chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--‘Holidate’: Netflix’s cheesy rom-com is a nothing-special occasion

Walk with me on this one .
Right over here .
Emma Roberts ’ Sloane is at a family Christmas party where she has arrived ALONE , to the shock and dismay of her mother and siblings , because even though we ’ re in modern times , I guess it ’ s also 1785 .
Sloane ’ s deeply tanned and daffy Aunt Susan ( Kristin Chenoweth ) has brought a companion — a surly guy in a Santa outfit who taste-licks the cookies and wolfs down food as if he hasn ’ t eaten in a week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says Aunt Susan .
“ I met him at the mall .
You ’ d be surprised at the quality of men you can meet at the mall .
… Relax , it ’ s not like I ’ m going to marry him .
He ’ s just my holidate .
… I date someone for the holiday .
No commitment.
” And that ’ s your setup for the Netflix original movie “ Holidate , ” an excruciatingly cheesy , hopelessly dated , profoundly unfunny and tone-deaf romantic comedy about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lovely woman who enters into an arrangement with a handsome stranger by which they ’ ll be each other ’ s “ holidate ” for everything from Valentine ’ s Day to St. Patrick ’ s Day to the Fourth of July , but never actually act on the fake relationship and just go their merry , separate ways until Labor Day or Halloween or whatever .
That ’ s it .
That ’ s the movie .
If you don ’ t know where this story will go , I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ date with Aunt Susan .
She doesn ’ t expect much in the way of … anything .
Cut to the mall — the mall is a big deal in this movie — where Sloane has a meet-cute with a hunky Australian dude named Jackson ( Luke Bracey , looking like a lost Hemsworth brother ) in the gift return line .
As Sloane and Jackson wander about the 1995-level crowded mall , Sloane introduces Jackson to the concept of the holidate — and boom , Jackson asks Sloane to join him for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like Sloane , he ’ s not into casual dating and not in a place to pursue a real relationship .
Off we go on a medley of holidates , with Sloane and Jackson exchanging allegedly witty banter , throwing down the drinks and cheerfully mocking other people — all in settings where all the extras look exactly like extras , and the sound mix and production design is so subpar it never feels as if we ’ re in a real nightclub or Irish pub .
Meanwhile , Sloane ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a real hoot cause she doesn ’ t know how to properly work the FaceTime ( oh , those seniors ! )
, and , just for good measure , we get a running-into-the-ex-at-the-store scene directly ripped off from “ When Harry Met Sally… ” Crazy Aunt Susan shows up for an Easter party dressed as a Playboy bunny .
Sloane and Jackson go out to a Mexican bar on Cinco de Mayo ( a major holiday for Caucasians ) and get hammered on shots .
Aunt Susan brings a creepy stoner called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a Fourth of July barbecue .
One begins to resent the calendar and all those special get-together days .
( And before it ’ s all over , you just know someone ’ s gon na grab a microphone in a public setting and make a heartfelt speech .
Sigh . )
You ’ d think something so tired and corny would be at least sweet and sentimental , but “ Holidate ” earns its TV-MA rating with lots of frank sex talk , liberal use of the f-bomb , a comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extended sequence in which Sloane is in a race to get out of her complicated Halloween getup and make it to the bathroom before she has an unfortunate accident .
“ Oh Jesus F- - - Jesus , don ’ t let this happen !
” cries Sloane .
“ Don ’ t let me be the girl who s -- -- her pants !
” Yipes .
I think it was a deleted scene from a holidate-type movie starring Emma ’ s Aunt Julia , “ Pretty Woman.
” Or maybe @ @

Walk with me on this one. Right over here.
Emma Roberts’ Sloane is at a family Christmas party where she has arrived ALONE, to the shock and dismay of her mother and siblings, because even though we’re in modern times, I guess it’s also 1785. Sloane’s deeply tanned and daffy Aunt Susan (Kristin Chenoweth) has brought a companion — a surly guy in a Santa outfit who taste-licks the cookies and wolfs down food as if he hasn’t eaten in a week.
‘Holidate’
Untitled Netflix presents a film directed by John Whitesell and written by Tiffany Paulsen. No MPAA rating. Running time: 104 minutes. Available Wednesday on Netflix.
“Isn’t he great?” says Aunt Susan. “I met him at the mall. You’d be surprised at the quality of men you can meet at the mall. … Relax, it’s not like I’m going to marry him. He’s just my holidate. … I date someone for the holiday. No commitment.”
And that’s your setup for the Netflix original movie “Holidate,” an excruciatingly cheesy, hopelessly dated, profoundly unfunny and tone-deaf romantic comedy about an intelligent, hard-working, likable and lovely woman who enters into an arrangement with a handsome stranger by which they’ll be each other’s “holidate” for everything from Valentine’s Day to St. Patrick’s Day to the Fourth of July, but never actually act on the fake relationship and just go their merry, separate ways until Labor Day or Halloween or whatever.
That’s it. That’s the movie. If you don’t know where this story will go, I’d like to set you up on a date with Aunt Susan. She doesn’t expect much in the way of … anything.
