special deputy marshals.
Keltner, 35, was a 13-year police veteran who came from a law enforcement family and left behind a wife and two children.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Three Lake Zurich 95 sports camps on hold after athletes test positive for COVID-19

Three Lake Zurich District 95 sports camps have been put on hold through at least the end of the week after `` a number of families '' reported that their students on the football , baseball and poms teams had tested positive for COVID-19 , according to district officials Tuesday .
In an email sent Tuesday to parents of students participating in all sports camps , District 95 Athletic Director Andrew Lambert said the district was notified by the families after the first day of sports camps on Monday .
`` From what we know , they had been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who had tested positive , prompting them to get tested , and learned of the results yesterday , '' Lambert wrote .
Lambert did not say how many students had tested positive .
He said district officials immediately worked with the Lake County Health Department and jointly decided to shut down the football , baseball and poms camps for the rest of the week until the health department has an adequate opportunity to investigate all cases .
Lambert said officials indicated that the other camps were able to continue at this time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ training , our coaches did keep track of who our students were closest to but not necessarily during breaks , '' Lambert said in his letter .
`` While we did keep students clustered , they were not always with the same coach for some sports ( though we tried ) .
Additionally , when dismissing our athletes , we did have to provide continuous reminders about maintaining social distancing , as many students did not remember to follow these rules without prompting . ''
Lambert said he would be meeting with health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 95 officials did not immediately reply to questions about whether that meeting took place and what recommendations health officials had for district parents .

Three Lake Zurich sports camps on hold after athletes test positive for COVID-19
Three Lake Zurich District 95 sports camps have been put on hold through at least the end of the week after "a number of families" reported that their students on the football, baseball and poms teams had tested positive for COVID-19, according to district officials Tuesday.
In an email sent Tuesday to parents of students participating in all sports camps, District 95 Athletic Director Andrew Lambert said the district was notified by the families after the first day of sports camps on Monday.
"From what we know, they had been in contact with another person(s) who had tested positive, prompting them to get tested, and learned of the results yesterday," Lambert wrote.
Lambert did not say how many students had tested positive.
He said district officials immediately worked with the Lake County Health Department and jointly decided to shut down the football, baseball and poms camps for the rest of the week until the health department has an adequate opportunity to investigate all cases.
Lambert said officials indicated that the other camps were able to continue at this time.
"Please know that while athletes are training, our coaches did keep track of who our students were closest to but not necessarily during breaks," Lambert said in his letter. "While we did keep students clustered, they were not always with the same coach for some sports (though we tried). Additionally, when dismissing our athletes, we did have to provide continuous reminders about maintaining social distancing, as many students did not remember to follow these rules without prompting."
Lambert said he would be meeting with health department officials Tuesday. Lake Zurich District 95 officials did not immediately reply to questions about whether that meeting took place and what recommendations health officials had for district parents.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--New Starbucks coming to Elgin

New Starbucks coming to Elgin

A new Starbucks will be built in Elgin , the first one in town not along Randall Road .
The new coffee shop at 310 S. McLean Blvd .
will be in the Town and Country Shopping Center , where the largest tenants are Elgin Fresh Market and Elgin Shopping Mall .
The one-story , 2,200-square-foot building will have a drive-through window , an outdoor seating patio and a parking lot with 27 spaces .
Fifteen new trees are going to be planted as part of the project , city documents show .
Elgin has three Starbucks : free-standing ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N. Randall Road , and one inside Target at 300 S. Randall Road .
The new Starbucks will be just north of El Paraiso restaurant along McLean Boulevard , a spot that has been empty since a multiunit retail building was demolished in 2014 as part of the reconstruction of the intersection of McLean Boulevard and Route 20 .
The city 's planning and zoning commission on Monday night recommended approval of Town & Country Elgin LLC 's request for three wall graphics , one more than allowed by city code , city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graphics are intended to better direct patrons .
The commission also requested a `` yield '' sign at the drive-through exit , he said .
The city council will have to cast a vote for final approval .

New Starbucks coming to Elgin
A new Starbucks will be built at 310 S. McLean Blvd. in Elgin. The one-story, 2,200-square-foot building will have a drive-through window, an outdoor seating patio and a parking lot with 27 spaces. image courtesy of city of Elgin
A new Starbucks will be built at 310 S. McLean Blvd. in Elgin, a spot that's been empty since a multiunit retail building was demolished in 2014. Rick West | Staff Photographer
A new Starbucks will be built in Elgin, the first one in town not along Randall Road.
The new coffee shop at 310 S. McLean Blvd. will be in the Town and Country Shopping Center, where the largest tenants are Elgin Fresh Market and Elgin Shopping Mall. The one-story, 2,200-square-foot building will have a drive-through window, an outdoor seating patio and a parking lot with 27 spaces. Fifteen new trees are going to be planted as part of the project, city documents show.
Elgin has three Starbucks: free-standing ones at 821 S. Randall Road and 2480 N. Randall Road, and one inside Target at 300 S. Randall Road.
The new Starbucks will be just north of El Paraiso restaurant along McLean Boulevard, a spot that has been empty since a multiunit retail building was demolished in 2014 as part of the reconstruction of the intersection of McLean Boulevard and Route 20.
The city's planning and zoning commission on Monday night recommended approval of Town & Country Elgin LLC's request for three wall graphics, one more than allowed by city code, city senior planner Damir Latinovic said. The graphics are intended to better direct patrons. The commission also requested a "yield" sign at the drive-through exit, he said. The city council will have to cast a vote for final approval.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Opposing groups readying for fight over graduated tax

