Author: staff

Any substance derived from plants can be used to make a mulch layer, but mulches made from wood, such as these wood chips, are typically used around long-lived plants such as trees and shrubs because they are relatively slow to decay. (John Hagstrom / The Morton Arboretum)

And ask her! Contact her to say, “I completely understand if your wedding plans have changed and your guest list has decreased, but I have a Save-the-Date and didn’t receive an invitation, so I’m still unsure of your final plans. Sorry to nudge you – I know things have been crazy – but please let me know if I’m still invited. If not, no worries, and I’ll send love and good vibes to you on the day.”

“Right now it’s when in doubt, that fastball has been good for him. At the same time, when you see a hitter cheating to it, you can throw the changeup. He’s throwing a lot of changeups for strikes, and then he has that wipeout slider. He’s getting that curveball over for strike one a lot. The way he’s going right now, there’s nothing I can do wrong almost back there.”

The Reds got a pair of singles before Clase (2-1) fielded an infield tapper and threw wide of second base, allowing Nick Senzel to score from second. Then, with runners at the corners, Clase began his windup before stopping and tried to throw to second.

“Whenever we went and played in arenas where they had fans, it was refreshing, especially to interact with some of the people and hear the crowd noise,” LaVine said this week. “Some trash talking or the cheers or whatever it is, just having that atmosphere in basketball is great. With your home fans and the city being back here, it’s going to be great. Very excited to at least play some games back at the United Center with our fans there.”

2822 N. Orchard St. No. 3, Chicago: $845,000 | Listed: April 17, 2021 This three-bedroom, two-bathroom home has refinished solid oak flooring, a wood-burning fireplace with a gas starter and a private deck that measures 22 feet by 22 feet and offers sweeping views of the downtown skyline. The kitchen is equipped with custom cabinetry, quartz countertops and extra-large island with seating for five. A family room offers direct access to the deck and could function as an office or media room. Both the living and family room have recessed lighting that can be controlled with a smart phone. The living room, family room, master bedroom, and deck have built-in speakers for sound throughout the home. This home comes with one parking space. Agent: Ed Watts of Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty, 847-869-9494 *Some listing photos are “virtually staged,” meaning they have been digitally altered to represent different furnishing or decorating options. To feature your luxury listing of $800,000 or more in Chicago Tribune’s Dream Homes, send listing information and high-res photos to ctc-realestate@chicagotribune.com. Join our Chicago Dream Homes Facebook group for more luxury listings and real estate news.

Jeremy Hylka, 44, who remains hositalized Friday night, received a substitute teaching license in January and was not enrolled in a teacher preparation program, which is required to continue as a full-time teacher, diocese officials said in a statement.

As Northwestern’s deputy athletic director for external affairs, he spent a decade working in branding and strategy, involved in ticket sales and service, marketing, corporate sponsorship, media and public relations, creative services, community relations, fan experience and merchandising. He developed the “Chicago’s Big Ten Team” branding, and he worked on partnerships with Under Armour and securing a deal with the Chicago Cubs for select football games to be played at Wrigley Field.