(Programming note: “Holidate,” we’re told, is set in the Chicago area. Aunt Susan makes a reference to the Art Institute, we see an overhead shot of the green Chicago River on St. Patrick’s Day, a few glimpses of familiar downtown streets — stuff like that. In reality it was filmed in Georgia, at such famous Chicago locales as Berkeley Lake, the Gwinnett Place Mall and Sprouts Farmers Market in Peachtree Corners.)
Cut to the mall — the mall is a big deal in this movie — where Sloane has a meet-cute with a hunky Australian dude named Jackson (Luke Bracey, looking like a lost Hemsworth brother) in the gift return line. As Sloane and Jackson wander about the 1995-level crowded mall, Sloane introduces Jackson to the concept of the holidate — and boom, Jackson asks Sloane to join him for New Year’s Eve, because, like Sloane, he’s not into casual dating and not in a place to pursue a real relationship.
Off we go on a medley of holidates, with Sloane and Jackson exchanging allegedly witty banter, throwing down the drinks and cheerfully mocking other people — all in settings where all the extras look exactly like extras, and the sound mix and production design is so subpar it never feels as if we’re in a real nightclub or Irish pub. Meanwhile, Sloane’s meddling mother (Frances Fisher) is a real hoot cause she doesn’t know how to properly work the FaceTime (oh, those seniors!), and, just for good measure, we get a running-into-the-ex-at-the-store scene directly ripped off from “When Harry Met Sally…”
But wait, there’s less.
Crazy Aunt Susan shows up for an Easter party dressed as a Playboy bunny. Sloane and Jackson go out to a Mexican bar on Cinco de Mayo (a major holiday for Caucasians) and get hammered on shots. Aunt Susan brings a creepy stoner called “Uncle Sam” as her holidate to a Fourth of July barbecue. One begins to resent the calendar and all those special get-together days. (And before it’s all over, you just know someone’s gonna grab a microphone in a public setting and make a heartfelt speech. Sigh.)
You’d think something so tired and corny would be at least sweet and sentimental, but “Holidate” earns its TV-MA rating with lots of frank sex talk, liberal use of the f-bomb, a comedy gag involving a severed finger and even an extended sequence in which Sloane is in a race to get out of her complicated Halloween getup and make it to the bathroom before she has an unfortunate accident. “Oh Jesus F- - - Jesus, don’t let this happen!” cries Sloane. “Don’t let me be the girl who s---- her pants!”
Yipes. I think it was a deleted scene from a holidate-type movie starring Emma’s Aunt Julia, “Pretty Woman.”
Or maybe not.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Illinois pot shops are now rolling in bud, so why does an eighth of weed still cost $80?

Customers waited in line for hours in January to buy legal pot for the first time , only to learn there were limits on purchases — and some stores weren ’ t even selling smokeable cannabis flower to recreational customers .
But since persistent supply shortages marred the rollout of recreational pot , cultivators have scaled up their operations to meet Illinois ’ growing demand for legal weed .
Now , 10 months later , pot store shelves are consistently stocked with flower .
But another issue remains : prices are still sky high .
According to industry analysts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country .
Budzu , a crowdsourcing site that tracks the price of cannabis , says the average cost for an eighth of an ounce is roughly $ 62 .
In Colorado , the same amount costs around $ 33 .
“ That is the number one complaint that we get on our reviews , ” said Jonah Rapino , a spokesman for Wheaton-based NuEra , which operates three Illinois dispensaries and one of the state ’ s 21 cultivation centers .
“ They ’ re blaming us , like , ‘ How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How could you charge us this much money ?
You ’ re evil capitalist monsters.
’ ” Though hefty taxes are tacked on , NuEra ’ s location in West Town is charging $ 80 for an eighth of an ounce of some flower varietals .
Cannabis consultant Andy Seeger claimed the “ obscene ” prices at dispensaries across Illinois are being “ artificially created ” by the state ’ s few growers .
“ Their willingness to drop prices is theirs alone , ” added Seeger .
“ No one ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost no competition to this point.
” Bryan Zises , owner of Dispensary 33 in Uptown , also placed the onus on the growers , saying that prices are merely “ passed along.
” “ Talk to Cresco [ Labs ] and PharmaCann about that , ” said Zises , referencing two firms that grow and sell cannabis in Illinois .
“ Any cost savings that we get , we will pass to our customers.
” Cresco spokesman Jason Erkes said he doesn ’ t know what it will take to bring prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now has “ more weed than there are stores to sell it.
” But that ’ s only because the River North-based pot giant scaled up production at its three cultivation sites “ to prepare for the next round of licenses to be issued , ” Erkes noted .
However , the state ’ s plan to issue 130 new pot shop licenses has been foiled by the coronavirus outbreak and an ongoing licensing imbroglio .
While the operators of the state ’ s 55 existing medical dispensaries were allowed to start selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store for adult-use sales , state records show that only 18 have earned new licenses .
What ’ s more , the next 75 recreational dispensary licenses are being held indefinitely after lawsuits were filed over the application process and the state allegedly failing to meet its lofty goal of creating a more diverse cannabis industry .
Jeremy Unruh , a spokesman for PharmaCann , painted a different picture of the output coming from his company ’ s grow center in Dwight , which is about 30 miles west of Kankakee .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started to stabilize , he said the state “ is going to need more product on the market ” for prices to drop .
“ Because [ cannabis ] is scarce , there ’ s still a premium associated with it , ” Unruh said .
