chicagosun-times--2020-11-11--2020 Masters: Tradition springs forward

2020 Masters: Tradition springs forward

AUGUSTA , Ga. — Any optimism that the next Masters will be restored to its full glory of spring blooms and the endless chorus of cheers was dampened only by the reality of the calendar and the recent spikes in It has been eight months since Augusta National said it was postponing the Masters because of the COVID-19 pandemic , and seven months since the club targeted two weeks before Thanksgiving as the most practical time to play this year .
“ I ’ m hopeful that we will see improved conditions regarding this virus , but April is less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no assurance of that , ” Masters Chairman Fred Ridley said .
“ But we do have hopes that the tournament in April will be closer to normal than it is right now.
” There is very little normal about the 84th Masters , starting with the opening tee shots from both the first and the 10th tees .
That has never happened on a Thursday morning .
Abraham Ancer of Mexico , one of 26 newcomers to the Masters , was playing his final practice round on Wednesday at about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part in the Par 3 Contest , which was canceled .
The Par 3 is entertainment for the patrons , and there are no patrons this year .
On Tuesday , Jon Rahm skipped a tee shot across the pond , onto the 16th green , and watched it roll the length of the green , down the slope and into the cup .
He raised his arms in celebration .
There was video .
And that was about it .
“ Just imagine the roars that would have created in a normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s a different look .
It ’ s November , and I think everybody just has to embrace that we ’ re here and we ’ re playing and that ’ s a great thing.
” In some respects , this Masters is a celebration of what golf has done and a sendoff the sport has never had .
Except for World War II and the one time in 1971 when the PGA Championship moved to February in Florida , the Masters always has been the first major of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about more than azaleas , dogwoods and the pursuit of a green jacket .
For many , it signaled the start of golf season , whether that meant playing or watching .
“ All the Masters I ’ ve watched over the years in Ireland , the golfing season started normally the weekend of the Masters , ” British Open champion Shane Lowry said .
“ That ’ s when everyone gets the clubs out of the garage and dusts off the cobwebs and gets out and starts playing .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 degrees to about 12 ( low 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit ) .
And it only rains a little bit rather than loads.
” In November , it ’ s more like the finale .
The Masters already is the most popular of the majors because it ’ s held on the same course each year and there ’ s a magic about Augusta National that creates so much drama .
Is there a better way to end the year ?
Sure , there are two more official PGA Tour events after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual considering no other sport has a longer season than golf .
But having a Masters in November reads like the final chapter .
McIlroy , Lowry and Tiger Woods are among the many players who will put their clubs back in the garage .
Golf , like so many other sports , needs a feel-good finish .
The sport was shut down for three months on March 13 .
One of the majors , the British Open , was canceled .
Golf resumed in June with a hectic schedule of only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assurances of safe health for anyone in the traveling circus .
“ I think when The Open Championship was canceled , I had serious doubts we ’ d play a Masters this year in 2020 , ” McIlroy said .
“ I think the R & A were in a tough situation , the fact that if they pushed it back , the daylight in the U.K. just isn ’ t there to hold a field of 156 .
One of the nice things about the Masters is its limited field.
” Fifteen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for the coronavirus , including Dustin Johnson , the No .
1 player in the world .
One player had to miss the PGA Championship in August , two withdrew from the U.S. Open in September and two more — including former Masters champion Sergio Garcia — tested positive ahead of the Masters .
But golf played on .
And now it ’ s at the finish line with no gallery .
Imagine the final turn onto Boylston Street in the Boston Marathon with no one lining the streets to cheer runners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the starting line .
The final day of practice was halted midafternoon because of dangerous storms approaching and more rain expected for the opening round .
The course already is slightly softer this time of the year , anyway , and it figures to play longer .
But they ’ re playing .
The anticipation is building .
The course looks like it always does , except for the color of the leaves down at Amen Corner and the lack of blazing colors of flowers everywhere .
“ They ’ ve done a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course that ’ s similar to what we ’ re used to , but obviously a few months earlier than when we normally are here , ” Webb Simpson said .
Earlier than next April .
Later than last April .
Whatever .
It ’ s the Masters , and it ’ s here .
And after Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hit the honorary tee shots , starters on the first and 10th tee will introduce each player with that familiar phrase .

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Any optimism that the next Masters will be restored to its full glory of spring blooms and the endless chorus
of cheers was dampened only by the reality of the calendar and the recent spikes in coronavirus cases.
It has been eight months since Augusta National said it was postponing the Masters because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and seven months since the club targeted two weeks before Thanksgiving as the most practical time to play this year.
“I’m hopeful that we will see improved conditions regarding this virus, but April is less than five months away, so there’s no assurance of that,” Masters Chairman Fred Ridley said. “But we do have hopes that the tournament in April will be closer to normal than it is right now.”
There is very little normal about the 84th Masters, starting with the opening tee shots from both the first and the 10th tees. That has never happened on a Thursday morning.
Abraham Ancer of Mexico, one of 26 newcomers to the Masters, was playing his final practice round on Wednesday at about the time he would have been taking part in the Par 3 Contest, which was canceled. The Par 3 is entertainment for the patrons, and there are no patrons this year.
On Tuesday, Jon Rahm skipped a tee shot across the pond, onto the 16th green, and watched it roll the length of the green, down the slope and into the cup. He raised his arms in celebration. There was video. And that was about it.
His second in two days, Jon Rahm skips his way to a hole-in-one at No. 16 - on his birthday, no less. #themasters pic.twitter.com/rtefAN5XtH — The Masters (@TheMasters) November 10, 2020
“Just imagine the roars that would have created in a normal year,” Rory McIlroy said. “It’s a different look. It’s November, and I think everybody just has to embrace that we’re here and we’re playing and that’s a great thing.”
In some respects, this Masters is a celebration of what golf has done and a sendoff the sport has never had.
Except for World War II and the one time in 1971 when the PGA Championship moved to February in Florida, the Masters always has been the first major of the year. That rite of spring was about more than azaleas, dogwoods and the pursuit of a green jacket. For many, it signaled the start of golf season, whether that meant playing or watching.
“All the Masters I’ve watched over the years in Ireland, the golfing season started normally the weekend of the Masters,” British Open champion Shane Lowry said. “That’s when everyone gets the clubs out of the garage and dusts off the cobwebs and gets out and starts playing. That’s when the weather starts to go from 6 degrees to about 12 (low 40s to low 50s Fahrenheit). And it only rains a little bit rather than loads.”
In November, it’s more like the finale.
The Masters already is the most popular of the majors because it’s held on the same course each year and there’s a magic about Augusta National that creates so much drama.
Is there a better way to end the year?
Sure, there are two more official PGA Tour events after the Masters. That’s not unusual considering no other sport has a longer season than golf. But having a Masters in November reads like the final chapter.
McIlroy, Lowry and Tiger Woods are among the many players who will put their clubs back in the garage.
Golf, like so many other sports, needs a feel-good finish. The sport was shut down for three months on March 13. One of the majors, the British Open, was canceled. Golf resumed in June with a hectic schedule of only one week off — Thanksgiving — and no assurances of safe health for anyone in the traveling circus.
“I think when The Open Championship was canceled, I had serious doubts we’d play a Masters this year in 2020,” McIlroy said. “I think the R&A were in a tough situation, the fact that if they pushed it back, the daylight in the U.K. just isn’t there to hold a field of 156. One of the nice things about the Masters is its limited field.”
Fifteen players on the PGA Tour have tested positive for the coronavirus, including Dustin Johnson, the No. 1 player in the world. One player had to miss the PGA Championship in August, two withdrew from the U.S. Open in September and two more — including former Masters champion Sergio Garcia — tested positive ahead of the Masters.
But golf played on. And now it’s at the finish line with no gallery. Imagine the final turn onto Boylston Street in the Boston Marathon with no one lining the streets to cheer runners on.
The bigger issue might be the starting line. The final day of practice was halted midafternoon because of dangerous storms approaching and more rain expected for the opening round. The course already is slightly softer this time of the year, anyway, and it figures to play longer.
But they’re playing. The anticipation is building. The course looks like it always does, except for the color of the leaves down at Amen Corner and the lack of blazing colors of flowers everywhere.
“They’ve done a great job of giving us a golf course that’s similar to what we’re used to, but obviously a few months earlier than when we normally are here,” Webb Simpson said.
Earlier than next April. Later than last April. Whatever. It’s the Masters, and it’s here. And after Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player hit the honorary tee shots, starters on the first and 10th tee will introduce each player with that familiar phrase.
Fore, please.
Finally.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-11--Hiring and standing by Tony La Russa is a new level of condescension by the White Sox’ Jerry Reinsdo

Hiring and standing by Tony La Russa is a new level of condescension by the White Sox’ Jerry Reinsdorf

