chicagosun-times--2020-10-22--Mayor Lightfoot restricting bars and restaurants again as cases surge in Chicago  (LIVE UPDATES)

Mayor Lightfoot restricting bars and restaurants again as cases surge in Chicago Chicago on Friday is reimposing restrictions on bars , restaurants and nonessential businesses in an attempt to stem a tide of rising COVID-19 cases , Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday .
Bars are back to outdoor seating only — no drinking indoors .
Other non-essential businesses will be under a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew .
Read the full story for details on the new restrictions .
7:11 p.m. Food fight : Pritzker vows to crack down on restaurants ‘ helping to spread this disease ’ through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record with 4,942 new coronavirus cases reported Thursday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker threw down the gauntlet to suburban bar and restaurant owners threatening to flout his latest restrictions on indoor drinking and dining .
The Democratic governor issued his harshest warning yet to potential scofflaws before his indoor dining ban goes into effect Friday in Will , Kankakee , Kane and DuPage counties , where COVID-19 infection rates are soaring to new highs .
But some owners say they will still seat customers inside , arguing the latest rollback means a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of struggling to stay afloat while following guidelines and avoiding outbreaks .
“ If people are going to force us , because they won ’ t follow the mitigations , and they ’ re going to let people get sick in their business , then we ’ re going to take this very seriously , ” Pritzker said at a downstate coronavirus briefing .
“ If we have to stop them from doing business because they ’ re helping to spread this disease and get people sick , then that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We are now seeing the entire state is moving up in terms of hospitalizations , in terms of ICU beds , ventilators and death , ” Pritzker said , pointing to “ dozens of studies ” showing bars and restaurants have proven to be fertile grounds for COVID-19 transmission .
5:31 p.m. More than 6 million U.S. households missed their rent or mortgage payment in September Persistent layoffs are slowing momentum in the labor market , which bodes poorly for the broader U.S. recovery as millions of out-of-work Americans delay their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 million households failed to make their rent or mortgage payments in September , according to the Mortgage Bankers Association ’ s Research Institute for Housing America — a sign that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is weighing on jobless Americans as Congress stalls on relief measures .
In the third quarter , the percent of homeowners and renters behind on their payments fell slightly from the prior quarter .
Still , the overall amount remains high , experts say Over the summer , rent and mortgage payment collections improved as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returned to work .
High unemployment , though , continues to place hardships on millions of U.S. households .
The unemployment rate fell to 7.9 % from 8.4 % in August , the Labor Department said earlier this month .
Overall , the economy is still regaining jobs in outsize fashion after shedding a record 22.1 million in early spring , but the recovery is slowing .
3:10 p.m. Illinois to begin releasing data on coronavirus outbreaks in schools The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin releasing data on coronavirus outbreaks connected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed Thursday .
Outbreaks are tracked internally by IDPH through their Outbreak Reporting System , and are defined as two or more cases connected to a single location .
Arnold said Thursday that the school-level data will include “ number of cases and outbreaks ” and that officials “ look forward to having that live in the coming weeks.
” IDPH has been publicly providing data on “ youth cases , ” or cases in individuals under 20 years old , in order for school and local health officials to make decisions on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not disclosed any data connected to specific schools .
1:35 p.m. Lightfoot says Bears have presented a ‘ good plan ’ to keep fans safe at Soldier Field When and if Chicago gets a handle on its “ second surge ” of the coronavirus , the Bears just might be playing their home games before a limited live audience at Soldier Field .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday the Bears have presented the city with a plan detailed enough to make her comfortable that fans can safely return to the stands at Soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more details on when fans might be allowed at games , read the full story from Fran Spielman .
For the third time in a week , Illinois broke its record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as public health officials announced 4,942 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 statewide .
The latest staggering caseload was confirmed among 80,977 tests , the third-highest total ever submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
That kept the state ’ s seven-day average testing positivity rate at 5.7 % , but that key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.3 % earlier this month .
For more details on the rise in cases , read the full story here .
9:09 a.m State ’ s deadliest day in months called sad result of ‘ new wave ’ of COVID-19 cases : ‘ You will get to more deaths ’ The coronavirus claimed more lives than it has on any other day in Illinois over the past four months , as public health officials on Wednesday attributed 69 additional deaths to COVID-19 .
It ’ s the most in a single day since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back when the state was coming down from its initial peak of the pandemic .
More than 2,900 people have died with the virus statewide since then , and Illinois ’ overall pandemic death toll stands at 9,345 with the state facing a “ new wave ” of surging coronavirus cases , according to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s health team .
“ We should understand that that ’ s always the pattern : A certain number of cases will go on to be hospitalizations , a certain number of hospitalizations will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said .
“ The more cases , eventually you will get to more deaths , and so the spike in cases that we ’ ve been seeing over the last six weeks , yes , unfortunately , it is turning into additional mortalities.
” 8:17 a.m. CTA to offer PPE vending machines at some L stations In a move to keep its patrons stocked with defenses against the coronavirus , the Chicago Transit Authority will install vending machines with personal protective equipment for sale .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disposable face masks , sanitizing wipes and disposable gloves , the CTA announced Wednesday after the measure was approved by its board .
Six machines , expected to be installed later this year , will contain items that cost between $ 3.75 and $ 10 .
The average statewide testing positivity rate climbed to 5.5 % with the latest 3,714 new cases of the disease confirmed among 59,077 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
That ’ s as high as it ’ s been since early June , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
9:08 a.m. A Chicago budget full of hard calls for hard times For those expecting a hard times city budget for 2021 from Mayor Lori Lightfoot , she did not disappoint .
The mayor ’ s proposed $ 12.8 billion plan seeks to fill an expected $ 1.2 billion deficit with layoffs , massive city debt refinancing and a sure-to-be-contentious $ 94 million property tax hike that would increase annually by the rate of inflation .
There ’ s also a proposed three-cents-per-gallon gas tax hike that won ’ t make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an obvious top concern for most Chicagoans , the budget calls for 618 vacant sworn police openings — enough officers to staff two police districts around the clock — to be left unfilled .
Yes , but so are the times in which our city and the whole country find themselves .
COVID-19 continues to imperil the economy and lives , and the likelihood — which this city budget presumes — is that Washington , D.C. won ’ t be riding to the rescue anytime soon .
Negotiations for an additional federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If Lightfoot ’ s proposed budget is approved in its present form , the year ahead will tell if it sufficiently rises to the occasion .
8:02 a.m. No easy decisions about school , sports in pandemic , but students need seat at table Let me start with this axiom : Nobody wants teenagers around .
Oh , we tolerate them and even cheer for them at certain times and events .
But do we want them hanging around with pals in our houses , malls , restaurants , backyards or basements ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ places where teens aren ’ t wanted .
And there ’ s a simple reason nobody wants them hanging out : They ’ re not kids and they ’ re not adults , but they can cause kid trouble , do adult damage , make foolish decisions and reproduce .
Forget all the good things they can do .
I thought about this because I was particularly moved by a recent letter to the editor in the Sun-Times written by a 16-year-old girl named Tova Kaplan .
She ’ s a student at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tova decried the way teens and their opinions and needs are casually dismissed by city and state leaders who make all the plans during a crisis , such as the COVID-19 pandemic .
‘ ‘ Any discussions on schools are held as if those schools are devoid of students , as if the only opinions that matter are those of parents , teachers unions , the school board and the governor , ’ ’ she wrote .
Read the full column from Rick Telander here .

