dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--How suburban businesses are adapting to help in the COVID-19 battle

In what seems like the blink of an eye , our lives and businesses have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic .
As the numbers of sick and dying climbed exponentially over the past month , life as we know it ceased to exist .
The shelter at home order meant most of us are either working remotely , or not working at all .
Businesses that are deemed `` non essential '' are shuttered , and those that are essential are in many cases operating at limited capacity .
Additional precautions taken to keep workers safe have also meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the pandemic ends and we 're allowed to resume life as we know it , it could still be a long time before business and the economy return to normal -- or if a `` new normal ' will arise from the lessons learned fro our experience .
Yet , amid the gloom , there are stories of suburban businesses stepping up to take action to help in the fight of the COVID-19 virus , as well as help one another in the battle .
Here are some of their stories .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the still at Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich roared back to life .
But instead of producing gin or vodka , owner Andrew Macker and his team were putting the machine to work making sanitizer to help first responders stay safe during the pandemic .
The sanitzers was given to local police and fire departments .
The project started after a call from state Sen. Dan McConchie , a Hawthorn Woods Republican .
McConchie said he 'd heard from local mayors that their police and fire departments were running low on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to remain inside , first responders must be available to help and they need to use sanitizer on their hands and shared equipment , McConchie said .
Usually it takes about a week to make a batch of sanitizer , Macker said , but for the first batch , his team used about 45 cases of unsold bottles of rum to speed up the process .
`` They are at 80 proof and we have to get them up to 140 to 160 proof , '' Macker said .
`` We just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It took less than a day to produce the first batch in mid-March .
Another bacth was to be ready for first responders around March 30 .
Macker said regular sales have pretty much dried up since coronavirus fears shut down their taproom and others like it in the state .
A little more than a year ago , Mount Prospect granted approval for two Eagle Scouts to open the village 's first distillery , dubbed Two Eagles Distillery , at 1852 S. Elmhurst Road .
But Two Eagles had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the business was getting poised to begin self-distribution .
Now the distillery , as others , is devoting its energies to producing hand sanitizers .
`` We had a bunch of vodka sitting here , '' said Operations Manager Jesse Zien , one of the two Eagle Scouts .
In early March , however , Zien and his partner , Master Distiller Matthew Georgacakis-Nurre of Mount Prospect , sat down and decided to hold off on bottling it .
`` We kind of had a feeling that there might be a need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we could make it , '' Zien said .
Things then began falling into place .
The federal government gave the go-ahead to manufacture the product , but only under a specific recipe calling for such ingredients as glycerin , isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide in addition to the high-proof spirits .
The company started a GoFundMe page and within hours , $ 2,000 in donations poured in .
As of Saturday , the tally had reached $ 18,000 .
Now , the company is rolling out four-ounce bottles and giving it away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , public works facilities and anyone performing essential services .
Zien said gallon bottles are on order .
The manufacturing crew includes the two partners , plus their legal counsel , Agostino Filippone , who also sits on Mount Prospect 's planning and zoning commission .
`` We are donating all our time to do this and we are making hand sanitizers as fast as we can , '' Zien said .
`` Everyone is pitching in .
Many hands make light work . ''
The need for speed Skokie-based start up company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help meet the demand for personal protection equipment for health care workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic .
The 3-D printing firm has started using its High-Area Rapid Printer to produce medical face shields at a rate of 1,000 per day , according to company co-founder and Chief Technical Officer David Walker .
`` Our technology is like nothing else in the marketplace and we 're committed to using it for this essential cause , '' Walker said .
`` By rapidly printing face shields and potentially other critical components , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slow the impact of coronavirus . ''
Azul unveiled the HARP 3-D printing device last fall .
The 13-foot-tall printer with a 2½-square-foot print bed can print a record half yard in an hour , according to the company .
But with the demand for face shields becoming so great , company officials decided to speed up development of new printers while using its prototype printer to produce face shields in the short term .
Officials said they expect to reach 20,000 shields per week within the next few months .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day on the original printer , Azul 3-D is running the printer 24/7 .
Volunteer team members work in six-hour shifts to keep the production cycle going Azul 3-D has partnered with a local manufacturing company to provide the laser-cut clear plastic shields , while another partner sanitizes and packages face shield components into kits that will be supplied to area hospitals .
All face shields can be washed and reused .
Two tech companies in Arlington Heights and Bartlett are among those in the suburbs contributing their expertise to General Motors ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repurposed assembly lines .
Faspro Techologies Inc. in Arlington Heights is making a particular part for the ventilators , while Assurance Technologies Inc. in Bartlett has provided machines and engineers to measure the precision of the newly made devices .
Lake Barrington resident Chuck Drews , co-founder of Faspro Technologies , said the precision sheet-metal fabricator has been called upon to make the fan bracket guards for a type of Ventec Life Systems ventilator , the production of which has been prioritized by the respiratory virus outbreak .
The impact on the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only has it had to increase its capital outlay and take a bigger gamble than usual on being paid on time , but the work for other clients -- some of whom are seeing a slowdown from the crisis -- had to be shuffled around without being abandoned , Drews said .
It 's been only a week since Assurance Technologies in Bartlett got a call about the immediate need for a particular kind of measuring equipment for the new ventilators , Vice President of Operations Ian Main of South Elgin said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to six months to build for a new client , the company just happened to have two completed ones in its warehouse .
No sooner had Main confirmed this on the phone than he was told a semi truck from Motion Industries in Kokomo , Indiana was on its way to pick them up .
While that truck was still on its way to Kokomo , the Bartlett company was called again by GM wanting a third machine .
There was sufficient demo equipment in the lab to put one together once computers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Charles could be added .
Both Drews and Main said area residents should n't be surprised by how much of the know-how for these needs is right here .
The Northwest suburbs boasts the largest concentration of such specialized manufacturing in the world , Drews said .
Kris Schoenberger , the owner of BBQ 'd Productions in Lake Zurich and Third Lake , has a goal to give 10,000 meals to first responders and medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis .
To do that , he 's harnessed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed his business .
In just over a week , Schoenberger has personally delivered to police stations , fire departments , doctors offices and hospitals some 1,500 meals purchased by members of the local community .
`` We just want to put smiles on the faces of the people who are helping us , '' he said .
`` If we continue to help them , they 'll keep being able to help us . ''
Schoenberger and his team have created new menu items - a $ 6 sandwich and a $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy and donate through the restaurant 's website , wegrillitall.com/store/category/corona-virus-relief .
Each nets the company a few cents in profits per sale , he said , while he tries to keep his business alive .
`` The price pays for the cost of the food , for the employee to work and for us to keep the lights on , '' he said .
`` If we can stay afloat , pay the bills we need to pay , we 'll worry about making money later . ''
BBQ 'd Productions restaurants still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and delivery .
Schoenberger is quick to give credit to the community members who have paid for the meals .
He said he was able to reach the community largely through Facebook , where he occasionally posts pictures of the deliveries .
Donated orders have grown from around 100 to 150 to around 400 to 600 in recent days .
Getting the message out Kara Lineal , president and CMO of Plum Grove Inc. in Hoffman Estates , saw the writing on the wall when the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact local businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that had to adapt to the changing situation overnight , '' Lineal said .
`` When you watch the news , you can see companies from drive-through testing facilities to grocery stores and restaurants with makeshift signs written on crumpled paper and drawn with a marker . ''
Those handwritten signs prompted the printing services company to develop a line of COVID-19 signage that could be downloaded and printed from home , or custom ordered and delivered quickly .
Its line of coronavirus signs and poster art were developed for workplaces to promote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legislation .
Signs include `` Social Distancing '' and `` Wash Your Hands '' graphics , as well as as `` Takeout Only '' or `` Free Delivery '' services .
All of it is free to download for print and distribution , Lineal said .
Plum Grove 's trade show and promotional products divisions were hit bu the cancellation of conferences , events and travel , Lineal said .
`` In an effort to keep our production team working , we shifted the focus to creating new safety signs and hand washing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
Office staff is working remotely , and production teams transitioned from one-day shift to three different shifts with no overlap .
`` Projects that used to move through the shop during the day now move throughout the shop around the clock , '' Lineal said .
`` We spread out the workload over 24 hours to reduce our exposure and stop the spread of the coronavirus .
`` Our coronavirus support efforts have helped our business by keeping our team busy , productive , and hopeful .
-Richard Klicki