Everything about the White Sox ’ hiring of Tony La Russa as their manager two weeks ago was patronizing toward their fan base .
Few fans wanted him .
Most thought the addition of a 76-year-old man who hadn ’ t managed in nine years was the definition of insanity .
The Sox knew fans were going to be outraged , yet they hired him anyway .
In doing so , they sent two letters of the alphabet to their loyal followers : F ( faith ) and U ( unity ) .
I think that ’ s what those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of that , then you ’ ll understand how the team hired La Russa despite knowing about his February drunk-driving arrest and how it has stood by him despite a police report that shames both him and the organization .
There , there , the Sox ’ actions say to their fans .
We know what ’ s best for you .
A pat on the head before they send you away .
Maybe a reflexive plundering of your wallet while they ’ re at it .
When I say Sox , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reinsdorf , who is on a one-man crusade to prove something or other , whatever it is .
One person in the world cares that the franchise canned La Russa 34 years ago .
One person in the world thinks amends have to be made for that .
One person in the world thinks La Russa is the perfect fit for a young , exciting team .
That person is Reinsdorf , who , through his actions and through his silence , is reminding you that only one person matters .
Everybody else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dan Ryan .
Sox fans are not taking it well .
Wednesday was Veterans Day , and the team did what lots of professional sports franchises do , tweeting a salute “ to all who have served our country.
” The responses that followed had nothing to do with veterans and everything to do with war .
“ I ’ m f & ^ % $ # @ embarrassed to be a fan of this team .
# FireLaRussa to make this right .
Or I and many others will no longer support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerry ’ s attention.
” What came next was some combination of # StepDownTony and # ChangeTheShame .
I once heard an interview with a physician who said that the toughest patients he had to deal with in his long career were celebrities .
They didn ’ t follow orders because they had spent so much time giving orders to others .
People were afraid to disagree with them .
Nobody said “ no.
” That ’ s what it feels like with Reinsdorf .
The outside world was telling him well in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Russa that it was a terrible idea .
The outside world doesn ’ t matter to Reinsdorf .
Did the other Sox decision-makers speak up against the hire ?
It didn ’ t matter .
Jerry knew best .
People would thank him later , just like they always have .
In Reinsdorf ’ s mind , nobody knows what the team needs more than he does .
So the quaint idea that he ’ s going to give in to public pressure and fire La Russa because of a DUI arrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what should be done than the reality of what will be done .
Doing the right thing would require a self-awareness that Jerry doesn ’ t appear to possess .
The people might have spoken , but the maximum leader seems to be wearing earplugs .
And the idea of La Russa walking away from the job ?
Please .
Some people are trying to minimize a DUI arrest ( even though La Russa has had two now ) .
Barely over the threshold for being legally drunk .
Not exactly first-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Blah , blah , blah .
All of it empty and detestable .
But they can ’ t explain away La Russa ’ s haughty behavior toward the cop who had noticed the smell of alcohol on him that February day in Arizona .
“ Do you see my ring ?
” La Russa said , according to the police report : “ I ’ m a Hall of Famer baseball person .
… I ’ m legit .
I ’ m a Hall of Famer , brother .
You ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man you want representing the White Sox ?
This is the man you want leading all those young players ?
You want a lounge singer for a manager ?
I don ’ t think so , brother .
Nothing feels good about the hire .
Even the distant past won ’ t go away .
Since La Russa ’ s hiring , there has been lots of discussion about his connection to the movable steroids feast that was the Oakland A ’ s under his leadership .
One of the biggest questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relate to players who are as much as 50 years his junior .
With that in mind , you ’ d think that reaching out to shortstop Tim Anderson , one of the stars of the team , would have been a huge priority for La Russa after being hired .
But , no .
Days after the announcement , Anderson said he had yet to speak with the new manager .
And now the DUI arrest .
Likability isn ’ t a must in order to be a manager , but deplorability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t the Sox see this ?
But there ’ s Jerry Reinsdorf , dug in .
Him against the world , against all reason .

Everything about the White Sox’ hiring of Tony La Russa as their manager two weeks ago was patronizing toward their fan base. Few fans wanted him. Most thought the addition of a 76-year-old man who hadn’t managed in nine years was the definition of insanity. The Sox knew fans were going to be outraged, yet they hired him anyway.
In doing so, they sent two letters of the alphabet to their loyal followers: F (faith) and U (unity). I think that’s what those letters stand for.
If you understand all of that, then you’ll understand how the team hired La Russa despite knowing about his February drunk-driving arrest and how it has stood by him despite a police report that shames both him and the organization.
There, there, the Sox’ actions say to their fans. We know what’s best for you. A pat on the head before they send you away. Maybe a reflexive plundering of your wallet while they’re at it.
When I say Sox, I of course mean team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who is on a one-man crusade to prove something or other, whatever it is. One person in the world cares that the franchise canned La Russa 34 years ago. One person in the world thinks amends have to be made for that. One person in the world thinks La Russa is the perfect fit for a young, exciting team.
That person is Reinsdorf, who, through his actions and through his silence, is reminding you that only one person matters. Everybody else can go play in traffic on the Dan Ryan.
Sox fans are not taking it well. Wednesday was Veterans Day, and the team did what lots of professional sports franchises do, tweeting a salute “to all who have served our country.” The responses that followed had nothing to do with veterans and everything to do with war.
Today we salute all who have served our country. Thank you, Veterans! pic.twitter.com/Mae68rzcA6 — Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 11, 2020
First Twitter reaction:
“I’m f&^%$#@ embarrassed to be a fan of this team. #FireLaRussa to make this right. Or I and many others will no longer support this team financially. That should get Jerry’s attention.”
What came next was some combination of #StepDownTony and #ChangeTheShame.
I once heard an interview with a physician who said that the toughest patients he had to deal with in his long career were celebrities. They didn’t follow orders because they had spent so much time giving orders to others. People were afraid to disagree with them. Nobody said “no.”
That’s what it feels like with Reinsdorf. The outside world was telling him well in advance of the Oct. 29 hiring of La Russa that it was a terrible idea. The outside world doesn’t matter to Reinsdorf. Did the other Sox decision-makers speak up against the hire?
It didn’t matter. Jerry knew best. People would thank him later, just like they always have.
In Reinsdorf’s mind, nobody knows what the team needs more than he does. So the quaint idea that he’s going to give in to public pressure and fire La Russa because of a DUI arrest is based more on the noble idea of what should be done than the reality of what will be done. Doing the right thing would require a self-awareness that Jerry doesn’t appear to possess. The people might have spoken, but the maximum leader seems to be wearing earplugs.
And the idea of La Russa walking away from the job? Please.
Some people are trying to minimize a DUI arrest (even though La Russa has had two now). Barely over the threshold for being legally drunk. Not exactly first-degree murder. Wrong place, wrong time. Blah, blah, blah. All of it empty and detestable.
But they can’t explain away La Russa’s haughty behavior toward the cop who had noticed the smell of alcohol on him that February day in Arizona.
“Do you see my ring?” La Russa said, according to the police report: “I’m a Hall of Famer baseball person. … I’m legit. I’m a Hall of Famer, brother. You’re trying to embarrass me.”
This is the man you want representing the White Sox? This is the man you want leading all those young players? You want a lounge singer for a manager? I don’t think so, brother.
Nothing feels good about the hire. Even the distant past won’t go away. Since La Russa’s hiring, there has been lots of discussion about his connection to the movable steroids feast that was the Oakland A’s under his leadership.
One of the biggest questions these days is whether a 76-year-old can relate to players who are as much as 50 years his junior. With that in mind, you’d think that reaching out to shortstop Tim Anderson, one of the stars of the team, would have been a huge priority for La Russa after being hired. But, no. Days after the announcement, Anderson said he had yet to speak with the new manager.
And now the DUI arrest.
Likability isn’t a must in order to be a manager, but deplorability should be a deal killer. How don’t the Sox see this?
But there’s Jerry Reinsdorf, dug in. Him against the world, against all reason.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Developer shows plans for Moody Bible property

The developer of property owned by Moody Bible Institute on the Near North Side revealed his plans to area residents during an online meeting Thursday , promising a pedestrian-friendly design that includes public parks and a variety of housing types .
The multiyear project , led by JDL Development , is expected to go through many revisions before it wins city approval , and could be buffeted by many economic cycles .
But James Letchinger , JDL ’ s founder and CEO , said he ’ s taking a cautious approach to the eight acres , starting with smaller buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We ’ re really trying to create a neighborhood , ” he said in an interview before the meeting .
Letchinger said he aims to enliven blocks between River North , the Gold Coast and the former Cabrini-Green public housing site .
Moody Bible has decided the area is excess property and has agreed to sell to Letchinger , but it continues its Christian education at its main campus , 820 N. La Salle St .
The tallest buildings in Letchinger ’ s plan , 47 and 55 stories , would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College Preparatory High School and come in the final phase .
He ’ s dubbed the project North Union to emphasize its attempt to connect distinctive neighborhoods .
His overall plan calls for 2,680 residential units , 30,000 square feet of commercial space and approximately 1.3 acres of open space .
His site is bounded roughly by the CTA ’ s Brown Line , Oak , Chestnut and Wells streets , although the two tallest buildings would be just north of Oak on what ’ s now Moody ’ s soccer field .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Letchinger highlighted his firm ’ s work on the Near North Side and his own residency in the area .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s anybody more committed to this neighborhood or who has more to gain or lose with this project , ” he said .
He estimated its budget at $ 1.3 billion .
Letchinger said his construction could generate $ 20 million per year in local taxes once the development is complete .
As the parcels currently are used by Moody Bible , they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no public subsidies , He said his plan , drafted with Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and other firms , doesn ’ t seek to aggressively add density .
Letchinger said he ’ s seeking a zoning change for a planned development only because the property ’ s size requires it .
“ We intend to prove out the neighborhood by starting small in the first phase , ” Letchinger said .
He said he ’ s confident about getting financing and the city ’ s economic prospects after the pandemic but that out-of-town investors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the Chicago story , ” which includes uncertainty about future taxation and government debt levels , Letchinger said .
North Union is expected to get several months of reviews by community groups before it goes to the Chicago Plan Commission and the City Council for approval .
Two aldermen with a loud voice in that process—Moody Bible ’ s property falls within two wards—expressed qualified support but said they would await evaluations from residents and city agencies .
Ald .
Walter Burnett Jr. ( 27th ) pointed to the high interest in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zoom meeting hitting its maximum attendance of 500 .
Others viewed the meeting on the YouTube channel of the city ’ s Department of Planning and Development .
Burnett recalled how Moody Bible students mentored him when he was growing up at Cabrini-Green .
“ Moody Bible has contributed a lot to the community .
I think they deserve to be able to sell their property to help with their Christian education , ” he said .
Ald .
Brian Hopkins ( 2nd ) said , “ People have a lot to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a willingness to make changes to win community support.
” Letchinger has proposed housing that includes low-rise townhomes and condos and rental apartments in larger buildings , although future markets probably will alter the mix .
He said he will meet demands for affordable housing by providing 236 units at below-market rates on site , and another 119 off site .
The first phase , which Letchinger would like to start late next year , would consist of a 21-story building at 878 N. Wells St. and a five-story building at 232 W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building at 871 N. Franklin St .