SPRINGFIELD -- Days after the governor donated $ 51.5 million of his personal fortune to a committee supporting a graduated income tax constitutional amendment , a new coalition has begun an effort to defeat the measure .
At stake is Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's signature policy proposal -- a constitutional amendment scrapping the state 's protection of a flat-rate income tax for a new structure allowing lawmakers to tax different levels of income at fluctuating tax rates .
A rate structure that would take effect if the amendment passes is expected to bring in more than $ 1 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more than $ 3 billion annually when it is implemented for a full fiscal year .
Pritzker 's whopping check , reported over the July 4 holiday weekend , went to the Vote Yes for Fairness ballot initiative committee , to which he had already donated $ 5 million .
The only other donation to the committee was for $ 250 , so the governor is basically self-funding the committee 's push for the constitutional change from his estimated $ 3.4 billion fortune .
On Tuesday , in four cities , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Chamber of Commerce , Illinois Farm Bureau , National Federation of Independent Business-Illinois and the Technology and Manufacturing Association -- called concurrent news conferences in four cities to make their case against the proposal .
Todd Maisch , president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce , said at the news conference the coalition -- which he is hopeful will grow to include several more business groups -- was `` not prepared '' to address how much it was willing to spend on the fight .
`` However , there will be resources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , the important thing is we do n't need to match the proponent spending .
We only have to go ahead and be competitive .
We do n't need to spend dollar for dollar because this is , frankly , an unpopular idea once voters figure out what 's really going on .
...
If the proponents were certain that they had this in the bag , would they have written a $ 51 million check ?
I do n't think so . ''
The news conference prompted a swift pushback from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Fair Tax , another committee backed by community and advocacy groups , labor organizations and faith groups .
`` Working people overwhelmingly support the fair tax amendment because everyone who makes under $ 250,000 will get a tax cut or pay no more , '' John Bouman , the group 's chairman , said in a news release .
Ultimately , it will be up to the voters whether the flat tax -- which currently taxes all income at a flat rate of 4.95 % -- will remain enshrined in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since the 1970 constitutional convention .
If more than half of those voting in the November election or three-fifths of those voting on the ballot question approve the measure , the way will be paved for a graduated rate structure to take effect .
Lawmakers have already approved the rates that will become law on Jan. 1 should voters approve the constitutional change .
Rates would remain flat or decrease for those making $ 250,000 or less , while they would increase for those making above that amount .
Per the rate structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of 7.99 % on all income once their taxable income tops $ 750,000 .
For joint filers , that rate takes effect on all income when it exceeds $ 1 million .
For the rest of the brackets , each varying tax rate would apply to only one specific margin of income .
The rates for all filers are 4.75 % on taxable income from $ 0 to $ 10,000 ; 4.9 % from $ 10,001 to $ 100,000 ; 4.95 % from $ 100,001 to $ 250,000 .
For joint filers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in on margins from $ 250,001 to $ 500,000 ; and 7.85 % from $ 500,001 to $ 1 million .
For single filers , the 7.75 % rate would apply from $ 250,001 to $ 350,000 , while the 7.85 % rate would apply from $ 350,001 to $ 750,000 .
The bill also includes an increase in the property tax credit from 5 % to 6 % , and up to a $ 100 per-child tax credit for couples earning less than $ 100,000 and single persons earning less than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go from 7 % to 7.99 % , not including an existing corporate property replacement tax of 1.5 % to 2.5 % that is not changed by the bill .
The main argument for the opposition is not about what the rate structure will do upon the amendment 's passage , but rather focuses on whether Illinois politicians can be trusted with the power to set varying tax rates on differing levels of income .
For proponents , including Pritzker , passage of the measure is about raising revenue from the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle class Illinoisans to balance state books .
Financial strains from the COVID-19 pandemic make it even more necessary , he has said .
Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert , however , said the revenue projected to come from the graduated tax will not balance the state 's books , considering the pandemic 's effects and rising pension and debt obligations .
That means , he argued at the news conference , that adjustment to the already-passed rate structure would be imminent .
Unspecified spending cuts and reforms to the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempts to raise more tax revenue , the opponents argued .
`` Illinoisans are rightfully concerned that the progressive tax will lead to future tax increases , '' Guebert said .
`` If enacted , this proposed tax increase will not meet the projected deficits and debt obligations that are coming in the next few years .
...
It 's a farce to believe that we can just tax the top 3 % of income earners over and over again . ''
The graduated tax structure would not change the number of votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes -- the necessary threshold would remain a simple majority .
Opponents , however , argue that it 's politically easier for elected officials to vote for a tax hike when it applies to only some of the state 's residents , not all of them .
Another opponent , Cindy Neal of NFIB Illinois , said property tax relief should be a greater focus than revenue hikes .
While opponents argue that the increased corporate rate would hurt job creators and small businesses , proponents have argued the vast majority of small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the plan if they are pass-through entities such as S-corps or sole proprietors .
Among those proponents is Quentin Fulks , a former Pritzker top campaign staffer who heads the Vote Yes for Fairness committee to which the governor has funneled his millions .
`` Since the truth is n't on their side , this news conference was filled with lies from start to finish , '' he said in a statement immediately following the opposition news conference .
`` Contrary to what they say , the fair tax will only affect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 250,000 a year in profit , while at least 97 % of Illinoisans will see no income tax increase or a tax cut . ''
Similar arguments will be sent to every household in the state in the form of a pamphlet explaining the amendment later this year .
A secretary of state spokesman said the pamphlet , which the state is required by law to send , will be mailed starting Sept. 21 .
The arguments for the change were written by Democrats , while Republicans wrote the arguments against .

Opposing groups readying for fight over graduated tax
SPRINGFIELD -- Days after the governor donated $51.5 million of his personal fortune to a committee supporting a graduated income tax constitutional amendment, a new coalition has begun an effort to defeat the measure.
At stake is Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature policy proposal -- a constitutional amendment scrapping the state's protection of a flat-rate income tax for a new structure allowing lawmakers to tax different levels of income at fluctuating tax rates. A rate structure that would take effect if the amendment passes is expected to bring in more than $1 billion in additional state revenue this fiscal year and more than $3 billion annually when it is implemented for a full fiscal year.
Pritzker's whopping check, reported over the July 4 holiday weekend, went to the Vote Yes for Fairness ballot initiative committee, to which he had already donated $5 million. The only other donation to the committee was for $250, so the governor is basically self-funding the committee's push for the constitutional change from his estimated $3.4 billion fortune.
On Tuesday, in four cities, a group of business-tied organizations -- including the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Farm Bureau, National Federation of Independent Business-Illinois and the Technology and Manufacturing Association -- called concurrent news conferences in four cities to make their case against the proposal.
Todd Maisch, president of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, said at the news conference the coalition -- which he is hopeful will grow to include several more business groups -- was "not prepared" to address how much it was willing to spend on the fight.
"However, there will be resources," he said. "But again, the important thing is we don't need to match the proponent spending. We only have to go ahead and be competitive. We don't need to spend dollar for dollar because this is, frankly, an unpopular idea once voters figure out what's really going on. ... If the proponents were certain that they had this in the bag, would they have written a $51 million check? I don't think so."
The news conference prompted a swift pushback from pro-amendment groups, including from Vote Yes for Fair Tax, another committee backed by community and advocacy groups, labor organizations and faith groups.
"Working people overwhelmingly support the fair tax amendment because everyone who makes under $250,000 will get a tax cut or pay no more," John Bouman, the group's chairman, said in a news release.
The rate structure
Ultimately, it will be up to the voters whether the flat tax -- which currently taxes all income at a flat rate of 4.95% -- will remain enshrined in the state's governing document as it has been since the 1970 constitutional convention. If more than half of those voting in the November election or three-fifths of those voting on the ballot question approve the measure, the way will be paved for a graduated rate structure to take effect.
Lawmakers have already approved the rates that will become law on Jan. 1 should voters approve the constitutional change. Rates would remain flat or decrease for those making $250,000 or less, while they would increase for those making above that amount.
Per the rate structure, single filers would pay the maximum rate of 7.99% on all income once their taxable income tops $750,000. For joint filers, that rate takes effect on all income when it exceeds $1 million.
For the rest of the brackets, each varying tax rate would apply to only one specific margin of income.
The rates for all filers are 4.75% on taxable income from $0 to $10,000; 4.9% from $10,001 to $100,000; 4.95% from $100,001 to $250,000.
For joint filers, a 7.75% rate would kick in on margins from $250,001 to $500,000; and 7.85% from $500,001 to $1 million. For single filers, the 7.75% rate would apply from $250,001 to $350,000, while the 7.85% rate would apply from $350,001 to $750,000.
The bill also includes an increase in the property tax credit from 5% to 6%, and up to a $100 per-child tax credit for couples earning less than $100,000 and single persons earning less than $80,000.
The corporate tax rate would go from 7% to 7.99%, not including an existing corporate property replacement tax of 1.5% to 2.5% that is not changed by the bill.
The arguments
The main argument for the opposition is not about what the rate structure will do upon the amendment's passage, but rather focuses on whether Illinois politicians can be trusted with the power to set varying tax rates on differing levels of income.
For proponents, including Pritzker, passage of the measure is about raising revenue from the state's highest earners without having to rely on middle class Illinoisans to balance state books. Financial strains from the COVID-19 pandemic make it even more necessary, he has said.
Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert, however, said the revenue projected to come from the graduated tax will not balance the state's books, considering the pandemic's effects and rising pension and debt obligations. That means, he argued at the news conference, that adjustment to the already-passed rate structure would be imminent.
Unspecified spending cuts and reforms to the state's pension payment plan should take precedence over attempts to raise more tax revenue, the opponents argued.
"Illinoisans are rightfully concerned that the progressive tax will lead to future tax increases," Guebert said. "If enacted, this proposed tax increase will not meet the projected deficits and debt obligations that are coming in the next few years. ... It's a farce to believe that we can just tax the top 3% of income earners over and over again."
The graduated tax structure would not change the number of votes in the General Assembly needed to raise taxes -- the necessary threshold would remain a simple majority. Opponents, however, argue that it's politically easier for elected officials to vote for a tax hike when it applies to only some of the state's residents, not all of them.
Another opponent, Cindy Neal of NFIB Illinois, said property tax relief should be a greater focus than revenue hikes.
While opponents argue that the increased corporate rate would hurt job creators and small businesses, proponents have argued the vast majority of small business owners will see a tax reduction under the plan if they are pass-through entities such as S-corps or sole proprietors.
Among those proponents is Quentin Fulks, a former Pritzker top campaign staffer who heads the Vote Yes for Fairness committee to which the governor has funneled his millions.
"Since the truth isn't on their side, this news conference was filled with lies from start to finish," he said in a statement immediately following the opposition news conference. "Contrary to what they say, the fair tax will only affect small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year in profit, while at least 97% of Illinoisans will see no income tax increase or a tax cut."
Similar arguments will be sent to every household in the state in the form of a pamphlet explaining the amendment later this year. A secretary of state spokesman said the pamphlet, which the state is required by law to send, will be mailed starting Sept. 21. The arguments for the change were written by Democrats, while Republicans wrote the arguments against.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Kenosha man accused of stalking Gurnee-area girl, sharing nude photos and videos of her

