dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Patlak now trails in Cook County Board of Review race

The sole Republican on the Cook County Board of Review might lose his seat .
Ten days after the final votes were cast , Democrat Tammy Wendt was leading Republican Dan Patlak by 3,695 votes -- or about 0.5 % -- in the race for a seat on the three-member board that reviews and potentially modifies property assessments in Cook County .
Frank Calabrese , a campaign adviser for Wendt , said Friday the lawyer is `` in a very good position '' to win the seat .
`` The results should be much clearer later today , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- she 's been consistently winning about 60 % of mail ballots in every batch '' that election officials have counted , Calabrese said .
In an email Friday afternoon to the Daily Herald , Patlak wrote , `` Based on the vote totals on the Clerk 's web site and the Chicago Board of Elections web site , I am trailing by 3,695 votes as of this morning .
Am still waiting to see if any more votes will be added to the current totals and also need to reconcile some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I expect that will be concluded by some time next week . ''
Patlak is a former Wheeling Township assessor who has been on the Board of Review since 2010 .
Wendt is a former assistant Cook County state 's attorney best known for being part of the defense team that represented former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in the fatal shooing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald .

Patlak now trails in Cook County Board of Review race
The sole Republican on the Cook County Board of Review might lose his seat.
Ten days after the final votes were cast, Democrat Tammy Wendt was leading Republican Dan Patlak by 3,695 votes -- or about 0.5% -- in the race for a seat on the three-member board that reviews and potentially modifies property assessments in Cook County.
Frank Calabrese, a campaign adviser for Wendt, said Friday the lawyer is "in a very good position" to win the seat.
"The results should be much clearer later today, but I expect Tammy Wendt's numbers to grow -- she's been consistently winning about 60% of mail ballots in every batch" that election officials have counted, Calabrese said.
In an email Friday afternoon to the Daily Herald, Patlak wrote, "Based on the vote totals on the Clerk's web site and the Chicago Board of Elections web site, I am trailing by 3,695 votes as of this morning. Am still waiting to see if any more votes will be added to the current totals and also need to reconcile some of the numbers on the clerk's database. I expect that will be concluded by some time next week."
Patlak is a former Wheeling Township assessor who has been on the Board of Review since 2010. Wendt is a former assistant Cook County state's attorney best known for being part of the defense team that represented former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke in the fatal shooing of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
For the full story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Bears' head coach Nagy gives up offensive play calling duties

Matt Nagy made a name for himself three years ago when Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave up play calling duties midway through the 2017 season .
Reid passed the reigns of his iconic offense to Nagy in early December .
The Chiefs won their final four games to make the playoffs that season , and weeks later Nagy earned the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears .
Now , Nagy is following his mentor 's lead .
The Bears head coach -- who was brought to Chicago to implement and run Reid 's offense -- is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinator Bill Lazor will call plays Monday against the Minnesota Vikings , Nagy announced Friday afternoon .
`` It 's very important to me to make sure I 'm making the best decision for the Chicago Bears , '' Nagy said .
Nagy previously said he would n't announce a change even if the Bears did change their play caller .
But after being asked about it repeatedly over the last two weeks , Nagy made the decision public Friday .
This will give him a chance to keep a closer eye on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big-picture elements of the game like clock management and leadership .
Play calling has always been a part of Nagy 's identity as a coach .
It 's not easy for him to give it up .
`` I love calling plays , '' Nagy said .
`` I love it .
I love it .
Is it permanent ?
No , it 's not permanent .
But guess what , if this is best for the team , then that 's what I 'm going to do . ''
When it came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give up his beloved offense to Nagy , then Nagy felt he could do the same .
The Bears , losers of three straight , are in a rut offensively .
Something had to change .
At this late stage in the season , changing the play caller was the only logical solution .
A new quarterback is n't going to walk through the door .
`` [ Reid ] was able to show the trust in me at that point [ in 2017 ] to give it to me to run the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagy said .
`` It was a little bit of a change up .
And sometimes when you 're in this position that we 're in right now , you want to make sure that you 're looking for solutions . ''
The 48-year-old Lazor is in his first year as offensive coordinator for the Bears .
He previously called plays as the offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018 , as well as with the Miami Dolphins in 2014 and 2015 .
Lazor 's weekly session with the media came a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and at the time Lazor declined to answer any questions about a potential change at play caller .
`` That role is only fun when you 're moving the ball and scoring points , '' Lazor said .
Asked repeatedly about it Friday , Lazor said he was n't going to answer hypotheticals .
A few short hours later , the question was no longer hypothetical .
For the time being , nothing changes during the week , Nagy said .
He 's preparing his team for Monday 's game the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
Monday night is when things will look different .
`` I am a Type A personality and there is a lot of that control part to me , '' Nagy said .
`` That 's never going to change , that 's always me .
But in that situation , what we 're doing and how we 're doing it , Bill knows and our coaches know that this is their opportunity and this is Bill 's opportunity to do what he wants to do and call what he wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be on the head set and try to help him on the front end , 'Hey Bill , you might have two downs here .
It might be four-down territory here . '
I 'm going to try to do that ahead of time so that he can know a situation . ''
Nagy said he 'll be jumping on the head set with defensive coaches , too , which he has been doing already .
When the offense comes off the field , rather than prepping the play calls for the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to talk to the offensive players , get a feel for what they see out on the field .
Quarterback Nick Foles has said previously that whoever is calling plays does n't really affect him on game day .
`` Whatever coach Nagy decides or what he does , he 's the head coach , '' Foles said a day earlier on Thursday .
`` He can do what he wants to do and we 're going to roll with it . ''
There was n't any `` harsh criticism '' from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There were honest conversations , though .
Nagy mentioned several times Friday that the offense is in a slump .
Giving up play calling duties is the ultimate admission of such .
Whether or not it 's enough to fix a broken Bears offense is the real question .
The Bears are near the bottom of the NFL in almost every offensive category .
`` When I go home at night and I go to bed and fall asleep , I can feel good about this decision , '' Nagy said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belief , we talk about trust .
I talk about that all the time with the players .
Do you believe in yourself ?
Do you believe in your teammates ?
Do you believe in your coaches ?
Do you trust your coaches ?
Well , this is showing my trust and my belief in our coaches . ''

Bears' head coach Nagy gives up offensive play calling duties
Bears head coach Matt Nagy -- who was brought to Chicago to implement and run Reid's offense -- is giving up play calling duties. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will call plays Monday against the Minnesota Vikings, Nagy announced Friday afternoon. Associated Press
Matt Nagy made a name for himself three years ago when Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid gave up play calling duties midway through the 2017 season. Reid passed the reigns of his iconic offense to Nagy in early December.
The Chiefs won their final four games to make the playoffs that season, and weeks later Nagy earned the head coaching position with the Chicago Bears.
Now, Nagy is following his mentor's lead. The Bears head coach -- who was brought to Chicago to implement and run Reid's offense -- is giving up play calling duties. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor will call plays Monday against the Minnesota Vikings, Nagy announced Friday afternoon.
"It's very important to me to make sure I'm making the best decision for the Chicago Bears," Nagy said.
Nagy previously said he wouldn't announce a change even if the Bears did change their play caller. But after being asked about it repeatedly over the last two weeks, Nagy made the decision public Friday.
This will give him a chance to keep a closer eye on all three phases, and focus on big-picture elements of the game like clock management and leadership. Play calling has always been a part of Nagy's identity as a coach. It's not easy for him to give it up.
"I love calling plays," Nagy said. "I love it. I love it. Is it permanent? No, it's not permanent. But guess what, if this is best for the team, then that's what I'm going to do."
When it came down to it, if Reid could give up his beloved offense to Nagy, then Nagy felt he could do the same. The Bears, losers of three straight, are in a rut offensively. Something had to change.
At this late stage in the season, changing the play caller was the only logical solution. A new quarterback isn't going to walk through the door.
"[Reid] was able to show the trust in me at that point [in 2017] to give it to me to run the offense and call the plays," Nagy said. "It was a little bit of a change up. And sometimes when you're in this position that we're in right now, you want to make sure that you're looking for solutions."
The 48-year-old Lazor is in his first year as offensive coordinator for the Bears. He previously called plays as the offensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals in 2018, as well as with the Miami Dolphins in 2014 and 2015.
Lazor's weekly session with the media came a few hours prior to Nagy's announcement, and at the time Lazor declined to answer any questions about a potential change at play caller.
"That role is only fun when you're moving the ball and scoring points," Lazor said.
Asked repeatedly about it Friday, Lazor said he wasn't going to answer hypotheticals. A few short hours later, the question was no longer hypothetical.
For the time being, nothing changes during the week, Nagy said. He's preparing his team for Monday's game the same way he prepares his players for every game. Monday night is when things will look different.
"I am a Type A personality and there is a lot of that control part to me," Nagy said. "That's never going to change, that's always me. But in that situation, what we're doing and how we're doing it, Bill knows and our coaches know that this is their opportunity and this is Bill's opportunity to do what he wants to do and call what he wants to call.
"Am I going to be on the head set and try to help him on the front end, 'Hey Bill, you might have two downs here. It might be four-down territory here.' I'm going to try to do that ahead of time so that he can know a situation."
Nagy said he'll be jumping on the head set with defensive coaches, too, which he has been doing already. When the offense comes off the field, rather than prepping the play calls for the next drive, Nagy will use that time to talk to the offensive players, get a feel for what they see out on the field.
Quarterback Nick Foles has said previously that whoever is calling plays doesn't really affect him on game day.
"Whatever coach Nagy decides or what he does, he's the head coach," Foles said a day earlier on Thursday. "He can do what he wants to do and we're going to roll with it."
There wasn't any "harsh criticism" from the fellow offensive coaches, Nagy said. There were honest conversations, though. Nagy mentioned several times Friday that the offense is in a slump. Giving up play calling duties is the ultimate admission of such.
Whether or not it's enough to fix a broken Bears offense is the real question. The Bears are near the bottom of the NFL in almost every offensive category.
"When I go home at night and I go to bed and fall asleep, I can feel good about this decision," Nagy said. "There's trust. We talk about belief, we talk about trust. I talk about that all the time with the players. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe in your teammates? Do you believe in your coaches? Do you trust your coaches? Well, this is showing my trust and my belief in our coaches."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Two held in Wheaton robbery and carjacking