The developer of property owned by Moody Bible Institute on the Near North Side revealed his plans to area residents during an online meeting Thursday, promising a pedestrian-friendly design that includes public parks and a variety of housing types.
The multiyear project, led by JDL Development, is expected to go through many revisions before it wins city approval, and could be buffeted by many economic cycles. But James Letchinger, JDL’s founder and CEO, said he’s taking a cautious approach to the eight acres, starting with smaller buildings in the project’s earlier phases.
“We’re really trying to create a neighborhood,” he said in an interview before the meeting. Letchinger said he aims to enliven blocks between River North, the Gold Coast and the former Cabrini-Green public housing site. Moody Bible has decided the area is excess property and has agreed to sell to Letchinger, but it continues its Christian education at its main campus, 820 N. La Salle St.
The tallest buildings in Letchinger’s plan, 47 and 55 stories, would be built just west of Walter Payton College Preparatory High School and come in the final phase. He’s dubbed the project North Union to emphasize its attempt to connect distinctive neighborhoods.
His overall plan calls for 2,680 residential units, 30,000 square feet of commercial space and approximately 1.3 acres of open space. His site is bounded roughly by the CTA’s Brown Line, Oak, Chestnut and Wells streets, although the two tallest buildings would be just north of Oak on what’s now Moody’s soccer field.
In his presentation at the virtual meeting, Letchinger highlighted his firm’s work on the Near North Side and his own residency in the area. “I don’t think there’s anybody more committed to this neighborhood or who has more to gain or lose with this project,” he said. He estimated its budget at $1.3 billion.
James Letchinger Provided
Letchinger said his construction could generate $20 million per year in local taxes once the development is complete. As the parcels currently are used by Moody Bible, they are tax exempt. North Union would get no public subsidies,
He said his plan, drafted with Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and other firms, doesn’t seek to aggressively add density. Letchinger said he’s seeking a zoning change for a planned development only because the property’s size requires it.
“We intend to prove out the neighborhood by starting small in the first phase,” Letchinger said. He said he’s confident about getting financing and the city’s economic prospects after the pandemic but that out-of-town investors are cautious. “The biggest hurdle is the Chicago story,” which includes uncertainty about future taxation and government debt levels, Letchinger said.
North Union is expected to get several months of reviews by community groups before it goes to the Chicago Plan Commission and the City Council for approval.
Two aldermen with a loud voice in that process—Moody Bible’s property falls within two wards—expressed qualified support but said they would await evaluations from residents and city agencies. Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) pointed to the high interest in the project, with Thursday’s Zoom meeting hitting its maximum attendance of 500. Others viewed the meeting on the YouTube channel of the city’s Department of Planning and Development.
Burnett recalled how Moody Bible students mentored him when he was growing up at Cabrini-Green. “Moody Bible has contributed a lot to the community. I think they deserve to be able to sell their property to help with their Christian education,” he said.
Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) said, “People have a lot to say about this. This developer has expressed a willingness to make changes to win community support.”
Letchinger has proposed housing that includes low-rise townhomes and condos and rental apartments in larger buildings, although future markets probably will alter the mix. He said he will meet demands for affordable housing by providing 236 units at below-market rates on site, and another 119 off site.
The first phase, which Letchinger would like to start late next year, would consist of a 21-story building at 878 N. Wells St. and a five-story building at 232 W. Chestnut St., plus a renovated four-story building at 871 N. Franklin St.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Illinois sets more records with 12,702 new COVID-19 cases; ‘Stay home as much as possible’ (LIVE UPD

Illinois sets more records with 12,702 new COVID-19 cases; ‘Stay home as much as possible’ (LIVE UPDATES)

Illinois sets more records with 12,702 new COVID-19 cases ; ‘ Stay home as much as possible ’ Coronavirus records kept falling in Illinois Thursday as public health officials announced 12,702 more people have tested positive while hospitals across the state remain packed with the most COVID-19 patients they ’ ve ever seen .
The latest cases — which set a record tally for the third straight day along with most other surging Midwest states — were detected among 100,617 tests , raising Illinois ’ seven-day average testing positivity rate to 12.6 % .
That suggests the virus is spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than three weeks ago , and almost four times as fast as it was at the beginning of October .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced 43 more deaths attributed to the virus , raising the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 10,477 .
The latest victims included 16 Chicago-area residents .
Wednesday ’ s death count of 145 was the highest in a day since the end of May .
On Wednesday night , 5,258 hospital beds across the state were taken up by COVID-19 patients , an increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous night — which had already surpassed any of the worst days of the state ’ s first COVID-19 wave in the spring .
7:10 p.m. Home for the holidays ?
Facing ‘ COVID storm , ’ Pritzker says stay-at-home order ‘ seems like where we are heading ’ Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned that another statewide stay-at-home order could soon be on tap if Illinois ’ exploding COVID-19 infection numbers keep smashing records as they did for a third straight day on Thursday with 12,702 new cases .
Facing a second coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger than the first one that hit Illinois in the spring , state public health officials are urging people to stay home as much as possible .
Pritzker said he wouldn ’ t hesitate “ to take more stringent action ” if the latest “ COVID storm ” doesn ’ t ease up soon .
“ If things don ’ t take a turn in the coming days , we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order is all that will be left , ” to address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With every fiber of my being , I do not want us to get there , but right now , that seems like where we are heading.
” 4:52 p.m .
Number of people seeking unemployment benefits falls to lowest figure since March WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to 709,000 , a still-high level but the lowest figure since March and a further sign that the job market might be slowly healing .
Yet the improvement will be put at risk by the sharp resurgence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high well above 120,000 a day .
Cases are rising in 49 states , and deaths are increasing in 39 .
The nation has now recorded 240,000 virus-related deaths and 10.3 million confirmed infections .
As colder weather sets in and fear of the virus escalates , consumers may turn more cautious about traveling , shopping , dining out and visiting gyms , barber shops and retailers .
Companies in many sectors could cut jobs or workers ’ hours .
In recent days , the virus ’ resurgence has triggered tighter restrictions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a range of states , including Texas , New York , Maryland , and Oregon .
“ The risk may be for more layoffs as coronavirus cases surge and some states impose restrictions on activity , ” said Nancy Vanden Houten , an economist at the forecasting firm Oxford Economics .
Last week ’ s count of new applications for unemployment benefits was down from 757,000 the previous week , the Labor Department said Thursday .
The still-elevated figure shows that eight months after the pandemic flattened the economy , many employers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liz and Dick Uihlein , the Lake Forest couple who are mega-donor players in Illinois and national conservative and Republican politics who downplayed the impact of the COVID-19 , have tested positive for the coronavirus , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Thursday .
The Uihlein ’ s founded Uline , the business products company with facilities in Lake County and just over the border in Pleasant Prairie , Wisconsin .
The paper reported that Liz Uihlein , “ an outspoken critic of ( Wisconsin ) Gov .
Tony Evers stay-at-home order earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has “ overhyped ” the pandemic .
The Journal-Sentinel said it obtained an e-mail Liz Uihlein sent to Uline workers on Wednesday stating , “ Dick and I tested positive for COVID .
After all these long months , I thought we ’ d never get it.
” After mentioning that President Donald Trump got it , she added , “ If we had not been around people with COVID , we would not have been tested.
” Her email said they would be out of the office until Nov. 19 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday by the Lake Forest Patch .
ATLANTA — After his wife tested positive for the coronavirus , Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger plans to get tested and to quarantine just as the state is preparing for a hand tally of the presidential race , his office said .
1:39 p.m. Sheriff Dart warns second wave of COVID cases threatens efforts to contain virus inside jail Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Thursday warned that the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the city and state could threaten his office ’ s efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Cook County Jail .
“ The jail is part of the community , ” Dart said .
“ There are ... amazing people who work here that live in the community and come back and forth .
Detainees who come into our custody come from the community .
“ And so , if the community is not under control , if the community is not being serious about masks and social distancing and COVID is spreading , it will impact us negatively , there ’ s no two ways about it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could die by year ’ s end , Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday issued a 30-day stay-at-home “ advisory ” and slapped a mandatory , 10-person lid on social gatherings to control a second surge of coronavirus cases that ’ s worse than the first .
Two weeks to the day before Thanksgiving , Lightfoot implored Chicagoans to shake off “ COVID fatigue , ” avoid unnecessary travel , order small turkeys and resist the temptation to open their homes to extended family .
“ While this is tough — this whole year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the normal Thanksgiving plans , ” Lightfoot said Thursday .
“ If we continue on the path we ’ re on and you , me and others don ’ t step up and do more ... we could see at least a thousand more Chicagoans die ” by the end of this year , she added .
Both measures take effect at 6 a.m. Monday .
10:50 a.m. How Chicagoans plan to celebrate their COVID Thanksgiving : ‘ very carefully , very graciously and very thankfully ’ With Thanksgiving getting close , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on celebrating your COVID-19 Thanksgiving ?
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
“ Dad , stepmom and me ( adult daughter ) — we will Zoom with other family members and bring food to elderly grandparents .
It ’ s not ideal , but we care about other people more than ourselves .
Small sacrifices will create a bigger reward.
” — Amy Brennan “ My immediate family of six only and watch some good old movies on Hallmark .
It ’ s OK to have small gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — less drama and less dishes to wash , less to clean up.
” — Teresa Hernandez-Sanchez “ Same as always , gon na live my life without fear !
” — Mike Barnes Read the full story from Alice Bazerghi here .
8:50 a.m .
Plastic waste problem ‘ amplified ’ by the pandemic : a Sun-Times/ABC 7 special report As the coronavirus pandemic pushes people to get more takeout and delivery food , it ’ s also having another effect : putting at least a temporary halt to the progress of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely ban polystyrene foam — Styrofoam — at Chicago restaurants .
To get an idea of the impact of that and of how much plastic waste is created even by just one meal , the Chicago Sun-Times and ABC7 ordered a bunch of takeout and delivery food and had an outdoor , socially distanced picnic .
On our picnic blanket : pizza , chicken wings , salads , a cheeseburger and fries , Chinese food and burritos .
Some of it arrived in in compostable cardboard containers or easily recycled aluminum trays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plastic .
And worse , in terms of the environment , some of the orders came nestled in polystyrene foam , commonly known by the trademarked name Styrofoam , which restaurants often use for takeout packaging and which isn ’ t recyclable .
Those single-use items will “ probably last at least a century , maybe longer than a century , ” according to Jennifer Dunn , director of research for the Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering , who assessed the pile of waste .
• Public health officials announced 12,657 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and another 145 deaths attributed to it — the state ’ s worst daily death toll in almost six months .
• Peter Giannikopoulos , one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams ’ hand on the current season of ” The Bachelorette , ” announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 8:04 a.m. Should I or should I not get tested for COVID-19 ?
I have not taken .
I have not taken a COVID-19 test .
I don ’ t know why that feels like a shameful confession .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so many people have died worldwide from this pandemic — 1.28 million according to the “ Our World in Data ” website .
Or maybe what I ’ m really feeling is survivor ’ s guilt .
I am , after all , in a group considered high-risk for catching the virus .