A Kenosha man has been charged with felony stalking of a minor from the Gurnee area , as well as possession and distribution of child pornography .
Howard M. Hickey , 56 , of the 8500 block of 64th Street in Kenosha , lured a 16-year-old girl in 2016 into sharing nude photos and videos of herself with him online , Lake County authorities said in a news release Tuesday .
Hickey convinced the girl that he was a 16-year-old boy and that the two were in a quasi-relationship , authorities said .
After several months of communicating online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 received an unsolicited message from the `` boy , '' who was still actually Hickey , the news release said .
Hickey threatened her , saying that if she did n't send additional nude photos and videos , he would send the nude photos and videos that were already in his possession to her family and friends , authorities said .
The girl refused to comply , and Hickey sent the photos and videos , authorities said .
The Lake County sheriff 's cybercrimes unit investigated and eventually got a warrant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hickey attempted to destroy an electronic device during the search , the news release said .
`` I can not stress it enough : Sexual predators lurk online and often pretend to be people they are not , '' Sheriff John Idleburg said .
`` Parents , please always check who your children communicate with online and monitor the applications they use . ''
Hickey was released from the Kenosha County jail after posting $ 20,000 bail .

Police say he also shared nude photos, video of her while posing as a 16-year-old boy
A Kenosha man has been charged with felony stalking of a minor from the Gurnee area, as well as possession and distribution of child pornography.
Howard M. Hickey, 56, of the 8500 block of 64th Street in Kenosha, lured a 16-year-old girl in 2016 into sharing nude photos and videos of herself with him online, Lake County authorities said in a news release Tuesday.
Hickey convinced the girl that he was a 16-year-old boy and that the two were in a quasi-relationship, authorities said.
After several months of communicating online, the girl stopped the communication but in 2019 received an unsolicited message from the "boy," who was still actually Hickey, the news release said.
Hickey threatened her, saying that if she didn't send additional nude photos and videos, he would send the nude photos and videos that were already in his possession to her family and friends, authorities said. The girl refused to comply, and Hickey sent the photos and videos, authorities said.
The Lake County sheriff's cybercrimes unit investigated and eventually got a warrant to search Hickey's house on July 1. Hickey attempted to destroy an electronic device during the search, the news release said.
"I cannot stress it enough: Sexual predators lurk online and often pretend to be people they are not," Sheriff John Idleburg said. "Parents, please always check who your children communicate with online and monitor the applications they use."
Hickey was released from the Kenosha County jail after posting $20,000 bail.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--'It has become something bigger than me': Why fitness trainer runs with American flag

When Mark Palmieri runs on forest preserve trails carrying a large American flag , he says he sees `` massive positive emotion '' from people he encounters .
Palmieri , who works as a fitness manager and trainer , is quick to point out that he has not served in the military , but works on many levels with those who have served or plan to serve .
`` When people see me running with the flag , it 's generally viewed as a beacon of hope . ''
And hope is something we need right now , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in running with the flag is to raise awareness for veteran suicide and to honor the fallen .
Part of Palmieri 's job involves training men and women before they go into the military , and he also works with them when they return home , both physically and emotionally .
He helped start Three Rangers Foundation , a nonprofit organization created to provide lifelong support for veterans and their families .
The organization is funded by private donations as well as by a for-profit spirits brand Three Rangers , a veteran-owned , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The foundation provides veterans with access to professional mentors and other experts who help assist with transition .
Occasionally , Palmieri is on the trails , flag in hand , and is stopped and thanked for his service .
`` I tell people that I work with veterans when they come home , '' said Palmieri , 36 .
`` The suicide awareness component , as it relates to the military , is a big part of why I do this . ''
Palmieri , who hits the trails several times a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide a perfect way to connect with nature and enjoy beautiful views .
`` We are blessed to have such amazing preserves so close to our homes , '' he said .
He added that he has connected with the wildlife as well .
`` I have found a bond with two sandhill cranes that take their morning walk around the same time each day , '' he said .
The meaning of his running ritual , often done at Singing Hills Forest Preserve in Round Lake , took on another meaning a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit with COVID-19 .
`` There has been so much fear and loneliness since the virus hit .
When people see me on the trails with the flag , it 's a game changer , '' he said .
Palmieri believes the flag is a good leader and a reminder to have perseverance .
`` People are utilizing the preserves and trails more than ever before .
Since mid-March , records have been set for forest preserve usage , '' said Angelo Kyle , president of the Lake County Forest Preserves .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that support physical health , and beautiful views and vast open spaces to restore mental health and well-being , '' he said .
`` I appreciate all that Mark is doing to help others in need . ''
People often cheer when they see Palmieri running .
`` It has become something bigger than me , '' said Palmieri , who is married with three children .
He believes he is able to inspire others when he is running .
`` I am trying to motivate my community , '' he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lake County Forest Preserves , said she was moved when she saw Palmieri run by with the flag when the pandemic first began .
Coming from a military family , Wagner said , `` Whenever I see the American flag , I always feel pride , unity , sacrifice and purpose . ''
Wagner took a few pictures of Palmieri running down the trail because she wanted to share the emotions she felt with her co-workers , knowing that some of them had served in the military .
Wagner 's supervisor said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes .
Palmieri said he has had discussions with many employees who maintain the forest preserves and is impressed with their dedication .
`` It is apparent they have a passion for providing a quality experience to people who utilize the forest preserves for pleasure or fitness , '' he said .
Palmieri jokes that he did not enjoy running when he started this effort about eight years ago .
`` I really liked hiking and rucking , '' he said .
Rucking is a strength training technique often done in the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palmieri utilizes rucking in his personal training business as well .
When he attended rucking events , he would often carry the flag .
He said it brought a spiritual element that directly bonds with the symbolism of what the flag stands for .
`` It 's a blessing to live here in a free country and to be able to enjoy the beauty of nature in a forest preserve with your family , '' he said .
• Kim Mikus is a communications specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the preserves .
Contact her with ideas or questions at kmikuscroke @ LCFPD.org .
Connect with the Lake County Forest Preserves on social media @ LCFPD .