Two people are being held in connection with a robbery and carjacking in Wheaton .
Nathaniel Coorsen , 34 , who is homeless , has been charged with vehicular hijacking , robbery , aggravated battery with serious injury , and aggravated battery in a public place , according to police .
Lindsay Brei , 35 , who is homeless , has been charged with vehicular hijacking and robbery .
Wheaton police responded around 10:34 p.m. Wednesday to a parking lot on the 600 block of West Roosevelt Road to investigate the report of a person injured during a robbery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had arranged to purchase methamphetamine at nearby park .
When the man arrived at the park , he was approached by two people , later identified as Coorsen and Brei .
Coorsen punched the victim numerous times in his head and face , officials said .
Coorsen also is alleged to have removed the victim 's wallet from his pocket and stole several debit cards from it .
The Marengo man 's vehicle also was stolen , police said .
Police said the victim suffered a fractured nose , two chipped teeth and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to the hospital and later released .
During the course of the investigation , the vehicle was located at a motel in Rolling Meadows .
Coorsen and Brei were taken into custody with the assistance of Rolling Meadows police around noon Thursday .
Coorsen and Brei are being held at the DuPage County jail .

Related Article
How to avoid becoming a victim of a carjacking: First, put away the phone


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Crash shuts down Diehl Road, Mill Street intersection in Naperville

An 18-year-old Naperville man who was thrown from his vehicle in a two-car crash in Naperville Friday afternoon was taken @ @ @ @ @ injuries .
The other driver was issued a citation .
In a news release , @ @ @ @ @ occurred about 3:10 p.m. at Mill Street and Diehl Road .
A 2008 Black Audi @ @ @ @ @ man collided with a Silver 2008 Buick driven by the 18-year-old Naperville man .
Debris @ @ @ @ @ uninvolved vehicle and a nearby building .
The intersection was closed and traffic was rerouted @ @ @ @ @ at 6:32 p.m. Police said the driver of the Audi was turning left from westbound @ @ @ @ @ Mill but failed to yield to the Buick that was traveling east on Diehl .
@ @ @ @ @ was cited for failure to yield while turning left , but the investigation continues .
@ @ @ @ @ crash should call Naperville police at ( 630 ) 305-5477

Naperville man thrown from vehicle in crash
An 18-year-old Naperville man who was thrown from his vehicle in a two-car crash in Naperville Friday afternoon was taken to Edward Hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries.
The other driver was issued a citation.
In a news release, Naperville police said the crash occurred about 3:10 p.m. at Mill Street and Diehl Road.
A 2008 Black Audi driven by a 29-year-old Chicago man collided with a Silver 2008 Buick driven by the 18-year-old Naperville man.
Debris from the crash damaged an uninvolved vehicle and a nearby building.
The intersection was closed and traffic was rerouted until the roadway was reopened at 6:32 p.m.
Police said the driver of the Audi was turning left from westbound Diehl to go south on Mill but failed to yield to the Buick that was traveling east on Diehl.
The driver of the Audi was cited for failure to yield while turning left, but the investigation continues.
Anyone with information on the crash should call Naperville police at (630) 305-5477


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Driver's license offices will be closed Tuesday through Dec. 6

All Illinois driver 's license offices will be closed starting Tuesday because of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic .
In an @ @ @ @ @ Secretary of State Jesse White 's office said Dec. 7 is the target date for @ @ @ @ @ driver 's licenses and ID cards have been extended until June 1 , 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ for license plate sticker renewals and other services .

Driver's license offices will be closed Tuesday through Dec. 6
All Illinois driver's license offices will be closed starting Tuesday because of the worsening COVID-19 pandemic.
In an announcement on social media, Secretary of State Jesse White's office said Dec. 7 is the target date for reopening.
Expiration dates for driver's licenses and ID cards have been extended until June 1, 2021.
The announcement advised visiting www.cyberdrive.illinois for license plate sticker renewals and other services.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Repudiating Trump, officials say election 'most secure'

WASHINGTON ( AP ) -- It 's hard to put it any more bluntly : `` There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes , changed votes or was in any way compromised . ''
Rejecting President Donald Trump 's persistent claims and complaints , a broad coalition of top government and industry officials is declaring that the Nov. 3 voting and the following count unfolded smoothly with no more than the usual minor hiccups .
It was , they declare , resorting to Trump 's sort of dramatic language , `` the most secure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency amounted to the most direct repudiation to date of Trump 's efforts to undermine the integrity of the contest , and echoed repeated assertions by election experts and state officials .
The president was not impressed .
He tweeted on Friday that Democrats have complained for years about unsafe elections but `` Now they are saying what a wonderful job the Trump Administration did in making 2020 the most secure election ever . ''
`` Actually this is true , except for what the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
He did n't elaborate , but he and his supporters have charged repeatedly -- and filed legal challenges -- complaining that their poll watchers were unable to closely watch the voting and counting .
They also have raised objections to problems that are typical in most elections : Questions about signatures , late votes and postmarks on mail-in ballots , as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost .
Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges , some within hours of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With Democrat Joe Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states , none of the issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election .
And if there are legitimate problems to be found , they will be , the coalition declared .
Its statement said that all of the states with close results have paper records , which allow for the recounting of each ballot , if necessary , and for `` the identification and correction of any mistakes or errors .
...
Right now , across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result . ''
Thursday 's statement was written for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , which spearheaded federal election protection efforts , and was tweeted by its director , Chris Krebs .
Hours earlier , he was the subject of a Reuters story that said he had told associates he expected to be fired by Trump .
Krebs has been vocal on Twitter in repeatedly reassuring Americans that the election was secure and that their votes would be counted .
Taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the statement said , `` While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections , we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections , and you should too . ''
The statement 's authors include the presidents of the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State -- who run elections at the state level -- and the executive committee of the government-industry coordinating council that includes all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Friday , most top congressional Republicans were still supporting Trump 's efforts to challenge the election process and results .
But cracks were beginning to emerge in that support .
A number of GOP leaders were saying it was time for the White House to begin briefing Biden on the latest intelligence reports so he will be prepared when he takes over on Jan. 20 .
And a few Republicans out in the states were saying it was time to treat Biden like the president-elect he is .
New Hampshire Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reelection , became the latest Republican official to say what Trump and his allies refuse to accept .
He acknowledged that Biden 's lead was getting `` bigger and bigger by the day '' and Trump 's legal options were dissipating .
`` Joe Biden is the president-elect , and I think like most Americans , we suspect he 'll be taking the oath of office in January , '' Sununu told reporters .
He insisted there was no fraud in his state , which Biden easily carried .