For the third time in a week, Illinois broke its record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as public health officials announced 4,942 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 statewide.
Here’s what else happened in Chicago and Illinois as the pandemic continued.
News
8:54 p.m. Mayor Lightfoot restricting bars and restaurants again as cases surge in Chicago
On Thursday, Mayor Lightfoot announced additional restrictions on bars, restaurants and other non-essential businesses in Chicago amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Chicago on Friday is reimposing restrictions on bars, restaurants and nonessential businesses in an attempt to stem a tide of rising COVID-19 cases, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Thursday.
Bars are back to outdoor seating only — no drinking indoors.
Restaurants must close at 10 p.m.
Other non-essential businesses will be under a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
Read the full story for details on the new restrictions.
7:11 p.m. Food fight: Pritzker vows to crack down on restaurants ‘helping to spread this disease’ through dining defiance
As Illinois smashed another daily record with 4,942 new coronavirus cases reported Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker threw down the gauntlet to suburban bar and restaurant owners threatening to flout his latest restrictions on indoor drinking and dining.
The Democratic governor issued his harshest warning yet to potential scofflaws before his indoor dining ban goes into effect Friday in Will, Kankakee, Kane and DuPage counties, where COVID-19 infection rates are soaring to new highs.
But some owners say they will still seat customers inside, arguing the latest rollback means a “death sentence” for their businesses after months of struggling to stay afloat while following guidelines and avoiding outbreaks.
“If people are going to force us, because they won’t follow the mitigations, and they’re going to let people get sick in their business, then we’re going to take this very seriously,” Pritzker said at a downstate coronavirus briefing. “If we have to stop them from doing business because they’re helping to spread this disease and get people sick, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
“We are now seeing the entire state is moving up in terms of hospitalizations, in terms of ICU beds, ventilators and death,” Pritzker said, pointing to “dozens of studies” showing bars and restaurants have proven to be fertile grounds for COVID-19 transmission.
Reporter Mitch Armentrout has the full story.
5:31 p.m. More than 6 million U.S. households missed their rent or mortgage payment in September
Persistent layoffs are slowing momentum in the labor market, which bodes poorly for the broader U.S. recovery as millions of out-of-work Americans delay their mortgage and rent payments.
More than 6 million households failed to make their rent or mortgage payments in September, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Research Institute for Housing America — a sign that the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic is weighing on jobless Americans as Congress stalls on relief measures.
In the third quarter, the percent of homeowners and renters behind on their payments fell slightly from the prior quarter. Still, the overall amount remains high, experts say
Over the summer, rent and mortgage payment collections improved as states resumed business reopenings and more Americans returned to work. High unemployment, though, continues to place hardships on millions of U.S. households.
The unemployment rate fell to 7.9% from 8.4% in August, the Labor Department said earlier this month. Overall, the economy is still regaining jobs in outsize fashion after shedding a record 22.1 million in early spring, but the recovery is slowing.
Read the full report here.
3:10 p.m. Illinois to begin releasing data on coronavirus outbreaks in schools
The Illinois Department of Public Health will begin releasing data on coronavirus outbreaks connected to schools, department spokesperson Melaney Arnold confirmed Thursday.
Outbreaks are tracked internally by IDPH through their Outbreak Reporting System, and are defined as two or more cases connected to a single location.
Arnold said Thursday that the school-level data will include “number of cases and outbreaks” and that officials “look forward to having that live in the coming weeks.”
IDPH has been publicly providing data on “youth cases,” or cases in individuals under 20 years old, in order for school and local health officials to make decisions on e-learning. But the state previously has not disclosed any data connected to specific schools.
Reporter Caroline Hurley has the full story.
1:35 p.m. Lightfoot says Bears have presented a ‘good plan’ to keep fans safe at Soldier Field
When and if Chicago gets a handle on its “second surge” of the coronavirus, the Bears just might be playing their home games before a limited live audience at Soldier Field.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday the Bears have presented the city with a plan detailed enough to make her comfortable that fans can safely return to the stands at Soldier Field.
But not yet.
For more details on when fans might be allowed at games, read the full story from Fran Spielman.
12:25 p.m. Illinois logs another record-high 4,942 new COVID-19 cases
For the third time in a week, Illinois broke its record for new coronavirus cases on Thursday as public health officials announced 4,942 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 statewide.
The latest staggering caseload was confirmed among 80,977 tests, the third-highest total ever submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
That kept the state’s seven-day average testing positivity rate at 5.7%, but that key indicator of transmission still has jumped from 3.3% earlier this month.
For more details on the rise in cases, read the full story here.
9:09 a.m State’s deadliest day in months called sad result of ‘new wave’ of COVID-19 cases: ‘You will get to more deaths’
The coronavirus claimed more lives than it has on any other day in Illinois over the past four months, as public health officials on Wednesday attributed 69 additional deaths to COVID-19.
It’s the most in a single day since the 84 deaths recorded June 17, back when the state was coming down from its initial peak of the pandemic.
More than 2,900 people have died with the virus statewide since then, and Illinois’ overall pandemic death toll stands at 9,345 with the state facing a “new wave” of surging coronavirus cases, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s health team.
“We should understand that that’s always the pattern: A certain number of cases will go on to be hospitalizations, a certain number of hospitalizations will go on to be deaths,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. “The more cases, eventually you will get to more deaths, and so the spike in cases that we’ve been seeing over the last six weeks, yes, unfortunately, it is turning into additional mortalities.”
Read Mitchell Armentrout’s full story.
8:17 a.m. CTA to offer PPE vending machines at some L stations
In a move to keep its patrons stocked with defenses against the coronavirus, the Chicago Transit Authority will install vending machines with personal protective equipment for sale.
The vending machines will contain hand sanitizer, disposable face masks, sanitizing wipes and disposable gloves, the CTA announced Wednesday after the measure was approved by its board.
Six machines, expected to be installed later this year, will contain items that cost between $3.75 and $10.
Reporter David Struett has the full story.
New Cases
The average statewide testing positivity rate climbed to 5.5% with the latest 3,714 new cases of the disease confirmed among 59,077 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health. That’s as high as it’s been since early June, and up from just 3.3% on Oct. 4.
Analysis & Commentary
9:08 a.m. A Chicago budget full of hard calls for hard times
For those expecting a hard times city budget for 2021 from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, she did not disappoint.
The mayor’s proposed $12.8 billion plan seeks to fill an expected $1.2 billion deficit with layoffs, massive city debt refinancing and a sure-to-be-contentious $94 million property tax hike that would increase annually by the rate of inflation.
There’s also a proposed three-cents-per-gallon gas tax hike that won’t make anybody happy.
And though violent crime is an obvious top concern for most Chicagoans, the budget calls for 618 vacant sworn police openings — enough officers to staff two police districts around the clock — to be left unfilled.
“This budget is tough,” Lightfoot told the Sun-Times editorial board. “It’s painful.”
Yes, but so are the times in which our city and the whole country find themselves. COVID-19 continues to imperil the economy and lives, and the likelihood — which this city budget presumes — is that Washington, D.C. won’t be riding to the rescue anytime soon. Negotiations for an additional federal stimulus bill continue to go nowhere.
If Lightfoot’s proposed budget is approved in its present form, the year ahead will tell if it sufficiently rises to the occasion.
Read the full editorial here.
8:02 a.m. No easy decisions about school, sports in pandemic, but students need seat at table
Let me start with this axiom: Nobody wants teenagers around.
Oh, we tolerate them and even cheer for them at certain times and events.
But do we want them hanging around with pals in our houses, malls, restaurants, backyards or basements?
Not a chance.
Now we can add schools to the places where teens aren’t wanted.
And there’s a simple reason nobody wants them hanging out: They’re not kids and they’re not adults, but they can cause kid trouble, do adult damage, make foolish decisions and reproduce.
And spread viruses.
Forget all the good things they can do.
I thought about this because I was particularly moved by a recent letter to the editor in the Sun-Times written by a 16-year-old girl named Tova Kaplan. She’s a student at Whitney Young.
In the letter, Tova decried the way teens and their opinions and needs are casually dismissed by city and state leaders who make all the plans during a crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘‘Any discussions on schools are held as if those schools are devoid of students, as if the only opinions that matter are those of parents, teachers unions, the school board and the governor,’’ she wrote.
Read the full column from Rick Telander here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-22--Belmont Snack Shop to close permanently after fire: ‘The memories keep you going’

