Author: staff

New air conditioning and heating systems were installed as part of the renovation, which prioritized an open-concept floor plan that takes advantage of the natural light from a skylight and myriad windows, said Christopher Schmidt, executive director of USO Illinois. And the few walled-up rooms the center still has are “very intentional,” Schmidt said: a kid room, reflection room, gaming room and a USO Pathfinder office, a program that helps military personnel transition back to civilian life after they finish serving.

Last year, Allstate, based in Northbrook, turned Juneteenth into an annual paid holiday for employees. So did Target, which closed its Minneapolis headquarters for the day and said hourly employees who work in stores and distribution centers that day would be paid time and a half. JPMorgan Chase closed its branches early on June 19 while paying employees for a full day.

Healthcare workers (seated) Karyn Lyons, left, and Linda Hempfling, draw up doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while Gov J.B. Pritzker speaks with Mark Pfister, right, the Lake County Health Department’s executive director, and other politicians at the drive-thru vaccination location set up inside of the Lake County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 in Grayslake. Gov Pritzker toured the center, spoke with healthcare officials and commented on the status of vaccinations in Illinois. He also complimented the Biden administration on their communication and commitment to greater pandemic efforts. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)