How suburban businesses are adapting to help in the COVID-19 battle
Daniel Jablenski, left, and Dustin Smith, right, engineers from Assurance Technologies Inc. in Bartlett, set up newly delivered equipment at Motion Industries in Kokomo, Indiana that will be used to measure the precision of newly manufactured ventilators to meet the increased demand from the COVID-19 outbreak. Courtesy of Ian Main
Brett Gleixner of Round Lake, left, and Chuck Drews of Lake Barrington, right, two of the three co-founders of Faspro Technologies Inc. in Arlington Heights, show one of the fan bracket guards they've been contracted to make for Ventec Life Systems' increased manufacture of ventilators using General Motors' repurposed assembly lines. Courtesy of Chuck Drews
Azul 3D's High-Area Rapid Printer is capable of producing up to 1,000 medical face shields per day, according to company officials. Left, Azul 3-D Co-founder and CTO David Walker models a HARP-generated medical face shield. Photos courtesy of Azul 3-D
Azul 3-D co-founder and CTO David Walker models a HARP-generated medical face shield, which Azul 3-D will start to mass-produce to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos courtesy Azul 3-D
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.comA year ago, two Eagle Scouts received approval to open Two Eagles Distillery in Mount Prospect. Now they have shifted their focus to making hand sanitizer. The team is donating the result to local first responders including Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and Wheeling. You can donate to their Go fund me at https://www.gofundme.com/f/two-eagles-hand-sanitizer-prodution
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.comAaron Johnson Two Eagles Distillery Business Manager hands a box of hand sanitizer to Mount Prospect Chief of Police John Koziol Saturday. A year ago, two Eagle Scouts received approval to open Two Eagles Distillery in Mount Prospect. Now they have shifted their focus to making hand sanitizer. The team is donating the result to local first responders including Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and Wheeling. You can donate to their Go fund me at https://www.gofundme.com/f/two-eagles-hand-sanitizer-prodution
Kris Schoenberger, owner of the BBQ'd Productions restaurants, poses for a picture with emergency personnel at Northwestern Medicine Outpatient Center in Grayslake last Thursday after delivering meals donated by the community. courtesy of Kris Schoenberger
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comAfter hearing that police and fire departments didn't have enough hand sanitizer, state Sen. Dan McConchie, left, called the owners of Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich, Andrew Macker, right and Jim Iverhouse, middle, to make some. They double-distilled some product and it can be mixed with gel or sprayed directly on hands.
In what seems like the blink of an eye, our lives and businesses have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the numbers of sick and dying climbed exponentially over the past month, life as we know it ceased to exist. The shelter at home order meant most of us are either working remotely, or not working at all. Businesses that are deemed "non essential" are shuttered, and those that are essential are in many cases operating at limited capacity. Additional precautions taken to keep workers safe have also meant adjustments to the workflow norm.
Even when the pandemic ends and we're allowed to resume life as we know it, it could still be a long time before business and the economy return to normal -- or if a "new normal' will arise from the lessons learned fro our experience.
Yet, amid the gloom, there are stories of suburban businesses stepping up to take action to help in the fight of the COVID-19 virus, as well as help one another in the battle.
Here are some of their stories.
From spirits to santizer
After first being silenced by coronavirus precautions, the still at Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich roared back to life. But instead of producing gin or vodka, owner Andrew Macker and his team were putting the machine to work making sanitizer to help first responders stay safe during the pandemic. The sanitzers was given to local police and fire departments.
The project started after a call from state Sen. Dan McConchie, a Hawthorn Woods Republican. McConchie said he'd heard from local mayors that their police and fire departments were running low on sanitizer. Even though most people are asked to remain inside, first responders must be available to help and they need to use sanitizer on their hands and shared equipment, McConchie said.
Macker immediately agreed to help.
Usually it takes about a week to make a batch of sanitizer, Macker said, but for the first batch, his team used about 45 cases of unsold bottles of rum to speed up the process.
"They are at 80 proof and we have to get them up to 140 to 160 proof," Macker said. "We just filled the still and fired it up."
It took less than a day to produce the first batch in mid-March. Another bacth was to be ready for first responders around March 30.
Macker said regular sales have pretty much dried up since coronavirus fears shut down their taproom and others like it in the state.
- Doug T. Graham
Being prepared
A little more than a year ago, Mount Prospect granted approval for two Eagle Scouts to open the village's first distillery, dubbed Two Eagles Distillery, at 1852 S. Elmhurst Road.
But Two Eagles had to pivot in response to the coronavirus just as the business was getting poised to begin self-distribution. Now the distillery, as others, is devoting its energies to producing hand sanitizers.
"We had a bunch of vodka sitting here," said Operations Manager Jesse Zien, one of the two Eagle Scouts.
In early March, however, Zien and his partner, Master Distiller Matthew Georgacakis-Nurre of Mount Prospect, sat down and decided to hold off on bottling it.
"We kind of had a feeling that there might be a need for hand sanitizer. We knew that we could make it," Zien said.
Things then began falling into place. The federal government gave the go-ahead to manufacture the product, but only under a specific recipe calling for such ingredients as glycerin, isopropyl alcohol and hydrogen peroxide in addition to the high-proof spirits.
The company started a GoFundMe page and within hours, $2,000 in donations poured in. As of Saturday, the tally had reached $18,000.
Now, the company is rolling out four-ounce bottles and giving it away to first-responders, as well as restaurants, public works facilities and anyone performing essential services. Zien said gallon bottles are on order.
The manufacturing crew includes the two partners, plus their legal counsel, Agostino Filippone, who also sits on Mount Prospect's planning and zoning commission.
"We are donating all our time to do this and we are making hand sanitizers as fast as we can," Zien said. "Everyone is pitching in. Many hands make light work."
- Steve Zalusky
The need for speed
Skokie-based start up company Azul is turning up its newest technology to help meet the demand for personal protection equipment for health care workers dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 3-D printing firm has started using its High-Area Rapid Printer to produce medical face shields at a rate of 1,000 per day, according to company co-founder and Chief Technical Officer David Walker.
"Our technology is like nothing else in the marketplace and we're committed to using it for this essential cause," Walker said. "By rapidly printing face shields and potentially other critical components, we're ready to take on this fight to slow the impact of coronavirus."
Azul unveiled the HARP 3-D printing device last fall. The 13-foot-tall printer with a 2½-square-foot print bed can print a record half yard in an hour, according to the company. But with the demand for face shields becoming so great, company officials decided to speed up development of new printers while using its prototype printer to produce face shields in the short term. Officials said they expect to reach 20,000 shields per week within the next few months.
To meet its immediate goal of 1,000 per day on the original printer, Azul 3-D is running the printer 24/7. Volunteer team members work in six-hour shifts to keep the production cycle going
Azul 3-D has partnered with a local manufacturing company to provide the laser-cut clear plastic shields, while another partner sanitizes and packages face shield components into kits that will be supplied to area hospitals.
All face shields can be washed and reused.
-Richard Klicki
What's good for GM
Two tech companies in Arlington Heights and Bartlett are among those in the suburbs contributing their expertise to General Motors' stepped-up efforts to manufacture ventilators on its repurposed assembly lines.
Faspro Techologies Inc. in Arlington Heights is making a particular part for the ventilators, while Assurance Technologies Inc. in Bartlett has provided machines and engineers to measure the precision of the newly made devices.
Lake Barrington resident Chuck Drews, co-founder of Faspro Technologies, said the precision sheet-metal fabricator has been called upon to make the fan bracket guards for a type of Ventec Life Systems ventilator, the production of which has been prioritized by the respiratory virus outbreak.
The impact on the company has been sudden and significant. Not only has it had to increase its capital outlay and take a bigger gamble than usual on being paid on time, but the work for other clients -- some of whom are seeing a slowdown from the crisis -- had to be shuffled around without being abandoned, Drews said.
It's been only a week since Assurance Technologies in Bartlett got a call about the immediate need for a particular kind of measuring equipment for the new ventilators, Vice President of Operations Ian Main of South Elgin said.
While such devices can potentially take three to six months to build for a new client, the company just happened to have two completed ones in its warehouse. No sooner had Main confirmed this on the phone than he was told a semi truck from Motion Industries in Kokomo, Indiana was on its way to pick them up.
While that truck was still on its way to Kokomo, the Bartlett company was called again by GM wanting a third machine. There was sufficient demo equipment in the lab to put one together once computers and monitors from ConsultNet Inc. in St. Charles could be added.
Both Drews and Main said area residents shouldn't be surprised by how much of the know-how for these needs is right here. The Northwest suburbs boasts the largest concentration of such specialized manufacturing in the world, Drews said.
-Eric Petersen
Keeping them fed
Kris Schoenberger, the owner of BBQ'd Productions in Lake Zurich and Third Lake, has a goal to give 10,000 meals to first responders and medical personnel on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.
To do that, he's harnessed the power of the Lake County community and changed his business.
In just over a week, Schoenberger has personally delivered to police stations, fire departments, doctors offices and hospitals some 1,500 meals purchased by members of the local community.
"We just want to put smiles on the faces of the people who are helping us," he said. "If we continue to help them, they'll keep being able to help us."
Schoenberger and his team have created new menu items - a $6 sandwich and a $12 platter - that local residents can buy and donate through the restaurant's website, wegrillitall.com/store/category/corona-virus-relief.
Each nets the company a few cents in profits per sale, he said, while he tries to keep his business alive.
"The price pays for the cost of the food, for the employee to work and for us to keep the lights on," he said. "If we can stay afloat, pay the bills we need to pay, we'll worry about making money later."
BBQ'd Productions restaurants still have regular menu available for take out and delivery.
Schoenberger is quick to give credit to the community members who have paid for the meals.
He said he was able to reach the community largely through Facebook, where he occasionally posts pictures of the deliveries. Donated orders have grown from around 100 to 150 to around 400 to 600 in recent days.
- Doug T. Graham
Getting the message out
Kara Lineal, president and CMO of Plum Grove Inc. in Hoffman Estates, saw the writing on the wall when the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact local businesses.
"There are so many businesses that had to adapt to the changing situation overnight," Lineal said. "When you watch the news, you can see companies from drive-through testing facilities to grocery stores and restaurants with makeshift signs written on crumpled paper and drawn with a marker."
Those handwritten signs prompted the printing services company to develop a line of COVID-19 signage that could be downloaded and printed from home, or custom ordered and delivered quickly.
Its line of coronavirus signs and poster art were developed for workplaces to promote safety protocols and comply with new COVID-19 legislation. Signs include "Social Distancing" and "Wash Your Hands" graphics, as well as as "Takeout Only" or "Free Delivery" services. All of it is free to download for print and distribution, Lineal said.
Plum Grove's trade show and promotional products divisions were hit bu the cancellation of conferences, events and travel, Lineal said.
"In an effort to keep our production team working, we shifted the focus to creating new safety signs and hand washing posters for our own shop," she added.
Office staff is working remotely, and production teams transitioned from one-day shift to three different shifts with no overlap.
"Projects that used to move through the shop during the day now move throughout the shop around the clock," Lineal said. "We spread out the workload over 24 hours to reduce our exposure and stop the spread of the coronavirus.
"Our coronavirus support efforts have helped our business by keeping our team busy, productive, and hopeful. -Richard Klicki