The Belmont Snack Shop will close permanently after a fire destroyed the Avondale restaurant earlier this month , owner Nelson Rodriguez announced in an emotional Facebook post Thursday afternoon .
“ After a lot of thought and consideration and looking at every angle possible it is apparent to all of us at the Snack Shop that rebuilding and attempting to bring Belmont Snack Shop back to the community is not in the stars , ” Rodriguez wrote .
A grease fire started in the restaurant ’ s kitchen about 7:50 p.m. Oct. 8 and quickly tore through the entire building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upstairs apartment where Rodriguez had lived with his family for 16 years .
While Rodriguez and his family escaped uninjured , they lost the vast majority of their personal belongings , along with everything in the 24-hour diner that he and business partner Paul Schiller bought from his parents in 2011 .
Thursday ’ s Facebook post gave Rodriguez an opportunity to “ stroll down memory lane ” and say goodbye to people in the Avondale and Logan Square communities that frequented the Belmont Snack Shop .
In the post , Rodriguez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant going since the 1980s and reminisced about the “ Southern Special ” he ate two hours after the birth of his daughter , as his mother peppered him with questions about her first granddaughter .
“ We got away with the memories and that ’ s all that really matters at this point , ” Rodriguez told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday .
“ Take it from someone who lost about 94 % of his possessions two weeks ago , the memories keep you going.
” Rodriguez said that he , Schiller and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussed reopening the Belmont Snack Shop but decided that in the time of COVID-19 , starting from scratch would be too difficult .
“ If this was pre-COVID , the answer would be 100 % yes , but at this point right now , it ’ s become apparent that we were struggling to survive than actually prosper , ” Rodriguez said .
“ With the limitations of indoor dining , the need for social distancing and such , it just seems a very daunting task.
” “ With my personal life in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartment , that is something I would 100 % say no , ” Rodriguez said .
“ However , you never what tomorrow brings.
” Rodriguez and his family are staying with relatives as they search for a new place to live , Rodriguez said .
A GoFundMe campaign started by his daughter to help the family and business find a new home had raised more than $ 7,000 of its stated $ 10,000 goal as of Thursday evening .

The Belmont Snack Shop will close permanently after a fire destroyed the Avondale restaurant earlier this month, owner Nelson Rodriguez announced in an emotional Facebook post Thursday afternoon.
“After a lot of thought and consideration and looking at every angle possible it is apparent to all of us at the Snack Shop that rebuilding and attempting to bring Belmont Snack Shop back to the community is not in the stars,” Rodriguez wrote.
A grease fire started in the restaurant’s kitchen about 7:50 p.m. Oct. 8 and quickly tore through the entire building, 3407 W. Belmont Ave., including the upstairs apartment where Rodriguez had lived with his family for 16 years.
While Rodriguez and his family escaped uninjured, they lost the vast majority of their personal belongings, along with everything in the 24-hour diner that he and business partner Paul Schiller bought from his parents in 2011.
Thursday’s Facebook post gave Rodriguez an opportunity to “stroll down memory lane” and say goodbye to people in the Avondale and Logan Square communities that frequented the Belmont Snack Shop. In the post, Rodriguez thanked the longtime employees who kept the restaurant going since the 1980s and reminisced about the “Southern Special” he ate two hours after the birth of his daughter, as his mother peppered him with questions about her first granddaughter.
“We got away with the memories and that’s all that really matters at this point,” Rodriguez told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday. “Take it from someone who lost about 94% of his possessions two weeks ago, the memories keep you going.”
Rodriguez said that he, Schiller and their senior cook, Oliver Royal, discussed reopening the Belmont Snack Shop but decided that in the time of COVID-19, starting from scratch would be too difficult.
“If this was pre-COVID, the answer would be 100% yes, but at this point right now, it’s become apparent that we were struggling to survive than actually prosper,” Rodriguez said. “With the limitations of indoor dining, the need for social distancing and such, it just seems a very daunting task.”
“With my personal life in limbo, due to losing to the apartment, that is something I would 100% say no,” Rodriguez said. “However, you never what tomorrow brings.”
Rodriguez and his family are staying with relatives as they search for a new place to live, Rodriguez said. A GoFundMe campaign started by his daughter to help the family and business find a new home had raised more than $7,000 of its stated $10,000 goal as of Thursday evening.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-22--Food fight: Pritzker vows to crack down on restaurants ‘helping to spread this disease’ through dini

Food fight: Pritzker vows to crack down on restaurants ‘helping to spread this disease’ through dining defiance

As Illinois smashed another daily record with 4,942 new coronavirus cases reported Thursday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker threw down the gauntlet to suburban bar and restaurant owners threatening to flout his latest restrictions on indoor drinking and dining .
The Democratic governor issued his harshest warning yet to potential scofflaws before his indoor dining ban goes into effect Friday in Will , Kankakee , Kane and DuPage counties , where COVID-19 infection rates are soaring to new highs .
But some owners say they will still seat customers inside , arguing the latest rollback means a “ death sentence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling to stay afloat while following guidelines and avoiding outbreaks .
“ If people are going to force us , because they won ’ t follow the mitigations , and they ’ re going to let people get sick in their business , then we ’ re going to take this very seriously , ” Pritzker said at a downstate coronavirus briefing .
“ If we have to stop them from doing business because they ’ re helping to spread this disease and get people sick , then that ’ s what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are now seeing the entire state is moving up in terms of hospitalizations , in terms of ICU beds , ventilators and death , ” Pritzker said , pointing to “ dozens of studies ” showing bars and restaurants have proven to be fertile grounds for COVID-19 transmission .
The Illinois Department of Public Health attributed 44 more deaths to the virus , while the state ’ s average seven-day positivity rate has shot up this month more than two full percentage points to 5.7 % .
And as the state has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire pandemic over the last week alone , hospitals across the state are treating the most COVID-19 patients they ’ ve seen since early June .
As Pritzker tries to tamp down on the resurgence , dining restrictions will be in place in four of the state ’ s 11 regions by Friday .
With all remaining regions reporting positivity rates of least 7 % and rising toward the governor ’ s 8 % threshold — including Chicago and suburban Cook County — more bans soon could be on tap .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on having the state police not only issue warnings but also issue citations , if necessary , ” Pritzker said .
The governor urged local state ’ s attorneys to “ simply follow through ” in prosecuting those monetary citations , while insisting that his administration will look to remove business ’ liquor and video gambling licenses if they defy his order .
“ And this is not something I have wanted to do before , ” Pritzker said .
But it ’ s a chance some restaurant owners say they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he plans to keep seating customers indoors at Ki ’ s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Glendale Heights .
News of the governor ’ s restrictions on DuPage County threw “ a giant gut punch , almost like a death sentence ” to Ki ’ s , after shutting down completely for three full months and then skating by with less than half its normal business , Roumpas said .
So , without any coronavirus cases traced to his restaurant , Roumpas said , he ’ ll still be following Pritzker ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masks and social distancing as he continues inviting customers inside .
“ I ’ m not trying to make this an argument between me and the governor .
I ’ m just trying to fight for my business to survive , ” Roumpas said .
“ Let ’ s face it : we live in Chicago .
Last night it was rainy and 40 degrees .
Outdoors is not a feasible option .
“ COVID is a tragedy .
One life lost is a tragedy , ” Roumpas said .
“ In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guidelines that the governor set out .
And the guidelines we have to abide by in normal times make us more sanitary than most places , way more than gas stations or big box stores.
” As for the Pritzker ’ s potential crackdown on the restaurant his family has run for 40 years , Roumpas said “ we ’ ll cross that bridge when we get there.
” Ki ’ s is poised to join the “ hundreds ” of other restaurants that have stayed open in other regions slapped with Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attorney Tom DeVore , who ’ s been behind numerous challenges to governor ’ s COVID-19 containment measures , including the spring stay-at-home order .
Now , he ’ s urging all businesses to flout Pritzker ’ s restrictions .
“ An executive order in and of itself is not a law .
It ’ s a guidance , ” DeVore said .
“ The law says you can keep your doors open unless you consent , or a court orders you to close … The court will only order you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Public ] Health proves that your location has the ‘ rona running rampant about it .
You know how many business owners in the state have had that happen ?
Zero.
” The Illinois Restaurant Association slammed Pritzker ’ s indoor dining restrictions too , noting that DuPage County health officials have reported that only 6 % of their outbreaks have been traced to restaurants over the last seven months .
“ As the science surrounding COVID-19 has evolved , so must the metrics for mitigation , ” restaurant association president Sam Toia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implement more “ pragmatic ” measures such as earlier curfews and lower capacity limits .
Pritzker welcomed the challenge from restaurants such as Ki ’ s that are advertising their defiance of his indoor dining ban .
“ Well , good , then what I say to the public that lives in that area is now you can go look , apparently , at a list places that are not following the rules .
You don ’ t want to go there .
That ’ s where you ’ re most likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there .
”

