dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Naperville banning sales of dogs, cats from commercial breeders

Persistent animal advocates who have lobbied the Naperville City Council for the past five years finally got their way : The city will ban the sale of cats and dogs from commercial breeders .
An ordinance regulating animal sales is set to go into effect Jan. 1 , 2021 .
It will allow pet stores to sell only dogs and cats obtained from a `` duly incorporated humane society , animal welfare society or other nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide for and promote the welfare , protection and humane treatment of animals , '' or `` an animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two pet stores in the city , Happiness is Pets and Petland Naperville , opposed the commercial-breeder ban often referred to as a `` humane ordinance , '' as did four city council members : Kevin Coyne , John Krummen , Benny White and Mayor Steve Chirico .
But with five votes in favor , the rule passed and advocates in yellow `` GO HUMANE '' shirts briefly applauded and cheered .
`` If you pass it tonight , the pet stores could n't buy from the puppy mills anymore , '' humane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , `` and we 'd be that much closer to putting this very , very cruel , cruel industry out of business . ''
There was a push by the council members opposed to the ordinance to table it in hopes a Canine Care Certification program being developed by Purdue University could be studied and potentially implemented instead .
But that effort failed , leading to a local law effective next year that Carl Swanson of Petland Naperville said `` closes two more pet stores . ''
Detractors said the ban on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial breeders will do little to address issues with improper or unsanitary treatment of animals in breeder facilities and will not stop shoppers from finding puppies through other means .
`` People want choices and many want puppies whose histories are fully known to them , '' said Jonathan Berning of Happiness is Pets .
`` Many people will continue to seek out the dogs they want , rather than those that are available . ''
But those supporting the ban said adoption is the best way to find homes for animals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 're at least indirectly aiding and abetting harm toward animals , '' said Joe McElroy , a board member of the ADOPT Pet Shelter in Naperville and a former city council member .
`` You have a chance -- not nationwide or whatever , but in our little part of the world -- to do something about that . ''
Council member Theresa Sullivan said 99 % of all speakers and people who emailed council members about animal sales supported the humane ordinance , so she had no reservations voting in favor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she would have preferred a state law to create a level playing field , but she supported the citywide ban , which gives pet stores 11 months to adjust their business model of animal sourcing .
The ordinance sets a fine of $ 500 for the first violation , $ 750 for the second and $ 1,000 for the third , saying a separate offense is considered committed for each sale of a dog or cat from a disallowed source .
Kristen Foley , senior assistant city attorney , said the ordinance also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too closely affiliated with animal breeders or brokers from qualifying as allowable sources for dogs or cats .

Naperville banning sales of dogs, cats from commercial breeders
The Naperville City Council has voted to ban the sale of cats and dogs from commercial breeders beginning next January. The new law will directly affect two stores in town: Happiness is Pets and Petland Naperville. Daily Herald file photo
Persistent animal advocates who have lobbied the Naperville City Council for the past five years finally got their way: The city will ban the sale of cats and dogs from commercial breeders.
An ordinance regulating animal sales is set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2021. It will allow pet stores to sell only dogs and cats obtained from a "duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society or other nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide for and promote the welfare, protection and humane treatment of animals," or "an animal rescue organization."
Representatives of the two pet stores in the city, Happiness is Pets and Petland Naperville, opposed the commercial-breeder ban often referred to as a "humane ordinance," as did four city council members: Kevin Coyne, John Krummen, Benny White and Mayor Steve Chirico. But with five votes in favor, the rule passed and advocates in yellow "GO HUMANE" shirts briefly applauded and cheered.
"If you pass it tonight, the pet stores couldn't buy from the puppy mills anymore," humane ordinance supporter Kathi DeArmas said before the vote, "and we'd be that much closer to putting this very, very cruel, cruel industry out of business."
There was a push by the council members opposed to the ordinance to table it in hopes a Canine Care Certification program being developed by Purdue University could be studied and potentially implemented instead. But that effort failed, leading to a local law effective next year that Carl Swanson of Petland Naperville said "closes two more pet stores."
Detractors said the ban on the sale of dogs and cats from commercial breeders will do little to address issues with improper or unsanitary treatment of animals in breeder facilities and will not stop shoppers from finding puppies through other means.
"People want choices and many want puppies whose histories are fully known to them," said Jonathan Berning of Happiness is Pets. "Many people will continue to seek out the dogs they want, rather than those that are available."
But those supporting the ban said adoption is the best way to find homes for animals.
"Under the existing situation, we're at least indirectly aiding and abetting harm toward animals," said Joe McElroy, a board member of the ADOPT Pet Shelter in Naperville and a former city council member. "You have a chance -- not nationwide or whatever, but in our little part of the world -- to do something about that."
Council member Theresa Sullivan said 99% of all speakers and people who emailed council members about animal sales supported the humane ordinance, so she had no reservations voting in favor of it. Council member Patty Gustin said she would have preferred a state law to create a level playing field, but she supported the citywide ban, which gives pet stores 11 months to adjust their business model of animal sourcing.
The ordinance sets a fine of $500 for the first violation, $750 for the second and $1,000 for the third, saying a separate offense is considered committed for each sale of a dog or cat from a disallowed source.
Kristen Foley, senior assistant city attorney, said the ordinance also includes language that prohibits nonprofits that are too closely affiliated with animal breeders or brokers from qualifying as allowable sources for dogs or cats.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Palatine native, Army sergeant dies while scuba diving off Okinawa

U.S. Army Staff Sgt .
Matt Morgan was remembered Wednesday by his former Palatine High School baseball coach as a hard worker and someone who made the most of his opportunities .
Morgan , 30 , was found dead Monday in the waters off Okinawa , Japan , one day after he went missing while on a recreational scuba dive .
Longtime Palatine High baseball coach Paul Belo got to know Morgan as a pitcher on his teams and regularly kept in touch with him over the years .
Morgan attended Palatine High from 2003 to 2007 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick DeGeorge .
Belo said he last talked to Morgan on Dec. 28 , when he was in town visiting family .
Morgan , who was married , wanted to make the military his career and enjoyed being stationed in Japan , his former baseball coach said .
`` He absolutely loved Okinawa , '' Belo said during a break at school Wednesday .
`` Loved the culture of it .
Loved the ease in which life was lived .
Just absolutely loved the culture and community of Okinawa .
Embraced it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really ventured off the Army pathway where he became a certified diver and then did that not only recreationally , but then found a way to make that a part of his military duties also . ''
As a pitcher for the Palatine High Pirates , Morgan did n't have raw talent .
However , he was willing to put in the work to improve , Belo said .
`` The thing that comes to mind , always , is the willingness to do what it takes to really kind of realize his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in varsity baseball games , '' he said .
`` That 's one of the resounding things he and I would talk about . ''
Belo said he would get together with Morgan when the soldier was back in Palatine .
And at Belo 's request , Morgan visited Palatine High 's after-school leadership classroom geared for athletes in January 2019 .
`` He spoke of chain of command , '' Belo said .
`` He spoke of mental toughness and dealing with adversity , learning how to deal with people that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , but yet you have to achieve a common goal .
He was wonderful . ''
Army Lt. Col. Vinston Porter said Morgan 's main duty was as a contract specialist .
He said the diving accident remained under investigation .
According to Stars and Stripes , Morgan disappeared while diving near the USS Emmons , a sunken World War II warship off Okinawa .
The captain of the dive boat reported seeing Morgan drifting away then sinking with his gear on , according to the report .
District 211 officials issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Our thoughts and hearts go out to the family and friends of Staff Sgt .
Morgan during this difficult time , and we wish them peace . ''