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--NFL draft preview and all the inside info at dailyherald.com

The NFL draft , which draws 10s of millions of fans every year to TV and computer screens , should @ @ @ @ @ of fans starting Thursday with the country still in the grip of COVID-19 .
For @ @ @ @ @ draft and how it might impact the Bears , Hub Arkush , executive editor of @ @ @ @ @ Daily Herald 's Joe Aguilar , and Arthur Arkush , managing editor of PFW , @ @ @ @ @ and video from the show is available at dailyherald.com beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ analysis and insiders information with an eye on the Bears and the NFC North .
@ @ @ @ @ so send your question to shawmediaillinois.com/draft-show and we 'll incorporate as many as we can @ @ @ @

NFL draft preview and all the inside info at dailyherald.com
This year's NFL draft will be conducted remotely Thursday to Saturday by Commissioner Roger Goodell. Associated Press
The NFL draft, which draws 10s of millions of fans every year to TV and computer screens, should get an even bigger chunk of fans starting Thursday with the country still in the grip of COVID-19.
For a local focus on the draft and how it might impact the Bears, Hub Arkush, executive editor of Pro Football Weekly, The Daily Herald's Joe Aguilar, and Arthur Arkush, managing editor of PFW, host the Draft Show, and video from the show is available at dailyherald.com beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
The trio will provide expert analysis and insiders information with an eye on the Bears and the NFC North.
We encourage your participation, so send your question to shawmediaillinois.com/draft-show and we'll incorporate as many as we can in the show.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--White Sox, Cubs have envious depth at catcher

They are hard to find .
Most are one dimensional .
Every major league team knows how challenging it is to get a quality catcher on the roster , including the White Sox and Cubs .
Good luck finding a more demanding position to play , in any sport , and more and more potential catchers are shifting to other spots on the field earlier in their careers to lessen the stress and wear and tear .
If there is baseball this season -- the game has been shut down by the coronavirus pandemic since March 12 -- the Sox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ envy of baseball with their ridiculous depth at catcher .
`` A hallmark of a good team is having quality depth , '' White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said .
`` It was one of the things I talked about publicly perhaps of not being entirely there yet in terms of organizational depth at certain spots .
Catcher is n't one of those spots .
We 've got two all-star caliber catchers . ''
James McCann was an all-star for the Sox last season , but Hahn did n't think twice about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Brewers last year and the Dodgers in 2015 , Grandal joined the White Sox on Nov. 21 , signing a four-year , $ 73 million contract .
McCann might have been a one-year wonder in 2019 , but Grandal is a proven commodity .
The same is true of Willson Contreras , who has been an all-star for the Cubs the past two seasons .
`` I think Willson is one of the best catchers in the game , '' said new Cubs manager David Ross , a former catcher himself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mix , what he brings to the leadership side .
Obviously , his bat is elite for a catcher .
He 's already been an all-star and he 's won a World Series . ''
That 's quite a list of accomplishments for a player that is only 27 years old , and health has been the only issue for Contreras .
He was limited to 105 games last season by hamstring and foot injuries .
Like the Sox , the Cubs are deep behind the plate , and Victor Caratini emerged as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26-year-old catcher hit .266/.348/.447 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 95 games .
The Cubs added even more depth , signing Josh Phegley to a minor league deal in January .
Originally drafted by the White Sox , Phegley spent the last five seasons with the Athletics .
In 106 games with Oakland last year , Phegley reached career highs with 12 home runs and 62 RBI while batting .239 over 106 games .
The Sox have Zack Collins , the No .
10 overall pick in the 2106 draft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind Grandal and McCann .
If baseball is able to resume , rosters are very likely to expand and the Cubs and White Sox are likely to each carry three catchers .
Like everyone else , McCann is just waiting for the day when it is safe to put the catcher 's gear back on .
`` That 's the toughest thing and the toughest part about it , we do n't have firm answers , '' McCann said on an April 10 conference call .
`` That 's the frustrating part for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sit here if we had a firm date , 'Hey , we 're going to have a handle on this come June 1 so we can go to spring training , and plan on having a season July 1 , whatever the dates would be .
`` That would be different than the situation we 're in , kind of a limbo situation .
Everyone wants to get back as quickly as possible , but the biggest thing we 've done well as a union and a league is step back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any one game of baseball .
You 're talking about life and death for thousands and thousands of people and as much as we love the game and want to be on the field , there are priorities and keeping people healthy and safe needs to be a priority . ''

White Sox, Cubs have envious depth at catcher
Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Chris Taylor at home during the fifth inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, in Chicago. Associated Press
They are hard to find.
It's difficult keeping them healthy.
Most are one dimensional.
Every major league team knows how challenging it is to get a quality catcher on the roster, including the White Sox and Cubs.
Good luck finding a more demanding position to play, in any sport, and more and more potential catchers are shifting to other spots on the field earlier in their careers to lessen the stress and wear and tear.
If there is baseball this season -- the game has been shut down by the coronavirus pandemic since March 12 -- the Sox and Cubs are going to be the envy of baseball with their ridiculous depth at catcher.
"A hallmark of a good team is having quality depth," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "It was one of the things I talked about publicly perhaps of not being entirely there yet in terms of organizational depth at certain spots. Catcher isn't one of those spots. We've got two all-star caliber catchers."
James McCann was an all-star for the Sox last season, but Hahn didn't think twice about signing Yasmani Grandal.
An all-star with the Brewers last year and the Dodgers in 2015, Grandal joined the White Sox on Nov. 21, signing a four-year, $73 million contract.
McCann might have been a one-year wonder in 2019, but Grandal is a proven commodity.
The same is true of Willson Contreras, who has been an all-star for the Cubs the past two seasons.
"I think Willson is one of the best catchers in the game," said new Cubs manager David Ross, a former catcher himself. "I love Willson being in the mix, what he brings to the leadership side. Obviously, his bat is elite for a catcher. He's already been an all-star and he's won a World Series."
That's quite a list of accomplishments for a player that is only 27 years old, and health has been the only issue for Contreras. He was limited to 105 games last season by hamstring and foot injuries.
Like the Sox, the Cubs are deep behind the plate, and Victor Caratini emerged as a solid backup in 2019.
The 26-year-old catcher hit .266/.348/.447 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 95 games.
The Cubs added even more depth, signing Josh Phegley to a minor league deal in January.
Originally drafted by the White Sox, Phegley spent the last five seasons with the Athletics. In 106 games with Oakland last year, Phegley reached career highs with 12 home runs and 62 RBI while batting .239 over 106 games.
The Sox have Zack Collins, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2106 draft, and Yermin Mercedes waiting in the wings behind Grandal and McCann.
If baseball is able to resume, rosters are very likely to expand and the Cubs and White Sox are likely to each carry three catchers.
Like everyone else, McCann is just waiting for the day when it is safe to put the catcher's gear back on.
"That's the toughest thing and the toughest part about it, we don't have firm answers," McCann said on an April 10 conference call. "That's the frustrating part for everyone involved. It would be easy to sit here if we had a firm date, 'Hey, we're going to have a handle on this come June 1 so we can go to spring training, and plan on having a season July 1, whatever the dates would be.
"That would be different than the situation we're in, kind of a limbo situation. Everyone wants to get back as quickly as possible, but the biggest thing we've done well as a union and a league is step back and realize the current situation is greater than any one game of baseball. You're talking about life and death for thousands and thousands of people and as much as we love the game and want to be on the field, there are priorities and keeping people healthy and safe needs to be a priority."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--3D printer enthusiasts in the suburbs unite to produce face shields and masks