As Illinois smashed another daily record with 4,942 new coronavirus cases reported Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker threw down the gauntlet to suburban bar and restaurant owners threatening to flout his latest restrictions on indoor drinking and dining.
The Democratic governor issued his harshest warning yet to potential scofflaws before his indoor dining ban goes into effect Friday in Will, Kankakee, Kane and DuPage counties, where COVID-19 infection rates are soaring to new highs.
But some owners say they will still seat customers inside, arguing the latest rollback means a “death sentence” for their businesses after months of struggling to stay afloat while following guidelines and avoiding outbreaks.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
“If people are going to force us, because they won’t follow the mitigations, and they’re going to let people get sick in their business, then we’re going to take this very seriously,” Pritzker said at a downstate coronavirus briefing. “If we have to stop them from doing business because they’re helping to spread this disease and get people sick, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
“We are now seeing the entire state is moving up in terms of hospitalizations, in terms of ICU beds, ventilators and death,” Pritzker said, pointing to “dozens of studies” showing bars and restaurants have proven to be fertile grounds for COVID-19 transmission.
The Illinois Department of Public Health attributed 44 more deaths to the virus, while the state’s average seven-day positivity rate has shot up this month more than two full percentage points to 5.7%. And as the state has seen its five largest daily caseloads of the entire pandemic over the last week alone, hospitals across the state are treating the most COVID-19 patients they’ve seen since early June.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
As Pritzker tries to tamp down on the resurgence, dining restrictions will be in place in four of the state’s 11 regions by Friday. With all remaining regions reporting positivity rates of least 7% and rising toward the governor’s 8% threshold — including Chicago and suburban Cook County — more bans soon could be on tap.
“We are being very serious and very focused on having the state police not only issue warnings but also issue citations, if necessary,” Pritzker said.
The governor urged local state’s attorneys to “simply follow through” in prosecuting those monetary citations, while insisting that his administration will look to remove business’ liquor and video gambling licenses if they defy his order. “And this is not something I have wanted to do before,” Pritzker said.
But it’s a chance some restaurant owners say they’re willing to take.
Spiro Roumpas said he plans to keep seating customers indoors at Ki’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Glendale Heights. News of the governor’s restrictions on DuPage County threw “a giant gut punch, almost like a death sentence” to Ki’s, after shutting down completely for three full months and then skating by with less than half its normal business, Roumpas said.
Ki’s Steak and Seafood Restaurant in Glendale Heights. Provided
So, without any coronavirus cases traced to his restaurant, Roumpas said, he’ll still be following Pritzker’s other dining guidelines that call for masks and social distancing as he continues inviting customers inside.
“I’m not trying to make this an argument between me and the governor. I’m just trying to fight for my business to survive,” Roumpas said. “Let’s face it: we live in Chicago. Last night it was rainy and 40 degrees. Outdoors is not a feasible option.
“COVID is a tragedy. One life lost is a tragedy,” Roumpas said. “In the meantime, we have followed all the guidelines that the governor set out. And the guidelines we have to abide by in normal times make us more sanitary than most places, way more than gas stations or big box stores.”
As for the Pritzker’s potential crackdown on the restaurant his family has run for 40 years, Roumpas said “we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Ki’s is poised to join the “hundreds” of other restaurants that have stayed open in other regions slapped with Pritzker’s indoor dining ban, according to attorney Tom DeVore, who’s been behind numerous challenges to governor’s COVID-19 containment measures, including the spring stay-at-home order.
Now, he’s urging all businesses to flout Pritzker’s restrictions.
“An executive order in and of itself is not a law. It’s a guidance,” DeVore said. “The law says you can keep your doors open unless you consent, or a court orders you to close … The court will only order you to close if the state Department of [Public] Health proves that your location has the ‘rona running rampant about it. You know how many business owners in the state have had that happen? Zero.”
The Illinois Restaurant Association slammed Pritzker’s indoor dining restrictions too, noting that DuPage County health officials have reported that only 6% of their outbreaks have been traced to restaurants over the last seven months.
“As the science surrounding COVID-19 has evolved, so must the metrics for mitigation,” restaurant association president Sam Toia said, calling on the governor to implement more “pragmatic” measures such as earlier curfews and lower capacity limits.
Pritzker welcomed the challenge from restaurants such as Ki’s that are advertising their defiance of his indoor dining ban.
“Well, good, then what I say to the public that lives in that area is now you can go look, apparently, at a list places that are not following the rules. You don’t want to go there. That’s where you’re most likely to get COVID-19. Don’t go there.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-23--I-57 ramp at 111th opens after shooting investigation

A person was shot late Thursday night on an I-57 offramp in Morgan Park on the Far South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ p.m. on the ramp from southbound I-57 to 111th Street , according to Illinois State @ @ @ @ @ taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and stabilized , state police said .
@ @ @ @ @ Friday while authorities investigated , but has since reopened , according to state police .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 19-year-old woman was shot Thursday night on an I-57 off-ramp in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.
She was shot while riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle at 11:53 p.m. on the ramp from southbound I-57 to 111th Street, according to Illinois State Police. The shots came from someone in another vehicle.
The woman was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and stabilized, state police said. Her injuries did not appear to be life-threatening.
The driver of the woman’s vehicle fled the scene, state police said.
The ramp was closed early Friday while authorities investigated, but has since reopened, according to state police.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-23--The honey tree: And other tales while tramping around the woods looking for fall mushrooms