Illinois may be headed back indoors if the state is unable to control the coronavirus outbreak sweeping through nearly every corner.
Here’s what happened today in coronavirus-related news.
News
8:50 p.m. Illinois sets more records with 12,702 new COVID-19 cases; ‘Stay home as much as possible’
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file photo
Coronavirus records kept falling in Illinois Thursday as public health officials announced 12,702 more people have tested positive while hospitals across the state remain packed with the most COVID-19 patients they’ve ever seen.
The latest cases — which set a record tally for the third straight day along with most other surging Midwest states — were detected among 100,617 tests, raising Illinois’ seven-day average testing positivity rate to 12.6%.
That suggests the virus is spreading twice as fast as it was less than three weeks ago, and almost four times as fast as it was at the beginning of October.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced 43 more deaths attributed to the virus, raising the state’s pandemic death toll to 10,477. The latest victims included 16 Chicago-area residents.
Wednesday’s death count of 145 was the highest in a day since the end of May.
On Wednesday night, 5,258 hospital beds across the state were taken up by COVID-19 patients, an increase of more than 200 patients from the previous night — which had already surpassed any of the worst days of the state’s first COVID-19 wave in the spring.
Reporter Mitch Armentrout has the full story.
7:10 p.m. Home for the holidays? Facing ‘COVID storm,’ Pritzker says stay-at-home order ‘seems like where we are heading’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned that another statewide stay-at-home order could soon be on tap if Illinois’ exploding COVID-19 infection numbers keep smashing records as they did for a third straight day on Thursday with 12,702 new cases.
Facing a second coronavirus surge that’s already three times larger than the first one that hit Illinois in the spring, state public health officials are urging people to stay home as much as possible. Pritzker said he wouldn’t hesitate “to take more stringent action” if the latest “COVID storm” doesn’t ease up soon.
“If things don’t take a turn in the coming days, we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order is all that will be left,” to address the crisis, Pritzker said. “With every fiber of my being, I do not want us to get there, but right now, that seems like where we are heading.”
Reporter Mitch Armentrout has the full story.
4:52 p.m. Number of people seeking unemployment benefits falls to lowest figure since March
A woman checks information as information signs are displayed at IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Security) WorkNet center in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. Illinois reports biggest spike in unemployment claims of all states. AP Photos
WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits fell last week to 709,000, a still-high level but the lowest figure since March and a further sign that the job market might be slowly healing.
Yet the improvement will be put at risk by the sharp resurgence in confirmed viral infections to an all-time high well above 120,000 a day. Cases are rising in 49 states, and deaths are increasing in 39. The nation has now recorded 240,000 virus-related deaths and 10.3 million confirmed infections.
As colder weather sets in and fear of the virus escalates, consumers may turn more cautious about traveling, shopping, dining out and visiting gyms, barber shops and retailers. Companies in many sectors could cut jobs or workers’ hours. In recent days, the virus’ resurgence has triggered tighter restrictions on businesses, mostly restaurants and bars, in a range of states, including Texas, New York, Maryland, and Oregon.
“The risk may be for more layoffs as coronavirus cases surge and some states impose restrictions on activity,” said Nancy Vanden Houten, an economist at the forecasting firm Oxford Economics.
Last week’s count of new applications for unemployment benefits was down from 757,000 the previous week, the Labor Department said Thursday. The still-elevated figure shows that eight months after the pandemic flattened the economy, many employers are still slashing jobs.
Read the full story here.
4:07 p.m. Liz, Dick Uihlein, Lake Forest mega-donors and COVID-19 skeptics test positive for coronavirus
WASHINGTON – Liz and Dick Uihlein, the Lake Forest couple who are mega-donor players in Illinois and national conservative and Republican politics who downplayed the impact of the COVID-19, have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Thursday.
The Uihlein’s founded Uline, the business products company with facilities in Lake County and just over the border in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
The paper reported that Liz Uihlein, “an outspoken critic of (Wisconsin) Gov. Tony Evers stay-at-home order earlier this year” had claimed the media has “overhyped” the pandemic.
The Journal-Sentinel said it obtained an e-mail Liz Uihlein sent to Uline workers on Wednesday stating, “Dick and I tested positive for COVID. After all these long months, I thought we’d never get it.” After mentioning that President Donald Trump got it, she added, “If we had not been around people with COVID, we would not have been tested.”
Her email said they would be out of the office until Nov. 19. The Liz Uihlein e-mail was first reported on Wednesday by the Lake Forest Patch.
Reporter Lynn Sweet has the full story.
3:21 p.m. Georgia secretary of state isolates after wife’s virus test
ATLANTA — After his wife tested positive for the coronavirus, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger plans to get tested and to quarantine just as the state is preparing for a hand tally of the presidential race, his office said.
Read the full report here.
1:39 p.m. Sheriff Dart warns second wave of COVID cases threatens efforts to contain virus inside jail
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Thursday warned that the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in the city and state could threaten his office’s efforts to bring the pandemic under control at the Cook County Jail.
“The jail is part of the community,” Dart said. “There are ... amazing people who work here that live in the community and come back and forth. Detainees who come into our custody come from the community.
“And so, if the community is not under control, if the community is not being serious about masks and social distancing and COVID is spreading, it will impact us negatively, there’s no two ways about it.”
Reporter Matthew Hendrickson has the full story.
12:45 p.m. Lightfoot issues stay-home ‘advisory,’ puts 10-person limit on social gatherings
Warning that up to 1,800 more Chicagoans could die by year’s end, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday issued a 30-day stay-at-home “advisory” and slapped a mandatory, 10-person lid on social gatherings to control a second surge of coronavirus cases that’s worse than the first.
Two weeks to the day before Thanksgiving, Lightfoot implored Chicagoans to shake off “COVID fatigue,” avoid unnecessary travel, order small turkeys and resist the temptation to open their homes to extended family.
“While this is tough — this whole year has been tough — you must cancel the normal Thanksgiving plans,” Lightfoot said Thursday.
“If we continue on the path we’re on and you, me and others don’t step up and do more ... we could see at least a thousand more Chicagoans die” by the end of this year, she added.
Both measures take effect at 6 a.m. Monday.
Reporter Fran Spielman has the full story.
10:50 a.m. How Chicagoans plan to celebrate their COVID Thanksgiving: ‘very carefully, very graciously and very thankfully’
With Thanksgiving getting close, we asked Chicagoans: How do you plan on celebrating your COVID-19 Thanksgiving? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“Dad, stepmom and me (adult daughter) — we will Zoom with other family members and bring food to elderly grandparents. It’s not ideal, but we care about other people more than ourselves. Small sacrifices will create a bigger reward.” — Amy Brennan
“My immediate family of six only and watch some good old movies on Hallmark. It’s OK to have small gatherings. I think those are the best — less drama and less dishes to wash, less to clean up.” — Teresa Hernandez-Sanchez
“Same as always, gonna live my life without fear!” — Mike Barnes
8:50 a.m. Plastic waste problem ‘amplified’ by the pandemic: a Sun-Times/ABC 7 special report
As the coronavirus pandemic pushes people to get more takeout and delivery food, it’s also having another effect: putting at least a temporary halt to the progress of a proposal to reduce single-use plastics and entirely ban polystyrene foam — Styrofoam — at Chicago restaurants.
To get an idea of the impact of that and of how much plastic waste is created even by just one meal, the Chicago Sun-Times and ABC7 ordered a bunch of takeout and delivery food and had an outdoor, socially distanced picnic.
On our picnic blanket: pizza, chicken wings, salads, a cheeseburger and fries, Chinese food and burritos.
Some of it arrived in in compostable cardboard containers or easily recycled aluminum trays.
But there also was a lot of plastic.
And worse, in terms of the environment, some of the orders came nestled in polystyrene foam, commonly known by the trademarked name Styrofoam, which restaurants often use for takeout packaging and which isn’t recyclable.
Those single-use items will “probably last at least a century, maybe longer than a century,” according to Jennifer Dunn, director of research for the Northwestern-Argonne Institute of Science and Engineering, who assessed the pile of waste.
Read the full story here.
New Cases
Public health officials announced 12,657 new cases of the deadly respiratory disease Wednesday and another 145 deaths attributed to it — the state’s worst daily death toll in almost six months.
Peter Giannikopoulos, one of the suitors vying for Tayshia Adams’ hand on the current season of ”The Bachelorette,” announced Tuesday that he had tested positive for COVID-19
Analysis & Commentary
8:04 a.m. Should I or should I not get tested for COVID-19?
I have not.
I have not taken.
I have not taken a COVID-19 test.
I don’t know why that feels like a shameful confession.
Maybe it’s because so, so many people have died worldwide from this pandemic — 1.28 million according to the “Our World in Data” website.
Or maybe what I’m really feeling is survivor’s guilt.
I am, after all, in a group considered high-risk for catching the virus.
I’m Black. I’m a senior citizen. I have a compromised immune system.
Read Mary Mitchell’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Legislature should authorize remote voting for as long as COVID-19 burns through Illinois