Several weeks ago , Grayslake resident Daniel Busse decided to apply his 3D printing hobby to create personal protective equipment for health care workers and others .
To gauge the need , he put out a feeler on Facebook .
`` I got more requests than I could handle , '' Busse , a systems engineer for Apple Inc. , recalled Monday .
So , he asked for help .
And what began with a few other 3D printer enthusiasts working individually has grown into a well-organized volunteer operation called Northern Illinois Makers COVID-19 PPE Support .
Since being created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makers '' has grown to about 120 with defined roles and tasks .
Resources and supplies have been pooled to meet more than 80 requests so far .
To date , 2,000 face shields have been made and delivered , with another 800 in progress and more planned .
`` We have n't asked anybody to put in a request in a week , '' Busse said .
`` We 're still trying to catch up . ''
Northern Illinois Makers also has received requests for more than 4,000 fabric masks .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can sew masks .
`` We 've received requests for thousands of face shields and sewn masks for organizations all over northern Illinois and the demand is only getting greater , '' Busse said .
Elizabeth Van Orden , an Arlington Heights resident and project manager at W.W. Grainger Inc. , is among the group 's founding members .
Using her expertise to connect the virtual dots , she has coordinated makers with those who secure materials and others to produce and deliver face shields from a National Institutes of Health model .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply and distribution chain , '' she said .
`` We have people working on all different areas . ''
That includes Lauren Jackson , who oversees prepping and packaging .
Jackson , a Mundelein resident and Fremont Public Library trustee , owns a 3D printing business and creates home decor .
She is using her three 3D printers as well as two others from the library to make about 100 shields a day .
Her husband , Scott , who programs robots for industrial manufacturing , is building a sixth 3D printer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very much more like an actual business than a group of people making something that 's needed , '' she said .
Gurnee resident Kenny Ulrich , who is busy with his day job involving digital media webcasting for corporate clients , also is on Northern Illinois Makers ' leadership team .
`` People in Gurnee came out of the woodwork with 3D printers , '' he said .
The beneficiaries have been those like Haily Sobon and co-workers in the radiology department at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Barington .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot to the health care workers , '' she said .
Most 3D printed shields cost about $ 1 in material and about two hours to print and assemble , Busse said .
Visit the NILMakersCOVIDsupport Facebook page or https : //forms.gle/udkyAPBowE88pMsSA to find out more or volunteer .
A GoFundMe site has been created for donations .

3D printer enthusiasts in the suburbs unite to produce face shields and masks
The Northern Illinois Makes, which includes dozens of members from across the suburbs, has made hundreds of face shields and other personal protective equipment for health care workers and others. Courtesy of Daniel Busse
Haily Sobon and her co-workers in the radiology department at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington are among the beneficiaries of the work being done by the Northern Illinois Makers. Courtesy of Haily Sobon
Members of the Northern Illinois Makers are using 3D printers to make face shields and other protective equipment for health care workers and others. Courtesy of Kenny Ulrich
Several weeks ago, Grayslake resident Daniel Busse decided to apply his 3D printing hobby to create personal protective equipment for health care workers and others.
To gauge the need, he put out a feeler on Facebook.
"I got more requests than I could handle," Busse, a systems engineer for Apple Inc., recalled Monday.
So, he asked for help. And what began with a few other 3D printer enthusiasts working individually has grown into a well-organized volunteer operation called Northern Illinois Makers COVID-19 PPE Support.
Since being created April 1, the roster of "makers" has grown to about 120 with defined roles and tasks.
Resources and supplies have been pooled to meet more than 80 requests so far. To date, 2,000 face shields have been made and delivered, with another 800 in progress and more planned.
"We haven't asked anybody to put in a request in a week," Busse said. "We're still trying to catch up."
Northern Illinois Makers also has received requests for more than 4,000 fabric masks. They're recruiting volunteers, particularly those who can sew masks.
"We've received requests for thousands of face shields and sewn masks for organizations all over northern Illinois and the demand is only getting greater," Busse said.
Elizabeth Van Orden, an Arlington Heights resident and project manager at W.W. Grainger Inc., is among the group's founding members. Using her expertise to connect the virtual dots, she has coordinated makers with those who secure materials and others to produce and deliver face shields from a National Institutes of Health model.
"We very quickly have established a supply and distribution chain," she said. "We have people working on all different areas."
Face shield components made using 3D printers are ready to be sent to the prepping team of the Northern Illinois Makers. - Courtesy of Kenny Ulrich
That includes Lauren Jackson, who oversees prepping and packaging. Jackson, a Mundelein resident and Fremont Public Library trustee, owns a 3D printing business and creates home decor.
She is using her three 3D printers as well as two others from the library to make about 100 shields a day. Her husband, Scott, who programs robots for industrial manufacturing, is building a sixth 3D printer.
"I would say this is very much more like an actual business than a group of people making something that's needed," she said.
Gurnee resident Kenny Ulrich, who is busy with his day job involving digital media webcasting for corporate clients, also is on Northern Illinois Makers' leadership team.
"People in Gurnee came out of the woodwork with 3D printers," he said.
The beneficiaries have been those like Haily Sobon and co-workers in the radiology department at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital near Barington.
"I hope they know that it means a lot to the health care workers," she said.
Most 3D printed shields cost about $1 in material and about two hours to print and assemble, Busse said.
Visit the NILMakersCOVIDsupport Facebook page or https://forms.gle/udkyAPBowE88pMsSA to find out more or volunteer. A GoFundMe site has been created for donations.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--DuPage County plans to help tenants facing eviction during COVID-19 crisis

The number of residential eviction cases in DuPage County is expected to climb as a result of the economic downturn caused by COVID-19 , but a judge is looking to help some renters stay in their homes .
Judge James McCluskey , who is assigned to eviction court , says he 's going to work with the DuPage County Bar Association , Prairie State Legal Services and other groups to try to help settle disputes between landlords and tenants .
`` The goal is to avoid the eviction of the tenant , '' said McCluskey , adding people are suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out there .
I do n't want to add to the pain . ''
Eviction court in DuPage is closed until at least May 18 because of concerns about the virus .
Before the closure , the county was averaging roughly 400 residential eviction cases a month .
McCluskey said he expects that number to increase when the courtroom reopens .
`` It 's going to be a larger volume than I 've seen before , '' he said .
McCluskey said he does n't want a large number of people to lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court system has to take a proactive approach in helping people , '' he said .
`` That 's what you 're here for . ''
Under normal circumstances , it takes about 60 days from the time a landlord files an eviction complaint to remove a tenant .
McCluskey says he would like tenants and landlords to resolve their cases instead .
To help make that happen , the bar association is seeking attorneys willing to volunteer their time to represent tenants and negotiate with landlords .
`` If you work out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tenants can catch up , they can stay , '' McCluskey said .
Because of COVID-19 , landlords who receive federal subsidy payments ca n't seek to evict tenants who fail to pay rent until July 25 .
They also must give a 30-day notice before starting the eviction process .
That means those tenants may not have to leave until September .
But McCluskey estimates only 30 % of the eviction cases in DuPage involve federal funding .
As for the other cases , McCluskey said the court will `` take into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolve landlord-tenant disputes with a goal to be fair , equitable and compassionate to all . ''

DuPage County plans to help tenants facing eviction during COVID-19 crisis
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, depicts the coronavirus as viewed through a microscope. Courtesy of the CDC
The number of residential eviction cases in DuPage County is expected to climb as a result of the economic downturn caused by COVID-19, but a judge is looking to help some renters stay in their homes.
Judge James McCluskey, who is assigned to eviction court, says he's going to work with the DuPage County Bar Association, Prairie State Legal Services and other groups to try to help settle disputes between landlords and tenants.
"The goal is to avoid the eviction of the tenant," said McCluskey, adding people are suffering economically. "There's enough pain out there. I don't want to add to the pain."
Eviction court in DuPage is closed until at least May 18 because of concerns about the virus.
Before the closure, the county was averaging roughly 400 residential eviction cases a month. McCluskey said he expects that number to increase when the courtroom reopens.
"It's going to be a larger volume than I've seen before," he said.
McCluskey said he doesn't want a large number of people to lose their homes.
"I think the court system has to take a proactive approach in helping people," he said. "That's what you're here for."
Under normal circumstances, it takes about 60 days from the time a landlord files an eviction complaint to remove a tenant.
McCluskey says he would like tenants and landlords to resolve their cases instead.
To help make that happen, the bar association is seeking attorneys willing to volunteer their time to represent tenants and negotiate with landlords.
"If you work out an agreement that allows installment payments so tenants can catch up, they can stay," McCluskey said.
Because of COVID-19, landlords who receive federal subsidy payments can't seek to evict tenants who fail to pay rent until July 25. They also must give a 30-day notice before starting the eviction process. That means those tenants may not have to leave until September.
But McCluskey estimates only 30% of the eviction cases in DuPage involve federal funding.
As for the other cases, McCluskey said the court will "take into consideration the condition of the economy to resolve landlord-tenant disputes with a goal to be fair, equitable and compassionate to all."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--How juniors can 'play zone defense' to research colleges during pandemic

The requirements to apply for college seem to change every day for high school juniors who will make up the incoming class in 2021 , counselors say .
The biggest changes are taking shape in standardized testing , admission requirements and exploration of campuses , according to college counselors at suburban high schools .
ACT and SAT tests are being canceled this spring and summer , with dates expected to be scheduled for the fall .
Large numbers of colleges and universities -- even highly selective ones -- are turning to what counselors call `` test-optional '' admissions .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not require an ACT or SAT score for the incoming class of fall 2021 , or in some cases classes further ahead .
`` Less of a focus on that , I think , is a good thing for kids because you 're more than just a number , '' said Jeremiah Wiencek , chairman of the counseling department at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn .
And just like all kinds of meetings in the era of stay-at-home orders , campus tours are going virtual .
It all adds up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging juniors to weigh factors such as distance and cost and to use online resources to find schools that fit their educational and cultural needs .
`` There wo n't be as much exploration , '' said Amy Herbert , college counselor at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights .
`` That random college or the one thing you read about wo n't have much chance .
The front-runners will be colleges you were already familiar with . ''
In a time of uncertainty , Nate Bargar , college and career counselor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said he recommends students select reliable `` foundation '' schools as nearby and affordable options for which their qualifications will make them eligible .
Bargar said he always helps students classify their potential schools into categories of `` foundation , target and reach . ''
But when money may be tight because of parental pay cuts , layoffs or investment losses , and when going far away may no longer seem like the best idea , the `` foundation '' options become even more significant .
Counselors say juniors may face more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions because they are just starting the process -- figuring out what they want to study , whether they prefer a small or large campus , and if they want to attend a public or private school .
Juniors need to `` play zone defense and cover everything '' when it comes to taking standardized tests , researching campuses , watching virtual tours and filling out applications , Herbert said .
But now is not the time to be frozen by a changing admissions environment .
`` We 're still encouraging them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .

How juniors can 'play zone defense' to research colleges during pandemic
Exploring and applying to colleges won't be the same for the incoming class of 2021 as they begin the process during a pandemic.
The requirements to apply for college seem to change every day for high school juniors who will make up the incoming class in 2021, counselors say.
The biggest changes are taking shape in standardized testing, admission requirements and exploration of campuses, according to college counselors at suburban high schools.
ACT and SAT tests are being canceled this spring and summer, with dates expected to be scheduled for the fall.
Large numbers of colleges and universities -- even highly selective ones -- are turning to what counselors call "test-optional" admissions. At least 1,100 schools are vowing they will not require an ACT or SAT score for the incoming class of fall 2021, or in some cases classes further ahead.
"Less of a focus on that, I think, is a good thing for kids because you're more than just a number," said Jeremiah Wiencek, chairman of the counseling department at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn.
And just like all kinds of meetings in the era of stay-at-home orders, campus tours are going virtual.
It all adds up to a decision-making process in which counselors are encouraging juniors to weigh factors such as distance and cost and to use online resources to find schools that fit their educational and cultural needs.
"There won't be as much exploration," said Amy Herbert, college counselor at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. "That random college or the one thing you read about won't have much chance. The front-runners will be colleges you were already familiar with."
In a time of uncertainty, Nate Bargar, college and career counselor at Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, said he recommends students select reliable "foundation" schools as nearby and affordable options for which their qualifications will make them eligible.
Bargar said he always helps students classify their potential schools into categories of "foundation, target and reach." But when money may be tight because of parental pay cuts, layoffs or investment losses, and when going far away may no longer seem like the best idea, the "foundation" options become even more significant.
Counselors say juniors may face more challenges than seniors in making their college decisions because they are just starting the process -- figuring out what they want to study, whether they prefer a small or large campus, and if they want to attend a public or private school.
Juniors need to "play zone defense and cover everything" when it comes to taking standardized tests, researching campuses, watching virtual tours and filling out applications, Herbert said. But now is not the time to be frozen by a changing admissions environment. "We're still encouraging them to do what they can," Wiencek said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-20--April 20 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code

• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below .
• As of Monday , suburban Cook County had 9,088 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 401 deaths , according to the IDPH 's coronavirus website ( visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19 ) .
In Chicago : 13,013 cases and 514 fatalities .
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Monday listed 438 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines , 210 cases in Glenview , 136 in Mount Prospect , 111 in Wheeling , 107 in Palatine , 105 in Park Ridge , 96 in Schaumburg , 94 in Arlington Heights , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Estates , 61 in Elk Grove Village , 37 each in Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows , and 31 in Buffalo Grove ( Cook County portion ) .
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,224 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 80 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Monday .
• Cases in some Lake County towns as of Monday : 595 to 599 in Waukegan , 80 to 84 in Gurnee , 75 to 79 in Round Lake , 70 to 74 in Mundelein , 45 to 49 each in Libertyville @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 35 to 39 each in Buffalo Grove ( Lake County portion ) , Grayslake , and Wauconda , and 30 to 34 each in Lake Zurich and Lake Villa .
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,759 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths on its coronavirus website Monday .
• Cases per suburb include 133 in Naperville ( DuPage portion ) , 123 in Addison , 121 in Carol Stream and Bensenville , 93 in Lombard , 91 in Elmhurst , 84 in Glendale Height , 77 in Willowbrook , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downers Grove , and 54 in Aurora ( DuPage County portion ) .
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 651 cases of COVID-19 with 33 deaths on its website Monday at kanehealth.com .
• Cases per town as of Monday include 237 in Aurora ( Kane County portion ) , 145 in Elgin ( Kane portion ) , 51 in St. Charles , 26 in South Elgin , 19 in Batavia , 18 in Geneva , 16 in North Aurora , 12 in Gilberts , and nine in Sugar Grove .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 deaths in McHenry County , according to the health department 's website Monday .
• There have been 1,693 cases of COVID-19 and 103 deaths , according to the Will County Health Department 's website Monday .
• Cases per town include 120 in Naperville ( Will County portion ) , and 13 in Aurora ( Will County portion ) .

April 20 COVID-19 cases per county; use our map to search by ZIP code
Cook County's Department of Public Health has a website, shown here at the end of March, that breaks down cases of COVID-19 suburb by suburb.
Interactive map
• Not all the suburbs with cases are listed below.
Cook County
• As of Monday, suburban Cook County had 9,088 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 401 deaths, according to the IDPH's coronavirus website (visit bit.ly/dhIDPHcovid19). In Chicago: 13,013 cases and 514 fatalities.
• The Cook County Department of Public Health on Monday listed 438 cases of COVID-19 in Des Plaines, 210 cases in Glenview, 136 in Mount Prospect, 111 in Wheeling, 107 in Palatine, 105 in Park Ridge, 96 in Schaumburg, 94 in Arlington Heights, 93 in Streamwood, 71 in Hoffman Estates, 61 in Elk Grove Village, 37 each in Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows, and 31 in Buffalo Grove (Cook County portion).
Lake County
• The Lake County Health Department lists 2,224 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 80 deaths on its coronavirus website as of Monday.
• Cases in some Lake County towns as of Monday: 595 to 599 in Waukegan, 80 to 84 in Gurnee, 75 to 79 in Round Lake, 70 to 74 in Mundelein, 45 to 49 each in Libertyville, 40 to 44 in Vernon Hills, 35 to 39 each in Buffalo Grove (Lake County portion), Grayslake, and Wauconda, and 30 to 34 each in Lake Zurich and Lake Villa.
DuPage County
• The DuPage County Health Department reports 1,759 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 94 deaths on its coronavirus website Monday.
• Cases per suburb include 133 in Naperville (DuPage portion), 123 in Addison, 121 in Carol Stream and Bensenville, 93 in Lombard, 91 in Elmhurst, 84 in Glendale Height, 77 in Willowbrook, 72 in West Chicago, 60 in Downers Grove, and 54 in Aurora (DuPage County portion).
Kane County
• The Kane County Health Department confirms 651 cases of COVID-19 with 33 deaths on its website Monday at kanehealth.com.
• Cases per town as of Monday include 237 in Aurora (Kane County portion), 145 in Elgin (Kane portion), 51 in St. Charles, 26 in South Elgin, 19 in Batavia, 18 in Geneva, 16 in North Aurora, 12 in Gilberts, and nine in Sugar Grove.
McHenry County
• There are 364 cases of COVID-19 and 21 deaths in McHenry County, according to the health department's website Monday.
Will County
• There have been 1,693 cases of COVID-19 and 103 deaths, according to the Will County Health Department's website Monday.
• Cases per town include 120 in Naperville (Will County portion), and 13 in Aurora (Will County portion).


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Constable: Happy to wave goodbye to the American handshake