ROCK RIVER VALLEY , Ill.—Pokeweed and prickly multifloral rose cloaked the honey tree , a downed tree trunk , on Columbus Day weekend .
Honey fungus clusters covered the log and kept us busy cutting a long time .
“ These things must have been fed MiracleGro , ” said Pat O ’ Byrne as he spaced us out to cut the honeys from the log , then he climbed into the tangles .
“ They are growing underneath the log .
You just wonder how the spores got there.
” We filled five plastic carrier trays , which O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and could have filled more .
For years , O ’ Byrne and his wife Cathy , a long-time kindergarten teacher on the North Side , hosted a mushroom gathering on Columbus Day weekend .
A couple years ago , I received an invitation via a mutual friend , Ron Wozny , the great collector of Chicago fishing memorabilia and photography .
I had worried about the dryness of early fall , but there were mushrooms .
We found some huge hen-of-the-woods , which looked dry .
I don ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive fall mushroom , colorful chicken-of-the-woods .
After breakfast , the O ’ Byrnes shepherded Wozny and his pipe-fitter friend Mike Zasanski , me and my wife Karyn , and Zach Sitkiewicz , a young law student , into the woods .
O ’ Byrne is a defense attorney known around Cook County courtrooms for his mane of white hair and for being involved in some notorious criminal cases .
He slings stories as easily as a short-order cook flips eggs .
I found his motivation for going into law .
An early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old Martha Washington Hospital at Irving Park and Western .
That ’ s not a life plan .
He told the story of a fawn trapped in a fence in McLean County .
It bawled loud enough to attract several does and a coyote .
They watched a doe headbutt the coyote away .
They found the fawn , freed it and watched it run off .
O ’ Byrne once fished with one of greatest storytellers ( B.S.
’ er ? )
in history , the late muskie guide Len Hartman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boat .
Hartman delivered the ultimate compliment to O ’ Byrne when he said , “ I ’ ve been doing this over 50 years and I never had anybody in a boat like you.
” For decades , O ’ Byrne has honed his mushroom skills , too .
Experts are smart enough to know : When you don ’ t know , ask someone who does .
“ When I am in doubt , I contact friends at Illinois Mycological Association , ” O ’ Byrne said .
Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know , don ’ t .
Cathy found lots of honeys as we ambled .
She picked one handful , then gave me a quick primer in basic identifying .
The cap is scooped down and the center brown ; the underside is gilled .
ID in this case is important because the death cap may look similar to honeys .
Death caps also look somewhat like young puffballs .
Puffballs are one of the easiest fall mushrooms , but , as O ’ Byrne said , “ Emerging mushrooms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that looked like a honey fungus with a yellow band on the stem .
But the O ’ Byrnes were uncertain if it was a honey .
“ If we don ’ t know what it is , we throw it out , ” she said .
I found one dying tree with fungus growing under the bark , but the O ’ Byrnes were not positive that they were honeys .
I did not collect them .
At the honey tree , O ’ Byrne said , “ Look at that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at those emerging .
Those are super , super fresh.
” As he gathered mushrooms , O ’ Byrne diligently dusted them off .
“ It ’ s so much easier to do it out here , ” he said .
By early afternoon , we had the carriers filled .
As we walked the mile back , I found two honeys on my own , truest sign of learning .
Cathy confirmed the ID .
Back at the gathering , O ’ Byrne recleaned the honeys , then sautédd them slowly in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He put them on a plate with paper towels .
I carried them for the people sitting in haphazardly arranged folding chairs outside .
“ I think these are choice and [ as are ] Bear ’ s head , which looks like a bar of soap with icicles on it , ” O ’ Byrne said .
Wozny heated jambalaya and slow-smoked ribs .
O ’ Byrne sliced up corn-fed venison sausage .
Venison came from McLean County deer ; sausage processed at Bittner ’ s Meat Company in Eureka .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was .

ROCK RIVER VALLEY, Ill.—Pokeweed and prickly multifloral rose cloaked the honey tree, a downed tree trunk, on Columbus Day weekend. Honey fungus clusters covered the log and kept us busy cutting a long time.
“These things must have been fed MiracleGro,” said Pat O’Byrne as he spaced us out to cut the honeys from the log, then he climbed into the tangles. “They are growing underneath the log. You just wonder how the spores got there.”
We filled five plastic carrier trays, which O’Byrne bought at a garage sale, and could have filled more.
For years, O’Byrne and his wife Cathy, a long-time kindergarten teacher on the North Side, hosted a mushroom gathering on Columbus Day weekend. A couple years ago, I received an invitation via a mutual friend, Ron Wozny, the great collector of Chicago fishing memorabilia and photography.
I had worried about the dryness of early fall, but there were mushrooms. We found some huge hen-of-the-woods, which looked dry. I don’t think we saw any of the other common massive fall mushroom, colorful chicken-of-the-woods.
After breakfast, the O’Byrnes shepherded Wozny and his pipe-fitter friend Mike Zasanski, me and my wife Karyn, and Zach Sitkiewicz, a young law student, into the woods.
O’Byrne is a defense attorney known around Cook County courtrooms for his mane of white hair and for being involved in some notorious criminal cases.
He slings stories as easily as a short-order cook flips eggs. I found his motivation for going into law. An early job was doing kitchen work at the old Martha Washington Hospital at Irving Park and Western. That’s not a life plan.
He told the story of a fawn trapped in a fence in McLean County. It bawled loud enough to attract several does and a coyote. They watched a doe headbutt the coyote away. They found the fawn, freed it and watched it run off.
O’Byrne once fished with one of greatest storytellers (B.S.’er?) in history, the late muskie guide Len Hartman, who told stories all day in the boat. Hartman delivered the ultimate compliment to O’Byrne when he said, “I’ve been doing this over 50 years and I never had anybody in a boat like you.”
For decades, O’Byrne has honed his mushroom skills, too.
Experts are smart enough to know: When you don’t know, ask someone who does.
“When I am in doubt, I contact friends at Illinois Mycological Association,” O’Byrne said.
Don’t screw around with mushrooms. If you don’t know, don’t.
Cathy O’Byrne holds honey fungus in her hand while describing how to recognize them. Dale Bowman
Cathy found lots of honeys as we ambled. She picked one handful, then gave me a quick primer in basic identifying. The cap is scooped down and the center brown; the underside is gilled. ID in this case is important because the death cap may look similar to honeys. Death caps also look somewhat like young puffballs.
Puffballs are one of the easiest fall mushrooms, but, as O’Byrne said, “Emerging mushrooms all look like puffballs.”
Cathy found one that looked like a honey fungus with a yellow band on the stem. But the O’Byrnes were uncertain if it was a honey.
“If we don’t know what it is, we throw it out,” she said.
I found one dying tree with fungus growing under the bark, but the O’Byrnes were not positive that they were honeys. I did not collect them.
At the honey tree, O’Byrne said, “Look at that growing right under the bark. Look at those emerging. Those are super, super fresh.”
As he gathered mushrooms, O’Byrne diligently dusted them off.
“It’s so much easier to do it out here,” he said.
Pat O’Byrne dusting off a picked mushroom in the field. Dale Bowman
By early afternoon, we had the carriers filled. As we walked the mile back, I found two honeys on my own, truest sign of learning. Cathy confirmed the ID.
It was time.
Back at the gathering, O’Byrne recleaned the honeys, then sautédd them slowly in olive oil and fresh chopped garlic. He put them on a plate with paper towels. I carried them for the people sitting in haphazardly arranged folding chairs outside.
“I think these are choice and [as are] Bear’s head, which looks like a bar of soap with icicles on it,” O’Byrne said.
Wozny heated jambalaya and slow-smoked ribs. O’Byrne sliced up corn-fed venison sausage. Venison came from McLean County deer; sausage processed at Bittner’s Meat Company in Eureka.
The fall afternoon warmed, memory of what was.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-23--Dear Abby: Her adult children give widow grief about dating family friend