'It has become something bigger than me': Why fitness trainer runs with American flag
Mark Palmieri can often be seen running through the Lake County Forest Preserves carrying a large American flag. His mission is to raise awareness for veteran suicide and to honor the fallen. Courtesy of the Palmieri family
When Mark Palmieri runs on forest preserve trails carrying a large American flag, he says he sees "massive positive emotion" from people he encounters.
Palmieri, who works as a fitness manager and trainer, is quick to point out that he has not served in the military, but works on many levels with those who have served or plan to serve.
"When people see me running with the flag, it's generally viewed as a beacon of hope."
And hope is something we need right now, he said. He explains that his main mission in running with the flag is to raise awareness for veteran suicide and to honor the fallen.
Part of Palmieri's job involves training men and women before they go into the military, and he also works with them when they return home, both physically and emotionally. He helped start Three Rangers Foundation, a nonprofit organization created to provide lifelong support for veterans and their families.
The organization is funded by private donations as well as by a for-profit spirits brand Three Rangers, a veteran-owned, small business which he helps run. The foundation provides veterans with access to professional mentors and other experts who help assist with transition.
Occasionally, Palmieri is on the trails, flag in hand, and is stopped and thanked for his service.
"I tell people that I work with veterans when they come home," said Palmieri, 36. "The suicide awareness component, as it relates to the military, is a big part of why I do this."
Palmieri, who hits the trails several times a week, says the Lake County Forest Preserves provide a perfect way to connect with nature and enjoy beautiful views.
"We are blessed to have such amazing preserves so close to our homes," he said. He added that he has connected with the wildlife as well. "I have found a bond with two sandhill cranes that take their morning walk around the same time each day," he said.
The meaning of his running ritual, often done at Singing Hills Forest Preserve in Round Lake, took on another meaning a couple months ago when the country was hit with COVID-19.
"There has been so much fear and loneliness since the virus hit. When people see me on the trails with the flag, it's a game changer," he said. Palmieri believes the flag is a good leader and a reminder to have perseverance.
"People are utilizing the preserves and trails more than ever before. Since mid-March, records have been set for forest preserve usage," said Angelo Kyle, president of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
"The preserves offer 206 miles of trails that support physical health, and beautiful views and vast open spaces to restore mental health and well-being," he said. "I appreciate all that Mark is doing to help others in need."
People often cheer when they see Palmieri running.
"It has become something bigger than me," said Palmieri, who is married with three children. He believes he is able to inspire others when he is running. "I am trying to motivate my community," he said.
Jordan Wagner, an executive assistant at the Lake County Forest Preserves, said she was moved when she saw Palmieri run by with the flag when the pandemic first began.
Coming from a military family, Wagner said, "Whenever I see the American flag, I always feel pride, unity, sacrifice and purpose."
Wagner took a few pictures of Palmieri running down the trail because she wanted to share the emotions she felt with her co-workers, knowing that some of them had served in the military. Wagner's supervisor said the powerful image brought tears to his eyes.
Palmieri said he has had discussions with many employees who maintain the forest preserves and is impressed with their dedication.
"It is apparent they have a passion for providing a quality experience to people who utilize the forest preserves for pleasure or fitness," he said.
Palmieri jokes that he did not enjoy running when he started this effort about eight years ago.
"I really liked hiking and rucking," he said. Rucking is a strength training technique often done in the military where backpacks are filled with weights. Palmieri utilizes rucking in his personal training business as well.
When he attended rucking events, he would often carry the flag. He said it brought a spiritual element that directly bonds with the symbolism of what the flag stands for.
"It's a blessing to live here in a free country and to be able to enjoy the beauty of nature in a forest preserve with your family," he said.
• Kim Mikus is a communications specialist for the Lake County Forest Preserves. She writes a bimonthly column about various aspects of the preserves. Contact her with ideas or questions at kmikuscroke@LCFPD.org. Connect with the Lake County Forest Preserves on social media @LCFPD.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Downers Grove man who set own house on fire not guilty by reason of insanity

A Downers Grove man who set his own house on fire in December has been found not guilty of arson by reason of insanity .
Judge Jeffrey MacKay made the ruling at a stipulated bench trial June 29 , in which both sides agreed to the facts of the case .
He also ordered that Robert Clauser , 53 , of the 1700 block of Virginia Street , be sent to a state hospital for evaluation of his current mental health .
He could be hospitalized until June 2023 , according to DuPage County court records .
A court-appointed psychiatrist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had schizophrenia .
Downers Grove authorities were called to a fire at his house the morning of Dec. 20 , 2019 .
It was engulfed in flames ; a garage and a shed were also on fire .
Firefighters discovered cans of gasoline had been placed around the interior of the house , and a propane-gas tank was propped against the inside of the front door .
Downers Grove schools were placed on a soft lockdown while police searched for Clauser that day .
According to a court document filed by prosecutors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 saying he was suicidal , that there were two propane tanks in the house , and that Clauser had said he did n't care if he blew up the house or a neighbor 's house .
On Dec. 22 , Clauser walked into a hospital in Naperville and was transferred to a psychiatric hospital , the document states .
He spoke to police Jan. 3 and 6 , according to the document .
The document said Clauser `` rambled '' to police about several topics , speaking of a Las Vegas shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late wife were with the FBI , and that the stepchildren were trying to take the house away from him .
He said police were called on his wedding night , that he was questioned by police after the Sept. 11 , 2001 , attack in the United States , and that police subsequently avoided him because of a presidential election in Wisconsin and a sledgehammer massacre at a country music festival .