Palatine native, Army sergeant dies while scuba diving off Okinawa
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Morgan was remembered Wednesday by his former Palatine High School baseball coach as a hard worker and someone who made the most of his opportunities. Here, he visited a Palatine High after-school program to speak to students in January 2019. Courtesy of Paul Belo
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Morgan pitched for Palatine High School'ss baseball team during his years as a student there between 2003 and 2007. Morgan died after he went missing Monday while scuba diving off Okinawa, Japan. Courtesy of Paul Belo
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Morgan was remembered by his former Palatine High School baseball coach as a hard worker and someone who made the most of his opportunities. Here, he visits a Palatine High after-school program in January 2019. Courtesy of Paul Belo
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Morgan was remembered Wednesday by his former Palatine High School baseball coach as a hard worker and someone who made the most of his opportunities.
Morgan, 30, was found dead Monday in the waters off Okinawa, Japan, one day after he went missing while on a recreational scuba dive.
Longtime Palatine High baseball coach Paul Belo got to know Morgan as a pitcher on his teams and regularly kept in touch with him over the years. Morgan attended Palatine High from 2003 to 2007, according to Palatine-Schaumburg Township High School District 211 spokesman Patrick DeGeorge.
Belo said he last talked to Morgan on Dec. 28, when he was in town visiting family. Morgan, who was married, wanted to make the military his career and enjoyed being stationed in Japan, his former baseball coach said.
"He absolutely loved Okinawa," Belo said during a break at school Wednesday. "Loved the culture of it. Loved the ease in which life was lived. Just absolutely loved the culture and community of Okinawa. Embraced it.
"He had learned some Japanese and really ventured off the Army pathway where he became a certified diver and then did that not only recreationally, but then found a way to make that a part of his military duties also."
As a pitcher for the Palatine High Pirates, Morgan didn't have raw talent. However, he was willing to put in the work to improve, Belo said.
"The thing that comes to mind, always, is the willingness to do what it takes to really kind of realize his own dream, which was to pitch in varsity baseball games," he said. "That's one of the resounding things he and I would talk about."
Belo said he would get together with Morgan when the soldier was back in Palatine. And at Belo's request, Morgan visited Palatine High's after-school leadership classroom geared for athletes in January 2019.
"He spoke of chain of command," Belo said. "He spoke of mental toughness and dealing with adversity, learning how to deal with people that may not be on the same wavelength as you, but yet you have to achieve a common goal. He was wonderful."
Army Lt. Col. Vinston Porter said Morgan's main duty was as a contract specialist. He said the diving accident remained under investigation.
According to Stars and Stripes, Morgan disappeared while diving near the USS Emmons, a sunken World War II warship off Okinawa. The captain of the dive boat reported seeing Morgan drifting away then sinking with his gear on, according to the report.
District 211 officials issued the following statement regarding Morgan's death: "Our thoughts and hearts go out to the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Morgan during this difficult time, and we wish them peace."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--One dead, two others sickened by Legionnaires' disease at Vernon Hills senior living center

Lake County health officials are investigating a Legionnaires ' disease outbreak that killed one resident and sickened two others at a senior living center in Vernon Hills .
Mark Pfister , executive director of the Lake County Health Department , said Wednesday his office received reports late Monday of three cases of Legionnaires ' disease at Brookdale Senior Living in Vernon Hills , one of them fatal .
`` We urge any residents and visitors of the Brookdale facility who are currently experiencing pneumonia symptoms -- cough , shortness of breath , headache , muscle aches and fever -- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Dr. Sana Ahmed , medical epidemiologist at the health department .
`` Early treatment of Legionnaires ' disease reduces the severity of the illness and improves your chances for recovery . ''
Heather Hunter , who works in public relations for Brookdale 's corporate office , said the facility 's staff alerted Lake County health authorities about the cases as soon as possible Monday as has followed the agency 's guidelines since .
`` Our greatest concern is the health of the residents of our community , so we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she said .
Hunter said she could n't comment on the condition of those made sick by the outbreak because they are independent living residents and do not receive medical care from the company .
The Vernon Hills center houses both independent and assistant living residents .
Experts have not yet identified the source of the bacteria , Hunter added .
She said the company has turned off all drinking fountains , closed the building 's pool and spa , and workers are flushing water lines , cleaning shower heads and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a serious lung infection spread by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria .
According to the health department , the bacteria grow in areas of warm water .
Outbreaks are most commonly associated with buildings or other structures with complex water systems .
According to the health department , most healthy people do not get Legionnaires ' disease after being exposed to the bacteria .
People at increased risk include those 50 or older , current or former smokers and those suffering from other illnesses , such as cancer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center is located on Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills

One dead, two others sickened by Legionnaires' disease at Vernon Hills senior living center
This 2009 colorized 8000X electron micrograph image provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a large grouping of Gram-negative Legionella pneumophila bacteria, which causes Legionnaires' disease. Lake County health officials reported Wednesday that one person has died and two others are ill as a result of a Legionnaire's outbreak in Vernon Hills. AP Photo/Janice Haney Carr
Lake County health officials are investigating a Legionnaires' disease outbreak that killed one resident and sickened two others at a senior living center in Vernon Hills.
Mark Pfister, executive director of the Lake County Health Department, said Wednesday his office received reports late Monday of three cases of Legionnaires' disease at Brookdale Senior Living.
The symptoms of Legionnaires' disease can mirror pneumonia's.
"We urge any residents and visitors of the Brookdale facility who are currently experiencing pneumonia symptoms -- cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle aches and fever -- to see a doctor right away for testing," said Dr. Sana Ahmed, medical epidemiologist at the health department. "Early treatment of Legionnaires' disease reduces the severity of the illness and improves your chances for recovery."
Heather Hunter, who works in public relations for Brookdale's corporate office, said the facility's staff alerted Lake County health authorities about the cases as soon as possible Monday and has followed the agency's guidelines since.
"Our greatest concern is the health of the residents of our community, so we have responded quickly and proactively to this situation," she said.
Hunter said she couldn't comment on the condition of those made sick by the outbreak because they are independent living residents and do not receive medical care from the company. The Vernon Hills center houses both independent and assistant living residents.
Experts have not yet identified the source of the bacteria, Hunter added. She said the company has turned off drinking fountains and closed the building's pool and spa, and workers are flushing water lines, cleaning shower heads and adding water filters.
Legionnaires' is a serious lung infection spread by breathing in small droplets of water containing Legionella bacteria. Outbreaks are most commonly associated with buildings or other structures with complex water systems.
According to the health department, most healthy people do not get Legionnaires' disease after being exposed to the bacteria. People at increased risk include those 50 or older, current or former smokers and those suffering from other illnesses, such as cancer, diabetes or liver failure.
Brookdale Senior Living is located on Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--2-4 inches of snow possible starting tonight

Another round of snow is expected to sweep through the area starting tonight , with totals of 2 to 4 @ @ @ @ @ the suburbs , according to the National Weather Service .
Areas north of I-80 should @ @ @ @ @ 6 p.m. Light to moderate snow could continue into Thursday morning , with temperatures dipping @ @ @ @