DEAR ABBY : I was married for more than 30 years and have two grown children .
The marriage wasn ’ t perfect , and I admit there were times when I badly wanted to walk out the door .
My husband was charismatic and talented , but he was also an addict .
I covered up most of his bad behaviors so our children would be protected from being hurt .
He passed away suddenly .
My children adored him but never really knew how hard it was for me to keep our family together .
Fast-forward to today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend I ’ ll call “ Jeff , ” who knew my husband well .
He saw my spouse at his best and his worst , so I don ’ t have to sugarcoat my feelings with him .
My issue is , I was so hurt during my marriage that I have a hard time trusting anyone .
My anxiety is sometimes overwhelming .
Jeff is supportive and understanding and loves me despite my emotional behavior at times .
My adult children are upset that I am dating and try to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates more stress .
I don ’ t want them to know all the hell I went through , but at the same time , I don ’ t think their belittling me is appropriate .
Is there a tactful way to explain to them that I just want to be happy and have the freedom to move forward ?
— READY FOR THE FUTURE DEAR READY : A polite , but assertive , way to convey your message might be to say : “ I have just one life to live , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to the fullest .
Jeff and I are old friends — he ’ s not a stranger .
I don ’ t need your approval to move on with my life .
If you can ’ t stop belittling and second-guessing me and treat my friend with respect , you will be seeing a lot less of me.
” DEAR ABBY : My brother has married a pushy woman who is incessantly forcing her way in where it is not wanted .
With the recent death of our father , she has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s business affairs .
This is not about money ; our father died in debt .
I finally took exception to her overbearing behavior , and now I ’ m afraid I have damaged my relationship with my brother .
What can be done ?
— CORNERED IN KENTUCKY DEAR CORNERED : The “ pushy ” woman your brother married is now a member of the family .
When there is a death in the family , emotions can run high .
If you feel you were too rough on your sister-in-law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DEAR ABBY : A young , attractive female co-worker of my husband ’ s addresses him by his first name ending with “ ly ” ( example : “ Georgely ” ) .
When I asked how the name was acquired , both of them claimed they didn ’ t remember .
They know I do not approve , particularly on social media for the world to see .
I consider pet names a term of endearment , to be reserved for one ’ s significant other .
Am I out of line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN WISCONSIN DEAR NAME-DROPPING : What the pet name may signify is that your husband and his co-worker may have a closer personal relationship than simply a professional one .
And in most cases , that isn ’ t good for business .
That he would allow this to persist publicly , knowing it bothers you , is disrespectful , and THAT is what is out of line .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I was married for more than 30 years and have two grown children. The marriage wasn’t perfect, and I admit there were times when I badly wanted to walk out the door. My husband was charismatic and talented, but he was also an addict. I covered up most of his bad behaviors so our children would be protected from being hurt. He passed away suddenly. My children adored him but never really knew how hard it was for me to keep our family together.
Fast-forward to today: I am dating an old family friend I’ll call “Jeff,” who knew my husband well. He saw my spouse at his best and his worst, so I don’t have to sugarcoat my feelings with him. My issue is, I was so hurt during my marriage that I have a hard time trusting anyone. My anxiety is sometimes overwhelming.
Jeff is supportive and understanding and loves me despite my emotional behavior at times. My adult children are upset that I am dating and try to make me feel bad about it, which creates more stress. I don’t want them to know all the hell I went through, but at the same time, I don’t think their belittling me is appropriate. Is there a tactful way to explain to them that I just want to be happy and have the freedom to move forward? — READY FOR THE FUTURE
DEAR READY: A polite, but assertive, way to convey your message might be to say: “I have just one life to live, kids, and I intend to live it to the fullest. Jeff and I are old friends — he’s not a stranger. I don’t need your approval to move on with my life. If you can’t stop belittling and second-guessing me and treat my friend with respect, you will be seeing a lot less of me.”
DEAR ABBY: My brother has married a pushy woman who is incessantly forcing her way in where it is not wanted. With the recent death of our father, she has started sticking her nose into the family’s business affairs. This is not about money; our father died in debt.
I finally took exception to her overbearing behavior, and now I’m afraid I have damaged my relationship with my brother. What can be done? — CORNERED IN KENTUCKY
DEAR CORNERED: The “pushy” woman your brother married is now a member of the family. When there is a death in the family, emotions can run high. If you feel you were too rough on your sister-in-law, you owe her an apology.
DEAR ABBY: A young, attractive female co-worker of my husband’s addresses him by his first name ending with “ly” (example: “Georgely”). When I asked how the name was acquired, both of them claimed they didn’t remember. They know I do not approve, particularly on social media for the world to see.
I consider pet names a term of endearment, to be reserved for one’s significant other. Am I out of line, or are they? — NAME-DROPPING IN WISCONSIN
DEAR NAME-DROPPING: What the pet name may signify is that your husband and his co-worker may have a closer personal relationship than simply a professional one. And in most cases, that isn’t good for business. That he would allow this to persist publicly, knowing it bothers you, is disrespectful, and THAT is what is out of line.
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.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-23--Ex-Gangster Disciples ‘governor’ now distributing food boxes, not crack cocaine

James Yates was sentenced two decades ago to life in prison after a jury found that he was a “ governor ” of the Gangster Disciples in charge of distributing drugs for the street gang in Chicago ’ s south suburbs .
Today , he ’ s distributing a different kind of commodity in those same suburbs : food .
Yates , 51 , was freed in April under the federal First Step Act , which allows imprisoned drug criminals him to seek a reduction in their sentences because of changes imposed after they were sent to prison in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seven other high-ranking members of the Gangster Disciples have been released from prison under the 2018 law , signed by President Donald Trump with bipartisan support , intended to promote rehabilitation and cut the costs of incarceration .
Yates says he spent a lot of time in prison thinking about how to give back to a community he knows he damaged through drug dealing and violence .
“ I had this strong desire to come back here and try to correct or fix some of the stuff that we played a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he directs a crew unloading boxes of food from trucks as part of the Revitalization of Robbins Initiative he started earlier this year .
The Robbins Park District let Yates stage his food giveaway in a parking lot down the street from the suburb ’ s police station .
As one member of Yates ’ crew flipped burgers on a grill and another worked a DJ booth , parents pulled up in cars , kids in tow .
Moms carted away boxes of food , clothing and blankets .
Their children got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he returned to Robbins after getting out of prison .
Nothing seemed to have changed in his hometown since he was arrested in the 1990s .
The median income of Robbins , a town of 5,400 a few miles south of Chicago , is only $ 13,000 , according to the last census .
“ It ’ s like 1960 or 1950 , ” Yates says .
“ A different world.
” He says he got help for his food giveaway from bigger organizations such as Black Men United .
Rev .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baptist Church in Maywood , says his Black Men United group has organized many large food drives in the Chicago area and in other parts of the country this year .
Yates volunteered at some of them .
“ He asks , ‘ Can we do this in Robbins ?
’ ” Harrell says .
“ And I said , ‘ Absolutely.
’ ” Harrell , who spent time in prison for financial crimes about 20 years ago , says his goal is to feed people and help rehabilitate ex-offenders like himself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , revitalize Black men , they can strengthen Black families , and Black families can strengthen Black blocks , ” he says .
“ Black blocks can strengthen Black communities , cities and states.
” Khalalah Jackson , whose husband was freed from prison under the First Step Act in November , was among those at the Robbins food giveaway .
Her husband Johnny Jackson was a “ board member ” of the Gangster Disciples , which , according to federal prosecutors , sold more than $ 100 million a year in drugs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 6,000 members .
Jackson , 48 , recently wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber , thanking him for his freedom and saying he and his wife had started several ventures , including a clothing line and The Visionaries Initiative , an anti-violence group .
Volunteers from the Jacksons ’ organization were at Yates ’ event , helping unload trucks and handing off boxes of food .
“ Basically , they got de facto life sentences for drugs , ” Khalalah Jackson says of her husband and his co-defendants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come home at all .
These guys have evolved to help the community they harmed.
” Ronald Safer , a defense lawyer who was a federal prosecutor on the Gangster Disciples case , has said he ’ d still prosecute Yates and other ranking members of the gang but would seek “ significantly less ” prison time for most .
For Yates , 20 years in prison was enough , according to Safer .
But he still opposes the release of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover , who ’ s also trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First Step Act .
Hoover is serving a life sentence in a super-max prison in Colorado .
Yates says he knows that many prosecutors , law enforcement officers and others will never believe he ’ s now a do-gooder .
“ You always have naysayers , ” he says .
“ Watch what we do .
We ain ’ t looking back .
None of those guys is reverting to the streets and getting involved in crime.
” Yates says he thinks more Americans than ever support moves to rehabilitate ex-offenders , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Step Act .
Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Illinois , and Sen. Chuck Grassley , R-Iowa , were vocal advocates for the law , and Kanye West lobbied for it during a White House visit .
Yates and Harrell see it as ironic that Trump , who has refused to denounce white supremacists , signed the law that allowed Yates , a Black man , to leave prison .
Harrell walked up to one of the food boxes that were being given away in Robbins .
He pointed out that they came from Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He reached in to a box and pulled out a copy of a letter from Trump on White House letterhead .
The letters were in every box .
“ The health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities , ” the president ’ s letter said .
“ As part of our response to the coronavirus , I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America.
” The letter explained that the food was coming from USDA ’ s Farmers to Families Food Box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that , you know , I ’ m going to vote for the guy , ” Harrell says of Trump .
“ Why does it take Donald Trump to do something like this ?
Because , I got ta admit — it ’ s good .
”