Amid all the death , horror , sadness , grief , loneliness , financial heartache and other miseries bestowed upon us by COVID-19 is the chance to change the way we do things .
Capitalism , health care , employment and other institutions might change for the better , but that will take time .
The one change that will be instituted on the day life returns to the new normal will be the end of the handshake .
It 's about time .
Originally seen as a way to make sure no one was carrying a knife , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be covered in an invisible , deadly virus .
The only time I 've really enjoyed handshakes is when hockey teams perform the ritual at the end of the final Stanley Cup series .
The lines of opposing players taking part in the traditional handshake is hailed as a unique display of the ultimate sportsmanship .
But I always saw it as an added punishment for the losers .
Not only did the Chicago Blackhawks just beat you on your home ice in front of all your fans and loved ones , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to shake Patrick Kane 's hand .
Ha !
For the rest of us , handshakes are just one more thing to worry about at job interviews , weddings and social gatherings .
It is the American way to make a first impression .
As a young boy , I learned handshakes are used to label you .
We are told we need a `` firm '' handshake .
Too soft , a sin known as the `` dead fish '' handshake , and you 'll be branded weak and incompetent .
Too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the person who inflicts pain on others as a way of overcompensating for being weak and incompetent .
Every Sunday after church as a child , I stood in line to shake hands with the minister , hoping to receive his blessing on my firm handshake .
Even if you have perfected your handshake skills , it takes two to make a perfect handshake .
You might confidently reach in to perform a masterful handshake , but if the other person clamps down too quickly , catching your fingers in his palm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go too soon , you have lost .
If you hang on to the handshake too long , you have lost .
If your hands are too sweaty , too rough , too soft , or too warm or cold , you have lost .
Handshakes have been around since at least the 9th century B.C.
, as evidenced by the ancient art carved in stone showing Assyrian King Shalmaneser III shaking hands with Marduk-zakir-šumi I of Babylon in some deal to bring peace to the area now mostly in Iran .
Historian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Authority in Early America , '' says the American handshake was popularized by the Quakers , who deemed bowing a `` courtly gesture of subordination '' and saw the handshake as more egalitarian .
In a court of law , handshakes without accompanying witnesses or , even better , written confirmation are not legally binding .
Memorable handshakes include the civil one in 1865 between Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Confederate counterpart Gen. Robert E. Lee , which marked the South 's surrender and the end of all that Confederate nonsense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 1938 handshake between British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and German Chancellor Adolf Hitler was orchestrated as part of an agreement ensuring `` peace for our time . ''
At their first presidential candidate debate in 2016 , a beaming Hillary Clinton shook hands with a smiling Donald Trump , who put his left hand on Clinton 's back as they shook , signaling the race was going to be polite and cordial .
If the coronavirus has killed the handshake -- and with it the equally annoying high-five , fist bump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have several options .
The whole Namaste bow implies a divine element that seems a bit too admirable when you are only meeting your cousin 's neighbor at a graduation party .
And if we all start bowing , soon someone will come up with a way to grade our bows so they can tell who is dominant .
My favorite greeting is just a simple nod in the other person 's direction .
The meaning is open to interpretation , which makes it the ideal greeting , whether you are acknowledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boyfriend at a school reunion or telling a dear friend that you think so highly of them , you are n't going to give them your germs .
In other words , a subtle tilt of the head is a nod to good hygiene .

Constable: Happy to wave goodbye to the American handshake
This simple rejection of an offered handshake should be the norm, even after COVID-19 fears fade. Daily Herald file photo
Not only do they spread germs, but handshakes mean nothing. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton shook hands after their first debate in 2016 as a way to show the nation their campaigns would be cordial and professional and exhibit good sportsmanship. Associated Press
Amid all the death, horror, sadness, grief, loneliness, financial heartache and other miseries bestowed upon us by COVID-19 is the chance to change the way we do things. Capitalism, health care, employment and other institutions might change for the better, but that will take time.
The one change that will be instituted on the day life returns to the new normal will be the end of the handshake. It's about time. Originally seen as a way to make sure no one was carrying a knife, that no longer matters when either hand could be covered in an invisible, deadly virus.
The only time I've really enjoyed handshakes is when hockey teams perform the ritual at the end of the final Stanley Cup series. The lines of opposing players taking part in the traditional handshake is hailed as a unique display of the ultimate sportsmanship. But I always saw it as an added punishment for the losers. Not only did the Chicago Blackhawks just beat you on your home ice in front of all your fans and loved ones, but now you have to stand in line to shake Patrick Kane's hand. Ha!
For the rest of us, handshakes are just one more thing to worry about at job interviews, weddings and social gatherings. It is the American way to make a first impression.
As a young boy, I learned handshakes are used to label you. We are told we need a "firm" handshake. Too soft, a sin known as the "dead fish" handshake, and you'll be branded weak and incompetent. Too hard, and you are remembered as the person who inflicts pain on others as a way of overcompensating for being weak and incompetent.
Every Sunday after church as a child, I stood in line to shake hands with the minister, hoping to receive his blessing on my firm handshake.
Even if you have perfected your handshake skills, it takes two to make a perfect handshake. You might confidently reach in to perform a masterful handshake, but if the other person clamps down too quickly, catching your fingers in his palm, you have lost. If you let go too soon, you have lost. If you hang on to the handshake too long, you have lost. If your hands are too sweaty, too rough, too soft, or too warm or cold, you have lost.
Handshakes have been around since at least the 9th century B.C., as evidenced by the ancient art carved in stone showing Assyrian King Shalmaneser III shaking hands with Marduk-zakir-šumi I of Babylon in some deal to bring peace to the area now mostly in Iran.
Historian Michael Zuckerman, in his book "Authority in Early America," says the American handshake was popularized by the Quakers, who deemed bowing a "courtly gesture of subordination" and saw the handshake as more egalitarian.
In a court of law, handshakes without accompanying witnesses or, even better, written confirmation are not legally binding.
Memorable handshakes include the civil one in 1865 between Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Confederate counterpart Gen. Robert E. Lee, which marked the South's surrender and the end of all that Confederate nonsense in the once-again United States of America.
The 1938 handshake between British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and German Chancellor Adolf Hitler was orchestrated as part of an agreement ensuring "peace for our time."
At their first presidential candidate debate in 2016, a beaming Hillary Clinton shook hands with a smiling Donald Trump, who put his left hand on Clinton's back as they shook, signaling the race was going to be polite and cordial.
If the coronavirus has killed the handshake -- and with it the equally annoying high-five, fist bump, elbow bump and phony kiss -- we have several options. The whole Namaste bow implies a divine element that seems a bit too admirable when you are only meeting your cousin's neighbor at a graduation party.
And if we all start bowing, soon someone will come up with a way to grade our bows so they can tell who is dominant. My favorite greeting is just a simple nod in the other person's direction.
The meaning is open to interpretation, which makes it the ideal greeting, whether you are acknowledging the existence of your wife's old boyfriend at a school reunion or telling a dear friend that you think so highly of them, you aren't going to give them your germs. In other words, a subtle tilt of the head is a nod to good hygiene.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Feder: Radio legend Tommy Edwards publishes memoirs

Tommy Edwards , the Chicago radio icon whose illustrious career spanned more than five decades , has just published his long-awaited memoirs , Robert Feder writes .
Available in paperback on Amazon , `` I Grew Up Listening to You '' : Stories From Behind the Mic includes tales of his adventures as a personality and program director at Top 40 powerhouse WLS 890-AM and as public-address announcer for the Chicago Bulls .
Of course there 's also a chapter devoted to Li ' l Tommy 's legendary `` Animal Stories '' partnership with Larry Lujack .
`` It has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it done , but I was able to do it the way I wanted , '' he said of the book , which also will be available on Kindle .
`` The term ' I Grew Up Listening to You ' is something I 've heard from people all over the country for decades , and my book is about my life and my career .
It starts with a kid with a daydream who was able to live that dream in cities like New York , Los Angeles and Chicago . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago media news , at robertfeder.com .

Feder: Radio legend Tommy Edwards publishes memoirs
Tommy Edwards, the Chicago radio icon whose illustrious career spanned more than five decades, has just published his long-awaited memoirs, Robert Feder writes.
Available in paperback on Amazon, "I Grew Up Listening to You": Stories From Behind the Mic includes tales of his adventures as a personality and program director at Top 40 powerhouse WLS 890-AM and as public-address announcer for the Chicago Bulls.
Of course there's also a chapter devoted to Li'l Tommy's legendary "Animal Stories" partnership with Larry Lujack.
"It has taken a couple of years to get it done, but I was able to do it the way I wanted," he said of the book, which also will be available on Kindle. "The term 'I Grew Up Listening to You' is something I've heard from people all over the country for decades, and my book is about my life and my career. It starts with a kid with a daydream who was able to live that dream in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago."
Get the full report, and more Chicago media news, at robertfeder.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-17--A song to make you smile: 'Lookin' Out My Back Door' by Creedence Clearwater Revival

We 're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper ( and on dailyherald.com ) with a daily `` @ @ @ @ @ . ''
It 's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk .
@ @ @ @ @ Lookin ' Out My Back Door '' by Creedence Clearwater Revival , released in 1970 @

A song to make you smile: 'Lookin' Out My Back Door' by Creedence Clearwater Revival
John Fogerty, former frontman of Creedence Clearwater Revival, performs in Baltimore in 2013. Owen Sweeney/Invision
We're trying to inject a little positivity in the paper (and on dailyherald.com) with a daily "Song to Make You Smile."
It's designed to help lift you out of your coronavirus funk.
Today's selection is "Lookin' Out My Back Door" by Creedence Clearwater Revival, released in 1970.
Send your ideas to suggestions@dailyherald.com.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Trump tweets he'll 'temporarily suspend immigration'

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump said Monday that he will sign an executive order `` to temporarily suspend immigration into @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus .
`` In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy , @ @ @ @ @ to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens , I will be signing an @ @ @ @ @ immigration into the United States ! ''
Trump tweeted .
He offered no details as @ @ @ @ @ be affected by the order .
The White House did not immediately elaborate on Trump @ @ @ @ @ has taken credit for his restrictions on travel to the U.S. from China and hard-hit @ @ @ @ @ contributed to slowing the spread of the virus in the U.S .
But he has @ @ @ @ @ to other nations now experiencing virus outbreaks .
Due to the pandemic , almost all @ @ @ @ @ Department , including immigrant visas , has been suspended for weeks .
More than 750,000 @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 and more than 42,000 have died .