2-4 inches of snow possible starting tonight
Another round of snow is expected to sweep through the area starting tonight, with totals of 2 to 4 inches possible in parts of the suburbs, according to the National Weather Service.
Areas north of I-80 should start to see flurries after 6 p.m.
Light to moderate snow could continue into Thursday morning, with temperatures dipping into the 20s.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--East Dundee denies request for new liquor license, video gambling at gas station

An East Dundee gas station owner 's plea to install video gambling machines has been rejected by village trustees , a majority of whom said they do n't want to set a precedent for similar businesses .
Due to the size of its property , the Exxon gas station at River Street and Route 72 does not qualify as a truck stop , Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen says .
That distinction is important , she said , because state law allows video gambling only in truck stops , not gas stations .
The only way around that restriction would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquor license that permits the on-site consumption of alcohol -- similar to a gaming parlor like Dolly 's Cafe , officials said .
Exxon 's business has been hurting in recent years as other Dundee-area gas stations have been constructed or expanded nearby , said Jay Pastakia , who has owned the downtown property since 1999 .
Adding video gambling terminals would allow Exxon to remain competitive , he said , particularly among two nearby truck stops that offer the gaming machines .
Trustees Scott Andresen and Dan Selep supported Pastakia 's request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering Exxon the same advantages available to competing businesses .
`` Jay has been a great asset to this village , '' Selep said .
`` It 'd be a shame to lose that revenue and the opportunity to get more revenue . ''
But other trustees said they 're not comfortable granting a liquor license as a way to ultimately allow video gambling at a site where it was not intended .
Permitting such a loophole now , they say , could be a slippery slope down the road .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a perception standpoint .
I think it 's a bad idea from a precedent standpoint , and I do n't think the gaming business was introduced into the state of Illinois to be implemented in this type of situation , '' Trustee Kirstin Wood said .
Pastakia made an identical request for a liquor license and subsequent video gambling permit two years ago , at which point his proposal was shot down in a 4-3 vote by the village board .
Trustees did not take a formal vote while reconsidering the request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not interested in moving the measure forward .
Village President Lael Miller said he would like the village to work with Pastakia and `` see if there are other opportunities where we could help make the business more successful . ''

East Dundee denies request for new liquor license, video gambling at gas station
An East Dundee gas station owner's plea to install video gambling machines has been rejected by village trustees, a majority of whom said they don't want to set a precedent for similar businesses.
Due to the size of its property, the Exxon gas station at River Street and Route 72 does not qualify as a truck stop, Village Administrator Jennifer Johnsen says. That distinction is important, she said, because state law allows video gambling only in truck stops, not gas stations.
The only way around that restriction would be to grant Exxon a "tavern" liquor license that permits the on-site consumption of alcohol -- similar to a gaming parlor like Dolly's Cafe, officials said.
Exxon's business has been hurting in recent years as other Dundee-area gas stations have been constructed or expanded nearby, said Jay Pastakia, who has owned the downtown property since 1999.
Adding video gambling terminals would allow Exxon to remain competitive, he said, particularly among two nearby truck stops that offer the gaming machines.
Trustees Scott Andresen and Dan Selep supported Pastakia's request, saying they take no issue with offering Exxon the same advantages available to competing businesses.
"Jay has been a great asset to this village," Selep said. "It'd be a shame to lose that revenue and the opportunity to get more revenue."
But other trustees said they're not comfortable granting a liquor license as a way to ultimately allow video gambling at a site where it was not intended. Permitting such a loophole now, they say, could be a slippery slope down the road.
"I just think this is a bad idea from a perception standpoint. I think it's a bad idea from a precedent standpoint, and I don't think the gaming business was introduced into the state of Illinois to be implemented in this type of situation," Trustee Kirstin Wood said.
Pastakia made an identical request for a liquor license and subsequent video gambling permit two years ago, at which point his proposal was shot down in a 4-3 vote by the village board.
Trustees did not take a formal vote while reconsidering the request this week, but they indicated they were not interested in moving the measure forward.
Village President Lael Miller said he would like the village to work with Pastakia and "see if there are other opportunities where we could help make the business more successful."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Feder: Music critic Greg Kot leaving Chicago Tribune

Greg Kot , the nationally renowned authority on popular music for the Chicago Tribune , is leaving the newspaper after @ @ @ @ @ last 30 as music critic , Robert Feder reports .
Kot , 62 , is @ @ @ @ @ to announce his departure from the Tribune under a voluntary buyout plan offered to employees @ @ @ @ @ His last day will be Friday .

Feder: Music critic Greg Kot leaving Chicago Tribune
Greg Kot, the nationally renowned authority on popular music for the Chicago Tribune, is leaving the newspaper after 40 years -- including the last 30 as music critic, Robert Feder reports.
Kot, 62, is the highest-profile personality so far to announce his departure from the Tribune under a voluntary buyout plan offered to employees of Tribune Publishing newspapers. His last day will be Friday.
Read the full story here.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Senate deals Pritzker first veto override

SPRINGFIELD -- Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker was dealt his first veto override Wednesday when the state Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that retroactively extends a sales tax exemption for aircraft parts and equipment .
House Bill 3902 passed the General Assembly during the 2019 fall veto session .
It reinstates a tax break that was in place starting in 2010 , but which was allowed to expire in 2015 without state tax officials or other public bodies taking note .
From 2015 through last year , many manufacturers in Illinois continued selling their products without collecting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 million in unpaid taxes owed to the state , according to one aviation industry estimate .
The bill reinstates that tax break through Dec. 31 , 2024 .
It also provides that the tax exemption applies `` continuously '' from Jan. 1 , 2010 , through 2024 , including the years during which it had actually lapsed .
It does not , however , allow any manufacturer who charged the tax during that time to claim a tax credit or refund .
The tax exemption applies to the sale of `` materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and furnishings incorporated into or upon an aircraft as part of the modification , refurbishment , completion , replacement , repair , or maintenance of the aircraft . ''
`` This exemption was designed to create jobs and bring industry to the state of Illinois by putting Illinois on a level playing field with other tax-exempt states , and it worked , '' Sen. Rachelle Crowe , a Glen Carbon Democrat , said on the Senate floor .
She noted there are 14 facilities in 10 communities in Illinois that host aircraft parts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,700 individuals .
The Senate action came one day after the House voted 107-0 to override the veto , with two House members voting `` present . ''
The Senate vote was 54-1 , with recently appointed Democrat Patrick Joyce , of Essex , voting against .
In his veto message Nov. 25 , Pritzker argued the state was not in a position to offer retroactive tax breaks .
And in an email Wednesday , his press secretary , Jordan Abudayyeh , said that is still the governor 's position .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of millions of dollars in past due tax forgiveness is not the right fiscal decision for our state as we face billions in debt associated with unpaid bills , a multibillion-dollar structural deficit , and critical needs in schools and public safety services , '' she said .
`` He looks forward to working with the General Assembly to move forward and build on the progress that 's been made to put the state on firm fiscal footing and support and create good jobs throughout the state . ''