Downers Grove man who set own house on fire not guilty by reason of insanity
A Downers Grove man who set his own house on fire in December has been found not guilty of arson by reason of insanity.
Judge Jeffrey MacKay made the ruling at a stipulated bench trial June 29, in which both sides agreed to the facts of the case. He also ordered that Robert Clauser, 53, of the 1700 block of Virginia Street, be sent to a state hospital for evaluation of his current mental health. He could be hospitalized until June 2023, according to DuPage County court records.
A court-appointed psychiatrist who evaluated Clauser this year testified Clauser had schizophrenia.
Downers Grove authorities were called to a fire at his house the morning of Dec. 20, 2019. It was engulfed in flames; a garage and a shed were also on fire. Firefighters discovered cans of gasoline had been placed around the interior of the house, and a propane-gas tank was propped against the inside of the front door.
Downers Grove schools were placed on a soft lockdown while police searched for Clauser that day.
According to a court document filed by prosecutors, Clauser's sister had called police Dec. 11 saying he was suicidal, that there were two propane tanks in the house, and that Clauser had said he didn't care if he blew up the house or a neighbor's house.
On Dec. 22, Clauser walked into a hospital in Naperville and was transferred to a psychiatric hospital, the document states. He spoke to police Jan. 3 and 6, according to the document.
The document said Clauser "rambled" to police about several topics, speaking of a Las Vegas shooting, that the adult children of his late wife were with the FBI, and that the stepchildren were trying to take the house away from him. He said police were called on his wedding night, that he was questioned by police after the Sept. 11, 2001, attack in the United States, and that police subsequently avoided him because of a presidential election in Wisconsin and a sledgehammer massacre at a country music festival.
Clauser's wife died in December 2017.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Feder: WBBM news radio sweeps Chicago radio ratings

It was a rare clean sweep for Chicago 's all-news radio station in the latest Nielsen Audio survey .
Audience @ @ @ @ @ Entercom combo of WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM finishing first overall for the fifth consecutive month and @ @ @ @ @ periods -- mornings , middays , afternoons and evenings .
Close behind but still second @ @ @ @ @ WDRV 97.1-FM .
The dearth of sports attributed to the coronavirus pandemic continued to take @ @ @ @ @ sports/talk stations -- Entercom WSCR 670-AM and Good Karma Brands WMVP 1000-AM -- both of @ @ @ @ @ more of Robert Feder 's report at robertfeder.com .

Feder: WBBM news radio sweeps Chicago radio ratings
The Entercom combo of WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM finished first overall in the latest Nielsen Audio survey for the fifth consecutive month and won all four weekday time periods.
It was a rare clean sweep for Chicago's all-news radio station in the latest Nielsen Audio survey.
Audience estimates released Tuesday showed the Entercom combo of WBBM 780-AM/WCFS 105.9-FM finishing first overall for the fifth consecutive month and winning all four weekday time periods -- mornings, middays, afternoons and evenings.
Close behind but still second was Hubbard Radio classic rock WDRV 97.1-FM.
The dearth of sports attributed to the coronavirus pandemic continued to take a toll on Chicago's sports/talk stations -- Entercom WSCR 670-AM and Good Karma Brands WMVP 1000-AM -- both of which declined.
• Get more of Robert Feder's report at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Illinois, regional economies shrink in first quarter

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois economy shrank at an annual rate of 5.4 % during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter , according to federal data released Tuesday , an indicator of just how severely the COVID-19 pandemic affected commercial activity .
The gross domestic product figures for the January-through-March period represent the total value of goods produced and services provided during the quarter .
University of Illinois economist Fred Giertz said in an interview that virtually all of the decline occurred in the final weeks of March , after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools and other employers to shut down or scale back operations .
`` All the evidence suggests that the first two months of January-February were not impacted very much by the virus issue , but then they have a huge impact and in March even though the formal shutdown did n't begin until the last week or so of March , '' he said .
Nearly all sectors of the economy took significant hits during the quarter led by arts , entertainment and recreation , which took the biggest hit with a 36 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food service fell at a rate of more than 27 % .
Other sectors taking big hits included finance and insurance , down 10.6 % , and transportation and warehousing , which includes airline and rail transportation , which fell at a 9.8 % rate .
The only bright spot in the report was the agricultural sector -- one area of the economy that was not affected by the stay-at-home order -- which grew quarter-to-quarter at a rate of 183 % .
The overall decline in Illinois was greater than the national average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average for the Great Lakes region , which was 5.7 % .
Neighboring states Iowa , Missouri and Wisconsin all fared better than Illinois , while Indiana and Kentucky fared slightly worse .
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis , which produces the GDP numbers , is scheduled to issue its first estimate of second-quarter activity -- April through June -- later this month , but state-level GDP figures wo n't be available until October .
However , some early indicators of what 's likely to be in the second-quarter report came out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Accountability , the General Assembly 's fiscal monitoring arm .
That agency reported this week that during the fiscal year that ended June 30 , general fund revenues received by the state were $ 1.1 billion below last year 's revenues , and that virtually all of the drop-off occurred during the April-through-June quarter .
Much of that was due to declines in personal income tax collections , which were down by a net $ 765 million due to a combination of mass layoffs and delaying the tax filing deadline to July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes were also below last year 's levels .
There were also big declines in revenue from riverboat casinos and the state lottery , although there was nearly a 3 % increase in liquor taxes .
The report also said June showed signs of improvement as the state gradually began to reopen its economy .
Personal income tax collections during the month were up $ 173 million , or 9.4 % , as many people returned to work and began filing their 2019 tax returns .
Corporate income and sales taxes remained below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collections were off by only 0.1 % .
Giertz said he sees similar trends in his monthly Flash Index , a general measure of economic activity that shows whether the state 's economy is growing or contracting , and by how much .
A Flash Index value greater than 100 indicates a growing economy while a value less than 100 reflects economic contraction .
That index had been over 100 for 96 consecutive months , dating back to March 2012 , when Illinois began pulling out of the Great Recession .
It fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April and 92.8 in May as effects of the economic lockdown began to be felt .
But it ticked up slightly in June to 93.1 , indicating the economy was still weak , but improved from May .
`` Things are clearly turning around now but that turnaround could be halted almost any time we had another kind of outbreak , '' he said .
`` I suspect , though , that even if we do have a resurgence of the virus , ... we 're going to be more open about that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way we did back in March . ''