Repudiating Trump, officials say election 'most secure'
Officials sort ballots during an audit at the Floyd County administration building in Rome, Ga., on Friday morning, Nov. 13, 2020. Election officials in Georgia's 159 counties are undertaking a hand tally of the presidential race that stems from an audit required by state law. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
FILE -- In this Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, file photo, poll workers sort out early and absentee ballots at the Kenosha Municipal building on Election Day, in Kenosha, Wis. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File)
In this Nov. 5, 2020, photo, Lehigh County workers count ballots as vote counting in the general election continues in Allentown, Pa. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's hard to put it any more bluntly: "There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes or was in any way compromised."
Rejecting President Donald Trump's persistent claims and complaints, a broad coalition of top government and industry officials is declaring that the Nov. 3 voting and the following count unfolded smoothly with no more than the usual minor hiccups.
It was, they declare, resorting to Trump's sort of dramatic language, "the most secure in American history."
The statement late Thursday by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency amounted to the most direct repudiation to date of Trump's efforts to undermine the integrity of the contest, and echoed repeated assertions by election experts and state officials.
The president was not impressed.
He tweeted on Friday that Democrats have complained for years about unsafe elections but "Now they are saying what a wonderful job the Trump Administration did in making 2020 the most secure election ever."
"Actually this is true, except for what the Democrats did. Rigged Election!" Trump tweeted.
He didn't elaborate, but he and his supporters have charged repeatedly -- and filed legal challenges -- complaining that their poll watchers were unable to closely watch the voting and counting. They also have raised objections to problems that are typical in most elections: Questions about signatures, late votes and postmarks on mail-in ballots, as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost.
Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges, some within hours of their filing, though some are still pending.
With Democrat Joe Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states, none of the issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election.
And if there are legitimate problems to be found, they will be, the coalition declared. Its statement said that all of the states with close results have paper records, which allow for the recounting of each ballot, if necessary, and for "the identification and correction of any mistakes or errors. ... Right now, across the country, election officials are reviewing and double checking the entire election process prior to finalizing the result."
Thursday's statement was written for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which spearheaded federal election protection efforts, and was tweeted by its director, Chris Krebs. Hours earlier, he was the subject of a Reuters story that said he had told associates he expected to be fired by Trump. Krebs has been vocal on Twitter in repeatedly reassuring Americans that the election was secure and that their votes would be counted.
Taking a shot at Trump and his supporters, the statement said, "While we know there are many unfounded claims and opportunities for misinformation about the process of our elections, we can assure you we have the utmost confidence in the security and integrity of our elections, and you should too."
The statement's authors include the presidents of the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association of Secretaries of State -- who run elections at the state level -- and the executive committee of the government-industry coordinating council that includes all the major voting equipment vendors.
As of Friday, most top congressional Republicans were still supporting Trump's efforts to challenge the election process and results. But cracks were beginning to emerge in that support.
A number of GOP leaders were saying it was time for the White House to begin briefing Biden on the latest intelligence reports so he will be prepared when he takes over on Jan. 20.
And a few Republicans out in the states were saying it was time to treat Biden like the president-elect he is.
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, who endorsed Trump's reelection, became the latest Republican official to say what Trump and his allies refuse to accept. He acknowledged that Biden's lead was getting "bigger and bigger by the day" and Trump's legal options were dissipating.
"Joe Biden is the president-elect, and I think like most Americans, we suspect he'll be taking the oath of office in January," Sununu told reporters. He insisted there was no fraud in his state, which Biden easily carried.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Military voters fear they're part of unsupported fraud claim

LAS VEGAS ( AP ) -- Even before Attorney General William Barr issued a memo that authorized federal prosecutors across the country to investigate `` substantial allegations '' of voting irregularities if they exist , the Justice Department had already begun looking into two specific allegations .
One was a claim from the Trump campaign that thousands of people may have improperly voted .
The other was an allegation from a postal worker in Pennsylvania that a postmaster had instructed workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day .
But so far , neither case appears to hold much water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And the first accusation has U.S. military personnel in Nevada concerned they have been drawn into unsubstantiated fraud claims .
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election despite President Donald Trump 's claims .
In fact , election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed there were no serious irregularities that elected Democrat Joe Biden the next president .
Still , lawyers from Trump 's campaign sent a letter to Barr alleging they had uncovered what they described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada and saying they had identified 3,062 people who `` improperly '' cast mail ballots in Clark County , a Democrat-heavy area that includes Las Vegas and about 75 % of the state 's population .
Those people were identified by `` cross-referencing the names and addresses of voters with the National Change of Address database , '' according to the letter .
A copy of the Nevada letter provided to The Associated Press included a 62-page chart enumerating each voter but the listing did not include the name , address or party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the county , city , state and ZIP code they moved from , and the city , state and nine-digit ZIP code they moved to .
The full nine-digit ZIP code can narrow an address down to a particular segment of a few blocks or even one side of a street , according to the U.S .
Postal Service .
With Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states , none of those issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election , including Nevada and Pennsylvania , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 54,000 votes , respectively .
But voting rights activists say hundreds of people on the list appear to be linked to the U.S. military .
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada , which is doing election protection work , found 157 voters who listed a military base post office , according to staff attorney Nikki Levy , meaning they likely voted legally under added protections in federal law allowing absentee voting for military members and their families .
Nevada election law stipulates that in order to register to vote , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 days preceding an election , but does not specify how long an already registered voter must be physically present in the state in order to participate in an election .
The Nevada Secretary of State 's office said voters do not lose their eligibility to vote or void their registration when they leave the state temporarily , even for long periods of time , and they may travel for 30 days or more and still cast a ballot .
Federal and state law allows otherwise eligible voters to be exempt from any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for any amount of time in order to cast a vote in a presidential election .
A citizen who moves within 30 days before an election has the right to vote in their new state or their prior state of residence .
Voters who take advantage of that only vote for president and vice president .
They do not get to vote in any other contests .
Clark County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria responded to the Trump campaign 's allegations at a news conference last week , saying his office was reviewing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent him , but said the allegation involves `` something that happens regularly . ''
`` You do n't have to live here in order to be eligible to vote here .
This is a military town , '' he said , referring to Nellis Air Force Base , which sits northeast of Las Vegas .
He also that noted Nevadans who leave the state for college often vote by mail .
The students and military families , while not physically in the state , `` are eligible to vote here in Nevada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to know offhand how many military families are on the Trump campaign list because not all service members use their base post office as their address , ACLU lawyer Levy said .
It includes voters living in cities where there are military installations and it likely includes a good number of college students as well , she said .
Rebekah Mattes , a civil servant who now lives in Stuttgart , Germany , said she believes she found herself and her husband , who is in the Air Force , on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who made the same move they did from North Las Vegas to their new ZIP code in Germany .
`` It 's a little disheartening that this process that 's in place for people like my family , to be able to exercise their right to vote , is being questioned , '' Mattes said .
Mattes said absentee voting is something she and her family relied on growing up as her father was in the Air Force .
She said it was concerning that it appeared her vote was being labeled as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , without anything to base it on .
`` That 's a pretty broad brush to be painting with for something that 's this important , '' she said .
Her comments were echoed by other military families who had the same concerns .
Some cited security worries about having details about their past residences and their new nine-digit ZIP codes being linked and released .
Justice officials would not comment on the investigation .
Shortly after the Trump campaign sent the letter , Barr gave prosecutors the ability to go around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibit such overt actions before the election is certified .
Soon after it was issued , the department 's top elections crime official announced he would step aside from that position because of the memo .
The issues Trump 's campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election : Problems with signatures , secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots , as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost .
Trump 's campaign has also launched legal challenges complaining that their poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process .
Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges , some within hours of their filing ; and again , none of the complaints show any evidence that the outcome of the election was impacted .
Another active probe in Pennsylvania , meanwhile , appears to have fallen apart after the employee recanted the allegations in an interview with the postal service 's inspector general 's office , people familiar with the matter said .
It is a federal crime to make a materially false statement to a federal agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speak about an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity .
The employee , Richard Hopkins , admitted in an interview with the Postal Service 's inspector general that allegations were based on parts of a conversation he overheard among co-workers at the mail facility where he works in Erie .
He also said an affidavit cited by Sen. Lindsey Graham , R-S.C. , the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- and forwarded to the Justice Department by Graham -- was written by Project Veritas , a conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusations on social media .
He agreed that some of the statements in the affidavit should have included amendments or caveats and also agreed to sign a new statement that undercut some of his main claims in the initial affidavit , according to a recording of the interview posted by Project Veritas .
Balsamo reported from Washington , and Izaguirre from Lindenhurst , N.Y .