Trump tweets he'll 'temporarily suspend immigration'
President Donald Trump speaks about the coronavirus in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Monday in Washington. AP Photo/Alex Brandon
WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump said Monday that he will sign an executive order "to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States" because of the coronavirus.
"In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens, I will be signing an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States!" Trump tweeted.
He offered no details as to what immigration programs might be affected by the order.
The White House did not immediately elaborate on Trump's tweeted announcement.
Trump has taken credit for his restrictions on travel to the U.S. from China and hard-hit European countries, arguing it contributed to slowing the spread of the virus in the U.S.
But he has yet to extend those restrictions to other nations now experiencing virus outbreaks.
Due to the pandemic, almost all visa processing by the State Department, including immigrant visas, has been suspended for weeks.
More than 750,000 Americans have come down with COVID-19 and more than 42,000 have died.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Police battle uptick of unrest in locked-down Paris

PARIS -- Paris police are facing a modest uptick of unrest in the oft-troubled suburbs of the locked-down French capital , making a small number of arrests after fires were set and fireworks lobbed to shatter the calm imposed by stay-home measures to counter the coronavirus .
A scattering of vehicle and trash-can blazes and firework explosions on the outskirts of Paris this week have so far been far milder than previous outbreaks of violence .
But the renewed tensions are also a reminder of policing difficulties that have long simmered in troubled neighborhoods of the city , before the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris police said officers arrested nine people in two suburbs overnight Tuesday .
They were suspected of either possessing fireworks or gathering together to commit violence .
A possible trigger for the flare-up appears to have been a traffic accident this past weekend involving a police car and a motorcyclist who was injured .
Police reported that projectiles were thrown at officers following the crash on Saturday evening .
The French lockdown , in place since March 17 , has been particularly tough for families jammed together in small apartments in the poorer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police patrols to enforce them have also disrupted underground economies that are centered around drug-dealing and other crime in unruly projects .

Police battle uptick of unrest in locked-down Paris
A woman crosses a road next to a bus waiting at a traffic light during a nationwide confinement to counter the COVID-19, in Paris, Monday, April 20, 2020. A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the Coronavirus without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. Associated Press
A woman wearing protective face mask walks past a mural during a nationwide confinement to counter the COVID-19, in Paris, Monday, April 20, 2020. A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the Covid-19 without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. Associated Press
Young parisians look at a banner reading "Thanks" to honor the professional categories on the front line during a nationwide confinement to counter the COVID-19, in Paris, Monday, April 20, 2020. A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the Covid-19 without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. Associated Press
A young girl rides her bike during a nationwide confinement to counter the COVID-19, in Paris, Monday, April 20, 2020. A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the Covid-19 without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. Associated Press
A woman wearing a face mask crosses a street as a man enjoys the sun on his balcony during a nationwide confinement to counter the COVID-19, in Paris, Monday, April 20, 2020. A flood of new research suggests that far more people have had the Covid-19 without any symptoms, fueling hope that it will turn out to be much less lethal than originally feared. Associated Press
PARIS -- Paris police are facing a modest uptick of unrest in the oft-troubled suburbs of the locked-down French capital, making a small number of arrests after fires were set and fireworks lobbed to shatter the calm imposed by stay-home measures to counter the coronavirus.
A scattering of vehicle and trash-can blazes and firework explosions on the outskirts of Paris this week have so far been far milder than previous outbreaks of violence. But the renewed tensions are also a reminder of policing difficulties that have long simmered in troubled neighborhoods of the city, before the virus lockdown forced most people indoors.
Paris police said officers arrested nine people in two suburbs overnight Tuesday. They were suspected of either possessing fireworks or gathering together to commit violence.
A possible trigger for the flare-up appears to have been a traffic accident this past weekend involving a police car and a motorcyclist who was injured. Police reported that projectiles were thrown at officers following the crash on Saturday evening.
The French lockdown, in place since March 17, has been particularly tough for families jammed together in small apartments in the poorer Paris suburbs. The stay-home orders and police patrols to enforce them have also disrupted underground economies that are centered around drug-dealing and other crime in unruly projects.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Pritzker suggests extending stay-at-home order as death toll rises by 119

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker suggested at his daily coronavirus briefing Tuesday that Illinois ' stay-at-home order will be extended through May .
The governor said the number of cases is n't expected to peak in the state until mid-May .
After the peak , he said , people should continue to practice social distancing and self-isolation for 14 days to drive the infection rate down further .
The stay-at-home order is key in keeping the infection rate as low as possible , he added .
`` The peak has yet to come , '' he said .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it is , but it 's true that it 's working . ''
A decision will likely come this week , he said .
He also suggested some parts of the state might reopen sooner than other parts that are more prone to widespread infections .
State health officials on Tuesday announced 119 additional deaths from coronavirus infections and another 1,551 new cases in a 24-hour period .
That brings the state 's death toll to 1,468 since the beginning of the outbreak , which has infected 33,059 Illinois residents .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24 hours , 88 were from Cook County , eight from DuPage County , five from Lake County , four from McHenry County and three from Will County .
The remaining victims of the virus were from eight downstate counties .
Before the news conference Tuesday , Pritzker gave a wide-ranging interview about the state 's coronavirus response to Robert Costa of The Washington Post .
In the televised interview , he assailed the federal government 's response to the pandemic , placing the blame squarely on President Donald Trump .
Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name during his daily coronavirus briefing for asking the federal government for more testing assistance .
Trump claimed Illinois Pritzker did n't `` understand '' the coronavirus testing capacity available in Illinois during the briefing , but the governor fired back Tuesday .
`` The truth of the matter is the president does n't seem to understand the difference between testing capacity and getting testing results , '' Pritzker said .
`` Capacity is you 've got enough machines to run tests that will give you hundreds of thousands of results , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do n't have the supplies to run those tests . ''
Pritzker has said he hopes the state will see 10,000 test results each day but has averaged just 6,100 the past two weeks .
So far , the state has results for nearly 155,000 tests , slightly more than 1 % of the state 's population .
About 21 % of those tested were positive for the infection , according to state figures .
Pritzker has said the state needs to be able to test much more , but it ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically among governors complaining about the lack of assistance in testing from the federal government .
Trump said states should not be asking the federal government for `` unlimited support . ''
Pritzker said he did n't watch the president 's briefing because he tries `` to base all his opinions in fact . ''
`` Everybody , including libertarians , would agree the purpose of the federal government at a minimum is to manage a national emergency , '' Pritzker told Costa .
`` And this is a national emergency , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House . ''
Pritzker again reiterated his stance that the president should invoke a national emergency production act to provide the equipment needed to perform the tests throughout the country .
`` We 've realized when President Trump makes a promise that often that does n't get delivered upon , '' the governor said during The Washington Post interview .
`` We 're out here working on our own and we 're getting the job done . ''
Dr. Ngozi Ezike , head of the Illinois Department of Public Health , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second surge in the fall because of a lack of vaccine and treatment for the disease .
`` I think there 's a reason to be concerned , '' she said .
`` If there was going to be a resurgence , you would see it at that time . ''
There are laboratories working on treatments by studying antibodies of those who have recovered from the infection .
That 's another reason for more widespread testing , officials said .

Pritzker suggests extending stay-at-home order as death toll rises by 119
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday, at his daily briefing in Chicago, suggested that as the number of COVID-19 cases is expected to peak in mid-May, the state's stay-at-home order may be extended. Courtesy of ABC 7 Chicago
Gov. J.B. Pritzker suggested at his daily coronavirus briefing Tuesday that Illinois' stay-at-home order will be extended through May.
The governor said the number of cases isn't expected to peak in the state until mid-May. After the peak, he said, people should continue to practice social distancing and self-isolation for 14 days to drive the infection rate down further. The stay-at-home order is key in keeping the infection rate as low as possible, he added.
"The peak has yet to come," he said. "We will make some changes to the stay-at-home order as it is, but it's true that it's working."
A decision will likely come this week, he said. He also suggested some parts of the state might reopen sooner than other parts that are more prone to widespread infections.
State health officials on Tuesday announced 119 additional deaths from coronavirus infections and another 1,551 new cases in a 24-hour period.
That brings the state's death toll to 1,468 since the beginning of the outbreak, which has infected 33,059 Illinois residents.
Among those who have died in the last 24 hours, 88 were from Cook County, eight from DuPage County, five from Lake County, four from McHenry County and three from Will County.
The remaining victims of the virus were from eight downstate counties.
Before the news conference Tuesday, Pritzker gave a wide-ranging interview about the state's coronavirus response to Robert Costa of The Washington Post. In the televised interview, he assailed the federal government's response to the pandemic, placing the blame squarely on President Donald Trump.
Trump, a day earlier, attacked Pritzker by name during his daily coronavirus briefing for asking the federal government for more testing assistance.
Trump claimed Pritzker didn't "understand" the coronavirus testing capacity available in Illinois during the briefing, but the governor fired back Tuesday.
"The truth of the matter is the president doesn't seem to understand the difference between testing capacity and getting testing results," Pritzker said. "Capacity is you've got enough machines to run tests that will give you hundreds of thousands of results, but what he's not right about is we don't have the supplies to run those tests."
Pritzker has said he hopes the state will see 10,000 test results each day but has averaged just 6,100 the past two weeks.
So far, the state has results for nearly 155,000 tests, slightly more than 1% of the state's population. About 21% of those tested were positive for the infection, according to state figures.
Pritzker has said the state needs to be able to test much more, but it can't.
Trump had singled out Pritzker specifically among governors complaining about the lack of assistance in testing from the federal government. Trump said states should not be asking the federal government for "unlimited support."
Pritzker said he didn't watch the president's briefing because he tries "to base all his opinions in fact."
"Everybody, including libertarians, would agree the purpose of the federal government at a minimum is to manage a national emergency," Pritzker told Costa. "And this is a national emergency, and it's not being managed well from the White House."
Pritzker again reiterated his stance that the president should invoke a national emergency production act to provide the equipment needed to perform the tests throughout the country.
"We've realized when President Trump makes a promise that often that doesn't get delivered upon," the governor said during The Washington Post interview. "We're out here working on our own and we're getting the job done."
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, head of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said she is also concerned about a second surge in the fall because of a lack of vaccine and treatment for the disease.
"I think there's a reason to be concerned," she said. "If there was going to be a resurgence, you would see it at that time."
There are laboratories working on treatments by studying antibodies of those who have recovered from the infection. That's another reason for more widespread testing, officials said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Two dead after trucks, SUV collide on I-94 near Deerfield