“ Once we have more retail locations open and once there is a more robust supply , I definitely think you ’ re going to see prices come down.
” Dusty Shroyer , who runs Revolution Enterprises ’ greenhouse in Delavan , said the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he insisted that wholesale prices are “ really fair and competitive.
” “ We sell out of what we produce every single week .
Pretty much as soon as we release it to dispensaries , it gets bought up right away , ” noted Shroyer , who said Revolution is still actively working to increase its capacity .
Nevertheless , Shroyer said his operation is more focused on quality than quantity .
That focus on growing primo pot paid off in September , when Revolution nearly swept the Illinois Cannabis Cup , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on which strain of weed they liked best .
And while Zises noted that his shop in Uptown prides itself on stocking the best cannabis the state has to offer , that ’ s proved to be a challenge because his team hasn ’ t seen the overall quality improve .
Still , the number of strains the store carries has jumped significantly .
A spokeswoman for the dispensary previously told the Sun-Times the store typically stocked about 15 types of cannabis flower for medical customers before recreational weed was legalized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that many varietals available , according to an online menu .

Customers waited in line for hours in January to buy legal pot for the first time, only to learn there were limits on purchases — and some stores weren’t even selling smokeable cannabis flower to recreational users.
But since persistent supply shortages marred the rollout of recreational sales, cultivators have scaled up their operations to meet Illinois’ growing demand for legal weed. Now, 10 months later, pot store shelves are consistently stocked with flower.
But another issue remains: prices are still sky high.
According to industry analysts, Illinois has the most expensive weed in the country. Budzu, a crowdsourcing site that tracks the price of cannabis, says the average cost for an eighth of an ounce is roughly $62. In Colorado, the same amount costs around $33.
“That is the number one complaint that we get on our reviews,” said Jonah Rapino, a spokesman for Wheaton-based NuEra, which operates three Illinois dispensaries and one of the state’s 21 cultivation centers. “They’re blaming us, like, ‘How could you do this to us? How could you charge us this much money? You’re evil capitalist monsters.’”
Though hefty taxes are tacked on, NuEra’s location in West Town is charging $80 for an eighth of an ounce of some flower varietals. Cannabis consultant Andy Seeger claimed the “obscene” prices at dispensaries across Illinois are being “artificially created” by the state’s few growers.
“Their willingness to drop prices is theirs alone,” added Seeger. “No one’s forcing them to. There’s almost no competition to this point.”
Jon O’Rourke serves a customer at NuEra Cannabis, located at 1308 W. North Ave., Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2020. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Bryan Zises, owner of Dispensary 33 in Uptown, also placed the onus on the growers, saying that prices are merely “passed along.”
“Talk to Cresco [Labs] and PharmaCann about that,” said Zises, referencing two firms that grow and sell cannabis in Illinois. “Any cost savings that we get, we will pass to our customers.”
Cresco spokesman Jason Erkes said he doesn’t know what it will take to bring prices down, though he claimed the company now has “more weed than there are stores to sell it.” But that’s only because the River North-based pot giant scaled up production at its three cultivation sites “to prepare for the next round of licenses to be issued,” Erkes noted.
Delay in new store openings
However, the state’s plan to issue 130 new pot shop licenses has been foiled by the coronavirus outbreak and an ongoing licensing imbroglio.
While the operators of the state’s 55 existing medical dispensaries were allowed to start selling recreational weed in January and open another store for adult-use sales, state records show that only 18 have earned new licenses. What’s more, the next 75 recreational dispensary licenses are being held indefinitely after lawsuits were filed over the application process and the state allegedly failing to meet its lofty goal of creating a more diverse cannabis industry.
Jeremy Unruh, a spokesman for PharmaCann, painted a different picture of the output coming from his company’s grow center in Dwight, which is about 30 miles west of Kankakee. Though Unruh noted that the supply issues have started to stabilize, he said the state “is going to need more product on the market” for prices to drop.
“Because [cannabis] is scarce, there’s still a premium associated with it,” Unruh said. “Once we have more retail locations open and once there is a more robust supply, I definitely think you’re going to see prices come down.”
Marijuana flower was originally hard to come by when Illinois legalized recreational weed, but store shelves are now better stocked, workers say. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Dusty Shroyer, who runs Revolution Enterprises’ greenhouse in Delavan, said the state’s cannabis supply is “much healthier” as he insisted that wholesale prices are “really fair and competitive.”
“We sell out of what we produce every single week. Pretty much as soon as we release it to dispensaries, it gets bought up right away,” noted Shroyer, who said Revolution is still actively working to increase its capacity.
Nevertheless, Shroyer said his operation is more focused on quality than quantity. That focus on growing primo pot paid off in September, when Revolution nearly swept the Illinois Cannabis Cup, a competition that allowed pot users to vote on which strain of weed they liked best.
And while Zises noted that his shop in Uptown prides itself on stocking the best cannabis the state has to offer, that’s proved to be a challenge because his team hasn’t seen the overall quality improve.
Still, the number of strains the store carries has jumped significantly.