Senate deals Pritzker first veto override
SPRINGFIELD -- Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker was dealt his first veto override Wednesday when the state Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that retroactively extends a sales tax exemption for aircraft parts and equipment.
House Bill 3902 passed the General Assembly during the 2019 fall veto session. It reinstates a tax break that was in place starting in 2010 but expired in 2015 as state tax officials or other public bodies failed to take note.
From 2015 through last year, many manufacturers in Illinois continued selling their products without collecting the tax, resulting in an estimated $50 million owed to the state, according to one aviation industry estimate.
The bill reinstates that tax break through Dec. 31, 2024. It also provides that the tax exemption applies "continuously" from 2010 through 2024, including the years during which it had actually lapsed. It does not, however, allow any manufacturer who charged the tax during that time to claim a tax credit or refund.
The tax exemption applies to the sale of "materials, parts, equipment, components, and furnishings incorporated into or upon an aircraft as part of the modification, refurbishment, completion, replacement, repair, or maintenance of the aircraft."
"This exemption was designed to create jobs and bring industry to the state of Illinois by putting Illinois on a level playing field with other tax-exempt states, and it worked," Sen. Rachelle Crowe, a Glen Carbon Democrat, said on the Senate floor.
She noted there are 14 plants in 10 communities in Illinois that manufactured aircraft parts. Those factories employ an estimated 3,700 workers.
The Senate action came one day after the House voted 107-0 to override the veto, with two House members voting "present." The Senate vote was 54-1, with recently appointed Democrat Patrick Joyce, of Essex, voting against.
In his veto message Nov. 25, Pritzker argued the state was not in a position to offer retroactive tax breaks. And in an email Wednesday, his press secretary, Jordan Abudayyeh, said that is still the governor's position.
"The governor still believes giving private aircraft companies tens of millions of dollars in past due tax forgiveness is not the right fiscal decision for our state as we face billions in debt associated with unpaid bills, a multibillion-dollar structural deficit, and critical needs in schools and public safety services," she said. "He looks forward to working with the General Assembly to move forward and build on the progress that's been made to put the state on firm fiscal footing and support and create good jobs throughout the state."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Proposed development would add 60 townhouse units to Lake Zurich

Developers , appearing before the Lake Zurich village board , outlined a plan to build 60 luxury townhouse units and six commercial buildings on the southwest corner of Quentin Road and Route 22 .
Joe Elias , owner of Vintage Luxury Homes , said at the Monday meeting that the commercial buildings would be on the north side of the lot along Route 22 .
The preliminary plans call for eight acres of land consisting of a bank , a coffee shop and four free-standing retail buildings , two of which are designed as drive-through establishments .
Elias ' team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one with a retail building and the other with a gas station .
Elias said he 's heard significant interest from companies who want to build a gas station at the corner .
The residential section would include a central green space area with connected walking paths throughout .
The plan includes 15 residential buildings with four townhouses each .
Each townhouse would be two stories and include a two-car garage .
Elias said the townhouses would be configured in a way where not every unit 's garage would face the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of the village 's courtesy review process .
No votes were taken .
Trustee Janice Gannon said she thought the project looked wonderful , but added she 'd spoken with neighboring residents to the west who were concerned there would n't be enough trees and plants along the border .
The village recently removed invasive plants and buckthorn trees in the area .
Elias said he has more than 30 years of experience designing landscapes .
`` We always pride ourselves on doing a really nice job with landscaping , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the board nearly two and a half years after it rejected a similar , albeit more crowded , proposal for the same plot of vacant land .
In June 2017 , the board rejected a plan to build a gas station , other commercial buildings and 42 single-family homes there .
Residents at the time opposed the plans , particularly the gas station .
Elias said he plans on submitting plans in the next 30 to 45 days to get the project before the village 's Planning and Zoning Commission .

Proposed development would add 60 townhouse units to Lake Zurich
Developers presented this top-down rendering of 60 luxury townhouse units and commercial buildings on the southwest corner of Quentin Road and Route 22 Monday. Rendering courtesy of village of Lake Zurich
Developers, appearing before the Lake Zurich village board, outlined a plan to build 60 luxury townhouse units and six commercial buildings on the southwest corner of Quentin Road and Route 22.
Joe Elias, owner of Vintage Luxury Homes, said at the Monday meeting that the commercial buildings would be on the north side of the lot along Route 22. The preliminary plans call for eight acres of land consisting of a bank, a coffee shop and four free-standing retail buildings, two of which are designed as drive-through establishments. Elias' team submitted two configurations for the corner property, one with a retail building and the other with a gas station.
Elias said he's heard significant interest from companies who want to build a gas station at the corner.
The residential section would include a central green space area with connected walking paths throughout. The plan includes 15 residential buildings with four townhouses each. Each townhouse would be two stories and include a two-car garage. Elias said the townhouses would be configured in a way where not every unit's garage would face the street.
The project was before the board as part of the village's courtesy review process. No votes were taken.
Trustee Janice Gannon said she thought the project looked wonderful, but added she'd spoken with neighboring residents to the west who were concerned there wouldn't be enough trees and plants along the border. The village recently removed invasive plants and buckthorn trees in the area.
Elias said he has more than 30 years of experience designing landscapes.
"We always pride ourselves on doing a really nice job with landscaping," Elias said.
Elias' plan comes to the board nearly two and a half years after it rejected a similar, albeit more crowded, proposal for the same plot of vacant land.
In June 2017, the board rejected a plan to build a gas station, other commercial buildings and 42 single-family homes there. Residents at the time opposed the plans, particularly the gas station.
Elias said he plans on submitting plans in the next 30 to 45 days to get the project before the village's Planning and Zoning Commission.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Committee presses for answers on automatic voter registration errors

SPRINGFIELD -- A programming error in Illinois ' automatic voter registration system that mistakenly enrolled more than 500 people was a `` wakeup call , '' the state 's top elections official said Wednesday .
One string of code among 8.5 million others controlling the `` hundreds of functions '' of the secretary of state 's office resulted in 574 people who identified themselves as non-U.S. citizens being registered to vote , the agency 's senior legal advisor , Nathan Maddox , said .
Of those people , 15 cast ballots .
Only one was not a citizen , Maddox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's a silver lining to this , it 's going to cause us to make sure that our systems are as good as they can possibly be , '' said Steve Sandvoss , director of the Illinois State Board of Elections .
Four Republican representatives spent more than an hour Wednesday , on the eve of early voting opening for the state 's March 17 primary election , questioning secretary of state and elections board officials .
Springfield Rep. Tim Butler said several instances caused `` fears that our elections system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be done to alleviate further issues .
`` What has come to light in the past few weeks -- from self-identified non-citizens registering , to 16-year-olds being forwarded through the system , to people who opted out of registering actually being forwarded , to this week 's revelation ... that almost 800 previously incarcerated Illinois citizens had their voting rights cancelled -- has certainly wounded the integrity of voter registration here in Illinois , '' Butler said .
Secretary of state officials , who took responsibility for the errors , said legislative solutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ultimately , Maddox said , `` there is no part of this that is not going to be reviewed . ''
Jeff Clines , director of Information Technology for the agency , added that his staff is `` testing and reviewing '' the programs in place to ensure there are no other problems and are `` looking for opportunities '' to better the system .
Maddox said the office plans to add an `` exit button '' to the signature pad , as recommended by the elections board .
It will enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to not be added to the state 's voter rolls .
The office also plans to make that opt-out language more clear .
Officials did not clearly indicate whether more training for the roughly 2,300 Department of Motor Services employees -- who are on the `` front-lines '' of automatic voter registration , Butler said -- is needed .
Currently , regional managers receive memos detailing policies , procedures and best practices .
Managers then work with attendants on how to execute those .
Brenda Glahn , senior legal advisor for the secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office is `` always looking for ways , if we see that a particular error [ has been made ] , we certainly will send out another memo . ''
`` I do want to point out that this was an error , and there was no effort put forth to hide anything or to cook the books , so to speak , '' Secretary of State Jesse White said .
`` We want to make sure that not only do we take on the job , but we take on the responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to make sure that the individuals who have registered to vote get an opportunity to do so . ''
Rep. Joe Sosnowski , of Rockford , asked both agencies to update the General Assembly on the progress of any steps that will be taken in May before it adjourns .
Secretary of state and elections board representatives emphasized Illinois ' voter registration and election processes are of the utmost importance .