Illinois, regional economies shrink in first quarter
The gross domestic product figures for the January-through-March period represent the total value of goods produced and services provided during the quarter.
Neighboring states Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin all fared better in gross domestic product than Illinois did in the first quarter of 2020, while Indiana and Kentucky fared slightly worse.
SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois economy shrank at an annual rate of 5.4% during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter, according to federal data released Tuesday, an indicator of just how severely the COVID-19 pandemic affected commercial activity.
The gross domestic product figures for the January-through-March period represent the total value of goods produced and services provided during the quarter.
University of Illinois economist Fred Giertz said in an interview that virtually all of the decline occurred in the final weeks of March, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide stay-at-home order that forced many businesses, schools and other employers to shut down or scale back operations.
"All the evidence suggests that the first two months of January-February were not impacted very much by the virus issue, but then they have a huge impact and in March even though the formal shutdown didn't begin until the last week or so of March," he said.
Nearly all sectors of the economy took significant hits during the quarter led by arts, entertainment and recreation, which took the biggest hit with a 36% rate of decline. Accommodations and food service fell at a rate of more than 27%.
Other sectors taking big hits included finance and insurance, down 10.6%, and transportation and warehousing, which includes airline and rail transportation, which fell at a 9.8% rate.
The only bright spot in the report was the agricultural sector -- one area of the economy that was not affected by the stay-at-home order -- which grew quarter-to-quarter at a rate of 183%.
The overall decline in Illinois was greater than the national average of 5 percent but smaller than the average for the Great Lakes region, which was 5.7%.
Neighboring states Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin all fared better than Illinois, while Indiana and Kentucky fared slightly worse.
The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, which produces the GDP numbers, is scheduled to issue its first estimate of second-quarter activity -- April through June -- later this month, but state-level GDP figures won't be available until October.
However, some early indicators of what's likely to be in the second-quarter report came out recently from the Commission on Government Reform and Accountability, the General Assembly's fiscal monitoring arm.
That agency reported this week that during the fiscal year that ended June 30, general fund revenues received by the state were $1.1 billion below last year's revenues, and that virtually all of the drop-off occurred during the April-through-June quarter.
Much of that was due to declines in personal income tax collections, which were down by a net $765 million due to a combination of mass layoffs and delaying the tax filing deadline to July 15. Corporate income taxes and sales taxes were also below last year's levels.
There were also big declines in revenue from riverboat casinos and the state lottery, although there was nearly a 3% increase in liquor taxes.
The report also said June showed signs of improvement as the state gradually began to reopen its economy.
Personal income tax collections during the month were up $173 million, or 9.4%, as many people returned to work and began filing their 2019 tax returns. Corporate income and sales taxes remained below June 2019 levels but overall state tax collections were off by only 0.1%.
Giertz said he sees similar trends in his monthly Flash Index, a general measure of economic activity that shows whether the state's economy is growing or contracting, and by how much.
A Flash Index value greater than 100 indicates a growing economy while a value less than 100 reflects economic contraction.
That index had been over 100 for 96 consecutive months, dating back to March 2012, when Illinois began pulling out of the Great Recession. It fell to 99.8 in March, 94.2 in April and 92.8 in May as effects of the economic lockdown began to be felt. But it ticked up slightly in June to 93.1, indicating the economy was still weak, but improved from May.
"Things are clearly turning around now but that turnaround could be halted almost any time we had another kind of outbreak," he said. "I suspect, though, that even if we do have a resurgence of the virus, ... we're going to be more open about that and not have a complete shutdown the way we did back in March."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Elections board wants to continue challenge of third-party ballot access

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois ' chief election authority told a federal appeals court Monday it wants to continue its appeal of looser election rules for third-party candidates .
If an appeals court agrees , the matter is unlikely to be settled before the July 20 petition filing deadline granted by Rebecca Pallmeyer , chief judge of the Northern District of Illinois .
She extended the cutoff established by statute in response to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state 's election rules during COVID-19 .
While the appeals court 's decision is unlikely to affect ballot access for third parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its decision could have implications on future elections as the state continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic .
In its court filing , the Illinois State Board of Elections acknowledged that date is `` quickly approaching , '' but points out `` it has not passed . ''
The issue presented in the case -- `` a District Court 's authority to rewrite Illinois ' statutory requirements that govern how the board conducts an orderly election during the COVID-19 global pandemic '' -- is one that might resurface .
The novel coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued , and will remain so for an `` unknown '' amount of time . ''
Because confirmed cases are rising in a number of other states and might climb in the Land of Lincoln , `` it is possible it could last beyond the 2020 election and into future elections , '' according to the document .
The elections board also wrote `` it is likely '' additional challenges to the election code will be filed before the Nov. 3 general election and any guidance from the appellate court would assist officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision is made by the judge , any arguments posed by the Board of Elections `` will be moot , '' Oliver Hall , an attorney for the Libertarian and Green Parties of Illinois , wrote in a response .
He is also the founder of the Center for Competitive Democracy based in Washington , D.C .
The state previously challenged Pallmeyer 's authority to make concessions for third-party candidates this election cycle , including moving the deadline for them to file a petition , reduce the number of signatures needed for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collected electronically .
It wrote in court documents that it is improper for a federal court to dictate how a state conducts elections because that is a power granted to states by the U.S. Constitution .
Hall pointed to the appellate court 's decision in late June , when it denied the board 's request to suspend enforcement of those looser ballot access requirements , as evidence its case should be tossed out .
At the time , the court ruled that the elections board failed to show that a later petition filing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' ability to administer the election .
It added third-party candidates would suffer `` clear harm '' if Pallmeyer 's order was undone .
Because it is not possible to alter those new ballot access rules in `` a timely and fair fashion , '' any court action would be `` moot , '' Hall argued , and thus continuing this case is unnecessary .
Sam Cahnman , an attorney representing an independent candidate , wrote in a separate document that in two years , when the next election will be held , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed .
Therefore , he wrote , the board 's argument that its election code might be challenged at the next election is `` unlikely . ''
The State Board of Elections is asking the 7th U.S .
Court of Appeals to agree the case should proceed and to set a schedule for both sides to file their arguments .
It wrote in its document it does not want oral arguments .

Elections board wants to continue challenge of third-party ballot access
SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois' chief election authority told a federal appeals court Monday it wants to continue its appeal of looser election rules for third-party candidates.
If an appeals court agrees, the matter is unlikely to be settled before the July 20 petition filing deadline granted by Rebecca Pallmeyer, chief judge of the Northern District of Illinois. She extended the cutoff established by statute in response to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state's election rules during COVID-19.
While the appeals court's decision is unlikely to affect ballot access for third parties in the current general election cycle, its decision could have implications on future elections as the state continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its court filing, the Illinois State Board of Elections acknowledged that date is "quickly approaching," but points out "it has not passed." The issue presented in the case -- "a District Court's authority to rewrite Illinois' statutory requirements that govern how the board conducts an orderly election during the COVID-19 global pandemic" -- is one that might resurface.
The novel coronavirus is present in Illinois, the board argued, and will remain so for an "unknown" amount of time." Because confirmed cases are rising in a number of other states and might climb in the Land of Lincoln, "it is possible it could last beyond the 2020 election and into future elections," according to the document.
The elections board also wrote "it is likely" additional challenges to the election code will be filed before the Nov. 3 general election and any guidance from the appellate court would assist officials.
But by the time a final decision is made by the judge, any arguments posed by the Board of Elections "will be moot," Oliver Hall, an attorney for the Libertarian and Green Parties of Illinois, wrote in a response.
He is also the founder of the Center for Competitive Democracy based in Washington, D.C.
The state previously challenged Pallmeyer's authority to make concessions for third-party candidates this election cycle, including moving the deadline for them to file a petition, reduce the number of signatures needed for those petitions and allow for signatures to be collected electronically.
It wrote in court documents that it is improper for a federal court to dictate how a state conducts elections because that is a power granted to states by the U.S. Constitution.
Hall pointed to the appellate court's decision in late June, when it denied the board's request to suspend enforcement of those looser ballot access requirements, as evidence its case should be tossed out.
At the time, the court ruled that the elections board failed to show that a later petition filing deadline would "irreparably" damage officials' ability to administer the election. It added third-party candidates would suffer "clear harm" if Pallmeyer's order was undone.
Because it is not possible to alter those new ballot access rules in "a timely and fair fashion," any court action would be "moot," Hall argued, and thus continuing this case is unnecessary.
Sam Cahnman, an attorney representing an independent candidate, wrote in a separate document that in two years, when the next election will be held, a COVID-19 vaccine will likely have been developed. Therefore, he wrote, the board's argument that its election code might be challenged at the next election is "unlikely."
The State Board of Elections is asking the 7th U.S. Court of Appeals to agree the case should proceed and to set a schedule for both sides to file their arguments. It wrote in its document it does not want oral arguments.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Renovated Arcada Theatre could reopen by Labor Day