A spokeswoman for the dispensary previously told the Sun-Times the store typically stocked about 15 types of cannabis flower for medical customers before recreational weed was legalized. Now, Dispensary 33 has nearly double that many varietals available, according to an online menu.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--6 shot, 1 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

6 shot, 1 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

Six people were shot , one fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
A man was fatally shot as he sat at a kitchen table in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
About 1:45 a.m. , the 41-year-old was sitting at a table in the kitchen of a home in the first block of East 121st Place , when shots were fired from outside through a window , striking him in the chest , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office identified him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a man was shot in Uptown on the North Side .
The 46-year-old was sitting in a parked car about 9 p.m. in the 4600 block of North Winthrop Avenue when someone fired shots from the sidewalk , police said .
The man was struck in the leg and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition , police said .
Earlier in the afternoon two men were wounded in a shooting in Homan Square on the West Side .
The men , 21 and 22 , were parked in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of South St. Louis Avenue , when another vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots at them , police said .
The 21-year-old was struck in the arm and head , while the 22-year-old also suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and a graze wound to the head , police said .
They were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition , police said .
A 46-year-old man was shot twice in his back after entering a vehicle in Pilsen on the Lower West Side .
Someone ran up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1300 block of West Cermak Road and fired shots , according to police .
The man drove to 30th and Halsted streets in Bridgeport , where paramedics found him and brought him to Stroger Hospital in critical condition , police said .
In the day ’ s first reported shooting a 24-year-old man was wounded when he was shot inside an apartment in Belmont Central on the Northwest Side .
About 1:50 a.m. , he was inside an apartment with several people in the 5900 block of West Grand Avenue , when shots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was struck in his abdomen and neck , and rushed in critical condition to Loyola University Medical Center , police said .
Seven people were wounded in shootings Monday citywide .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Six people were shot, one fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
A man was fatally shot as he sat at a kitchen table in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
About 1:45 a.m., the 41-year-old was sitting at a table in the kitchen of a home in the first block of East 121st Place, when shots were fired from outside through a window, striking him in the chest, Chicago police said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Julian Williams.
In non-fatal shootings, a man was shot in Uptown on the North Side.
The 46-year-old was sitting in a parked car about 9 p.m. in the 4600 block of North Winthrop Avenue when someone fired shots from the sidewalk, police said.
The man was struck in the leg and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition, police said.
Earlier in the afternoon two men were wounded in a shooting in Homan Square on the West Side.
The men, 21 and 22, were parked in a vehicle about 2:55 p.m. in the 1100 block of South St. Louis Avenue, when another vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots at them, police said.
The 21-year-old was struck in the arm and head, while the 22-year-old also suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and a graze wound to the head, police said.
They were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.
A 46-year-old man was shot twice in his back after entering a vehicle in Pilsen on the Lower West Side.
Someone ran up to him about 6:40 a.m. in the 1300 block of West Cermak Road and fired shots, according to police.
The man drove to 30th and Halsted streets in Bridgeport, where paramedics found him and brought him to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.
In the day’s first reported shooting a 24-year-old man was wounded when he was shot inside an apartment in Belmont Central on the Northwest Side.
About 1:50 a.m., he was inside an apartment with several people in the 5900 block of West Grand Avenue, when shots were fired, Chicago police said.
He was struck in his abdomen and neck, and rushed in critical condition to Loyola University Medical Center, police said.
Seven people were wounded in shootings Monday citywide.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Dear Abby: Man doesn’t seem to get the severity of his wife’s illness

DEAR ABBY : I am a young woman who has battled rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren ’ s syndrome for the past eight years .
My aunt passed away from complications of it at the age of 43 , and I ’ m getting close to that age .
Since the beginning of the pandemic , I have become increasingly disabled .
I can barely get out of bed without being in pain and can not sleep .
Household chores have become impossible , and I can get things done only near the end of the day when the swelling in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how this disease robbed my aunt of her livelihood , but I also saw how my uncle helped her with almost everything .
I love my husband , but he seems to think that I can just take a pill and instantly and magically be fine , which is not true .
He has unrealistic expectations of me that I can not meet .
I have tried to get him to understand this is a chronic disease that will be with me for the rest of my life , and I have given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismisses it .
At this point , I feel like packing up and leaving because I ’ m a burden to him and I don ’ t know what else to do anymore .
Advice ?
— FULL OF PAIN DEAR FULL OF PAIN : Packing up and leaving right now is not advisable .
When couples promise each other they will stick together “ in sickness and in health , ” a situation like the one in which you find yourself is what ’ s meant .
Does your doctor know the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the last several months ?
If not , put the person on notice !
Schedule a consultation , if possible , and when you do , your husband should be with you so he can fully understand what ’ s going on and help you if you need it .
If he isn ’ t capable of doing that , you will have to make other arrangements for your care and for the housework you can no longer manage .
Please stop beating yourself up over this .
You have done nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily be the unwell spouse , if fate hadn ’ t decided otherwise .
DEAR ABBY : My friend just ended a relationship with her boyfriend of over two years that had progressed to them moving in together .
About eight months ago , she found out he was having an online relationship , but they talked it out and decided to give it another try .
Now , after learning he has another woman on the line , she kicked him out .
Abby , he is working to get her back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give him another chance .
I think it ’ s a losing game for her and more disappointment down the line .
My question is , how honest should I be about my unwillingness to go along with giving him a third chance ?
It seems like this leopard won ’ t change his spots .