James Yates was sentenced two decades ago to life in prison after a jury found that he was a “governor” of the Gangster Disciples in charge of distributing drugs for the street gang in Chicago’s south suburbs.
Today, he’s distributing a different kind of commodity in those same suburbs: food.
Yates, 51, was freed in April under the federal First Step Act, which allows imprisoned drug criminals like him to seek a reduction in their sentences because of changes imposed after they were sent to prison in the penalties for distributing crack cocaine.
He and seven other high-ranking members of the Gangster Disciples have been released from prison under the 2018 law, signed by President Donald Trump with bipartisan support, intended to promote rehabilitation and cut the costs of incarceration.
Yates says he spent a lot of time in prison thinking about how to give back to a community he knows he damaged through drug dealing and violence.
“I had this strong desire to come back here and try to correct or fix some of the stuff that we played a part in messing up,” Yates says as he directed a crew unloading boxes of food from trucks earlier this month as part of the Revitalization of Robbins Initiative he has started.
James Yates (right) talks with Robbins Park District president Andrea Roberson about logistics for his food drive. “He said, ‘I want to give back to Robbins,’ ” Roberson says. “There’s been a need for years.” Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
The Robbins Park District let Yates stage his food giveaway in a parking lot down the street from the suburb’s police station. As one member of Yates’ crew flipped burgers on a grill and another worked a DJ booth, parents pulled up in cars, kids in tow. Moms carted away boxes of food, clothing and blankets. Their children got toys.
Yates says he was dumbfounded when he returned to Robbins after getting out of prison. Nothing seemed to have changed in his hometown since he was arrested in the 1990s. The median income of Robbins, a town of 5,400 a few miles south of Chicago, is only $13,000, according to the last census.
“It’s like 1960 or 1950,” Yates says. “A different world.”
He says he got help for his food giveaway from bigger organizations such as Black Men United.
Rev. John Harrell, pastor of Proviso Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Rev. John Harrell, pastor of Proviso Missionary Baptist Church in Maywood, says his Black Men United group has organized many large food drives in the Chicago area and in other parts of the country this year. Yates volunteered at some of them.
“He asks, ‘Can we do this in Robbins?’ ” Harrell says. “And I said, ‘Absolutely.’ ”
Harrell, who spent time in prison for financial crimes about 20 years ago, says his goal is to feed people and help rehabilitate ex-offenders like himself.
“If you can restore, reshape, revitalize Black men, they can strengthen Black families, and Black families can strengthen Black blocks,” he says. “Black blocks can strengthen Black communities, cities and states.”
Khalalah Jackson, whose husband was freed from prison under the First Step Act in November, was among those at the Robbins food giveaway.
Khalalah Jackson. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Her husband Johnny Jackson was a “board member” of the Gangster Disciples, which, according to federal prosecutors, sold more than $100 million a year in drugs and, at its peak, had more than 6,000 members.
Jackson, 48, recently wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, thanking him for his freedom and saying he and his wife had started several ventures, including a clothing line and The Visionaries Initiative, an anti-violence group.
Volunteers from the Jacksons’ organization were at Yates’ event, helping unload trucks and handing off boxes of food.
“Basically, they got de facto life sentences for drugs,” Khalalah Jackson says of her husband and his co-defendants. “He wasn’t supposed to come home at all. These guys have evolved to help the community they harmed.”
Johnny Jackson. Facebook
Ronald Safer, a defense lawyer who was a federal prosecutor on the Gangster Disciples case, has said he’d still prosecute Yates and other ranking members of the gang but would seek “significantly less” prison time for most. For Yates, 20 years in prison was enough, according to Safer.
But he still opposes the release of Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover, who’s also trying to get out of prison under the First Step Act. Hoover is serving a life sentence in a super-max prison in Colorado.
Yates says he knows that many prosecutors, law enforcement officers and others will never believe he’s now a do-gooder.
“You always have naysayers,” he says. “Watch what we do. We ain’t looking back. None of those guys is reverting to the streets and getting involved in crime.”
Yates says he thinks more Americans than ever support moves to rehabilitate ex-offenders, which led to the passage of the First Step Act.
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, were vocal advocates for the law, and Kanye West lobbied for it during a White House visit.
Yates and Harrell see it as ironic that Trump, who has refused to denounce white supremacists, signed the law that allowed Yates, a Black man, to leave prison.
Harrell walked up to one of the food boxes that were being given away in Robbins. He pointed out that they came from Trump’s U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Volunteers unload hundreds of boxes containing food during an Oct. 15 giveaway in Robbins. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
He reached in to a box and pulled out a copy of a letter from Trump on White House letterhead. The letters were in every box.
“The health and well-being of our citizens is one of my highest priorities,” the president’s letter said. “As part of our response to the coronavirus, I prioritized sending nutritious food from our farmers to families in need throughout America.”
The letter explained that the food was coming from USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box program.
“I’m not saying that, you know, I’m going to vote for the guy,” Harrell says of Trump. “Why does it take Donald Trump to do something like this? Because, I gotta admit — it’s good.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-23--‘The Undoing’: Nicole Kidman faces ugly allegations in beautiful surroundings