Military voters fear they're part of unsupported fraud claim
FILE -- In this Oct. 15, 2020, file photo U.S. Attorney General William Barr speaks during a roundtable discussion on Operation Legend in St. Louis. Even before Barr issued a memo that authorized federal prosecutors across the country to investigate "substantial allegations" of voting irregularities if they exist, the Justice Department had already begun looking into two specific allegations. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Even before Attorney General William Barr issued a memo that authorized federal prosecutors across the country to investigate "substantial allegations" of voting irregularities if they exist, the Justice Department had already begun looking into two specific allegations.
One was a claim from the Trump campaign that thousands of people may have improperly voted. The other was an allegation from a postal worker in Pennsylvania that a postmaster had instructed workers to backdate ballots mailed after Election Day.
But so far, neither case appears to hold much water, according to details about the probes. And the first accusation has U.S. military personnel in Nevada concerned they have been drawn into unsubstantiated fraud claims.
There is no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 election despite President Donald Trump's claims. In fact, election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed there were no serious irregularities that elected Democrat Joe Biden the next president.
Still, lawyers from Trump's campaign sent a letter to Barr alleging they had uncovered what they described as "criminal voter fraud" in Nevada and saying they had identified 3,062 people who "improperly" cast mail ballots in Clark County, a Democrat-heavy area that includes Las Vegas and about 75% of the state's population.
Those people were identified by "cross-referencing the names and addresses of voters with the National Change of Address database," according to the letter.
A copy of the Nevada letter provided to The Associated Press included a 62-page chart enumerating each voter but the listing did not include the name, address or party affiliation. Instead, it listed voters by the county, city, state and ZIP code they moved from, and the city, state and nine-digit ZIP code they moved to. The full nine-digit ZIP code can narrow an address down to a particular segment of a few blocks or even one side of a street, according to the U.S. Postal Service.
With Biden leading Trump by wide margins in key battleground states, none of those issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election, including Nevada and Pennsylvania, where Biden is winning by 37,000 votes and 54,000 votes, respectively.
But voting rights activists say hundreds of people on the list appear to be linked to the U.S. military. The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which is doing election protection work, found 157 voters who listed a military base post office, according to staff attorney Nikki Levy, meaning they likely voted legally under added protections in federal law allowing absentee voting for military members and their families.
Nevada election law stipulates that in order to register to vote, an individual must have been a resident for 30 days preceding an election, but does not specify how long an already registered voter must be physically present in the state in order to participate in an election.
The Nevada Secretary of State's office said voters do not lose their eligibility to vote or void their registration when they leave the state temporarily, even for long periods of time, and they may travel for 30 days or more and still cast a ballot.
Federal and state law allows otherwise eligible voters to be exempt from any requirements that they reside in a state for any amount of time in order to cast a vote in a presidential election. A citizen who moves within 30 days before an election has the right to vote in their new state or their prior state of residence. Voters who take advantage of that only vote for president and vice president. They do not get to vote in any other contests.
Clark County Registrar of Voters Joe Gloria responded to the Trump campaign's allegations at a news conference last week, saying his office was reviewing a list of names that the campaign sent him, but said the allegation involves "something that happens regularly."
"You don't have to live here in order to be eligible to vote here. This is a military town," he said, referring to Nellis Air Force Base, which sits northeast of Las Vegas. He also that noted Nevadans who leave the state for college often vote by mail. The students and military families, while not physically in the state, "are eligible to vote here in Nevada," he said.
It's hard to know offhand how many military families are on the Trump campaign list because not all service members use their base post office as their address, ACLU lawyer Levy said. It includes voters living in cities where there are military installations and it likely includes a good number of college students as well, she said.
Rebekah Mattes, a civil servant who now lives in Stuttgart, Germany, said she believes she found herself and her husband, who is in the Air Force, on the list because it includes only two voters who made the same move they did from North Las Vegas to their new ZIP code in Germany.
"It's a little disheartening that this process that's in place for people like my family, to be able to exercise their right to vote, is being questioned," Mattes said.
Mattes said absentee voting is something she and her family relied on growing up as her father was in the Air Force. She said it was concerning that it appeared her vote was being labeled as potentially fraudulent, along with hundreds of others, without anything to base it on.
"That's a pretty broad brush to be painting with for something that's this important," she said.
Her comments were echoed by other military families who had the same concerns. Some cited security worries about having details about their past residences and their new nine-digit ZIP codes being linked and released.
Justice officials would not comment on the investigation.
Shortly after the Trump campaign sent the letter, Barr gave prosecutors the ability to go around long-standing Justice Department policy that normally would prohibit such overt actions before the election is certified. Soon after it was issued, the department's top elections crime official announced he would step aside from that position because of the memo.
The issues Trump's campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election: Problems with signatures, secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots, as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or lost.
Trump's campaign has also launched legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process. Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges, some within hours of their filing; and again, none of the complaints show any evidence that the outcome of the election was impacted.
Another active probe in Pennsylvania, meanwhile, appears to have fallen apart after the employee recanted the allegations in an interview with the postal service's inspector general's office, people familiar with the matter said. It is a federal crime to make a materially false statement to a federal agent. The people were not authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.
The employee, Richard Hopkins, admitted in an interview with the Postal Service's inspector general that allegations were based on parts of a conversation he overheard among co-workers at the mail facility where he works in Erie. He also said an affidavit cited by Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee -- and forwarded to the Justice Department by Graham -- was written by Project Veritas, a conservative group that has been promoting voter fraud accusations on social media.
He agreed that some of the statements in the affidavit should have included amendments or caveats and also agreed to sign a new statement that undercut some of his main claims in the initial affidavit, according to a recording of the interview posted by Project Veritas.
Balsamo reported from Washington, and Izaguirre from Lindenhurst, N.Y.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Judge dismisses restraining order sought by cannabis license finalists

SPRINGFIELD -- A Sangamon County court on Thursday denied a restraining order requested by cannabis dispensary license finalists in an attempt to stop the state from rescoring the applications of losing applicants .
In early September , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker 's administration revealed after months of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic that just 21 firms out of over 900 applicants qualified for the first round of 75 `` social equity licenses '' for marijuana dispensaries .
These licenses were earmarked for dispensaries expected to improve the economic conditions of communities harmed by the war on drugs .
Later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marijuana dispensary applicants would have another chance to amend their submissions before the licenses were awarded .
Some firms originally selected as finalists criticized the governor for the decision , accusing him of caving to political pressure .
Three firms sued the administration in an attempt to stop the re-evaluation , first appealing to the state Supreme Court , then to a lower court once that request was denied .
That lawsuit was dealt a blow Thursday after Sangamon County Judge Adam Giganti denied a temporary restraining order that would have prevented the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from grading amended applications and adding new finalists to the 75-license lottery .
The three firms named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit -- SB IL LLC , Vertical Management LLC and GRI Holdings LLC -- argued for the injunction on the grounds that changing the process after winners were already announced was unfair and that allowing losing firms to resubmit their applications would cause the three groups `` irreparable harm . ''
In the court 's 17-page opinion , Giganti wrote the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate how Pritzker 's administration giving losing firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that `` the public interest favors allowing ( IDFPR 's ) administrative process , including its announced supplemental process , to proceed . ''
The Pritzker administration made the decision to rescore applications after backlash over allegations of unfairness and inconsistencies in how applications were scored .
The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus each sent Pritzker letters asking him to suspend the lottery .
Lawmakers and cannabis advocates took to social media and news outlets to criticize the administration over so few winners being selected and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensing process .
Several losing firms sued the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Pritzker administration .
One complaint featured in lawsuits was that the process violated a provision in the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that applicants were to be notified if their submission was `` deficient in any respect , '' since no firm received such a notification .
Some also alleged that applicants with ties to KPMG , the third-party firm in charge of scoring applicants , had an unfair advantage in the process .
Two weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state halted the process .
A release from Pritzker and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said they would give losing firms another opportunity to join the 21 finalists in the lottery after `` careful examination '' based on `` feedback from community leaders and stakeholders . ''
As a result of the change , losing firms dropped their lawsuits against the state .
KPMG denied all allegations of impropriety and is still under contract to score marijuana license applications , including resubmissions .
Now that the temporary restraining order has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Professional Regulation can continue its supplemental grading process and potentially add several more firms to the final lottery .
Failed applicants will receive a `` supplementary deficiency notice '' explaining where they lost points and will have 10 days after receipt to edit their submission to address the errors .
Resubmissions that achieve a perfect score will progress into the next round of tiebreaker lotteries alongside the original 21 finalists .
As part of the supplementary process , firms are not allowed to change owners or the makeup of their ownership from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Chicago Sun-Times , Pritzker spokeswoman Charity Greene said the administration would start the supplementary grading process `` in the coming weeks . ''

Judge dismisses restraining order sought by cannabis license finalists
SPRINGFIELD -- A Sangamon County court on Thursday denied a restraining order requested by cannabis dispensary license finalists in an attempt to stop the state from rescoring the applications of losing applicants.
In early September, Gov. J.B. Pritzker's administration revealed after months of delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic that just 21 firms out of over 900 applicants qualified for the first round of 75 "social equity licenses" for marijuana dispensaries. These licenses were earmarked for dispensaries expected to improve the economic conditions of communities harmed by the war on drugs.
Later that month, Pritzker announced that rejected marijuana dispensary applicants would have another chance to amend their submissions before the licenses were awarded.
Some firms originally selected as finalists criticized the governor for the decision, accusing him of caving to political pressure. Three firms sued the administration in an attempt to stop the re-evaluation, first appealing to the state Supreme Court, then to a lower court once that request was denied.
That lawsuit was dealt a blow Thursday after Sangamon County Judge Adam Giganti denied a temporary restraining order that would have prevented the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation from grading amended applications and adding new finalists to the 75-license lottery.
The three firms named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit -- SB IL LLC, Vertical Management LLC and GRI Holdings LLC -- argued for the injunction on the grounds that changing the process after winners were already announced was unfair and that allowing losing firms to resubmit their applications would cause the three groups "irreparable harm."
In the court's 17-page opinion, Giganti wrote the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate how Pritzker's administration giving losing firms a second chance would cause irreparable harm, and that "the public interest favors allowing (IDFPR's) administrative process, including its announced supplemental process, to proceed."
The Pritzker administration made the decision to rescore applications after backlash over allegations of unfairness and inconsistencies in how applications were scored. The Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus each sent Pritzker letters asking him to suspend the lottery. Lawmakers and cannabis advocates took to social media and news outlets to criticize the administration over so few winners being selected and what they saw as inconsistencies in the licensing process.
Several losing firms sued the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Pritzker administration. One complaint featured in lawsuits was that the process violated a provision in the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act that applicants were to be notified if their submission was "deficient in any respect," since no firm received such a notification. Some also alleged that applicants with ties to KPMG, the third-party firm in charge of scoring applicants, had an unfair advantage in the process.
Two weeks after the initial winners were announced, the state halted the process. A release from Pritzker and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation said they would give losing firms another opportunity to join the 21 finalists in the lottery after "careful examination" based on "feedback from community leaders and stakeholders."
As a result of the change, losing firms dropped their lawsuits against the state. KPMG denied all allegations of impropriety and is still under contract to score marijuana license applications, including resubmissions.
Now that the temporary restraining order has been dismissed, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation can continue its supplemental grading process and potentially add several more firms to the final lottery. Failed applicants will receive a "supplementary deficiency notice" explaining where they lost points and will have 10 days after receipt to edit their submission to address the errors. Resubmissions that achieve a perfect score will progress into the next round of tiebreaker lotteries alongside the original 21 finalists.
As part of the supplementary process, firms are not allowed to change owners or the makeup of their ownership from their first failed application.
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Pritzker spokeswoman Charity Greene said the administration would start the supplementary grading process "in the coming weeks."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-14--2 charged in armed robbery in front of Schaumburg police station