— CRYSTAL BALL IN MISSOURI DEAR CRYSTAL BALL : If you haven ’ t already expressed your feelings to your friend , AND SHE ASKS YOU FOR YOUR OPINION , be fully honest regarding your concerns about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agree now that he has cheated on her not once but twice , the likelihood of him doing it again is almost guaranteed .
That said , you can ’ t live your friend ’ s life for her , and some people are slow to learn .
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 .
Good advice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I am a young woman who has battled rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome for the past eight years. My aunt passed away from complications of it at the age of 43, and I’m getting close to that age.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have become increasingly disabled. I can barely get out of bed without being in pain and cannot sleep. Household chores have become impossible, and I can get things done only near the end of the day when the swelling in my joints goes down.
I saw how this disease robbed my aunt of her livelihood, but I also saw how my uncle helped her with almost everything. I love my husband, but he seems to think that I can just take a pill and instantly and magically be fine, which is not true. He has unrealistic expectations of me that I cannot meet.
I have tried to get him to understand this is a chronic disease that will be with me for the rest of my life, and I have given him material to read, but he dismisses it. At this point, I feel like packing up and leaving because I’m a burden to him and I don’t know what else to do anymore. Advice? — FULL OF PAIN
DEAR FULL OF PAIN: Packing up and leaving right now is not advisable. When couples promise each other they will stick together “in sickness and in health,” a situation like the one in which you find yourself is what’s meant.
Does your doctor know the degree to which your health has declined in the last several months? If not, put the person on notice! Schedule a consultation, if possible, and when you do, your husband should be with you so he can fully understand what’s going on and help you if you need it. If he isn’t capable of doing that, you will have to make other arrangements for your care and for the housework you can no longer manage.
Please stop beating yourself up over this. You have done nothing wrong. Your husband could just as easily be the unwell spouse, if fate hadn’t decided otherwise.
DEAR ABBY: My friend just ended a relationship with her boyfriend of over two years that had progressed to them moving in together. About eight months ago, she found out he was having an online relationship, but they talked it out and decided to give it another try. Now, after learning he has another woman on the line, she kicked him out.
Abby, he is working to get her back, and she seems to want to give him another chance. I think it’s a losing game for her and more disappointment down the line. My question is, how honest should I be about my unwillingness to go along with giving him a third chance? It seems like this leopard won’t change his spots. — CRYSTAL BALL IN MISSOURI
DEAR CRYSTAL BALL: If you haven’t already expressed your feelings to your friend, AND SHE ASKS YOU FOR YOUR OPINION, be fully honest regarding your concerns about her ex-boyfriend’s character. I agree now that he has cheated on her not once but twice, the likelihood of him doing it again is almost guaranteed. That said, you can’t live your friend’s life for her, and some people are slow to learn.
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.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Bears’ quarterback curse still going strong

A new symbol for the Bears should be a bent-over old man holding a lantern as he steps into darkness .
The old man would represent the franchise , on its endless search for a great starting quarterback .
That ’ s the Bears , people .
That ’ s the deal in a nutshell .
Get a great QB — to go with a typical Bears defense — and you ’ re talking division titles and Super Bowl .
After the 24-10 road dud Monday night against the Rams , Bears brass can only be thinking , “ Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ We ’ re hamsters on a treadmill.
’ ’ Nick Foles was the hopeful quarterback solution to the erratic and overwhelmed Mitch Trubisky .
Monday night was Foles ’ fourth start since taking over , and he stunk .
Yes , the Bears ’ offensive line is weak and coach Matt Nagy ’ s play-calling and offensive scheme are painful .
But somewhere in there , you need a good quarterback to create yardage , work out problems , use sheer talent to escape rushes and blitzes .
Foles is tall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps , because so is future Hall of Famer Tom Brady .
But Brady has that extra sense , that quarterback gift — even though he ’ s about done at 43 .
Foles is only 31 , and he came to the Bears with the hope that , if called upon , he could show the magic he displayed when he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl LII crown and was named the game ’ s MVP .
But what we ’ ve mostly seen is the guy who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2012 draft .
His combine time back then in the 40-yard dash was an O-lineman-style 5.14 seconds .
You don ’ t get faster with age .
Sometimes it feels like I ’ ve written this column before .
I probably have .
Forgive me if you feel like you ’ ve read it 100 times .
I guess I ’ m on that hamster wheel , too .
General manager Ryan Pace ’ s mistake on Trubisky as franchise savior in the 2017 draft — giving up so much and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haunt this team for years .
There ’ s your old man in the wilderness , clutching the lantern , stumbling from one nightmare to the next .
A look at Bears history shows this amazing fact : No quarterback has started all 16 games in a season more than once .
And only Vince Evans , Jim Harbaugh , Erik Kramer , Rex Grossman and Jay Cutler have done it at all .
That speaks to durability , consistency , competency and , yes , some intangible skill only great quarterbacks have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 games in a season 11 times .
And he has started 15 games four times .
The Packers ’ Aaron Rodgers has started 15 or 16 games in a season 10 times .
Before him , Brett Favre started 16 games for the Packers , without a miss , for 15 consecutive years .
Think of that .
Our good buddies up in Cheeseland have had quarterbacks who started 15 or 16 games each season for a combined 31 years .
Slouches don ’ t do that .