Committee presses for answers on automatic voter registration errors
Blueroomstream.comFrom left, Republican Reps. Ryan Spain, Keith Wheeler, Joe Sosnowski and Tim Butler each had questions Wednesday for Illinois secretary of state representatives about glitches in the state's automatic voter registration program.
SPRINGFIELD -- A programming error in Illinois' automatic voter registration system that mistakenly enrolled more than 500 people was a "wakeup call," the state's top elections official said Wednesday.
One string of code among 8.5 million others controlling the "hundreds of functions" of the secretary of state's office resulted in 574 people who identified themselves as non-U.S. citizens being registered to vote, the agency's senior legal advisor, Nathan Maddox, said.
Of those people, 15 cast ballots. Only one was not a citizen, Maddox said.
"I think that if there's a silver lining to this, it's going to cause us to make sure that our systems are as good as they can possibly be," said Steve Sandvoss, director of the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Four Republican representatives spent more than an hour Wednesday, on the eve of early voting opening for the state's March 17 primary election, questioning secretary of state and elections board officials. Springfield Rep. Tim Butler said several instances caused "fears that our elections system is compromised," and asked what can be done to alleviate further issues.
"What has come to light in the past few weeks -- from self-identified non-citizens registering, to 16-year-olds being forwarded through the system, to people who opted out of registering actually being forwarded, to this week's revelation ... that almost 800 previously incarcerated Illinois citizens had their voting rights cancelled -- has certainly wounded the integrity of voter registration here in Illinois," Butler said.
Secretary of state officials, who took responsibility for the errors, said legislative solutions are not necessary to address lawmaker concerns. Ultimately, Maddox said, "there is no part of this that is not going to be reviewed."
Jeff Clines, director of Information Technology for the agency, added that his staff is "testing and reviewing" the programs in place to ensure there are no other problems and are "looking for opportunities" to better the system.
Maddox said the office plans to add an "exit button" to the signature pad, as recommended by the elections board. It will enable those applying for a driver's license to not be added to the state's voter rolls. The office also plans to make that opt-out language more clear.
Officials did not clearly indicate whether more training for the roughly 2,300 Department of Motor Services employees -- who are on the "front-lines" of automatic voter registration, Butler said -- is needed. Currently, regional managers receive memos detailing policies, procedures and best practices. Managers then work with attendants on how to execute those.
Brenda Glahn, senior legal advisor for the secretary of state's office, said the office is "always looking for ways, if we see that a particular error [has been made], we certainly will send out another memo."
"I do want to point out that this was an error, and there was no effort put forth to hide anything or to cook the books, so to speak," Secretary of State Jesse White said. "We want to make sure that not only do we take on the job, but we take on the responsibility that goes along with it; and we want to make sure that the individuals who have registered to vote get an opportunity to do so."
Rep. Joe Sosnowski, of Rockford, asked both agencies to update the General Assembly on the progress of any steps that will be taken in May before it adjourns.
Secretary of state and elections board representatives emphasized Illinois' voter registration and election processes are of the utmost importance.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--State to release first $50 million of broadband expansion funding

SPRINGFIELD -- The state is accepting applications for the first $ 50 million in disbursements of a $ 420 million grant program aimed at increasing internet access across the state .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced the release of funding Wednesday at Ridgely Elementary School in Springfield , noting that the rights to `` health care and education and economic opportunity '' are all `` tied to digital connectivity '' in the 21st century .
`` I want to be clear though , '' he said , `` this is n't about a person 's ability to go online and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is about a small business owner having the tools that she needs to reach new customers .
This is about an elderly couple 's ability to get access to medical experts anywhere in the nation , even if they live in a rural community .
This is about giving children like the ones that are here today the ability to research their homework assignments online . ''
The program , known as Connect Illinois , is part of the $ 45 billion capital infrastructure plan that the General Assembly passed last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million can be submitted through Friday , April 3 .
Applicants can receive up to $ 5 million per project as part of the first round of funding , but they must provide at least 50 percent of the project 's funding .
Matt Schmit , head of the office of broadband within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity , said he expects applicants to include internet service providers , rural broadband cooperatives and possibly communities looking to invest in broadband .
`` We 'll have an inclusive process when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The point is that you 've got to have a strong track record of demonstrating that you can do this kind of work .
And so we 're going to be very diligent in making sure that any applicant that the state partners with is up to this work , and that we 're making sound investments for the long haul . ''
He said he also expects to see community and provider partnerships in some circumstances .
`` And we want to hear ideas , we want to hear from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because this is not a state-driven approach .
This is a partnership between our providers , our communities and folks who are interested in getting a better connectivity future for our communities around the state . ''
Schmit said the $ 420 million accounts for `` the nation 's largest competitive matching grant program '' for broadband expansion .
He said $ 20 million of that funding will go to maintenance of the Illinois Century Network , which is the high-speed state system that serves educational , research , governmental and health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago , our administration made a daring promise to prioritize not just with our words , but with action to bridge the digital divide that hinders so many rural and urban communities , '' Lt. Gov .
Juliana Stratton said at the news conference .
She chairs the governor 's Rural Affairs Council , and said she has met with rural and agricultural leaders who relayed that a `` primary need '' was expanding broadband .
`` About 10 percent of the population is underserved when it comes to broadband access , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color or those living in remote parts of our state , '' she said .
Pritzker likened the need for broadband in rural communities to a period when rural communities lagged behind on electricity .
He also noted several neighborhoods in Chicago lack reliable internet access .
`` Almost a century ago , rural communities were shut out of the modern economy because they did n't have electricity , '' he said .
`` And so government took action to incentivize and accelerate rural electrification .
Within two decades , over 90 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The rural broadband challenge of today is no different . ''
Grant information can be found at www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/ .