Two men have been charged in an armed robbery Thursday in front of the Schaumburg police station .
Louis R. Clark Jr. , 21 , of the 300 block of South Prospect Avenue in Bartlett , and Jordan W. Brown , 19 , of the 100 block of West Elk Trail in Carol Stream , both are in the Cook County jail awaiting a bond hearing .
The robbery occurred about 7:10 p.m. in an area for internet purchases and exchanges near the front of the police station , 1000 W. Schaumburg Road .
Police said the two were examining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the merchandise .
As the victims gave chase , one of the men brandished a gun , police said .
Officers soon caught up with the men , and the gun and stolen merchandise were recovered , police said .
`` Although the primary goal for the designated police department merchandise exchange spot is to prevent such crimes from ever occurring , the utilization of this location allowed for the quick apprehension of the suspects .
We encourage our residents to continue using this location for online merchandise exchanges , '' Chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

2 charged in armed robbery in front of Schaumburg police station
Two men have been charged in an armed robbery Thursday in front of the Schaumburg police station.
Louis R. Clark Jr., 21, of the 300 block of South Prospect Avenue in Bartlett, and Jordan W. Brown, 19, of the 100 block of West Elk Trail in Carol Stream, both are in the Cook County jail awaiting a bond hearing.
The robbery occurred about 7:10 p.m. in an area for internet purchases and exchanges near the front of the police station, 1000 W. Schaumburg Road.
Police said the two were examining an item for sale when they fled with the merchandise. As the victims gave chase, one of the men brandished a gun, police said.
Officers soon caught up with the men, and the gun and stolen merchandise were recovered, police said.
"Although the primary goal for the designated police department merchandise exchange spot is to prevent such crimes from ever occurring, the utilization of this location allowed for the quick apprehension of the suspects. We encourage our residents to continue using this location for online merchandise exchanges," Chief Bill Wolf said in a news release.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-13--Naperville man thrown from vehicle in crash


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-14--State reports 166 more deaths (66 due to data delay), 11,028 new cases

The Illinois Department of Public Health Saturday reported 166 more deaths , but it said 66 of them would have been in Friday 's report except for a delay in reporting of death data .
The state has reported an average of 74 deaths a day over the last seven days , up from an average of 28 in the same period a month ago .
The dead on Saturday included 67 in Cook County , 6 in DuPage County , 9 in Kane County , 7 in Lake County and 10 in Will County .
The state also reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 , down sharply from the record 15,415 reported on Friday .
The results were based on results of a record high 114,370 specimens tested by laboratories .
Saturday 's statewide seven-day average infection rate was reported at 12.6 % after peaking at 13.2 % Friday .
It 's the first time that metric has declined since Oct. 23 , according to IDPH .
Simultaneously , Chicago , suburban Cook County and the five collar counties all saw significant decreases to the seven-day average infection rates as well .
That 's due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw record , or near-record , numbers of test results , but only a moderate amount of new cases from those tests .
In McHenry County , the county 's seven-day average infection rate dropped almost five percentage points to 18.1 % Saturday after just 235 of the 2,093 tests taken by residents there resulted in new cases .
As of Friday night , 5,415 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19 , up 53 from Thursday .
Of those , 1,018 patients were in the ICU , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 were on ventilators , up 11 .
Currently , IDPH is reporting a total of 562,985 cases , including 10,670 deaths .

State reports 166 more deaths (66 due to data delay), 11,028 new cases
The Illinois Department of Public Health Saturday reported 166 more deaths, but it said 66 of them would have been in Friday's report except for a delay in reporting of death data.
The state has reported an average of 74 deaths a day over the last seven days, up from an average of 28 in the same period a month ago. The dead on Saturday included 67 in Cook County, 6 in DuPage County, 9 in Kane County, 7 in Lake County and 10 in Will County.
The state also reported 11,028 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, down sharply from the record 15,415 reported on Friday. The results were based on results of a record high 114,370 specimens tested by laboratories.
Saturday's statewide seven-day average infection rate was reported at 12.6% after peaking at 13.2% Friday. It's the first time that metric has declined since Oct. 23, according to IDPH.
Simultaneously, Chicago, suburban Cook County and the five collar counties all saw significant decreases to the seven-day average infection rates as well. That's due to the fact that most of those locations saw record, or near-record, numbers of test results, but only a moderate amount of new cases from those tests.
In McHenry County, the county's seven-day average infection rate dropped almost five percentage points to 18.1% Saturday after just 235 of the 2,093 tests taken by residents there resulted in new cases.
As of Friday night, 5,415 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19, up 53 from Thursday. Of those, 1,018 patients were in the ICU, up 28, and 499 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators, up 11.
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 562,985 cases, including 10,670 deaths.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-14--Constable: A lifetime shared together ends with COVID-19

Carmen and Mary Siciliano started married life in a one-room apartment during World War II .
They ended it 76 years later in a fifth-floor hospital room they shared with COVID-19 .
Carmen , 98 , died at 10:48 a.m. Thursday at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove , six days after he was given a bed next to Mary , who was diagnosed with the coronavirus first .
Mary , still recovering , moved Friday into a skilled nursing facility in Batavia , say their daughters , Joyce Siciliano Andringa of Aurora and Gail Siciliano Grazian of Naperville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough before Carmen 's death for her to touch her husband 's arm as they listened to a recording of Nat King Cole singing their favorites such as `` Autumn Leaves '' and `` Unforgettable . ''
`` We asked if she wanted to be in the same room holding my dad 's hand when he goes to heaven , and she said yes , '' says Gail , who says her father always wanted to take care of her mother .
`` We told him we were going to take care of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple 's love and commitment to each other inspired doctors , nurses and other staff members at Good Samaritan .
Hospital rooms are designated for single patients but the family thought it would help if Carmen and Mary could be in adjoining beds in the same room of the respiratory isolation unit .
`` Our physicians also thought that was a great idea , '' says nurse Rene Scheier , interim manager of the Clinical Resource Unit at Good Samaritan .
`` It was set up perfectly for them . ''
They even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ II hat that he wore until his death , foam boards filled with photographs from their life together , and a CD player .
`` It 's important for us to provide holistic care , '' Scheier says .
`` We could see how important this was for the entire Siciliano family .
This is a perfect example of the type of compassion our team members have for our patients at Good Sam . ''
Mary Monstere was just 14 when she left her family 's farm and her nine siblings in Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family on Chicago 's South Side , across the street from where Carmen Siciliano lived with his parents and nine siblings .
`` My parents were farmers , and when I graduated eighth grade , I asked , 'Can I go to high school ? '
'' Mary explained .
`` And they said , 'No .
We have to eat . '
'' After each day of classes at Parker High School in Chicago , Carmen would take a train downtown for a job unloading mail bags from trains onto trucks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ better-paying job cutting the heads and legs off chickens for Campbell Soup Co. Their first date was on Mary 's 15th birthday , when Carmen took her downtown to see the movie `` Sergeant York . ''
The five-year age difference did n't bother Mary , whose mother was married at age 13 in Italy .
Once they started dating , World War II was the only thing that kept them apart .
Even then , Carmen , who enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Newfoundland , Canada , wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for their daughter 's hand in marriage .
Carmen also persuaded his captain to give him a two-week leave so he could wed Mary on Aug. 5 , 1944 .
Mary was 17 .
Carmen was 22 .
During the war , Mary lied about her age to get a job winding wire coils in a factory where an older brother worked .
She and Carmen wrote each other lovely letters in spite of Carmen 's gruesome duty handling the casualties of war .
`` All the dead bodies would come in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so they could be brought back here , '' Carmen said .
He served the remainder of his military service as an X-ray technician in Fort Sheridan , and the newlyweds settled into domestic life without much money .
`` We would wait until the stores closed , then we went window shopping , '' Carmen said .
They raised their son , Frank , who died in 2016 , and daughters Joyce and Gail in the south suburb of Dolton .
An excellent gymnast and diver in high school , Carmen remained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ habit of performing handstands on the hood of every car he owned and once did an impromptu handstand on the ledge of Hoover Dam that almost got him arrested .
He made his living as a painter .
He supervised a crew painting the Prudential Building , with the highest roof in Chicago at the time , and spent time every year at Wrigley Field , where `` I painted the whole place , '' he said .
At the couple 's 75th anniversary party in 2019 , they gave a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never went to bed angry , '' Mary said .
`` We always kissed before going to bed , '' Carmen added .
Then he played `` Happy Anniversary '' on his harmonica -- but only after removing the dentures from his mouth and handing them to Mary , who clearly had played that part before .
He also played taps every Veterans Day , until the one the day before he died .
During the pandemic , their daughters and other family members generally had to gather on a patio and shout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-floor balcony at Heritage Woods assisted living facility in Batavia , where they lived .
In August , the couple made a trip to Joyce 's house , where they got haircuts in the garage , and Joyce gave them both manicures and pedicures .
The last time the family got to be with the couple in person was at a socially distanced gender-reveal party in September outside Heritage Woods .
That 's when they found out their grandson Jayson and Ninnette Nofzinger would be parents of a boy due in January 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The last time the daughters saw their parents was on a Zoom call to show them photos of the family 's newest additions -- twin granddaughters born on Halloween , the couple 's third and fourth great-grandchildren .
Carmen , who is legally blind , held the image up to his face .
`` My mom wants to get her hands on those babies , '' Gail says .
`` My dad has been ready to go , '' Joyce says , explaining how Carmen used to blame his daughters and wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When he planned his funeral years ago , Carmen told his wife , `` If you die before me , I 'll kill you , '' and joked , `` Do n't bury me in the smoking section . ''
On the first phone call with the daughters after Carmen died , Mary cried .
But they all realize the couple had a pretty amazing run .
The couple shared everything , but mostly love .
Even at the end '' God was on our shoulder guiding this journey , '' Gail says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way ease the pain .
`` They had a great life , '' Joyce says of her parents .
`` People need to hear wonderful stories of love and hope . ''