The Illinois Legislature has canceled its fall veto session because of the pandemic .
We have a better idea .
Both the state House and Senate should go ahead and meet briefly in Springfield — for a few hours , wearing masks and taking care to maintain proper social distancing — and vote at that time to give themselves legal authority to continue the session remotely .
While they ’ re at it , the Legislature should authorize remote voting for future sessions , given that nobody knows how long this pandemic will rage on .
The veto session , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dec. 1 to 3 , essentially is to be merged with the Legislature ’ s so-called lame duck session , which is to be held in early January .
Then the state ’ s newly elected Legislature — made up of the folks who won on Nov. 3 or were not up for reelection — is to convene on Jan. 13 .
But here ’ s the problem : Who ’ s to say the pandemic will have eased up by then ?
If it ’ s shaky to meet in Springfield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shaky , if not shakier , to meet in person in January or even next spring .
We appreciate why lawmakers are wary of going to Springfield , which ranks as one of the nation ’ s pandemic hot spots .
Older and more vulnerable legislators understandably don ’ t want to take risks .
COVID-19 cases have been spiking upward in Illinois since early October .
But it only makes sense to authorize remote voting now before things get worse .
The Legislature could include a provision that remote voting is permitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health emergency .
A proposal to allow remote voting came up last spring but fell short by a single vote in the House .
Lawmakers who represent the city of Springfield , where local bars and restaurants dreaded losing business , spoke against it .
Other legislators argued that in-person sessions are just better .
As a result , although the Senate managed to approve some remote voting in committees , the House failed to approve even that .
Legislators are supposed to pass legislation — to take actual votes — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last spring .
Waiting for the pandemic to subside hasn ’ t panned out well .
Had the Legislature last spring authorized remote voting , this fall ’ s veto session could have gone off without a hitch .
Legislatures in 11 states have authorized remote voting .
The Illinois Legislature should do the same .

The Illinois Legislature has canceled its fall veto session because of the pandemic.
We have a better idea.
Both the state House and Senate should go ahead and meet briefly in Springfield — for a few hours, wearing masks and taking care to maintain proper social distancing — and vote at that time to give themselves legal authority to continue the session remotely.
While they’re at it, the Legislature should authorize remote voting for future sessions, given that nobody knows how long this pandemic will rage on.
The veto session, originally scheduled for Nov. 17 to 19 and Dec. 1 to 3, essentially is to be merged with the Legislature’s so-called lame duck session, which is to be held in early January. Then the state’s newly elected Legislature — made up of the folks who won on Nov. 3 or were not up for reelection — is to convene on Jan. 13.
But here’s the problem: Who’s to say the pandemic will have eased up by then? If it’s shaky to meet in Springfield now, it could be just as shaky, if not shakier, to meet in person in January or even next spring.
Editorials bug Editorials
We appreciate why lawmakers are wary of going to Springfield, which ranks as one of the nation’s pandemic hot spots. Older and more vulnerable legislators understandably don’t want to take risks. COVID-19 cases have been spiking upward in Illinois since early October.
But it only makes sense to authorize remote voting now before things get worse. The Legislature could include a provision that remote voting is permitted only when the governor has declared a public health emergency.
A proposal to allow remote voting came up last spring but fell short by a single vote in the House. Lawmakers who represent the city of Springfield, where local bars and restaurants dreaded losing business, spoke against it. Other legislators argued that in-person sessions are just better.
As a result, although the Senate managed to approve some remote voting in committees, the House failed to approve even that.
Legislators are supposed to pass legislation — to take actual votes — and proposed bills have been piling up since last spring. Waiting for the pandemic to subside hasn’t panned out well.
Opinion Newsletter
Had the Legislature last spring authorized remote voting, this fall’s veto session could have gone off without a hitch.
Legislatures in 11 states have authorized remote voting. The Illinois Legislature should do the same.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Home for the holidays? Facing ‘COVID storm,’ Pritzker says stay-at-home order ‘seems like where we a

Home for the holidays? Facing ‘COVID storm,’ Pritzker says stay-at-home order ‘seems like where we are heading’

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned that another statewide stay-at-home order could soon be on tap if Illinois ’ exploding COVID-19 infection numbers keep smashing records as they did for a third straight day on Thursday with 12,702 new cases .
Facing a second coronavirus surge that ’ s already three times larger than the first one that hit Illinois in the spring , state public health officials are urging people to stay home as much as possible .
Pritzker said he wouldn ’ t hesitate “ to take more stringent action ” if the latest “ COVID storm ” doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If things don ’ t take a turn in the coming days , we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order is all that will be left , ” to address the crisis , Pritzker said .
“ With every fiber of my being , I do not want us to get there , but right now , that seems like where we are heading.
” “ We ’ re running out of time , and we ’ re running out of options .
Our growth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic governor said .
“ We are seeing current numbers and future projections worse than what we saw in the spring.
” More people have contracted the virus in Illinois over the past 15 days — nearly 140,000 — than during all of summer .
And of all 536,542 people who have tested positive in Illinois so far during the eight-month pandemic , almost half of them have been diagnosed just since the beginning of October alone .
The latest cases were detected among 100,617 tests , raising Illinois ’ seven-day average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That suggests the virus is spreading twice as fast as it was less than three weeks ago , and almost four times as fast as it was at the beginning of October — “ numbers that we never thought possible , ” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said .
The state Department of Public Health also announced 43 more deaths attributed to the virus , raising the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 10,477 .
The latest victims included 16 Chicago-area residents .
And hospitals across the state remain packed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve ever seen .
On Wednesday night , 5,258 hospital beds across the state were taken up by COVID-19 patients , an increase of more than 200 patients from the previous night .
“ That number is only going to increase , based on the numbers of cases that we ’ ve identified for the last several weeks , ” Ezike said .
“ Every metric we have , the cases , the hospitalizations , the ventilator use , the deaths — they ’ re all going up.
” Pritzker applauded Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to city residents beginning Monday , which the governor called “ a model for action for the rest of the state.
” As for the “ few loud anti-maskers ” and local leaders who have declined to enforce the state ’ s mitigation efforts such as indoor dining bans at bars and restaurants , a furious Pritzker asked : “ What will it take to make this real for you ?
” “ Are you waiting for health care workers to get sick to a point where you don ’ t have enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next shift ?
What about if the hospitals become so overrun that your sick and your dying have nowhere left to turn ?
” Pritzker said .
“ Because I promise you : While you fail to take responsibility in your city and your county , that day is coming closer .
And it will be on you.
” Even with encouraging news about development of a vaccine , Pritzker said “ a lot of lives can be saved before that happens .
… This is the moment to step up and @ @ @ @ @

Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned that another statewide stay-at-home order could soon be on tap if Illinois’ exploding COVID-19 infection numbers keep smashing records as they did for a third straight day on Thursday with 12,702 new cases.
Facing a second coronavirus surge that’s already three times larger than the first one that hit Illinois in the spring, state public health officials are urging people to stay home as much as possible. Pritzker said he wouldn’t hesitate “to take more stringent action” if the latest “COVID storm” doesn’t ease up soon.
“If things don’t take a turn in the coming days, we will quickly reach the point when some form of a mandatory stay-at-home order is all that will be left,” to address the crisis, Pritzker said. “With every fiber of my being, I do not want us to get there, but right now, that seems like where we are heading.”
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
“We’re running out of time, and we’re running out of options. Our growth in new cases is now exponential,” the Democratic governor said. “We are seeing current numbers and future projections worse than what we saw in the spring.”
More people have contracted the virus in Illinois over the past 15 days — nearly 140,000 — than during all of summer. And of all 536,542 people who have tested positive in Illinois so far during the eight-month pandemic, almost half of them have been diagnosed just since the beginning of October alone.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker listens as Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike speaks during a daily COVID-19 update last week. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times file
The latest cases were detected among 100,617 tests, raising Illinois’ seven-day average testing positivity rate to 12.6%. That suggests the virus is spreading twice as fast as it was less than three weeks ago, and almost four times as fast as it was at the beginning of October — “numbers that we never thought possible,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.
The state Department of Public Health also announced 43 more deaths attributed to the virus, raising the state’s pandemic death toll to 10,477. The latest victims included 16 Chicago-area residents.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
And hospitals across the state remain packed with the most COVID-19 patients they’ve ever seen. On Wednesday night, 5,258 hospital beds across the state were taken up by COVID-19 patients, an increase of more than 200 patients from the previous night.
“That number is only going to increase, based on the numbers of cases that we’ve identified for the last several weeks,” Ezike said. “Every metric we have, the cases, the hospitalizations, the ventilator use, the deaths — they’re all going up.”
Pritzker applauded Mayor Lori Lightfoot for handing down a stay-at-home advisory to city residents beginning Monday, which the governor called “a model for action for the rest of the state.”
As for the “few loud anti-maskers” and local leaders who have declined to enforce the state’s mitigation efforts such as indoor dining bans at bars and restaurants, a furious Pritzker asked: “What will it take to make this real for you?”
Demonstrators gather outside of the Thompson Center in May to protest restrictions instituted by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Scott Olson/Getty Images file
“Are you waiting for health care workers to get sick to a point where you don’t have enough staff in the local hospital to cover the next shift? What about if the hospitals become so overrun that your sick and your dying have nowhere left to turn?” Pritzker said. “Because I promise you: While you fail to take responsibility in your city and your county, that day is coming closer. And it will be on you.”
Even with encouraging news about development of a vaccine, Pritzker said “a lot of lives can be saved before that happens. … This is the moment to step up and get it right.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Family, friends of woman found strangled in Midlothian forest preserve send message to killer: ‘We’r