State to release first $50 million of broadband expansion funding
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at Ridgely Elementary School in Springfield on Wednesday to announce the release of the first phase of funding for a grant program to increase broadband internet access in the state. Jerry Nowicki/Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD -- The state is accepting applications for the first $50 million in disbursements of a $420 million grant program aimed at increasing internet access across the state.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the release of funding Wednesday at Ridgely Elementary School in Springfield, noting that the rights to "health care and education and economic opportunity" are all "tied to digital connectivity" in the 21st century.
"I want to be clear though," he said, "this isn't about a person's ability to go online and just look at their Facebook page. This is about a small business owner having the tools that she needs to reach new customers. This is about an elderly couple's ability to get access to medical experts anywhere in the nation, even if they live in a rural community. This is about giving children like the ones that are here today the ability to research their homework assignments online."
The program, known as Connect Illinois, is part of the $45 billion capital infrastructure plan that the General Assembly passed last year.
Applications for the first $50 million can be submitted through Friday, April 3. Applicants can receive up to $5 million per project as part of the first round of funding, but they must provide at least 50 percent of the project's funding.
Matt Schmit, head of the office of broadband within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said he expects applicants to include internet service providers, rural broadband cooperatives and possibly communities looking to invest in broadband.
"We'll have an inclusive process when it comes to applicants," he said. "The point is that you've got to have a strong track record of demonstrating that you can do this kind of work. And so we're going to be very diligent in making sure that any applicant that the state partners with is up to this work, and that we're making sound investments for the long haul."
He said he also expects to see community and provider partnerships in some circumstances.
"And we want to hear ideas, we want to hear from you," Schmit said. "Because this is not a state-driven approach. This is a partnership between our providers, our communities and folks who are interested in getting a better connectivity future for our communities around the state."
Schmit said the $420 million accounts for "the nation's largest competitive matching grant program" for broadband expansion. He said $20 million of that funding will go to maintenance of the Illinois Century Network, which is the high-speed state system that serves educational, research, governmental and health care organizations across the state.
"A year ago, our administration made a daring promise to prioritize not just with our words, but with action to bridge the digital divide that hinders so many rural and urban communities," Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said at the news conference.
She chairs the governor's Rural Affairs Council, and said she has met with rural and agricultural leaders who relayed that a "primary need" was expanding broadband.
"About 10 percent of the population is underserved when it comes to broadband access, and those communities are overwhelmingly people of color or those living in remote parts of our state," she said.
Pritzker likened the need for broadband in rural communities to a period when rural communities lagged behind on electricity. He also noted several neighborhoods in Chicago lack reliable internet access.
"Almost a century ago, rural communities were shut out of the modern economy because they didn't have electricity," he said. "And so government took action to incentivize and accelerate rural electrification. Within two decades, over 90 percent of our nation's farms had electricity. The rural broadband challenge of today is no different."
Grant information can be found at www2.illinois.gov/dceo/AboutDCEO/.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Watch: 5th Congressional District Democratic endorsement interview

Watch the endorsement interview for Democratic candidates running for the nomination in the 5th Congressional District .
Brian Burns of @ @ @ @ @ congressman Mike Quigley of Chicago in the March 17 primary election .

Watch: 5th Congressional District Democratic endorsement interview
Jeff Knox/jknox@dailyherald.com5th Congressional District Democratic primary challenger Brian Burns discusses the issues with incumbent Mike Quigley, on the phone, during an endorsement interview with the Daily Herald editorial board on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
Watch the endorsement interview for Democratic candidates running for the nomination in the 5th Congressional District.
Brian Burns of Chicago is running against incumbent congressman Mike Quigley of Chicago in the March 17 primary election.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--Not guilty: Split Senate acquits Trump of abuse of power, obstruction

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump won impeachment acquittal Wednesday in the U.S. Senate , bringing to a close only the third presidential trial in American history with votes that split the country , tested civic norms and fed the tumultuous 2020 race for the White House .
With Chief Justice John Roberts presiding , senators sworn to do `` impartial justice '' stood at their desks to state their votes for the roll call -- `` guilty '' or `` not guilty '' -- in a swift tally almost exclusively along party lines .
Visitors , including the president 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Roberts read the declaration that Trump `` be , and is hereby , acquitted of the charges . ''
The outcome followed months of remarkable impeachment proceedings , from Speaker Nancy Pelosi 's House to Mitch McConnell 's Senate , reflecting the nation 's unrelenting partisan divide three years into the Trump presidency .
What started as Trump 's request for Ukraine to `` do us a favor '' spun into a far-reaching , 28,000-page report compiled by House investigators accusing an American president of engaging in shadow diplomacy that threatened U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he pressured the ally to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden ahead of the next election .
No president has ever been removed by the Senate .
A politically emboldened Trump has eagerly predicted vindication , deploying the verdict as a political anthem in his reelection bid .
The president claims he did nothing wrong , decrying the `` witch hunt '' and `` hoax '' as extensions of special counsel Robert Mueller 's probe into Russian 2016 campaign interference by those out to get him from the start of his presidency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements and a cartoon dance celebrating that he was `` vindicated . ''
Trump himself tweeted that he would speak from the White House on Thursday about `` our Country 's VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax . ''
However , the Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there will always be `` a giant asterisk next to the president 's acquittal '' because of the Senate 's quick trial and the Republicans ' unprecedented rejection of witnesses for an impeachment .
A majority of senators expressed unease with Trump 's pressure campaign on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of impeachment .
But two-thirds `` guilty '' votes would have been needed to reach the Constitution 's bar of high crimes and misdemeanors to convict and remove Trump from office .
The final tallies fell far short .
On the first article of impeachment , abuse of power , the vote was 52-48 favoring acquittal .
The second , obstruction of Congress , also produced a not guilty verdict , 53-47 .
Only one Republican , Mitt Romney of Utah , the party 's defeated 2012 presidential nominee , broke with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he drew on his faith and `` oath before God '' to vote guilty on the first charge , abuse of power .
He voted to acquit on the second .
Both Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 drew cross-party support when they were left in office after impeachment trials .
Richard Nixon resigned rather than face sure impeachment including from his own party .
Ahead of Wednesday 's voting , some of the most closely watched senators took to the Senate floor to tell their constituents , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Influential GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee , who is retiring , worried that a guilty verdict would `` pour gasoline on the fire '' of the nation 's culture wars over Trump .
He said the House proved its case but it just did n't rise to the level of impeachment .
`` It would rip the country apart , '' Alexander said before his vote .
Other Republicans siding with Trump said it was time to end what McConnell called the `` circus '' and move on .
Trump ally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sham '' designed to destroy a presidency .
Most Democrats , though , echoed the House managers ' warnings that Trump , if left unchecked , would continue to abuse the power of his office for personal political gain and try to cheat again ahead of the the 2020 election .
`` I 've always said , if I can go home and explain it , I can vote for it , '' said Sen. Joe Manchin , D-W.Va. , a centrist from a Trump state who stunned some by voting the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote based on the evidence . ''
Among senators running for the Democratic presidential nomination , Bernie Sanders , Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar dashed back from New Hampshire to vote .
During the nearly three-week trial , House Democrats prosecuting the case argued that Trump abused power like no other president in history when he pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son , Hunter Biden , ahead of the 2020 election .
They detailed an extraordinary shadow diplomacy run by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani that set off alarms at the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July 25 phone call with Ukraine , Trump temporarily halted U.S. aid to the struggling ally battling hostile Russia at its border .
The money was eventually released in September as Congress intervened .
When the House probed Trump 's actions , the president instructed White House aides to defy congressional subpoenas , leading to the obstruction charge .
One key Democrat , Alabama Sen. Doug Jones -- perhaps the most endangered politically for reelection in a state where Trump is popular -- announced he would vote to convict .
`` Senators are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones said .
Questions from the Ukraine matter continue to swirl .
House Democrats may yet summon former national security adviser John Bolton to testify about revelations from his forthcoming book that offer a fresh account of Trump 's actions .
Other eyewitnesses and documents are almost sure to surface .
In closing arguments for the trial the lead prosecutor , Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , appealed to senators ' sense of decency , that `` right matters '' and `` truth matters '' and that Trump `` is not who you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the votes to convict `` will serve as a constraint on the president 's wrongdoing . ''
`` But we 're going to have to be vigilant because this is not a president who is guided by any kind of moral compass , '' he told The Associated Press .
Pelosi was initially reluctant to launch impeachment proceedings against Trump when she took control of the House after the 2018 election , dismissively telling more liberal voices that `` he 's not worth it . ''
Trump and his GOP allies in Congress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut him from the start .
But a whistleblower complaint of his conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy set off alarms .
The call had been placed the day after Mueller announced the findings of his Russia probe .
When Trump told Pelosi in September that the call was perfect , she was stunned .
`` Perfectly wrong , '' she said .
Days later , the speaker announced the formal impeachment inquiry .
The result was the quickest , most partisan impeachment in U.S. history , with no Republicans joining the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though one GOP congressman left the party and voted for impeachment and two Democrats joined Republicans to oppose .
The Republican Senate kept up the pace with the fastest trial ever , and the first with no witnesses or deliberations .
Trump 's legal team with star attorney Alan Dershowitz made the sweeping , if stunning , assertion that even if the president engaged in the quid pro quo as described , it is not impeachable , because politicians often view their own political interest with the national interest .
McConnell , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for dissent , refusing efforts to prolong the trial with more witnesses , arguing the House should have done a better job .
Some GOP senators distanced themselves from Trump 's defense , and some brushed back calls from conservatives to disclose the name of the anonymous whistleblower .
Trump 's approval rating , which has generally languished in the mid- to low-40s , hit a new high of 49 % in the latest Gallup polling , which was conducted as the Senate trial was drawing to a close .
The poll found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republican Party favorably , the first time the GOP 's number has exceeded 50 % since 2005 .
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker , Laurie Kellman , Matthew Daly , Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Zeke Miller and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report .