Nicole Kidman collapses in spectacular fashion in the new HBO limited series “ The Undoing.
” Her Grace Fraser collapses emotionally , she collapses financially , and at one point she collapses in Central Park when she is overwhelmed by events in her life — but even when Kidman literally takes the fall , she does so with a grace befitting her character ’ s name , wearing a stylishly coordinated ensemble , her luxurious red curls flowing about as if she ’ s a princess from another time , or maybe a star in a Tori Amos video from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Undoing ” stretches credibility to the near breaking point and drips with lurid melodrama , it ’ s one visually arresting series , with beautifully framed shots ( often showcasing the life of One Percenters in Manhattan ) , and Kidman and Hugh Grant proving they ’ ve still got that movie star magic we first saw in each of them some three decades ago .
This series might as well have been called “ Undoing the Big Little Lies that Started Little Fires Everywhere , ” as it follows the formula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ page-turning murder mystery for a premium cable limited series set mostly in wealthy enclaves and starring A-list actors playing characters who are frantically juggling very complicated lives when things are turned upside down by crimes and misdemeanors — sometimes even MURDER , that ’ s right I said MURDER .
Based on the novel “ You Should Have Known ” by Jean Hanff Korelitz , written by the prolific and skilled veteran David E. Kelley ( whose credits include “ Big Little Lies ” ) and directed by the gifted Susanne Bier ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the Netflix horror smash “ Bird Box ” ) , “ The Undoing ” is set in a Manhattan community where the parents live in seven-figure duplexes , send their children to obscenely expensive private schools , listen only to classical music and hold a fundraiser high atop the glass tower that is One State Street Plaza .
Kidman ’ s Grace is a pricey therapist , and her husband Jonathan ( Hugh Grant ) is a highly regarded oncologist who has a dry biscuit of a British quip for every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manner with his child patients .
Grace and Jonathan ’ s son Henry ( Noah Jupe , the talented , young actor from “ A Quiet Place ” and “ Ford v. Ferrari ” ) has an adorable mop of curly hair , plays the violin and loves spending time with his parents .
He ’ s the perfect kid !
Or is he ...
When the mother of one of Henry ’ s classmates is found brutally bludgeoned to death in her art studio , the lives of Grace , Jonathan and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episode , Grace learns shocking truths about Jonathan and finds her life spinning out of control as the media swarms in , her husband disappears , a prime suspect is identified , and she ’ s continually pestered by the lead detective ( Edgar Ramirez ) who is either telling her things she didn ’ t know about her life or asking disturbing questions making it seem like SHE could be involved in this bloody mess .
“ The Undoing ” is bathed in rich , autumnal colors as we quickly get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which of course feature all sorts of goings-on you ’ d never see in real life .
But who cares , as we ’ re firmly in guilty-pleasure courtroom thriller territory by now !
Matilda de Angelis makes a splash as Elena , a younger mother at the school who takes an odd and sudden liking to Grace , and seems to delight in making her uncomfortable , as when she reintroduces herself in the locker room of a health club and stands fully naked in front of Grace , casually running a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to seduce Grace ?
Is she crazy ?
What ’ s her deal ?
Oh , the things we ’ ll find out , sometimes in flashback .
I also got a kick out of Donald Sutherland ’ s performance as Grace ’ s stern and powerful father , Franklin , who always sounds as if he ’ s onstage doing Shakespeare , even when spouting ridiculous lines , e.g.
, at the aforementioned fundraiser when he says , “ I bid on the silent auction , I ’ m apt to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original dipsticks.
” That ’ s also how Franklin has long regarded his son-in-law Jonathan — as an original dipstick — but is Jonathan the one who committed the murder ?
You ’ ll find out over the course of six quick episodes filled with empty yet satisfying entertainment calories .

Nicole Kidman collapses in spectacular fashion in the new HBO limited series “The Undoing.”
Her Grace Fraser collapses emotionally, she collapses financially, and at one point she collapses in Central Park when she is overwhelmed by events in her life — but even when Kidman literally takes the fall, she does so with a grace befitting her character’s name, wearing a stylishly coordinated ensemble, her luxurious red curls flowing about as if she’s a princess from another time, or maybe a star in a Tori Amos video from the early 2000s.
‘The Undoing’
Untitled A six-part series premiering at 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO and streaming on HBO Max.
Even when “The Undoing” stretches credibility to the near breaking point and drips with lurid melodrama, it’s one visually arresting series, with beautifully framed shots (often showcasing the life of One Percenters in Manhattan), and Kidman and Hugh Grant proving they’ve still got that movie star magic we first saw in each of them some three decades ago.
This series might as well have been called “Undoing the Big Little Lies that Started Little Fires Everywhere,” as it follows the formula of adapting a recently penned and popular page-turning murder mystery for a premium cable limited series set mostly in wealthy enclaves and starring A-list actors playing characters who are frantically juggling very complicated lives when things are turned upside down by crimes and misdemeanors — sometimes even MURDER, that’s right I said MURDER.
Based on the novel “You Should Have Known” by Jean Hanff Korelitz, written by the prolific and skilled veteran David E. Kelley (whose credits include “Big Little Lies”) and directed by the gifted Susanne Bier (the terrific miniseries “The Night Manager,” the Netflix horror smash “Bird Box”), “The Undoing” is set in a Manhattan community where the parents live in seven-figure duplexes, send their children to obscenely expensive private schools, listen only to classical music and hold a fundraiser high atop the glass tower that is One State Street Plaza. They all talk as if they think they’re in a Woody Allen film from the 1970s — but they often come across as superficial, cynical, cold and judgmental. You wouldn’t want to spend time with them in real life, but they’re fun to watch from your living room.
Kidman’s Grace is a pricey therapist, and her husband Jonathan (Hugh Grant) is a highly regarded oncologist who has a dry biscuit of a British quip for every occasion but also has a wonderful bedside manner with his child patients and still cares so much about his work after all these years that when he returns home after losing one, he collapses weeping into his wife’s arms. Grace and Jonathan’s son Henry (Noah Jupe, the talented, young actor from “A Quiet Place” and “Ford v. Ferrari”) has an adorable mop of curly hair, plays the violin and loves spending time with his parents. He’s the perfect kid! Or is he...
The filmmakers do a stellar job of introducing us to the Fraser family and their daily routines and bringing in some key supporting characters — including the great Donald Sutherland as Grace’s stern and powerful and wealthy father, Franklin — when the aforementioned MURDER occurs. When the mother of one of Henry’s classmates is found brutally bludgeoned to death in her art studio, the lives of Grace, Jonathan and Henry quickly unravel.
In episode after episode, Grace learns shocking truths about Jonathan and finds her life spinning out of control as the media swarms in, her husband disappears, a prime suspect is identified, and she’s continually pestered by the lead detective (Edgar Ramirez) who is either telling her things she didn’t know about her life or asking disturbing questions making it seem like SHE could be involved in this bloody mess.
“The Undoing” is bathed in rich, autumnal colors as we quickly get to the trial portion of the proceedings, which of course feature all sorts of goings-on you’d never see in real life. But who cares, as we’re firmly in guilty-pleasure courtroom thriller territory by now!
Another mother (Matilda de Angelis) at the school of Grace’s son takes an odd interest in her in “The Undoing.” HBO
Matilda de Angelis makes a splash as Elena, a younger mother at the school who takes an odd and sudden liking to Grace, and seems to delight in making her uncomfortable, as when she reintroduces herself in the locker room of a health club and stands fully naked in front of Grace, casually running a finger along her torso. Is she trying to seduce Grace? Is she crazy? What’s her deal? Oh, the things we’ll find out, sometimes in flashback.
I also got a kick out of Donald Sutherland’s performance as Grace’s crusty old father, Franklin, who always sounds as if he’s onstage doing Shakespeare, even when spouting ridiculous lines, e.g., at the aforementioned fundraiser when he says, “I bid on the silent auction, I’m apt to win one of Henry Ford’s original dipsticks.” That’s also how Franklin has long regarded his son-in-law Jonathan — as an original dipstick — but is Jonathan the one who committed the murder? You’ll find out over the course of six quick episodes filled with empty yet satisfying entertainment calories.