Slouches don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bears ’ endless quarterback hunt continues slouching onward .
That Pace is at the helm is almost like having a blind man leading a mountaineering expedition ( though he can ’ t be blamed for past calamities ) .
The list of people who have started at quarterback for the Bears ever since their Super Bowl XX victory on Jan. 26 , 1986 , is semi-hilarious .
The names of some ( there are more than 50 ) fall off the tongue like popcorn husks : Mike Hohensee , Peter Tom Willis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Craig Krenzel , Chad Hutchinson , Todd Collins , Caleb Hanie , etc .
I look at the list and think : Dear God , did Matt Barkley actually start more games ( six ) in 2016 than Cutler or the other backup , Brian Hoyer ?
Sure did .
Who — help me here — was Steve Bradley ?
He started a game in 1987 , after Jim McMahon , Mike Tomczak and Hohensee .
I was deep into the Bears back then , but I have no recollection of this fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also gave us ( and these I do remember ) Cade McNown , Steve Stenstrom , Rusty Lisch and — take a bow , Pace — Mike Glennon .
My favorites , though , were Moses “ No Promised Land Here ’ ’ Moreno , Henry Burris and all-time fave Jonathan Quinn in 2004 .
Quinn looked like a goat being led to slaughter before each of his three starts ( and losses ) .
Thank you , Bears , for the entertainment .
Just keep your lantern out , and good luck @

A new symbol for the Bears should be a bent-over old man holding a lantern as he steps into darkness.
The old man would represent the franchise, on its endless search for a great starting quarterback.
That’s the Bears, people. That’s the deal in a nutshell.
Get a great QB — to go with a typical Bears defense — and you’re talking division titles and Super Bowl.
After the 24-10 road dud Monday night against the Rams, Bears brass can only be thinking, “Here we go again.’’ Or maybe, “We’re hamsters on a treadmill.’’
Nick Foles was the hopeful quarterback solution to the erratic and overwhelmed Mitch Trubisky. Monday night was Foles’ fourth start since taking over, and he stunk.
Yes, the Bears’ offensive line is weak and coach Matt Nagy’s play-calling and offensive scheme are painful. But somewhere in there, you need a good quarterback to create yardage, work out problems, use sheer talent to escape rushes and blitzes.
Foles is tall and immobile. That’s OK, perhaps, because so is future Hall of Famer Tom Brady. But Brady has that extra sense, that quarterback gift — even though he’s about done at 43.
Foles is only 31, and he came to the Bears with the hope that, if called upon, he could show the magic he displayed when he led the Eagles to the Super Bowl LII crown and was named the game’s MVP.
But what we’ve mostly seen is the guy who is a career backup, a third-round pick in the 2012 draft. His combine time back then in the 40-yard dash was an O-lineman-style 5.14 seconds. You don’t get faster with age.
Sometimes it feels like I’ve written this column before. I probably have. Forgive me if you feel like you’ve read it 100 times. I guess I’m on that hamster wheel, too.
General manager Ryan Pace’s mistake on Trubisky as franchise savior in the 2017 draft — giving up so much and missing out on even more — will haunt this team for years. There’s your old man in the wilderness, clutching the lantern, stumbling from one nightmare to the next.
A look at Bears history shows this amazing fact: No quarterback has started all 16 games in a season more than once.
And only Vince Evans, Jim Harbaugh, Erik Kramer, Rex Grossman and Jay Cutler have done it at all. That speaks to durability, consistency, competency and, yes, some intangible skill only great quarterbacks have.
Consider that Drew Brees has started 16 games in a season 11 times. And he has started 15 games four times.
The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers has started 15 or 16 games in a season 10 times. Before him, Brett Favre started 16 games for the Packers, without a miss, for 15 consecutive years.
Think of that. Our good buddies up in Cheeseland have had quarterbacks who started 15 or 16 games each season for a combined 31 years.
Slouches don’t do that. Slouches don’t get a chance to.
Meanwhile, the Bears’ endless quarterback hunt continues slouching onward. That Pace is at the helm is almost like having a blind man leading a mountaineering expedition (though he can’t be blamed for past calamities).
The list of people who have started at quarterback for the Bears ever since their Super Bowl XX victory on Jan. 26, 1986, is semi-hilarious. The names of some (there are more than 50) fall off the tongue like popcorn husks: Mike Hohensee, Peter Tom Willis, Will Furrer, Rick Mirer, Craig Krenzel, Chad Hutchinson, Todd Collins, Caleb Hanie, etc.
I look at the list and think: Dear God, did Matt Barkley actually start more games (six) in 2016 than Cutler or the other backup, Brian Hoyer? Sure did.
Who — help me here — was Steve Bradley? He started a game in 1987, after Jim McMahon, Mike Tomczak and Hohensee. I was deep into the Bears back then, but I have no recollection of this fellow. Is that my fault?
I’m saying no.
I blame the Bears.
They also gave us (and these I do remember) Cade McNown, Steve Stenstrom, Rusty Lisch and — take a bow, Pace — Mike Glennon.
My favorites, though, were Moses “No Promised Land Here’’ Moreno, Henry Burris and all-time fave Jonathan Quinn in 2004. Quinn looked like a goat being led to slaughter before each of his three starts (and losses).