Constable: A lifetime shared together ends with COVID-19
Home on leave from World War II, Carmen Siciliano and Mary Monstere celebrated their wedding on Aug. 5, 1944, to start a marriage that lasted more than 76 years. Courtesy of Siciliano Family
The family of Carmen and Mary Siciliano has added twin great-granddaughters since this photograph was taken. Courtesy of Siciliano Family
Married for 76 years, Carmen and Mary Siciliano always made time to have fun together. Courtesy of Siciliano Family
This photograph from their first date was a good omen for Carmen Siciliano and Mary Monstere. They were married for more than 76 years. Courtesy of Siciliano Family
Carmen and Mary Siciliano started married life in a one-room apartment during World War II. They ended it 76 years later in a fifth-floor hospital room they shared with COVID-19.
Carmen, 98, died at 10:48 a.m. Thursday at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, six days after he was given a bed next to Mary, who was diagnosed with the coronavirus first. Mary, still recovering, moved Friday into a skilled nursing facility in Batavia, say their daughters, Joyce Siciliano Andringa of Aurora and Gail Siciliano Grazian of Naperville.
Mary's bed was pushed close enough before Carmen's death for her to touch her husband's arm as they listened to a recording of Nat King Cole singing their favorites such as "Autumn Leaves" and "Unforgettable."
"We asked if she wanted to be in the same room holding my dad's hand when he goes to heaven, and she said yes," says Gail, who says her father always wanted to take care of her mother. "We told him we were going to take care of her from now on."
The couple's love and commitment to each other inspired doctors, nurses and other staff members at Good Samaritan. Hospital rooms are designated for single patients but the family thought it would help if Carmen and Mary could be in adjoining beds in the same room of the respiratory isolation unit.
"Our physicians also thought that was a great idea," says nurse Rene Scheier, interim manager of the Clinical Resource Unit at Good Samaritan. "It was set up perfectly for them."
They even made room for Carmen's World War II hat that he wore until his death, foam boards filled with photographs from their life together, and a CD player.
"It's important for us to provide holistic care," Scheier says. "We could see how important this was for the entire Siciliano family. This is a perfect example of the type of compassion our team members have for our patients at Good Sam."
Mary Monstere was just 14 when she left her family's farm and her nine siblings in Louisiana to babysit for her older brother's family on Chicago's South Side, across the street from where Carmen Siciliano lived with his parents and nine siblings.
"My parents were farmers, and when I graduated eighth grade, I asked, 'Can I go to high school?'" Mary explained. "And they said, 'No. We have to eat.'"
After each day of classes at Parker High School in Chicago, Carmen would take a train downtown for a job unloading mail bags from trains onto trucks. He quit high school to take a better-paying job cutting the heads and legs off chickens for Campbell Soup Co.
Their first date was on Mary's 15th birthday, when Carmen took her downtown to see the movie "Sergeant York." The five-year age difference didn't bother Mary, whose mother was married at age 13 in Italy.
Once they started dating, World War II was the only thing that kept them apart. Even then, Carmen, who enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Newfoundland, Canada, wrote a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Monstere asking for their daughter's hand in marriage. Carmen also persuaded his captain to give him a two-week leave so he could wed Mary on Aug. 5, 1944. Mary was 17. Carmen was 22.
During the war, Mary lied about her age to get a job winding wire coils in a factory where an older brother worked. She and Carmen wrote each other lovely letters in spite of Carmen's gruesome duty handling the casualties of war. "All the dead bodies would come in, and we'd set them up so they could be brought back here," Carmen said.
He served the remainder of his military service as an X-ray technician in Fort Sheridan, and the newlyweds settled into domestic life without much money.
"We would wait until the stores closed, then we went window shopping," Carmen said. They raised their son, Frank, who died in 2016, and daughters Joyce and Gail in the south suburb of Dolton. An excellent gymnast and diver in high school, Carmen remained in great shape. He made a habit of performing handstands on the hood of every car he owned and once did an impromptu handstand on the ledge of Hoover Dam that almost got him arrested.
He made his living as a painter. He supervised a crew painting the Prudential Building, with the highest roof in Chicago at the time, and spent time every year at Wrigley Field, where "I painted the whole place," he said.
At the couple's 75th anniversary party in 2019, they gave a couple of tips for a happy marriage
"We never went to bed angry," Mary said.
"We always kissed before going to bed," Carmen added. Then he played "Happy Anniversary" on his harmonica -- but only after removing the dentures from his mouth and handing them to Mary, who clearly had played that part before. He also played taps every Veterans Day, until the one the day before he died.
During the pandemic, their daughters and other family members generally had to gather on a patio and shout up to Carmen and Mary on the second-floor balcony at Heritage Woods assisted living facility in Batavia, where they lived.
In August, the couple made a trip to Joyce's house, where they got haircuts in the garage, and Joyce gave them both manicures and pedicures. The last time the family got to be with the couple in person was at a socially distanced gender-reveal party in September outside Heritage Woods. That's when they found out their grandson Jayson and Ninnette Nofzinger would be parents of a boy due in January 2021, when Carmen would have turned 99.
The last time the daughters saw their parents was on a Zoom call to show them photos of the family's newest additions -- twin granddaughters born on Halloween, the couple's third and fourth great-grandchildren. Carmen, who is legally blind, held the image up to his face.
"My mom wants to get her hands on those babies," Gail says.
"My dad has been ready to go," Joyce says, explaining how Carmen used to blame his daughters and wife for keeping him alive too long. When he planned his funeral years ago, Carmen told his wife, "If you die before me, I'll kill you," and joked, "Don't bury me in the smoking section."
On the first phone call with the daughters after Carmen died, Mary cried. But they all realize the couple had a pretty amazing run. The couple shared everything, but mostly love. Even at the end
"God was on our shoulder guiding this journey," Gail says.
The "angels" who helped along the way ease the pain.
"They had a great life," Joyce says of her parents. "People need to hear wonderful stories of love and hope."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-14--Is Illinois ready to roll out a COVID vaccine?