For 15 years , Ron Onesti has dreamed of creating a `` fantasy land '' in St. Charles .
Now , he says he 's on the verge of completing that dream with the transformation of the 94-year-old Arcada Theatre in St. Charles from an old-time rock n ' roll house into a more dynamic and diverse entertainment venue .
A choice of eateries , a themed hotel , new and improved bathrooms and better climate control are among the amenities customers can expect when the Arcada reopens in about two months .
The 900-seat theater , which debuted Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience , is midway through a total overhaul .
Workers are putting the finishing touches on a $ 3 million renovation project , said Onesti , president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp. , who manages the Arcada .
Construction on the project began in January , and the Arcada has been shut down since the coronavirus crisis struck in mid-March .
The lockdown , though , has just `` accelerated all my plans , '' Onesti said .
He and Arcada owners Curt and Conrad Hurst aim to create a unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constructing seven new venues -- four restaurants and three bars -- in the redesigned , repurposed theater building and the building next door , also purchased by the Hursts .
The Arcada and associated venues could reopen around Labor Day , Onesti said .
Upgrades include new sprinkler systems , energy-efficient electrical units and wiring , copper pipes to replace lead ones , touchless equipment in bathrooms and everywhere else , centralized hot water tanks , beer and soda distribution systems , walk-in coolers , and new paint and fixtures .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and healthy environment , '' Onesti said .
The theater 's first floor will house Rock ' N Za wood-fired pizza on the west corner where a former Starbucks was located .
Arcada merchandise also will be sold there .
The former RockStock store will be the new Bar-Cada , with a larger entrance , full-service bar and video gambling machines .
The theater 's ticket counter has been retrofitted with a 1940s-style box office and hi-boy tables .
Among the new eateries is Rock ' N Ravioli , an outdoor Venetian-style cafe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newly placed brick pavers .
At the theater 's entrance will be a new main bar with a 1920s vibe .
The front theater floor where banquet-style chairs will be placed and stage have been refinished .
The second floor will house a large walk-in bar and an upscale , VIP event space designed like a country club .
Onesti Entertainment 's former corporate offices and the second floor of the former George 's Sporting Goods in the building east of the Arcada are being transformed into The Arcadian Suites -- nine hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zeppelin , the '60s , '70s , '80s , Motown and Nashville experiences .
The Club Arcada Speakeasy on the third floor is getting new dance floors , a larger kitchen and server facilities .
`` It will be the most interesting venue in the country for sure , '' Onesti said .
`` I am thrilled that we can show our loyal customers and our beloved bands just how much we appreciate them with better facilities and equipment to make their experience here memorable . ''

Renovated Arcada Theatre could reopen by Labor Day
For 15 years, Ron Onesti has dreamed of creating a "fantasy land" in St. Charles.
Now, he says he's on the verge of completing that dream with the transformation of the 94-year-old Arcada Theatre in St. Charles from an old-time rock n' roll house into a more dynamic and diverse entertainment venue.
A choice of eateries, a themed hotel, new and improved bathrooms and better climate control are among the amenities customers can expect when the Arcada reopens in about two months.
The 900-seat theater, which debuted Sept. 6, 1926, to a vaudeville audience, is midway through a total overhaul. Workers are putting the finishing touches on a $3 million renovation project, said Onesti, president and CEO of The Onesti Entertainment Corp., who manages the Arcada.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Arcada Theatre in St. Charles is undergoing a $3 million renovation including new bathrooms, restaurants and bars, manager Ron Onesti said.
Construction on the project began in January, and the Arcada has been shut down since the coronavirus crisis struck in mid-March. The lockdown, though, has just "accelerated all my plans," Onesti said.
He and Arcada owners Curt and Conrad Hurst aim to create a unique entertainment and dining experience. They're constructing seven new venues -- four restaurants and three bars -- in the redesigned, repurposed theater building and the building next door, also purchased by the Hursts.
The Arcada and associated venues could reopen around Labor Day, Onesti said.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Arcada Theatre in St. Charles could reopen around Labor Day after a $3 million renovation. Workers are putting on the final touches with reopening planned around Labor Day.
Upgrades include new sprinkler systems, energy-efficient electrical units and wiring, copper pipes to replace lead ones, touchless equipment in bathrooms and everywhere else, centralized hot water tanks, beer and soda distribution systems, walk-in coolers, and new paint and fixtures.
"It's a much more comfortable, safe and healthy environment," Onesti said.
The theater's first floor will house Rock 'N Za wood-fired pizza on the west corner where a former Starbucks was located. Arcada merchandise also will be sold there. The former RockStock store will be the new Bar-Cada, with a larger entrance, full-service bar and video gambling machines. The theater's ticket counter has been retrofitted with a 1940s-style box office and hi-boy tables.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer Arcada Theatre in downtown St. Charles is in the midst of a $3 million renovation.
Among the new eateries is Rock 'N Ravioli, an outdoor Venetian-style cafe with custom awnings, Italian lights and newly placed brick pavers. At the theater's entrance will be a new main bar with a 1920s vibe. The front theater floor where banquet-style chairs will be placed and stage have been refinished.
The second floor will house a large walk-in bar and an upscale, VIP event space designed like a country club. Onesti Entertainment's former corporate offices and the second floor of the former George's Sporting Goods in the building east of the Arcada are being transformed into The Arcadian Suites -- nine hotel rooms themed for Sinatra, Elvis, Zeppelin, the '60s, '70s, '80s, Motown and Nashville experiences. The Club Arcada Speakeasy on the third floor is getting new dance floors, a larger kitchen and server facilities.
- Mark Welsh | Staff Photographer The Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, shuttered since March due to the coronavirus pandemic, is undergoing a $3 million renovation. Manager Ron Onesti is aiming for a Labor Day reopening.
"It will be the most interesting venue in the country for sure," Onesti said. "I am thrilled that we can show our loyal customers and our beloved bands just how much we appreciate them with better facilities and equipment to make their experience here memorable."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-07--Naperville man charged with possession, distribution of child pornography

A Naperville man has been charged with 14 felony counts of possessing and distributing child pornography .
Keith C. Richey @ @ @ @ @ police Monday .
DuPage County court records indicate he posted $ 10,000 bond and was @ @ @ @ @ As a condition of bond , Judge Paul Marchese ordered that Richey not use the @ @ @ @ @ contact with people under the age of 18 be supervised by the county 's probation @ @ @ @ @ , lives on the 1500 block of Aztec Circle .
Naperville police say the department @ @ @ @ @ investigated Richey for several months .
Court records say the events happened Dec. 17 , @ @ @ @ @ .
According to court documents , he is charged with possessing and distributing photos of @ @ @ @ @ .
Some depicted a girl in a lewd pose exposing genitals and part of a @ @ @ @ @ girl engaged in a sexual act .