Family, friends of woman found strangled in Midlothian forest preserve send message to killer: ‘We’re coming and we’re not going to stop’

Just over a week after Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez was found strangled in a Midlothian forest preserve , roughly 100 friends and family members gathered at the scene Thursday afternoon to press for answers and send a message to her killer .
“ For the person that did this heinous crime , if you are listening to this , you are a coward , low-life and truly are the scum of the earth for what you have done , ” the slain 21-year-old ’ s cousin Carolina Abrams told reporters during a news conference .
“ You have no idea what pain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to endure , ” Abrams added .
“ But I hope and pray that soon you will.
” Ceja-Ramirez went missing last Monday after walking in the forest preserve with her mother and a friend , according to Midlothian police and the Missing Persons Awareness Network .
Her body was later found there last Wednesday afternoon , a day after her cellphone last pinged at an apartment complex in nearby Oak Forest , Cook County officials reported .
Community activist Andrew Holmes urged residents of that apartment to come forward with any tips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the killing .
“ My message is to the individual , or individuals , [ responsible ] : We ’ re coming and we ’ re not going to stop , ” said Holmes , who previously told the Sun-Times that she was tortured and her body was partially burned .
While Holmes noted that Ceja-Ramirez worked as a teacher ’ s aide , Abrams remembered her cousin as a “ precious soul who loved her family and friends , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as much , ” Abrams said , flanked by dozens of mourners who clutched bouquets of flowers .
As the news conference was wrapping up , a distraught family friend emerged from the crowd and recalled a recent visit to the forest preserve just two weeks before Ceja-Ramirez was killed .
“ I was here with my daughter , with my friend .
It could ’ ve been me .
It could ’ ve been her .
It could ’ ve been anyone else .
This needs to stop , ” Karla @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden and other elected officials to help with the investigation .
“ This is a serious crime .
A life was taken .
Just imagine what this girl went through — all this pain , all this suffering , ” she added .
“ Just by thinking , it hurts my heart ; I feel like dying .
”

Just over a week after Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez was found strangled in a Midlothian forest preserve, roughly 100 friends and family members gathered at the scene Thursday afternoon to press for answers and send a message to her killer.
“For the person that did this heinous crime, if you are listening to this, you are a coward, low-life and truly are the scum of the earth for what you have done,” the slain 21-year-old’s cousin Carolina Abrams told reporters during a news conference.
“You have no idea what pain and suffering you have caused our family to endure,” Abrams added. “But I hope and pray that soon you will.”
Ceja-Ramirez went missing last Monday after walking in the forest preserve with her mother and a friend, according to Midlothian police and the Missing Persons Awareness Network. Her body was later found there last Wednesday afternoon, a day after her cellphone last pinged at an apartment complex in nearby Oak Forest, Cook County officials reported.
Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez was found strangled at the Midlothian Meadows forest preserve on Nov. 4, 2020. Twitter
Community activist Andrew Holmes urged residents of that apartment to come forward with any tips as he offered an increased reward of $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the killing.
“My message is to the individual, or individuals, [responsible]: We’re coming and we’re not going to stop,” said Holmes, who previously told the Sun-Times that she was tortured and her body was partially burned.
While Holmes noted that Ceja-Ramirez worked as a teacher’s aide, Abrams remembered her cousin as a “precious soul who loved her family and friends, and God.”
“We all loved her just as much,” Abrams said, flanked by dozens of mourners who clutched bouquets of flowers.
As the news conference was wrapping up, a distraught family friend emerged from the crowd and recalled a recent visit to the forest preserve just two weeks before Ceja-Ramirez was killed.
“I was here with my daughter, with my friend. It could’ve been me. It could’ve been her. It could’ve been anyone else. This needs to stop,” Karla Patino said, calling on President-elect Joe Biden and other elected officials to help with the investigation.
“This is a serious crime. A life was taken. Just imagine what this girl went through — all this pain, all this suffering,” she added. “Just by thinking, it hurts my heart; I feel like dying.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Pop-up hotel parties? Now’s no time to look for loopholes in Chicago’s pandemic restrictions

The coronavirus is spreading twice as fast in Illinois as it was three weeks ago , and almost four times as fast as it was at the beginning of October .
More than 536,500 people in Illinois have tested positive , and the state ’ s pandemic death toll is closing in on 10,500 .
Yet there are people holding stupid pop-up parties .
They are taking advantage of low rates at Chicago hotels and Airbnbs to hold gatherings that risk becoming COVID-19 super-spreader events .
The parties have been growing in number since the city first imposed social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen reported to police .
While most of the events have been relatively small , attended by just 10 to 20 people , some have drawn crowds of up to 80 people .
“ In large part , the vast majority of these operators are doing everything they ’ re being asked to , ” Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) , speaking of Chicago ’ s hotels and Airbnbs , told the Sun-Times .
“ But it seems like a handful of properties aren ’ t taking any accountability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four walls.
” Reilly said a lot of people who used to throw parties in bars and restaurants — partially shut down because of the pandemic — now are throwing them at hotels and Airbnbs .
Is this a huge problem ?
Not yet .
But it ’ s a growing one , as people bridle to the city ’ s pandemic-fighting restrictions on having a good , crowded time .
There is an obvious need for hotels and short-term rental properties to voluntarily upgrade and better enforce protocols to limit the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We don ’ t want to find out that we have incentivized a problem after the fact , ” Reilly said .
“ At a bare minimum , we need to set some basic minimum expectations for how hotels secure their lobbies and their rooms.
” Big gathering are not a thing of the past .
A vaccine is on its way and a sense of normalcy will return one day .
We ’ re all looking forward to a good party again .
But Chicago is in the throes of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is growing worse .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned on Thursday that the city is “ on track to lose 1,000 more Chicagoans ” — or even more — from COVID-19 by New Year ’ s Eve .
This is no time for anybody to be looking for loopholes in the city ’ s coronavirus regulations .
Let ’ s keep each other alive and well .

The coronavirus is spreading twice as fast in Illinois as it was three weeks ago, and almost four times as fast as it was at the beginning of October.
More than 536,500 people in Illinois have tested positive, and the state’s pandemic death toll is closing in on 10,500.
Yet there are people holding stupid pop-up parties. They are taking advantage of low rates at Chicago hotels and Airbnbs to hold gatherings that risk becoming COVID-19 super-spreader events.
Editorials bug Editorials
The parties have been growing in number since the city first imposed social distancing restrictions back in March, with more than a dozen reported to police. While most of the events have been relatively small, attended by just 10 to 20 people, some have drawn crowds of up to 80 people.
“In large part, the vast majority of these operators are doing everything they’re being asked to,” Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), speaking of Chicago’s hotels and Airbnbs, told the Sun-Times. “But it seems like a handful of properties aren’t taking any accountability for what’s happening inside their four walls.”
Reilly said a lot of people who used to throw parties in bars and restaurants — partially shut down because of the pandemic — now are throwing them at hotels and Airbnbs.
Opinion Newsletter
Is this a huge problem? Not yet. But it’s a growing one, as people bridle to the city’s pandemic-fighting restrictions on having a good, crowded time.
There is an obvious need for hotels and short-term rental properties to voluntarily upgrade and better enforce protocols to limit the number of guests staying in a room.
“We don’t want to find out that we have incentivized a problem after the fact,” Reilly said. “At a bare minimum, we need to set some basic minimum expectations for how hotels secure their lobbies and their rooms.”
Big gathering are not a thing of the past. A vaccine is on its way and a sense of normalcy will return one day. We’re all looking forward to a good party again.
But Chicago is in the throes of a deadly public health crisis, one that is growing worse. Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned on Thursday that the city is “on track to lose 1,000 more Chicagoans” — or even more — from COVID-19 by New Year’s Eve.
This is no time for anybody to be looking for loopholes in the city’s coronavirus regulations.
Let’s keep each other alive and well.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--COVID-19 to cost University of Illinois campuses $270M this year, budget projects

The University of Illinois System Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a budget for the 2021 fiscal year that includes a $ 270 million projected loss due to COVID-19 .
The $ 6.74 billion budget is about $ 230 million lower than the previous year ’ s budget of $ 6.97 billion , officials said in a press release .
The university system plans to use $ 121.3 million in reserve funds to address some of the COVID-19 costs .
“ We believe this spending plan will allow us to maintain the sense of momentum and progress we have built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our students , faculty and staff safe and use resources responsibly in this difficult period , ” U. of I .
System President Tim Killeen said in the release .
Around half of the $ 270 million impact comes from the costs of student and employee COVID-19 testing , quarantining coronavirus-positive students , personal protective equipment and transitioning to remote learning , officials said .
The other half will come from lost revenue for housing and dining services , conferences and events , concessions and merchandise sales and on-campus service fees .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % increase in scholarships and financial aid , to $ 402 million , which the statement said demonstrates “ the system ’ s ongoing commitment to greater affordability and accessibility.
” The release stated that part of its 2022 fiscal year budget request includes $ 15 million more towards increasing scholarships and $ 10 million for recruiting more faculty .
Other projections for the 2021 budget included an increase in tuition revenue and state funding , increased funding for the system ’ s hospital in Chicago , increased grant funds , donations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and decreased payments for employee healthcare and pension benefits from the previous year .
For the eight year in a row , enrollment at the schools three campuses set a record , 90,343 students .