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic , the focus of much of the scientific world has been creating and testing a safe and effective vaccine .
With news last week that drugmaker Pfizer was on the cusp of having its vaccine approved after it showed 90 % efficacy against the virus , attention shifted to securely and rapidly distributing doses to health care providers throughout the country .
Though officials have had nearly a year to plan , there are still major gaps in that process , Illinois public health experts and supply chain specialists said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state and county health departments really trying to get a handle on how the vaccine will be administered to the general population , '' said Dr. Phil Williams , associate vice president of pharmacy services at Edward-Elmhurst Health .
`` But we have not received final word on who is being prioritized for the vaccine . ''
That decision is ultimately made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , local public health officials said .
It 's a decision the federal agency has yet to make .
It 's an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 million doses ready this year , and only about half that number will go to the United States .
And since this vaccine requires two doses spread over three weeks , that cuts the potential vaccination population in half .
Only about 12.5 million people will receive the initial inoculation -- less than 4 % of the U.S. population .
The working theory is that health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities would be first in line , as they are the most at risk .
But health officials also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be inoculated .
`` The biggest obstacle is having people believe the vaccine is safe and effective , '' said Chris Hoff , the director of community health resources at the DuPage County Health Department .
However , another major problem exists with the handling and transportation of the vaccine .
While Pfizer 's vaccine has so far proved to be effective , it 's also proved to be fairly delicate .
The vaccine needs to be stored at about negative 94 degrees Fahrenheit .
`` I would say it 's pretty rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freezer like this , and that a vaccine would require this kind of storage , '' Hoff said .
He said the county health department just purchased an `` ultracold freezer '' capable of maintaining the vaccines at the appropriate temperature .
Williams said he just bought two -- one each for Edward Hospital in Naperville and Elmhurst Hospital .
The state 's `` Mass Vaccination Planning Guide '' released last month notes that the `` CDC does not advise providers to purchase ultracold storage equipment at this time . ''
When asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle the temperature requirements for the vaccine , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker was not ready to commit additional state resources for the necessary freezers .
`` Well , there 's only been a preliminary study that 's come out about that vaccine .
I 'm very optimistic about it , '' he said .
`` But investing in 100-degree-below-zero freezer equipment for the entire state before you even know if that 's a vaccine you will use probably does n't make any sense . ''
The freezer cost estimate on the high side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outfit all 97 of the state 's county health departments with one freezer would cost about $ 1.16 million .
By comparison , the state spent $ 27.7 million on 2,000 new ventilators at the outset of the pandemic .
It 's unclear if any were ever used .
There are other cooling options .
The federal government has contracted health care supply shipping company McKesson Corp. to handle the logistics of transporting vials of the vaccine to providers where they will be administered .
Pfizer is creating a special container for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ice ( negative 109 degrees Fahrenheit ) to keep them at the proper temperature .
`` Dry ice is n't going to last for three weeks , though , '' said Ben Royer , owner of Chicagoland Dry Ice in South Elgin .
`` I 'm very aware of the huge need for dry ice .
I had a worldwide airfreight company , I 'm not going to say who , email me asking if I could commit to selling them 100 % of my supply .
I told them I could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfizer containers every few days with fresh blocks of dry ice could prove just as costly as buying a freezer in the long run .
`` We made a decision internally to buy the freezers , but I think most people , especially in rural areas , are relying on replacing dry ice , '' Williams said .
The state also has a fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles maintained by the Illinois Department of Corrections .
Those could be deployed , if necessary , as well .
And Pfizer is not the only drugmaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies are in various stages of development .
Moderna Therapeutics is also close to making an announcement about its potential vaccine 's test results .
Public health officials said many of the other potential vaccines are reportedly less temperamental than the Pfizer product .

Is Illinois ready to roll out a COVID vaccine?
Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of much of the scientific world has been creating and testing a safe and effective vaccine.
With news last week that drugmaker Pfizer was on the cusp of having its vaccine approved after it showed 90% efficacy against the virus, attention shifted to securely and rapidly distributing doses to health care providers throughout the country.
Though officials have had nearly a year to plan, there are still major gaps in that process, Illinois public health experts and supply chain specialists said.
"We've been in pretty close contact with state and county health departments really trying to get a handle on how the vaccine will be administered to the general population," said Dr. Phil Williams, associate vice president of pharmacy services at Edward-Elmhurst Health. "But we have not received final word on who is being prioritized for the vaccine."
That decision is ultimately made by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local public health officials said. It's a decision the federal agency has yet to make.
It's an important one because Pfizer will have only 50 million doses ready this year, and only about half that number will go to the United States. And since this vaccine requires two doses spread over three weeks, that cuts the potential vaccination population in half.
Only about 12.5 million people will receive the initial inoculation -- less than 4% of the U.S. population.
The working theory is that health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities would be first in line, as they are the most at risk. But health officials also worry about the public's hesitancy to be inoculated.
"The biggest obstacle is having people believe the vaccine is safe and effective," said Chris Hoff, the director of community health resources at the DuPage County Health Department.
However, another major problem exists with the handling and transportation of the vaccine.
While Pfizer's vaccine has so far proved to be effective, it's also proved to be fairly delicate.
The vaccine needs to be stored at about negative 94 degrees Fahrenheit.
"I would say it's pretty rare for most health departments to have a freezer like this, and that a vaccine would require this kind of storage," Hoff said.
He said the county health department just purchased an "ultracold freezer" capable of maintaining the vaccines at the appropriate temperature. Williams said he just bought two -- one each for Edward Hospital in Naperville and Elmhurst Hospital.
The state's "Mass Vaccination Planning Guide" released last month notes that the "CDC does not advise providers to purchase ultracold storage equipment at this time."
When asked Thursday about the state's ability to handle the temperature requirements for the vaccine, Gov. J.B. Pritzker was not ready to commit additional state resources for the necessary freezers.
"Well, there's only been a preliminary study that's come out about that vaccine. I'm very optimistic about it," he said. "But investing in 100-degree-below-zero freezer equipment for the entire state before you even know if that's a vaccine you will use probably doesn't make any sense."
The freezer cost estimate on the high side is about $12,000 each. To outfit all 97 of the state's county health departments with one freezer would cost about $1.16 million. By comparison, the state spent $27.7 million on 2,000 new ventilators at the outset of the pandemic. It's unclear if any were ever used.
There are other cooling options.
The federal government has contracted health care supply shipping company McKesson Corp. to handle the logistics of transporting vials of the vaccine to providers where they will be administered. Pfizer is creating a special container for the vaccines that will be packed with dry ice (negative 109 degrees Fahrenheit) to keep them at the proper temperature.
"Dry ice isn't going to last for three weeks, though," said Ben Royer, owner of Chicagoland Dry Ice in South Elgin. "I'm very aware of the huge need for dry ice. I had a worldwide airfreight company, I'm not going to say who, email me asking if I could commit to selling them 100% of my supply. I told them I couldn't do that."
Refilling the special Pfizer containers every few days with fresh blocks of dry ice could prove just as costly as buying a freezer in the long run.
"We made a decision internally to buy the freezers, but I think most people, especially in rural areas, are relying on replacing dry ice," Williams said.
The state also has a fleet of temperature-controlled vehicles maintained by the Illinois Department of Corrections. Those could be deployed, if necessary, as well.
And Pfizer is not the only drugmaker developing a vaccine. About nine other companies are in various stages of development. Moderna Therapeutics is also close to making an announcement about its potential vaccine's test results.
Public health officials said many of the other potential vaccines are reportedly less temperamental than the Pfizer product.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-14--Suburban voters saying yes to marijuana sales, but some concerns persist

Voter approval of recreational marijuana sales in the suburbs this year is a sign that public acceptance of the long-illegal substance has turned a corner , industry experts and some elected officials say .
Though tallies remain unofficial , voters in Elk Grove Village , Mount Prospect , Glen Ellyn , Park Ridge , Batavia and Wilmette all appear to have said yes Nov. 3 in advisory referendums asking if their towns should allow the sale of recreational pot .
Only voters in West suburban Willow Springs rejected marijuana sales in this month 's election , while similar ballot questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosemont and Maple Park .
Those results echo a national trend , as voters in Arizona , Montana and New Jersey all passed measures Nov. 3 legalizing cannabis for recreational use , South Dakota voters legalized both medical and recreational marijuana , and Mississippi residents voted to legalize medical marijuana .
No statewide marijuana measure failed .
Jason Erkes , chief communications officer for Cresco Labs that operates nine Sunnyside dispensaries in Illinois , said he believes the first 10 months of legalized recreational marijuana in Illinois have given people confidence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least as highly regulated , if not more highly regulated , than a pharmacy , '' he said .
But there remain critics who maintain not every community is a good fit for a retail dispensary .
`` I really do n't care if someone smokes pot , '' said Pete Ladesic , who co-founded the group Opt Out Glen Ellyn to oppose recreational marijuana sales in his village .
`` Our position is Glen Ellyn is not a good location . ''
Illinois on Jan. 1 became the first state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults through legislation rather than by referendum .
But under the state law , towns have the right to prevent sales within their borders .
Mount Prospect was among the suburbs to ban sales last year .
But Mayor Arlene Juracek said the support for sales among two-thirds of her village 's voters this month confirmed her opinion of how people feel about marijuana .
The `` yes '' votes likely came from people who either use marijuana already or have heard about the revenues dispensaries can generate for communities , Juracek said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminating the black market seems to be the major goal , she said .
Like the other pot referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot , Mount Prospect 's measure was nonbinding .
So now it will be up to the village board to decide whether to reverse the suburb 's ban .
Pamela Althoff , executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois , said the state 's fledgling marijuana industry is dedicated to being good neighbors , living up to its promises and educating the public during this cultural shift .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pot sales , Althoff suggested , are the jobs the industry is creating in the midst of this year 's economic downturn .
The association and its members agree with the state 's decision allowing individual communities to decide whether to permit marijuana businesses within their borders , she said .
`` The industry recognized the importance of that provision and supports it , '' said Althoff , a former state senator from McHenry .
Ladesic , a former Glen Ellyn village trustee who intends to run for village president in the spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results , there remains a lack of suitable sites in town far enough from day care centers and schools .
That may ultimately keep pot sales out of town , he said .
Based on his 20 years of experience as a police officer , Ladesic said he supports reducing the criminality of marijuana use but is concerned about impaired driving and other problems that might arise .
Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson said one of the reasons he wanted voter input was to gauge whether the community believes legal marijuana sales would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Elk Grove Village Cares , a village program that helps arrange treatment for those battling substance addiction .
Voters in Elk Grove backed recreational pot sales in the village by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio , unofficial results show .
The village board will discuss those results at upcoming meetings and decide what to do next .
With Oregon voters passing a measure this month to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cocaine , heroin and methamphetamines , Johnson fears that may be the start of a new trend .
And while he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in town , Johnson said the public response to the advisory referendum was `` loud and clear . ''