Not guilty: Split Senate acquits Trump of abuse of power, obstruction
Lead House impeachment manager, Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, arrives Wednesday to meet with fellow Democrats at the Capitol in Washington. Associated Press
Sen. Doug Jones, an Alabama Democrat, said Wednesday that he will vote to convict President Donald Trump Wednesday as the Senate impeachment trial reaches its climax. Associated Press/Jan. 31, 2020
In this image from video, Senators vote on the first article of impeachment during the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Wednesday. Senate Television via AP
President Donald Trump arrives to deliver his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday as Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi look on. Leah Millis/Pool via AP
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump won impeachment acquittal Wednesday in the U.S. Senate, bringing to a close only the third presidential trial in American history with votes that split the country, tested civic norms and fed the tumultuous 2020 race for the White House.
With Chief Justice John Roberts presiding, senators sworn to do "impartial justice" stood at their desks to state their votes for the roll call -- "guilty" or "not guilty" -- in a swift tally almost exclusively along party lines. Visitors, including the president's allies, watched from the crowded gallery. Roberts read the declaration that Trump "be, and is hereby, acquitted of the charges."
The outcome followed months of remarkable impeachment proceedings, from Speaker Nancy Pelosi's House to Mitch McConnell's Senate, reflecting the nation's unrelenting partisan divide three years into the Trump presidency.
What started as Trump's request for Ukraine to "do us a favor" spun into a far-reaching, 28,000-page report compiled by House investigators accusing an American president of engaging in shadow diplomacy that threatened U.S. foreign relations for personal, political gain as he pressured the ally to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden ahead of the next election.
No president has ever been removed by the Senate.
A politically emboldened Trump has eagerly predicted vindication, deploying the verdict as a political anthem in his reelection bid. The president claims he did nothing wrong, decrying the "witch hunt" and "hoax" as extensions of special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian 2016 campaign interference by those out to get him from the start of his presidency.
Trump's political campaign tweeted videos, statements and a cartoon dance celebrating that he was "vindicated." Trump himself tweeted that he would speak from the White House on Thursday about "our Country's VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax."
However, the Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said there will always be "a giant asterisk next to the president's acquittal" because of the Senate's quick trial and the Republicans' unprecedented rejection of witnesses for an impeachment.
A majority of senators expressed unease with Trump's pressure campaign on Ukraine that resulted in the two articles of impeachment. But two-thirds "guilty" votes would have been needed to reach the Constitution's bar of high crimes and misdemeanors to convict and remove Trump from office. The final tallies fell far short.
On the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, the vote was 52-48 favoring acquittal. The second, obstruction of Congress, also produced a not guilty verdict, 53-47.
Only one Republican, Mitt Romney of Utah, the party's defeated 2012 presidential nominee, broke with the GOP.
Romney choked up as he said he drew on his faith and "oath before God" to vote guilty on the first charge, abuse of power. He voted to acquit on the second.
Both Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 drew cross-party support when they were left in office after impeachment trials. Richard Nixon resigned rather than face sure impeachment including from his own party.
Ahead of Wednesday's voting, some of the most closely watched senators took to the Senate floor to tell their constituents, and the nation, what they had decided.
Influential GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who is retiring, worried that a guilty verdict would "pour gasoline on the fire" of the nation's culture wars over Trump. He said the House proved its case but it just didn't rise to the level of impeachment.
"It would rip the country apart," Alexander said before his vote.
Other Republicans siding with Trump said it was time to end what McConnell called the "circus" and move on. Trump ally Lindsey Graham said it was a "sham" designed to destroy a presidency.
Most Democrats, though, echoed the House managers' warnings that Trump, if left unchecked, would continue to abuse the power of his office for personal political gain and try to cheat again ahead of the the 2020 election.
"I've always said, if I can go home and explain it, I can vote for it," said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., a centrist from a Trump state who stunned some by voting the president guilty. "I can explain my vote based on the evidence."
Among senators running for the Democratic presidential nomination, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar dashed back from New Hampshire to vote.
During the nearly three-week trial, House Democrats prosecuting the case argued that Trump abused power like no other president in history when he pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, ahead of the 2020 election.
They detailed an extraordinary shadow diplomacy run by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani that set off alarms at the highest levels of government. After Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukraine, Trump temporarily halted U.S. aid to the struggling ally battling hostile Russia at its border. The money was eventually released in September as Congress intervened.
When the House probed Trump's actions, the president instructed White House aides to defy congressional subpoenas, leading to the obstruction charge.
One key Democrat, Alabama Sen. Doug Jones -- perhaps the most endangered politically for reelection in a state where Trump is popular -- announced he would vote to convict. "Senators are elected to make tough choices," Jones said.
Questions from the Ukraine matter continue to swirl. House Democrats may yet summon former national security adviser John Bolton to testify about revelations from his forthcoming book that offer a fresh account of Trump's actions. Other eyewitnesses and documents are almost sure to surface.
In closing arguments for the trial the lead prosecutor, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., appealed to senators' sense of decency, that "right matters" and "truth matters" and that Trump "is not who you are.''
He said he hoped the votes to convict " will serve as a constraint on the president's wrongdoing."
"But we're going to have to be vigilant because this is not a president who is guided by any kind of moral compass," he told The Associated Press.
Pelosi was initially reluctant to launch impeachment proceedings against Trump when she took control of the House after the 2018 election, dismissively telling more liberal voices that "he's not worth it.''
Trump and his GOP allies in Congress argue that Democrats have been trying to undercut him from the start.
But a whistleblower complaint of his conversation with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy set off alarms. The call had been placed the day after Mueller announced the findings of his Russia probe.
When Trump told Pelosi in September that the call was perfect, she was stunned. "Perfectly wrong," she said. Days later, the speaker announced the formal impeachment inquiry.
The result was the quickest, most partisan impeachment in U.S. history, with no Republicans joining the House Democrats to vote for the charges, though one GOP congressman left the party and voted for impeachment and two Democrats joined Republicans to oppose. The Republican Senate kept up the pace with the fastest trial ever, and the first with no witnesses or deliberations.
Trump's legal team with star attorney Alan Dershowitz made the sweeping, if stunning, assertion that even if the president engaged in the quid pro quo as described, it is not impeachable, because politicians often view their own political interest with the national interest.
McConnell, who commands a 53-47 Republican majority, braced for dissent, refusing efforts to prolong the trial with more witnesses, arguing the House should have done a better job.
Some GOP senators distanced themselves from Trump's defense, and some brushed back calls from conservatives to disclose the name of the anonymous whistleblower.
Trump's approval rating, which has generally languished in the mid- to low-40s, hit a new high of 49% in the latest Gallup polling, which was conducted as the Senate trial was drawing to a close. The poll found that 51% of the public views the Republican Party favorably, the first time the GOP's number has exceeded 50% since 2005.
___
Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Laurie Kellman, Matthew Daly, Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Zeke Miller and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-02-05--GOP Senate candidates generally support gun rights, oppose new restrictions