The University of Illinois System Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a budget for the 2021 fiscal year that includes a $270 million projected loss due to COVID-19.
The $6.74 billion budget is about $230 million lower than the previous year’s budget of $6.97 billion, officials said in a press release. The university system plans to use $121.3 million in reserve funds to address some of the COVID-19 costs.
“We believe this spending plan will allow us to maintain the sense of momentum and progress we have built while balancing the need to both keep our students, faculty and staff safe and use resources responsibly in this difficult period,” U. of I. System President Tim Killeen said in the release.
Around half of the $270 million impact comes from the costs of student and employee COVID-19 testing, quarantining coronavirus-positive students, personal protective equipment and transitioning to remote learning, officials said. The other half will come from lost revenue for housing and dining services, conferences and events, concessions and merchandise sales and on-campus service fees.
However, the budget also included a 20.4% increase in scholarships and financial aid, to $402 million, which the statement said demonstrates “the system’s ongoing commitment to greater affordability and accessibility.”
The release stated that part of its 2022 fiscal year budget request includes $15 million more towards increasing scholarships and $10 million for recruiting more faculty.
Other projections for the 2021 budget included an increase in tuition revenue and state funding, increased funding for the system’s hospital in Chicago, increased grant funds, donations, medical service revenue and campus operation funds, and decreased payments for employee healthcare and pension benefits from the previous year.
For the eight year in a row, enrollment at the schools three campuses set a record, 90,343 students.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Mayor playing hardball to get votes for $94 million property tax increase, aldermen say

If Mayor Lori Lightfoot is so certain she has the 26 votes needed to pass her “ pandemic ” budget , why is she attaching political sweeteners and threatening aldermen who dare to oppose her $ 94 million property tax increase ?
That ’ s the question after Lightfoot held two calls this week with members of the City Council ’ s Black Caucus , followed by Thursday briefings for a larger group of aldermen on the management ordinance tied to her $ 12.8 billion budget .
The sweetener is tying the budget to eliminating “ carve-outs ” in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among other things , allow police to assist federal immigration authorities in some instances .
The threats were made to the 20-member Black Caucus , divided into two groups to avoid violating the Open Meetings Act again .
Sources said the first call was more contentious .
Apparently concerned North Side opposition to the property tax increase may deny her the 26 votes she needs , Lightfoot threatened to play hardball when choosing projects in her $ 3.7 billion capital plan .
“ She said if we don ’ t vote for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for s- -t for the next three years , ” said one alderman who was on the call , but asked to remain anonymous to avoid alienating the mayor .
“ We were all floored .
It was like , wait a second .
You ’ re supposed to represent the entire city .
You ’ re telling us that you ’ re not gon na represent certain areas because they don ’ t vote for you and or they don ’ t vote for your budget ?
That ain ’ t right.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat prompted a rebuke from Ald .
Jeanette Taylor ( 20th ) , who told Lightfoot , “ This is some bull-s- -t ... We ’ re elected just like you are.
” Taylor did not return repeated phone calls .
Neither did Ald .
Sophia King ( 4th ) , chairman of the Progressive Reform Caucus , who also stood up to the mayor during the call .
Another alderman , who participated in the second and more tranquil of the Veterans Day conference calls , agreed Lightfoot is now talking tough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase from North Side aldermen .
“ She said , ‘ People ask for program ideas .
Ask for money and ask for different things .
And when I put them in there , they don ’ t [ vote for the budget ] .
I ’ ve been burned on that and I ’ m not gon na be burned again , ’ ” the second alderman , who also requested anonymity , quoted the mayor as saying .
“ Black aldermen have repeatedly told the mayor that , for years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard votes and then had nothing to show for it .
The mayor is committed to addressing these past wrongs , as she has throughout her tenure through investments on the South and West Sides , ” Ruiz wrote in an email to the Sun-Times .
“ It is fundamentally unfair for some to step up , bear the burden , and then for others who chose not to take tough votes to have the same expectations of receiving taxpayer dollars that they are unwilling to support through revenue votes.
” Earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the rubber stamp that it was for her predecessors because , “ I don ’ t buy votes.
” “ I ’ m not saying to somebody , ‘ If I get your vote , I ’ ll give you this project ’ or ‘ You ’ ll get this money.
’ That ’ s not the way I ’ m gon na operate ” the mayor said then .
Ald .
Ray Lopez ( 15th ) said Lightfoot ’ s statements to the 20-member Black Caucus contradict that earlier statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t trade for votes threatening to cut people off , it just shows … how desperate she is right now in trying to pass this austerity budget , ” Lopez said .
“ Rather than trying to listen to alderman ’ s concerns , she ’ s trying to browbeat them into submission.
” Then , there is the sweetener .
Last year , Lightfoot cleverly tied the budget to an increase in the minimum wage .
On Thursday , aldermen were told the management ordinance would honor the mayor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chicago ’ s Welcoming City ordinance .
The ordinance prohibits Chicago Police from questioning the immigration status of crime victims , witnesses or other law-abiding citizens or assisting federal immigration officials .
But the “ carve outs ” mean it doesn ’ t apply if targeted individuals : are the subject of outstanding criminal warrants ; have felony convictions ; have pending felony prosecutions ; or are in the city ’ s error-filled gang database .
Lopez called tying the budget to eliminating the carve-outs another “ sleazy tactic ” to appease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more leftist aldermen , who have championed some of these reforms.
” “ They ’ re not buying it .
They ’ re seeing it as the bait that it ’ s meant to be , ” said Lopez , who on Twitter accused Lightfoot of using immigrants as “ pawns.
” Lightfoot called that “ offensive to people in this city who are fearful every day of ICE coming and knocking on their door and children who leave their homes during the day and are fearful they ’ re gon na come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , she said , simply honoring a campaign promise .
“ I ask for aldermen to support it .
If you don ’ t support it and you don ’ t think that our immigrant and refugee community deserves protection , you ’ ll be on record as casting your vote against that , ” she said .

If Mayor Lori Lightfoot is so certain she has the 26 votes needed to pass her “pandemic” budget, why is she attaching political sweeteners and threatening aldermen who dare to oppose her $94 million property tax increase?
That’s the question after Lightfoot held two calls this week with members of the City Council’s Black Caucus, followed by Thursday briefings for a larger group of aldermen on the management ordinance tied to her $12.8 billion budget.
The sweetener is tying the budget to eliminating “carve-outs” in Chicago’s Welcoming City ordinance that, among other things, allow police to assist federal immigration authorities in some instances.
The threats were made to the 20-member Black Caucus, divided into two groups to avoid violating the Open Meetings Act again.
Sources said the first call was more contentious.
Apparently concerned North Side opposition to the property tax increase may deny her the 26 votes she needs, Lightfoot threatened to play hardball when choosing projects in her $3.7 billion capital plan.
“She said if we don’t vote for this budget, don’t ask her for s- -t for the next three years,” said one alderman who was on the call, but asked to remain anonymous to avoid alienating the mayor.
“We were all floored. It was like, wait a second. You’re supposed to represent the entire city. You’re telling us that you’re not gonna represent certain areas because they don’t vote for you and or they don’t vote for your budget? That ain’t right.”
Sources said the mayor’s threat prompted a rebuke from Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th), who told Lightfoot, “This is some bull-s- -t ...We’re elected just like you are.”
Taylor did not return repeated phone calls. Neither did Ald. Sophia King (4th), chairman of the Progressive Reform Caucus, who also stood up to the mayor during the call.
Another alderman, who participated in the second and more tranquil of the Veterans Day conference calls, agreed Lightfoot is now talking tough amid fierce resistance to the property tax increase from North Side aldermen.
“She said, ‘People ask for program ideas. Ask for money and ask for different things. And when I put them in there, they don’t [vote for the budget]. I’ve been burned on that and I’m not gonna be burned again,’” the second alderman, who also requested anonymity, quoted the mayor as saying.
Mayoral press secretary Anel Ruiz defended the mayor.
“Black aldermen have repeatedly told the mayor that, for years, they have stepped up, taken the hard votes and then had nothing to show for it. The mayor is committed to addressing these past wrongs, as she has throughout her tenure through investments on the South and West Sides,” Ruiz wrote in an email to the Sun-Times.
“It is fundamentally unfair for some to step up, bear the burden, and then for others who chose not to take tough votes to have the same expectations of receiving taxpayer dollars that they are unwilling to support through revenue votes.”
Earlier this year, Lightfoot argued the Council is not the rubber stamp that it was for her predecessors because, “I don’t buy votes.”
“I’m not saying to somebody, ‘If I get your vote, I’ll give you this project’ or ‘You’ll get this money.’ That’s not the way I’m gonna operate” the mayor said then.
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) said Lightfoot’s statements to the 20-member Black Caucus contradict that earlier statement.
“Aside from the mayor who doesn’t trade for votes threatening to cut people off, it just shows … how desperate she is right now in trying to pass this austerity budget,” Lopez said.
“Rather than trying to listen to alderman’s concerns, she’s trying to browbeat them into submission.”
Then, there is the sweetener.
Last year, Lightfoot cleverly tied the budget to an increase in the minimum wage.
On Thursday, aldermen were told the management ordinance would honor the mayor’s campaign promise to eliminate “carve-outs” in Chicago’s Welcoming City ordinance.
Related Immigrant groups want Welcoming City ordinance strengthened
The ordinance prohibits Chicago Police from questioning the immigration status of crime victims, witnesses or other law-abiding citizens or assisting federal immigration officials. But the “carve outs” mean it doesn’t apply if targeted individuals: are the subject of outstanding criminal warrants; have felony convictions; have pending felony prosecutions; or are in the city’s error-filled gang database.
Lopez called tying the budget to eliminating the carve-outs another “sleazy tactic” to appease Hispanic aldermen and “some of the more leftist aldermen, who have championed some of these reforms.”
“They’re not buying it. They’re seeing it as the bait that it’s meant to be,” said Lopez, who on Twitter accused Lightfoot of using immigrants as “pawns.”
Very sleazy move by Lightfoot trying to use undocumented immigrants & refugees as pawns to pass a ridiculously bloated, unbalanced budget which apparently is only going to work for the Aldermen who vote to approve it, regardless if the entire city pays for it. — Ald. Raymond Lopez (@RLopez15thWard) November 12, 2020
Lightfoot called that “offensive to people in this city who are fearful every day of ICE coming and knocking on their door and children who leave their homes during the day and are fearful they’re gonna come home to an empty house.”
She is, she said, simply honoring a campaign promise.
“I ask for aldermen to support it. If you don’t support it and you don’t think that our immigrant and refugee community deserves protection, you’ll be on record as casting your vote against that,” she said.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Truck sought in fatal Lake Forest hit-and-run