Two people were killed Tuesday morning and three others were injured when a Jeep Cherokee collided with two semitrailer trucks on the Tri-State Tollway near Deerfield , authorities said .
The crash occurred about 10:30 a.m. on the southbound side of I-94 , south of Half Day Road , Illinois State Police said .
The Jeep struck the side of one truck , spun and hit the other truck , police said .
A man and a woman inside the Jeep were pronounced dead on the scene .
One was the driver and another was a front-seat passenger , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was cut free by firefighters and was flown by helicopter to an undisclosed hospital in critical condition , said Deputy Chief Ray Larson of the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District .
The men driving the two semitrailer trucks were taken to Highland Park Hospital and are expected to survive , Larson said .
Southbound lanes were blocked for more than four hours because of the crash , finally reopening about 3 p.m. , police said .
Northbound lanes were temporarily blocked , too , so a medical helicopter could land on the other side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patient .
The Northbrook Fire Department assisted on the scene .
Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday , Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said .

Two dead after trucks, SUV collide on I-94 near Deerfield
Two people were killed Tuesday morning and three others were injured when a Jeep Cherokee collided with two semitrailer trucks on the Tri-State Tollway near Deerfield, authorities said.
The crash occurred about 10:30 a.m. on the southbound side of I-94, south of Half Day Road, Illinois State Police said.
The Jeep struck the side of one truck, spun and hit the other truck, police said.
A man and a woman inside the Jeep were pronounced dead on the scene. One was the driver and another was a front-seat passenger, police said.
Another passenger in the Jeep was cut free by firefighters and was flown by helicopter to an undisclosed hospital in critical condition, said Deputy Chief Ray Larson of the Deerfield-Bannockburn Fire Protection District.
The men driving the two semitrailer trucks were taken to Highland Park Hospital and are expected to survive, Larson said.
Southbound lanes were blocked for more than four hours because of the crash, finally reopening about 3 p.m., police said. Northbound lanes were temporarily blocked, too, so a medical helicopter could land on the other side of the highway to pick up a patient.
The Northbrook Fire Department assisted on the scene.
Autopsies are scheduled for Wednesday, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-04-21--Spring state tournaments canceled, but IHSA leave open possibility for competition

The Illinois High School Association sounded the official death knell to the spring state tournament series on Tuesday , but left open the possibility that schools could still have competitions if and when the state deems it safe .
While spring state tourneys are canceled and summer contact days are currently on hiatus , if the state government allows sports to resume this summer , the IHSA will issue new summer contact guidelines for our schools at that time .
Additionally , if/when that happens , the board will also consider allowing spring sports teams to play games ( likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , etc. )
.
The IHSA 's board of directors held a meeting via video conference , responding to last Friday 's announcement from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker that all in-person learning would be suspended for the remainder of the academic year .
The IHSA 's full statement read as follows : The Illinois High School Association board of directors met for their April meeting via a video conference call on Tuesday where the board of directors announced its decision to cancel all IHSA spring state tournaments .
The decision to cancel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday 's ( April 17 ) announcement by Gov .
Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education that all Illinois high schools will complete the 2019-20 school term from home via e-learning .
`` We support the decision by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education , and given the logistics , we simply felt we could not conduct state tournaments that meet the expectations of our member schools this spring , `` said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson .
`` As disappointing as it may be for students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and safety , as well as for the health and safety of the general public , as we cope with this unprecedented pandemic . ''
The IHSA offers state tournaments in the following sports and activities in the spring : girls badminton , boys gymnastics , bass fishing , boys and girls track and field , boys and girls water polo , girls soccer , boys tennis , boys and girls lacrosse , boys volleyball , baseball , and softball .
The board also determined that summer contact days are suspended for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical leaders indicate such gatherings are safe .
At that time , the board indicated a willingness to reconsider how summer contact might be conducted and whether opportunities for schools to conduct some kind of spring athletic events might occur .
`` Once it is determined safe to return , we will provide a detailed outline to our schools on the plan for summer contact days and possibly some kind of spring athletic events , '' said Anderson .
`` Including if the number of days and dates that coaches can meet with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point , though , all that is dependent upon state government and medical leaders giving the go ahead for such .
`` Our thoughts right now are with all the impacted students , coaches and communities .
Especially the seniors , '' said Anderson .
`` It will be difficult for them to find a silver lining in all of this , but we stress that even if they do n't get the chance to compete again at the high school level , they are better for having been a part of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in high school sports and activities , they were exposed to life lessons in teamwork , leadership , and overcoming adversity that are difficult to replicate elsewhere .
The latter is applicable now more than ever .
We hope that we can band together and refocus all our efforts on supporting the doctors , nurses , first responders , and all the other essential personnel who are putting their health and safety on the line each day to keep us safe . ''
The IHSA will continue to communicate with and monitor briefings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those timelines , provide updates to its member schools as it relates to potential spring participation and summer contact days .
`` The possibility of playing a spring sport game this summer is about closure , '' said Anderson .
`` If we are able to offer this opportunity , no student-athlete would be restricted by having already practiced or competed with a nonschool team . ''

Spring state tournaments canceled, but IHSA leave open possibility for competition
High school athletic fields will likely remain empty for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. The Illinois High School Association officially canceled the spring state tournament series on Tuesday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The IHSA did, though, leave open the possibility of some competition if and when state government relaxes the current restrictions on large gatherings. Daily Herald File photo
The Illinois High School Association sounded the official death knell to the spring state tournament series on Tuesday, but left open the possibility that schools could still have competitions if and when the state deems it safe.
While spring state tourneys are canceled and summer contact days are currently on hiatus, if the state government allows sports to resume this summer, the IHSA will issue new summer contact guidelines for our schools at that time. Additionally, if/when that happens, the board will also consider allowing spring sports teams to play games (likely a limited number to allow senior nights, etc.).
The IHSA's board of directors held a meeting via video conference, responding to last Friday's announcement from Gov. J.B. Pritzker that all in-person learning would be suspended for the remainder of the academic year.
The IHSA's full statement read as follows:
The Illinois High School Association board of directors met for their April meeting via a video conference call on Tuesday where the board of directors announced its decision to cancel all IHSA spring state tournaments. The decision to cancel the spring state tournaments comes in conjunction with Friday's (April 17) announcement by Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education that all Illinois high schools will complete the 2019-20 school term from home via e-learning.
"We support the decision by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education, and given the logistics, we simply felt we could not conduct state tournaments that meet the expectations of our member schools this spring, " said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. "As disappointing as it may be for students, it is the right decision for their health and safety, as well as for the health and safety of the general public, as we cope with this unprecedented pandemic."
The IHSA offers state tournaments in the following sports and activities in the spring: girls badminton, boys gymnastics, bass fishing, boys and girls track and field, boys and girls water polo, girls soccer, boys tennis, boys and girls lacrosse, boys volleyball, baseball, and softball.
The board also determined that summer contact days are suspended for this year, unless state government and medical leaders indicate such gatherings are safe. At that time, the board indicated a willingness to reconsider how summer contact might be conducted and whether opportunities for schools to conduct some kind of spring athletic events might occur.
"Once it is determined safe to return, we will provide a detailed outline to our schools on the plan for summer contact days and possibly some kind of spring athletic events," said Anderson. "Including if the number of days and dates that coaches can meet with athletes has been altered. At this point, though, all that is dependent upon state government and medical leaders giving the go ahead for such.
"Our thoughts right now are with all the impacted students, coaches and communities. Especially the seniors," said Anderson. "It will be difficult for them to find a silver lining in all of this, but we stress that even if they don't get the chance to compete again at the high school level, they are better for having been a part of their respective high school teams. By participating in high school sports and activities, they were exposed to life lessons in teamwork, leadership, and overcoming adversity that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. The latter is applicable now more than ever. We hope that we can band together and refocus all our efforts on supporting the doctors, nurses, first responders, and all the other essential personnel who are putting their health and safety on the line each day to keep us safe."
The IHSA will continue to communicate with and monitor briefings from state officials, and based on those timelines, provide updates to its member schools as it relates to potential spring participation and summer contact days.
"The possibility of playing a spring sport game this summer is about closure," said Anderson. "If we are able to offer this opportunity, no student-athlete would be restricted by having already practiced or competed with a nonschool team."