Illinois ' Republican candidates for U.S. Senate have similar -- but not identical -- stances on gun ownership and gun-control legislation .
None advocate restricting ownership of assault-style weapons , but some believe gun rights should be limited if a person is mentally ill or potentially dangerous .
One said firearm education should be mandated in U.S. schools .
Five people are running for the GOP nomination in the March 17 primary : retired information technology professional Casey Chlebek of Glenview ; former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville ; former police officer Peggy Hubbard of Belleville ; Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and Tom Tarter , a urological oncologist from Springfield .
The winner will face incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin of Springfield in November .
The GOP candidates talked about gun laws with the Daily Herald .
Gun violence , particularly with assault-style weapons , has been a concern for many Americans and lawmakers , particularly after deadly mass shootings in Florida , Colorado , Las Vegas and elsewhere .
But there 's been little response at the federal level .
Chlebek criticized current gun-control laws as ineffective .
To reduce gun violence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mandatory in U.S. schools .
`` Just as we provide early education to obtain the driving license ... we should mandate at the school level a gun certification through vigorous training programs , '' he said .
Chlebek said he did n't see the need for people to own firearms with detachable magazines .
Chlebek also said he does n't own guns .
Curran called the Constitution `` sacred '' and said most Americans should be allowed to own firearms and carry them concealed or openly .
But Curran said he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the hands of people who are mentally ill or `` criminally dangerous . ''
To that end , Curran said he supports laws allowing the temporary removal of guns from people who may be dangerous to themselves or others .
Curran , who acknowledged he owns a handgun , also said he supports the federal rule banning bump stocks , devices attached to semi-automatic firearms that increase firing speed .
Hubbard , who also acknowledged owning firearms , said she supports background checks for prospective gun buyers as well as `` reasonable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new laws targeting specific firearms .
`` We already have enough laws on the books when it comes to guns , '' she said .
`` Criminals do not follow laws , and we are only hurting law-abiding citizens when we create unnecessary laws that limit their right to protect themselves and their families . ''
Hubbard praised the armed security guard who , in December , fatally wounded a gunman inside a Texas church after the intruder killed two parishioners .
`` A potential mass shooting was prevented by a law-abiding citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved lives , '' she said .
Marshall , a former Burr Ridge trustee who repeatedly has run for state and federal offices as both a Republican and a Democrat , said the U.S. does n't need more gun laws .
To curb gun violence , Marshall said , more armed people are needed in schools , churches and hospitals .
Teachers should be voluntarily trained to use firearms , Marshall said .
`` ( I ) agree with President Trump and the leaders of the ( National Rifle Association ) that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution to a bad man with gun , '' he said .
Marshall said he owns firearms and is a member of the NRA and the Illinois State Rifle Association .
`` I am concerned that more federal gun control legislation could render law-abiding citizens more vulnerable to violence , '' he said .
Although he supports background checks for prospective firearms buyers , he said they 've had `` little-to-no effect '' on homicide statistics .
To reduce violence , Tarter said he supports police crackdowns specifically designed to get guns off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in crime-ridden neighborhoods .
Tarter said he is an NRA member but does n't own any guns .

GOP Senate candidates generally support gun rights, oppose new restrictions
Upper from left, Casey Chlebek, Mark Curran and Peggy Hubbard and, lower from left, Robert Marshall and Tom Tarter are the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate in the March primary.
Illinois' Republican candidates for U.S. Senate have similar -- but not identical -- stances on gun ownership and gun-control legislation.
None advocate restricting ownership of assault-style weapons, but some believe gun rights should be limited if a person is mentally ill or potentially dangerous.
One said firearm education should be mandated in U.S. schools.
Five people are running for the GOP nomination in the March 17 primary: retired information technology professional Casey Chlebek of Glenview; former Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran of Libertyville; former police officer Peggy Hubbard of Belleville; Robert Marshall, a physician from Burr Ridge; and Tom Tarter, a urological oncologist from Springfield.
The winner will face incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin of Springfield in November.
The GOP candidates talked about gun laws with the Daily Herald.
Gun violence, particularly with assault-style weapons, has been a concern for many Americans and lawmakers, particularly after deadly mass shootings in Florida, Colorado, Las Vegas and elsewhere. But there's been little response at the federal level.
Chlebek criticized current gun-control laws as ineffective. To reduce gun violence, he said, early firearm education should be mandatory in U.S. schools.
"Just as we provide early education to obtain the driving license ... we should mandate at the school level a gun certification through vigorous training programs," he said.
Chlebek said he didn't see the need for people to own firearms with detachable magazines. Chlebek also said he doesn't own guns.
Curran called the Constitution "sacred" and said most Americans should be allowed to own firearms and carry them concealed or openly.
But Curran said he would support legislation designed to get guns out of the hands of people who are mentally ill or "criminally dangerous."
To that end, Curran said he supports laws allowing the temporary removal of guns from people who may be dangerous to themselves or others.
Curran, who acknowledged he owns a handgun, also said he supports the federal rule banning bump stocks, devices attached to semi-automatic firearms that increase firing speed.
Hubbard, who also acknowledged owning firearms, said she supports background checks for prospective gun buyers as well as "reasonable" gun laws. She opposes creating new laws targeting specific firearms.
"We already have enough laws on the books when it comes to guns," she said. "Criminals do not follow laws, and we are only hurting law-abiding citizens when we create unnecessary laws that limit their right to protect themselves and their families."
Hubbard praised the armed security guard who, in December, fatally wounded a gunman inside a Texas church after the intruder killed two parishioners.
"A potential mass shooting was prevented by a law-abiding citizen who stepped up, shot back and saved lives," she said.
Marshall, a former Burr Ridge trustee who repeatedly has run for state and federal offices as both a Republican and a Democrat, said the U.S. doesn't need more gun laws. To curb gun violence, Marshall said, more armed people are needed in schools, churches and hospitals.
Teachers should be voluntarily trained to use firearms, Marshall said.
"(I) agree with President Trump and the leaders of the (National Rifle Association) that a good man with a gun is the solution to a bad man with gun," he said.
Marshall said he owns firearms and is a member of the NRA and the Illinois State Rifle Association.
Tarter supports enforcing existing gun laws.
"I am concerned that more federal gun control legislation could render law-abiding citizens more vulnerable to violence," he said.
Although he supports background checks for prospective firearms buyers, he said they've had "little-to-no effect" on homicide statistics.
To reduce violence, Tarter said he supports police crackdowns specifically designed to get guns off the streets, such as traffic stops in crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Tarter said he is an NRA member but doesn't own any guns.