Police are searching for a driver who struck and killed a man in his 60s Thursday morning in suburban Lake @ @ @ @ @ Ford F150 struck the man about 10:45 p.m. in the 500 block of Mayflower Road @ @ @ @ @ to a statement from Lake Forest police .
The truck , which is missing a @ @ @ @ @ south on Mayflower .
Police asked anyone with tips to call Detective Mark Long at @ @ @ @ @ .
The Lake County coroner ’ s office hasn ’ t released the man ’ @ @ @

Authorities released the name of a 62-year-old man who was killed by a hit-and-run driver last Thursday in suburban Lake Forest.
Stephen Kennedy of Lake Forest died from being struck by a vehicle about 10:45 a.m. Nov. 12 in the 500 block of Mayflower Road, near Rosemary, according to a statement from the Lake County coroner’s office.
A white two-door Ford F150 struck the man and kept going south on Mayflower, police have said. The truck is missing a passenger-side mirror.
Police asked anyone with tips to call Detective Mark Long at 847-810-3964 or LongM@CityofLakeForest.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-12--Braves’ Freddie Freeman wins National League MVP

NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday , topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed “ please don ’ t take me.
” Freeman got 28 of the 30 first-place ballots in voting by members of the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America .
Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts got the other two firsts to finish second and San Diego third baseman Manny Machado was third .
In a season affected from spring training to the World Series by the pandemic , perhaps it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year went to someone infected by the virus .
Three weeks before the delayed opening day in late July , Freeman ’ s body temperature spiked at 104.5 degrees and he lost his sense of taste and smell .
At one point , he recalled , he said a little prayer because “ I wasn ’ t ready.
” The 31-year-old star bounced back in a big way , batting .341 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs while playing all 60 games .
A powerful lefty batter with the ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he led the majors in hitting 23 doubles and scoring 51 runs .
Boosted by the four-time All-Star , the Braves won the NL East and came within one win of reaching the World Series for the first time since 1999 .
Freeman is the sixth different player in Braves franchise history to be the NL MVP .
Chipper Jones most recently took the honor in 1999 — Freeman wears a tattered Braves T-shirt under his uniform that was passed down to him from Jones .
Betts was bidding to join Frank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MVP in both leagues .
The 28-year-old outfielder earned the AL honor in 2018 while leading Boston to the World Series title .
Traded by the Red Sox to Los Angeles early this year , Betts hit .292 with 16 homers and 39 RBIs and was the catalyst in the Dodgers ’ run to their first championship since 1988 .
Machado hit .304 with 16 homers and 47 RBIs as San Diego made its first playoff appearance since 2006 .

NEW YORK — Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman easily won the NL MVP award Thursday, topping off a trying year that saw him become so ill with COVID-19 he prayed “please don’t take me.”
Freeman got 28 of the 30 first-place ballots in voting by members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts got the other two firsts to finish second and San Diego third baseman Manny Machado was third.
In a season affected from spring training to the World Series by the pandemic, perhaps it was fitting the final major award of the year went to someone infected by the virus.
Three weeks before the delayed opening day in late July, Freeman’s body temperature spiked at 104.5 degrees and he lost his sense of taste and smell. At one point, he recalled, he said a little prayer because “I wasn’t ready.”
The 31-year-old star bounced back in a big way, batting .341 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs while playing all 60 games. A powerful lefty batter with the ability to spray the ball all over the field, he led the majors in hitting 23 doubles and scoring 51 runs.
Boosted by the four-time All-Star, the Braves won the NL East and came within one win of reaching the World Series for the first time since 1999.
Freeman is the sixth different player in Braves franchise history to be the NL MVP. Chipper Jones most recently took the honor in 1999 — Freeman wears a tattered Braves T-shirt under his uniform that was passed down to him from Jones.
Betts was bidding to join Frank Robinson as the only players to win the MVP in both leagues. The 28-year-old outfielder earned the AL honor in 2018 while leading Boston to the World Series title.
Traded by the Red Sox to Los Angeles early this year, Betts hit .292 with 16 homers and 39 RBIs and was the catalyst in the Dodgers’ run to their first championship since 1988.
Machado hit .304 with 16 homers and 47 RBIs as San Diego made its first playoff appearance since 2006.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-13--Dear Abby: Be patient, masked people, when I can’t read your lips

DEAR ABBY : As we return to work , businesses and expanded health care are opening up after the pandemic shutdown .
We all are pretty much required to wear masks anywhere we go these days .
I am a deaf person and rely on lip-reading for communication .
Wearing a mask has shut out my contact with the hearing world as far as communication goes .
I have been mistreated in more ways than one because masks do not allow me to lip read .
When I ’ m not able to have a sign language interpreter with me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everywhere I go to converse as best as I can .
I am a very patient person ; however , people in the public sector are not being patient nor compassionate in helping us deaf individuals .
Please understand , we are TRYING to communicate as best as we can .
We simply ask the community to be patient and either lower your mask to respond , or write your response .
Yelling through the mask is pointless .
— DEAF IN LAS VEGAS DEAR DEAF : I can only imagine how frustrating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other deaf people .
Reusable transparent masks and masks with clear plastic inserts ( windows ) are available on the internet .
I would urge anyone who has contact with deaf individuals to go online and check this out .
Some are marked , “ Hearing Impaired.
” I have considered buying some , if only so friends and family can see me in my entirety and know without question when I ’ m being facetious .
DEAR ABBY : I babysit my 1-year-old grandson 40 hours a week while my son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying me $ 80 a week , then suddenly stopped .
My son said they might not pay me all the time because they often forget to “ debit over ” at the store to get the money for me .
I watched the baby for seven hours on Sunday , too , while my son enjoyed a day off .
When I asked him if he remembered to debit over , he replied , “ Debit over for what ?
” I said , “ For my services.
” He said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ Babysitting , ” and he replied that his wife should have paid me , but she didn ’ t .
— FORGOTTEN IN FLORIDA DEAR FORGOTTEN : I ’ m sorry to say this , but your son is a deadbeat who should be ashamed of himself .
He could pay you by check or an electronic transfer if he doesn ’ t have the cash on hand .
If you need money , find a client who will honor the deal , which will let your son and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be .
( If you decide to let them rehire you , make sure you get the money upfront . )
DEAR ABBY : I want to be a good friend , but I ’ m at my wits ’ end .
A friend has decided he is going to be a singer-songwriter , and he ’ s terrible .
He keeps sending me videos , invitations to watch him perform online concerts , etc .
I have tried offering constructive criticism , which he deflects .
Now he has recorded a CD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his expense .
I do not want him to waste his money , and I don ’ t care to waste my time listening to it .
Is there a gracious way out of this situation ?
— NOT INTERESTED IN THE WEST DEAR NOT INTERESTED : Yes .
Accept the disc , which he is sending at his expense .
And when he asks you for a compliment , give him one .
In other words , be a friend , not a music critic .
Dear Abby is written by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets : “ Abby ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: As we return to work, businesses and expanded health care are opening up after the pandemic shutdown. We all are pretty much required to wear masks anywhere we go these days.
I am a deaf person and rely on lip-reading for communication. Wearing a mask has shut out my contact with the hearing world as far as communication goes. I have been mistreated in more ways than one because masks do not allow me to lip read. When I’m not able to have a sign language interpreter with me, I bring a pen and pad everywhere I go to converse as best as I can.
I am a very patient person; however, people in the public sector are not being patient nor compassionate in helping us deaf individuals. Please understand, we are TRYING to communicate as best as we can. We simply ask the community to be patient and either lower your mask to respond, or write your response. Yelling through the mask is pointless. — DEAF IN LAS VEGAS
DEAR DEAF: I can only imagine how frustrating and isolating this has been for you and other deaf people. Reusable transparent masks and masks with clear plastic inserts (windows) are available on the internet. I would urge anyone who has contact with deaf individuals to go online and check this out. Some are marked, “Hearing Impaired.” I have considered buying some, if only so friends and family can see me in my entirety and know without question when I’m being facetious.
DEAR ABBY: I babysit my 1-year-old grandson 40 hours a week while my son and daughter-in-law work nights. They were paying me $80 a week, then suddenly stopped. My son said they might not pay me all the time because they often forget to “debit over” at the store to get the money for me.
I watched the baby for seven hours on Sunday, too, while my son enjoyed a day off. When I asked him if he remembered to debit over, he replied, “Debit over for what?” I said, “For my services.” He said, “Services for what?” I said, “Babysitting,” and he replied that his wife should have paid me, but she didn’t. — FORGOTTEN IN FLORIDA
DEAR FORGOTTEN: I’m sorry to say this, but your son is a deadbeat who should be ashamed of himself. He could pay you by check or an electronic transfer if he doesn’t have the cash on hand. If you need money, find a client who will honor the deal, which will let your son and his wife learn how expensive replacing you will be. (If you decide to let them rehire you, make sure you get the money upfront.)
DEAR ABBY: I want to be a good friend, but I’m at my wits’ end. A friend has decided he is going to be a singer-songwriter, and he’s terrible. He keeps sending me videos, invitations to watch him perform online concerts, etc. I have tried offering constructive criticism, which he deflects. Now he has recorded a CD, which he wants to send me at his expense. I do not want him to waste his money, and I don’t care to waste my time listening to it. Is there a gracious way out of this situation? — NOT INTERESTED IN THE WEST
DEAR NOT INTERESTED: Yes. Accept the disc, which he is sending at his expense. And when he asks you for a compliment, give him one. In other words, be a friend, not a music critic.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)