Naperville man charged with possession, distribution of child pornography
A Naperville man has been charged with 14 felony counts of possessing and distributing child pornography.
Keith C. Richey turned himself in to Naperville police Monday. DuPage County court records indicate he posted $10,000 bond and was released from jail Tuesday. As a condition of bond, Judge Paul Marchese ordered that Richey not use the internet, and that all contact with people under the age of 18 be supervised by the county's probation department.
Richey, 46, lives on the 1500 block of Aztec Circle.
Naperville police say the department's High Technology Crimes Unit investigated Richey for several months. Court records say the events happened Dec. 17, 2019, and Jan. 5.
According to court documents, he is charged with possessing and distributing photos of children under the age 13. Some depicted a girl in a lewd pose exposing genitals and part of a breast. One depicted a girl engaged in a sexual act.
Richey's next court date is July 31.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-07-08--Cooling centers closed: How Aurora, other communities are providing heat relief amid COVID-19

During a typical summer heat wave , community centers , libraries and other government buildings often serve as a safe haven for Aurora residents seeking air-conditioned relief .
But the coronavirus poses an unusual challenge this year , as most of the traditional cooling centers remain closed or are in the process of transitioning to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan , city spokesman Clayton Muhammad said .
With temperatures expected to hover in the high-80s and mid-90s through this week and beyond , officials worked quickly to convert the Aurora Transportation Center into a centrally located space for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as long as they 're wearing face coverings and following other social distancing protocols .
`` It 's definitely a challenge , but it 's one we certainly want to meet and need to meet for our residents in need , '' Muhammad said .
`` It 's extremely important .
These can be a matter of life or death . ''
Exposure to extreme heat is a major public health concern , often alleviated by the availability of cooling centers during especially hot or humid days , according to the Centers for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities also can lead to the congregation of at-risk individuals -- including older adults or people with underlying conditions -- potentially providing a `` route for the transmission '' of the COVID-19 virus .
That 's why two homeless shelters serving Lake and Cook counties , which typically double as cooling centers , decided early on to house their clients in hotels through the pandemic .
`` There are too many people to put in one building , '' said Meghan Powell-Filler , executive director of PADS Lake County .
The agency is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant spike from the 40 clients it serves each summer , she said .
The Palatine-based Journeys|The Road Home also removed its roughly 100 clients from shelters and placed them in hotels , Executive Director Beth Nabors said .
That costly solution -- about $ 18,000 per week -- is expected to see these clients through the extreme heat expected in the coming days .
`` Weather is always on the forefront , '' Nabors said .
`` We 're always paying attention to the weather . ''
Many suburban facilities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as the Elgin and Bartlett police station lobbies , remain closed to the public .
The Palatine Township Center is waiting until its large meeting room is available Aug. 10 so seating can be spaced out accordingly .
In Schaumburg and Arlington Heights , village officials say they have not had any power outages or other reasons to activate cooling centers .
But Arlington Heights Village Manager Randy Recklaus said the coronavirus `` would be a factor if we did have an event , for sure . ''
Some municipal buildings throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Geneva , have implemented special restrictions for residents seeking relief from the heat .
According to CDC guidelines , visitors , staff members and volunteers should undergo verbal screenings or temperature checks .
The facility should be cleaned frequently , seating should be spaced at least 6 feet apart , and `` prevention supplies '' should be available , such as disposable masks , soap , hand sanitizers , tissues and trash baskets .
At the Aurora Transportation Center , signs have been placed throughout the building and additional employees are on hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 233 N. Broadway Ave. is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m .
Similar guidelines will be in place when three branches of the Aurora Public Library reopen as cooling centers Monday , officials said .
The facilities are available by appointment only from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays , noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays , and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays .
The additional cooling locations will ensure that all areas of Aurora are covered , Muhammad said .
`` This year does present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , `` but definitely not an insurmountable one . ''
• Daily Herald staff writers Mick Zawislak and Eric Peterson contributed to this report .

Cooling centers closed: How Aurora, other communities are providing heat relief amid COVID-19
Aurora has opened its Transportation Center as a cooling center during the current heat wave. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 233 N. Broadway in downtown Aurora. courtesy of the City of Aurora
During a typical summer heat wave, community centers, libraries and other government buildings often serve as a safe haven for Aurora residents seeking air-conditioned relief.
But the coronavirus poses an unusual challenge this year, as most of the traditional cooling centers remain closed or are in the process of transitioning to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, city spokesman Clayton Muhammad said.
With temperatures expected to hover in the high-80s and mid-90s through this week and beyond, officials worked quickly to convert the Aurora Transportation Center into a centrally located space for community members to beat the heat -- as long as they're wearing face coverings and following other social distancing protocols.
"It's definitely a challenge, but it's one we certainly want to meet and need to meet for our residents in need," Muhammad said. "It's extremely important. These can be a matter of life or death."
Exposure to extreme heat is a major public health concern, often alleviated by the availability of cooling centers during especially hot or humid days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But such facilities also can lead to the congregation of at-risk individuals -- including older adults or people with underlying conditions -- potentially providing a "route for the transmission" of the COVID-19 virus.
That's why two homeless shelters serving Lake and Cook counties, which typically double as cooling centers, decided early on to house their clients in hotels through the pandemic.
"There are too many people to put in one building," said Meghan Powell-Filler, executive director of PADS Lake County.
The agency is sheltering about 160 people in hotels -- a significant spike from the 40 clients it serves each summer, she said.
The Palatine-based Journeys|The Road Home also removed its roughly 100 clients from shelters and placed them in hotels, Executive Director Beth Nabors said. That costly solution -- about $18,000 per week -- is expected to see these clients through the extreme heat expected in the coming days.
"Weather is always on the forefront," Nabors said. "We're always paying attention to the weather."
Many suburban facilities that would traditionally open as cooling centers, such as the Elgin and Bartlett police station lobbies, remain closed to the public. The Palatine Township Center is waiting until its large meeting room is available Aug. 10 so seating can be spaced out accordingly.
In Schaumburg and Arlington Heights, village officials say they have not had any power outages or other reasons to activate cooling centers. But Arlington Heights Village Manager Randy Recklaus said the coronavirus "would be a factor if we did have an event, for sure."
Some municipal buildings throughout the suburbs, including in Naperville and Geneva, have implemented special restrictions for residents seeking relief from the heat.
According to CDC guidelines, visitors, staff members and volunteers should undergo verbal screenings or temperature checks. The facility should be cleaned frequently, seating should be spaced at least 6 feet apart, and "prevention supplies" should be available, such as disposable masks, soap, hand sanitizers, tissues and trash baskets.
At the Aurora Transportation Center, signs have been placed throughout the building and additional employees are on hand to enforce distancing requirements. The facility at 233 N. Broadway Ave. is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Similar guidelines will be in place when three branches of the Aurora Public Library reopen as cooling centers Monday, officials said. The facilities are available by appointment only from noon to 6 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, noon to 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
The additional cooling locations will ensure that all areas of Aurora are covered, Muhammad said.
"This year does present a hurdle for us," he said, "but definitely not an insurmountable one."
• Daily Herald staff writers Mick Zawislak and Eric Peterson contributed to this report.