Thank you, Bears, for the entertainment.
Just keep your lantern out, and good luck.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--‘The Craft: Legacy’: The sequel’s magic lies in its respect for teen issues

One of the best badass teen horror movies of the 1990s was the surprise hit “ The Craft ” ( 1996 ) , with Robin Tunney , Fairuza Balk , Neve Campbell and Rachel True as a quartet of fringe outcasts at a posh parochial school who discover their inner witches and cause all manner of havoc .
It was like “ Clueless ” meets “ Carrie , ” and amid all the supernatural madness , it took on issues such as racist bullying , domestic violence and the power dynamic between social classes of teenagers .
Now comes “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a worthy companion piece on both fronts .
It brings the supernatural drive-in movie thrills galore but also intelligently and respectfully explores a number of timely and relevant issues , from the journey of a transgender character to why it ’ s still not easy for a stereotypically macho jock to come out to the often complicated relationships between young women who are all about girl power and supporting one another — but can be as mean as the “ Mean Girls ” from days gone by .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , edgy , wickedly funny and wild ride from the talented writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones , who ’ s also an actress known for the CBS sitcom “ Life in Pieces , ” among other works .
Lister-Jones infuses nearly every shot with style in delivering one of the better looking and more involving horror films of the year .
And while “ Legacy ” works as a stand-alone film and it ’ s a not a prerequisite for you to see “ The Craft ” before seeing this one , I highly recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that ’ s all I ’ m going to say about that .
“ Legacy ” starts with the time-honored horror movie setup of parent and child making a fresh start in a new home where everything will be better , just you wait and see .
Michelle Monaghan is Eunice , a single mother , and Cailee Spaeny is her teenage daughter Lily .
Monaghan and Spaeny have terrific chemistry in immediately establishing a powerful and loving mother-daughter dynamic , as evidenced by their enthusiastic jamming to Alanis Morissette ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their road trip to a new life .
Lily has promised to keep an open mind as they move into the gigantic homestead of Eunice ’ s new romantic interest , Adam ( David Duchovny ) and Adam ’ s three sons : the older alpha males , Jacob ( Charles Vandervaart ) and Isaiah ( Donald MacLean Jr. ) , and the younger and more sensitive Abe ( Julian Grey ) , the only one who makes an effort to be nice to Lily .
Duchovny is a deadpan hoot as Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights guru who has written a book titled “ Hallowed Masculinity , ” holds seminars encouraging his fellow males to assert themselves and rules the household with an iron hand .
Even when he makes fun of himself and says he made a “ dad joke , ” there ’ s something … off about this guy .
To say Lily ’ s first few days at school are a whirlwind is an understatement .
She experiences a mortifying moment of embarrassment with echoes of a scene from the previously mentioned “ Carrie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the predatory bully Timmy ( Nicholas Galitzine ) and she finds kindred spirits in Frankie ( Gideon Adlon ) , Lourdes ( Zoey Luna ) and Tabby ( Lovie Simone ) , three novice witches ( that ’ s right ) who have been searching for a much-needed fourth who can complete the quartet of Air , Fire , Water and Earth magic and exponentially increase their collective powers .
Lily hears their pitch and says with wry understatement , “ This is a LOT , but I am listening … ” Writer-director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movie scenes in the hallways and the classrooms , the obligatory blowout party , et al.
, balanced with the growing supernatural element , as the girls learn to master their growing respective skill sets .
( We even get a “ Rocky ” -esque training and initiation sequence , set to “ Seventeen ” by Sharon Van Etten , and it ’ s just too great . )
They cast a spell on the toxic Timmy and he becomes “ Woke Timmy , ” who is enlightened and earnest — and suddenly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same way .
It ’ s “ Sixteen Candles , ” only the candles have been lit by … witchcraft !
But Lister-Jones ’ richly packed script is filled with sharp turns , so even the “ Woke Timmy ” storyline goes to a place we wouldn ’ t expect .
We know a witchy storm is brewing in “ The Craft : Legacy ” and we ’ re pretty sure we know where it ’ s coming from , but that doesn ’ t diminish the sheer go-for-it madness of the climactic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve really come to root for the quartet , especially our heroine Lily .
Cailee Spaeny , Lovie Simone , Gideon Adlon and Zoey Luna are absolutely endearing and natural together .
With their offbeat sense of fashion style and their whip-smart humor and their genuine strength and courage , they ’ d be a force to be reckoned with even if they couldn ’ t so much as extinguish a candle from across the room .

One of the best badass teen horror movies of the 1990s was the surprise hit “The Craft” (1996), with Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Rachel True as a quartet of fringe outcasts at a posh parochial school who discover their inner witches and cause all manner of havoc. It was like “Clueless” meets “Carrie,” and amid all the supernatural madness, it took on issues such as racist bullying, domestic violence and the power dynamic between social classes of teenagers.
‘The Craft: Legacy’
Untitled Columbia Pictures presents a film written and directed by Zoe Lister-Jones. Rated PG-13 (for thematic elements, crude and sexual content, language and brief drug material). Running time: 94 minutes. Available Wednesday on demand.