Construction will slow traffic this year on major thoroughfares like the central Tri-State Tollway and I-90/94 in Chicago, as work continues on massive multiyear projects. The eight-year reconstruction of the Tri-State near O’Hare International Airport kicks into high gear this year from near O’Hare to 95th Street, with one lane closed each way at the south end. The seemingly never-ending rebuild of the Jane Byrne Interchange downtown continues, as does resurfacing on the outbound Kennedy Expressway. Interchanges on the Tri-State at I-57 and I-80 at U.S. 30 will also be rebuilt, with bridge replacements on I-80. Advertisement The work comes as traffic, which had been drastically reduced by COVID-19 closures, is building back to familiar Chicago congestion. Work will also be done on interchanges for the coming I-490, at I-90 and I-390, in preparation for a western access to O’Hare International Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central Tri-State Tollway (I-294) Project Estimated cost: $4 billion Project start: Underway Estimated completion: End of 2026 Work being done Between Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont and 95th Street in Oak Lawn: Widening and reconstructing the roadway and bridges, and reconfiguring interchanges. Reconstruction between St. Charles Road and Wolf Road at the north end of the corridor, and between 95th Street and I-55 at the south end of the corridor. Wolf Road to the O’Hare Oasis: Roadway rehabilitation and widening. Northbound Mile Long Bridge: Closed for demolition and construction of a new bridge. Archer Avenue Interchange: Under reconstruction. A new BNSF bridge is being built. I-290/I-88: Reconstruction of a new interchange. Impact on traffic New traffic patterns and temporary lane closures. I-490 Tollway Estimated cost: $3.4 billion Project start: Underway Estimated completion: End of 2025 Work being done Construction continues on new interchanges that will link I-490 to the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Illinois Route 390 Tollway and to I-294, which will provide western access into O’Hare International Airport. Touhy Reservoir at the north end of I-490: Railroad track access relocation and bridge construction. Impact on traffic Off-peak closures on I-90, Touhy Road and Mount Prospect Road will be scheduled as needed throughout the year. On westbound I-90, the right shoulder is closed from the Union Pacific Railroad to Elmhurst Road through the end of the year. Advertisement I-294/I-57 Interchange (Phase 2) Estimated cost: $78 million Project start: Underway Estimated completion: 2022 Work being done Northbound I-294 to northbound I-57 and southbound I-57 to northbound I-294: New connecting interchange ramps. Roadway widening on I-57. Impact on traffic Southbound I-294: Reduced to three lanes through summer 2021. I-57 between the CSX Railroad and Kedzie Avenue: Right shoulder is closed in both directions through summer 2021. Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) Project start: Underway Estimated completion: End of 2021 Work being done Impact on traffic Deerpath Road Bridge is closed through the end of 2021. A detour is posted. Eastbound I-294: Traffic is shifted, and shoulders are closed in both directions. Windsor Drive Bridge: Reduced to a single lane through the spring. Additional closures can be expected on Windsor Drive. Shoulders on the ramps connecting I-88 and I-294: Closed. Traffic is shifted. Stearns School Road Bridge over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) Estimated cost: $5.4 million Project start: Underway Estimated completion: 2022 Work being done Removal and replacement of the Gurnee bridge. Impact on traffic Stearns School Road Bridge: Closed through the end of the yearn. A detour is posted. I-94: Reduced to three lanes in both directions at the bridge through May. Jane Byrne Interchange Project start: Underway Estimated completion: End of 2022 Work being done Jackson Street and Adams Street bridges replaced. Inbound and outbound I-90/94: Reconstruction and addition of a new inbound collector-distributor road. Impact on traffic The bridges closed in 2020. Montrose Avenue over the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) bridge rehabilitation Project start: Underway Estimated completion: Summer 2021 Work being done Installation of new steel beams and construction of bridge deck on the north structure. Impact on traffic Access to the CTA is maintained. Motorists can expect lane reductions and overnight traffic stops. Kennedy Expressway (I-90) at Cumberland Avenue Project start: Underway Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done I-90 between Harlem Avenue and I-190: Widening and resurfacing, construction of new noise and retaining walls, drainage improvements and a new collector-distributor road at the Cumberland Avenue interchange along the outbound expressway. Impact on traffic Expect overnight lane closures. Kennedy Expressway (I-90) resurfacing Project start: Underway Estimated completion: End of 2021 Work being done I-90 from the Edens Expressway (I-94) junction to Harlem Avenue (Illinois 43): Road resurfacing, installation of shoulder rumble strips and drainage improvements. Outbound Kennedy (I-90): Resurfacing. Impact on traffic Overnight outbound lane closures will take place weekdays, starting at 9 p.m., with occasional ramp and inbound lane closures. All lanes and ramps will reopen by 5 a.m. each morning. I-80 and U.S. 30 Interchange Project start: Underway Estimated completion: End of 2021 Work being done I-80 from about I-355 through U.S. 30, New Lenox: Widening and reconstruction to three lanes in each direction. Along U.S. 30: Modernized traffic signals, drainage improvement, and the extension of a bicycle and pedestrian path. Impact on traffic Two lanes in each direction on I-80 remain open during construction. I-55 and Weber Road Interchange Project start: Underway Estimated completion: 2022 Work being done Weber Road between 135th Street/Romeo Road and 119th Street/Rodeo Road, Romeoville: Addition of a third lane in each direction, modernized traffic signals, LED lighting, improved drainage and a barrier median. Impact on traffic Expect periodic overnight lane closures, as needed, from approximately 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., through the end of the project. I-55 at Madison Street (DuPage County) Estimated cost: $1.9 million Project start: Summer 2021 Estimated completion: Late 2023 Work being done Deck overlay and bridge repairs, Burr Ridge. Impact on traffic Occasional overnight lane closures. I-55 at Lemont Road (DuPage County) Estimated cost: $17 million Project start: Summer 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2023 Work being done Bridge replacement and interstate reconstruction, Woodridge. Impact on traffic All lanes of I-55 and access to Lemont Road will be maintained during the project. Illinois 83 (Kingery Highway) from Third Avenue to Illinois 171 (Archer Avenue) in DuPage County Estimated cost: $1 million Project start: Underway Estimated completion: Summer 2021 Work being done Modernize traffic signals, install rumble strips, add new pavement markings and replace sections of guardrail. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures and occasional overnight lane closures are anticipated. Illinois 31 (Lake Street) from Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88) to Rathbone Avenue (Kane County) Estimated cost: $2.8 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Pavement preservation resurfacing and ADA improvements. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. Illinois 31 (State Street) from Strom Drive to West Road (Kane County) Estimated cost: $4 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done New ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, improve drainage and make repairs to the State Street bridge over U.S. 20 (Elgin Bypass). Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. Illinois 47 at Main Street (Kane County) Estimated cost: $9.8 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Summer 2022 Work being done Replace existing bridge, reconstruct the intersection and modernize traffic signals in Sugar Grove. Impact on traffic One lane will be maintained in each direction. Illinois 72 (Oak Knoll Drive) at Getzelman Road/State Street (Kane County) Estimated cost: $4.5 million Project start: Summer 2021 Estimated completion: Late 2022 Work being done Intersection improvement will include new traffic signals, paving, ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, improved draining and lighting in Hampshire. Impact on traffic Road closures will be in place for several months on State Street and several weeks on Getzelman Road. U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) at Deerpath Road (Lake County) Estimated cost: $12 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2022 Work being done Replacement of existing pump station. Deerpath Road from Skokie Highway to Golf Lane in Lake Forest: Resurfacing, new sidewalks and ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps installed. Impact on traffic Deerpath Road: Reduced to single-lane traffic for about one month. Exit ramps to Deerpath Road: To be closed for several weeks. U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) from Illinois 21 to Dorchester Avenue (Lake County) Estimated cost: $1.1 million Advertisement Project start: Summer 2021 Advertisement Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Resurfacing project with new ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. U.S. 41 (Skokie Highway) at Illinois 132 (Grand Avenue) in Lake County Estimated cost: $19.8 million Project start: Underway Estimated completion: Summer 2021 Work being done Widening of Grand Avenue and the southbound U.S. 41 ramp in Gurnee. Impact on traffic Grand Avenue: Reduced to one lane in each direction. Illinois 60 from Des Plaines River to Riverwoods Road (Lake County) Estimated cost: $2.75 million Project start: Summer 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Resurfacing and the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. Illinois 131 from Illinois 120 to Canadian National Railway (Lake County) Estimated cost: $3.1 million Project start: Summer 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Resurfacing and the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. Illinois 137 from Russell Road to Greenwood Road (Lake County) Estimated cost: $4.3 million Project start: Summer 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Resurfacing and the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. I-55 from Interstate 80 to U.S. 52 (Jefferson Street) in Will County Estimated cost: $52.4 million Project start: Fall 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2023 Work being done Converting the existing interchange into a diverging diamond interchange while adding auxiliary lanes on both sides of I-55. Impact on traffic Three lanes of I-55 in both directions will be maintained, with one lane in each direct on local routes. I-55 at Illinois 59 (Will County) Estimated cost: $8.7 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done New bridge construction. Impact on traffic Three lanes of I-55 in both directions will be maintained. I-55 from north of River Road to north of the I&M Canal (Will County) Estimated cost: $8.16 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Installation of rumble strips on the shoulders and resurfacing. Impact on traffic Overnight lane closures with multiple weekend land closures anticipated. I-55 from south of I-80 to Weber Road (Will County) Estimated cost: $47.9 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Improving three bridges that carry I-55 over U.S. 30, Canadian National Railroad and Mink Creek. Impact on traffic Overnight lane closures. I-55 at Illinois 53 and I-55 at Joliet Road (Will County) Estimated cost: $16 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Structures will be redecked and widened. Impact on traffic Three lanes of I-55 in both directions will be maintained during construction, and overnight lane closures are anticipated. I-80 from Gardner Street to Rowell Avenue (eastbound) and Richard Street (westbound) in Will County Estimated cost: $41.6 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2022 Work being done Pavement reconstruction, widening, replacing or rehabilitating the eastbound I-80 bridges over Hickory Creek, Richards Street and Canadian National Railroad/Rowell Avenue and westbound Richards Street. Impact on traffic Eastbound I-80 ramp to Richards Street: Closed during the second stage of construction. Two lanes of I-80 in both directions will be maintained through construction. Illinois 1 from Burrville Road to just north of Illinois 394 and Illinois 394 from Illinois 1 to County Line Road (Will County) Estimated cost: $5.5 million Project start: Spring 2021 Estimated completion: Fall 2021 Work being done Between Elmscourt Street and New Monee Road: Resurfacing. ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and culvert replacement. Impact on traffic Daily lane closures. I-94 from Illinois state line to the Mitchell Interchange: Reconstruct the I-94 North-South corridor. I-39/90 interchanges: Scheduled to be the final year of the six-year project to rebuild the “gateway to Wisconsin,” to three lanes each way. Work will focus on four interchanges, with various ramp closures at I-43 just over the state line in Beloit, U.S. 14 and Wisconsin 26 in Janesville, and U.S. 12/18 near Madison. Two lanes will remain open in each direction, but motorists should anticipate lane shifts, reduced speeds and backups during peak travel times. I-80/94 bridge projects: Work has already started causing backups in the Hammond area. Additional bridge work will be done on I-80/94 statewide throughout the summer, with occasional nighttime single-lane closures. I-196 from Holland to Saugatuck: Drivers heading into Harbor Country should be on the lookout for reconstruction of southbound I-196. The work will divert southbound traffic onto northbound lanes, with southbound ramp closures at the Blue Star highway, and so is likely to cause substantial delays. Sources: Illinois Department of Transportation; Illinois Tollway; Tribune reporting

Construction workers pour concrete on a new bridge pier above the Des Plaines River on the Tri-State Tollway (I-294) on May 7, 2021. The Tri-State widening project, which include subgrade improvements and new water basins in some areas, is 22 miles long, from 95th Street to Balmoral Avenue in Rosemont. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)