Suburban voters saying yes to marijuana sales, but some concerns persist
Voter approval of recreational marijuana sales in the suburbs this year is a sign that public acceptance of the long-illegal substance has turned a corner, industry experts and some elected officials say.
Though tallies remain unofficial, voters in Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect, Glen Ellyn, Park Ridge, Batavia and Wilmette all appear to have said yes Nov. 3 in advisory referendums asking if their towns should allow the sale of recreational pot.
Only voters in West suburban Willow Springs rejected marijuana sales in this month's election, while similar ballot questions in March won approval in Naperville, Rosemont and Maple Park.
Those results echo a national trend, as voters in Arizona, Montana and New Jersey all passed measures Nov. 3 legalizing cannabis for recreational use, South Dakota voters legalized both medical and recreational marijuana, and Mississippi residents voted to legalize medical marijuana. No statewide marijuana measure failed.
Jason Erkes, chief communications officer for Cresco Labs that operates nine Sunnyside dispensaries in Illinois, said he believes the first 10 months of legalized recreational marijuana in Illinois have given people confidence in the professionalism of dispensaries.
"We're at least as highly regulated, if not more highly regulated, than a pharmacy," he said.
But there remain critics who maintain not every community is a good fit for a retail dispensary.
"I really don't care if someone smokes pot," said Pete Ladesic, who co-founded the group Opt Out Glen Ellyn to oppose recreational marijuana sales in his village. "Our position is Glen Ellyn is not a good location."
Illinois on Jan. 1 became the first state to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana to adults through legislation rather than by referendum. But under the state law, towns have the right to prevent sales within their borders.
Mount Prospect was among the suburbs to ban sales last year. But Mayor Arlene Juracek said the support for sales among two-thirds of her village's voters this month confirmed her opinion of how people feel about marijuana.
The "yes" votes likely came from people who either use marijuana already or have heard about the revenues dispensaries can generate for communities, Juracek said. With marijuana use so prevalent, eliminating the black market seems to be the major goal, she said.
Like the other pot referendums on the Nov. 3 ballot, Mount Prospect's measure was nonbinding. So now it will be up to the village board to decide whether to reverse the suburb's ban.
Pamela Althoff, executive director of the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, said the state's fledgling marijuana industry is dedicated to being good neighbors, living up to its promises and educating the public during this cultural shift.
Among the other reasons voters are backing pot sales, Althoff suggested, are the jobs the industry is creating in the midst of this year's economic downturn.
The association and its members agree with the state's decision allowing individual communities to decide whether to permit marijuana businesses within their borders, she said.
"The industry recognized the importance of that provision and supports it," said Althoff, a former state senator from McHenry.
Ladesic, a former Glen Ellyn village trustee who intends to run for village president in the spring, said that despite the preliminary election results, there remains a lack of suitable sites in town far enough from day care centers and schools. That may ultimately keep pot sales out of town, he said.
Based on his 20 years of experience as a police officer, Ladesic said he supports reducing the criminality of marijuana use but is concerned about impaired driving and other problems that might arise.
Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson said one of the reasons he wanted voter input was to gauge whether the community believes legal marijuana sales would be seen as contradictory to the mission of Elk Grove Village Cares, a village program that helps arrange treatment for those battling substance addiction.
Voters in Elk Grove backed recreational pot sales in the village by a nearly 2-to-1 ratio, unofficial results show. The village board will discuss those results at upcoming meetings and decide what to do next.
With Oregon voters passing a measure this month to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines, Johnson fears that may be the start of a new trend.
And while he still harbors a dilemma about marijuana dispensaries in town, Johnson said the public response to the advisory referendum was "loud and clear."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-11-14--St. Charles North graduate grateful for lifesaving CPR skills

Mary Kate Phillips knew a life depended on her , but she never panicked .
Instead , her training kicked in as 8-year-old Brooke Baumann -- unable to breathe -- lay outside on the ground in their St. Charles neighborhood .
Brooke 's mother and others had tried using the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the breakfast food caught in the youngster 's throat but to no avail .
To a person , though , everyone knew where to turn .
Phillips ' parents , Aaron and Erin , raced to get 18-year-old Mary Kate from inside their house across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd only practiced with in the past , the recent St. Charles North graduate tuned out the chaos and began performing CPR on the child .
Phillips ' technique worked .
By the time paramedics arrived , Brooke 's airway was freed and before long she was back to normal .
A scary moment taught a lesson that 'd been drilled into Phillips ' head for two years .
Learning CPR saves lives .
`` You go through all that training but you never expect something like that to happen , '' she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my training . ''
Now a freshman at Ball State University in Indiana , Phillips still thinks about that July morning and remains grateful for the CPR training she received from St. Charles North teacher Rob Rooney through the school 's PE Leaders program .
When Rooney starts a semester , he tells the story of former students who needed to use CPR in real-life situations .
Phillips , who was a mentor for the PE Leaders program her senior year , became Rooney 's story at the start of this semester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time , '' Rooney said .
`` It 's just awesome that she had that retention of the information and the ability to act as an adult .
`` For us to have this program at the high-school level and teach the kids this skill , and to have someone benefit from it , it 's a massive thing for this community , '' he said .
`` I 'm very proud of the program and of students like her . ''
As a swimmer at St. Charles North , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved with PE Leaders to do something fun and different .
But between the CPR , lifeguard and first-aid certification she achieved through PE Leaders , she 's filled with knowledge that will last her a lifetime .
`` I 'm so glad I took those classes , '' Phillips said .
`` I think everyone should be CPR-certified because you never know what 's going to happen .
You never know when you 'll be in that situation . ''
Phillips certainly never expected to be in that situation with Brooke , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Phillips even taught Brooke how to swim .
`` I think we 're a lot closer because of this , '' Phillips said .
`` I saw her a lot over the summer . ''
In August , Phillips received the Citizen 's Lifesaving Award from St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina and representatives from the St. Charles Fire Department .
Neighbors stopped by to thank and congratulate Phillips for her actions , and they decorated her driveway with positive messages .
Most important , though , was a special visitor .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Phillips said .
`` She came over and gave me a big hug . ''
• Do you know any Suburban Heroes ?
Share your story at heroes @ dailyherald.com .

St. Charles North graduate grateful for lifesaving CPR skills
St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina honors resident Mary Kate Phillips for using CPR to save the life of an 8-year-old neighbor. Photo courtesy of city of St. Charles
St. Charles resident Mary Kate Phillips shows the CPR mask she used to save the life of an 8-year-old neighbor. Photo courtesy of Mary Kate Phillips
Mary Kate Phillips, left, saved the life of 8-year-old Brooke Baumann, right, by using CPR. Courtesy of Mary Kate Phillips
Mary Kate Phillips knew a life depended on her, but she never panicked.
Instead, her training kicked in as 8-year-old Brooke Baumann -- unable to breathe -- lay outside on the ground in their St. Charles neighborhood. Brooke's mother and others had tried using the Heimlich maneuver to dislodge the breakfast food caught in the youngster's throat but to no avail.
To a person, though, everyone knew where to turn.
Phillips' parents, Aaron and Erin, raced to get 18-year-old Mary Kate from inside their house across the street. With a CPR mask she'd only practiced with in the past, the recent St. Charles North graduate tuned out the chaos and began performing CPR on the child.
Phillips' technique worked. By the time paramedics arrived, Brooke's airway was freed and before long she was back to normal.
A scary moment taught a lesson that'd been drilled into Phillips' head for two years. Learning CPR saves lives.
"You go through all that training but you never expect something like that to happen," she said. "I was just leaning on my training."
Now a freshman at Ball State University in Indiana, Phillips still thinks about that July morning and remains grateful for the CPR training she received from St. Charles North teacher Rob Rooney through the school's PE Leaders program.
When Rooney starts a semester, he tells the story of former students who needed to use CPR in real-life situations. Phillips, who was a mentor for the PE Leaders program her senior year, became Rooney's story at the start of this semester.
"Thank God she was there at the time," Rooney said. "It's just awesome that she had that retention of the information and the ability to act as an adult.
"For us to have this program at the high-school level and teach the kids this skill, and to have someone benefit from it, it's a massive thing for this community," he said. "I'm very proud of the program and of students like her."
As a swimmer at St. Charles North, and now Ball State, Phillips initially became involved with PE Leaders to do something fun and different. But between the CPR, lifeguard and first-aid certification she achieved through PE Leaders, she's filled with knowledge that will last her a lifetime.
"I'm so glad I took those classes," Phillips said. "I think everyone should be CPR-certified because you never know what's going to happen. You never know when you'll be in that situation."
Phillips certainly never expected to be in that situation with Brooke, a girl she's known for years. Phillips even taught Brooke how to swim.
"I think we're a lot closer because of this," Phillips said. "I saw her a lot over the summer."
In August, Phillips received the Citizen's Lifesaving Award from St. Charles Mayor Ray Rogina and representatives from the St. Charles Fire Department. Neighbors stopped by to thank and congratulate Phillips for her actions, and they decorated her driveway with positive messages.
Most important, though, was a special visitor.
"Brooke was all good the next day," Phillips said. "She came over and gave me a big hug."
• Do you know any Suburban Heroes? Share your story at heroes@dailyherald.com.