Now comes “The Craft: Legacy,” and it’s a worthy companion piece on both fronts. It brings the supernatural drive-in movie thrills galore but also intelligently and respectfully explores a number of timely and relevant issues, from the journey of a transgender character to why it’s still not easy for a stereotypically macho jock to come out to the often complicated relationships between young women who are all about girl power and supporting one another — but can be as mean as the “Mean Girls” from days gone by.
“The Craft: Legacy” is a smart, edgy, wickedly funny and wild ride from the talented writer-director Zoe Lister-Jones, who’s also an actress known for the CBS sitcom “Life in Pieces,” among other works. Lister-Jones infuses nearly every shot with style in delivering one of the better looking and more involving horror films of the year. And while “Legacy” works as a stand-alone film and it’s a not a prerequisite for you to see “The Craft” before seeing this one, I highly recommend you DO see the original first, and that’s all I’m going to say about that.
“Legacy” starts with the time-honored horror movie setup of parent and child making a fresh start in a new home where everything will be better, just you wait and see. Michelle Monaghan is Eunice, a single mother, and Cailee Spaeny is her teenage daughter Lily. Monaghan and Spaeny have terrific chemistry in immediately establishing a powerful and loving mother-daughter dynamic, as evidenced by their enthusiastic jamming to Alanis Morissette’s “Hand in My Pocket” on their road trip to a new life. Lily has promised to keep an open mind as they move into the gigantic homestead of Eunice’s new romantic interest, Adam (David Duchovny) and Adam’s three sons: the older alpha males, Jacob (Charles Vandervaart) and Isaiah (Donald MacLean Jr.), and the younger and more sensitive Abe (Julian Grey), the only one who makes an effort to be nice to Lily.
Duchovny is a deadpan hoot as Adam, a kind of men’s rights guru who has written a book titled “Hallowed Masculinity,” holds seminars encouraging his fellow males to assert themselves and rules the household with an iron hand. Even when he makes fun of himself and says he made a “dad joke,” there’s something … off about this guy.
To say Lily’s first few days at school are a whirlwind is an understatement. She experiences a mortifying moment of embarrassment with echoes of a scene from the previously mentioned “Carrie,” she’s taunted by the predatory bully Timmy (Nicholas Galitzine) and she finds kindred spirits in Frankie (Gideon Adlon), Lourdes (Zoey Luna) and Tabby (Lovie Simone), three novice witches (that’s right) who have been searching for a much-needed fourth who can complete the quartet of Air, Fire, Water and Earth magic and exponentially increase their collective powers. Lily hears their pitch and says with wry understatement, “This is a LOT, but I am listening …”
Writer-director Lister-Jones gives us the expected high school movie scenes in the hallways and the classrooms, the obligatory blowout party, et al., balanced with the growing supernatural element, as the girls learn to master their growing respective skill sets. (We even get a “Rocky”-esque training and initiation sequence, set to “Seventeen” by Sharon Van Etten, and it’s just too great.) They cast a spell on the toxic Timmy and he becomes “Woke Timmy,” who is enlightened and earnest — and suddenly interested in Lily, who feels the same way. It’s “Sixteen Candles,” only the candles have been lit by … witchcraft! But Lister-Jones’ richly packed script is filled with sharp turns, so even the “Woke Timmy” storyline goes to a place we wouldn’t expect.
We know a witchy storm is brewing in “The Craft: Legacy” and we’re pretty sure we know where it’s coming from, but that doesn’t diminish the sheer go-for-it madness of the climactic confrontations. By that point, we’ve really come to root for the quartet, especially our heroine Lily. Cailee Spaeny, Lovie Simone, Gideon Adlon and Zoey Luna are absolutely endearing and natural together. With their offbeat sense of fashion style and their whip-smart humor and their genuine strength and courage, they’d be a force to be reckoned with even if they couldn’t so much as extinguish a candle from across the room.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Horoscope for Wednesday, Oct 28, 2020

Horoscope for Wednesday, Oct 28, 2020

After 3 a.m. Chicago time , there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Aries .
Mercury retrograde has slipped from Scorpio back into Libra , which places it opposite your sign .
This will put you in touch with ex-partners and old friends you haven ’ t seen for a while .
Fortunately , with Venus also in Libra , relations with others are sweet and friendly .
Brace yourself because Mercury retrograde will create delays and silly mistakes at work or with any task that you set for yourself .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to successfully address a previous health issue .
Confusion with pets is likely .
Old flames might be back on the scene for some of you ?
Others might be in touch with kids they haven ’ t heard from in a while .
Meanwhile , fair Venus has entered a fun part of your chart bringing opportunities for socializing , enjoying sports and fun activities with young people .
Yay !
Suddenly , there ’ s an increased emphasis on home , family and your private life .
Relatives you haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in touch .
Many of you might will tackle redecorating projects or do something to make your digs look more cozy .
Transportation delays and confused communications are likely as Mercury retrograde slips back into your house of communications .
Fortunately , Venus is also in the picture , and this sweetens your words with everyone .
A nice help .
Financial delays , checks that are late in the mail , misplaced or lost items and old money issues are things you ’ re dealing with right now .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attract money to you .
You win some ; you lose some .
In a curious way , retrograde Mercury has slipped back from Scorpio into your sign , while your ruler Venus has moved forward from Virgo into your sign .
They both arrived from different directions !
“ Let ’ s party !
” Indeed , expect to hear from old friends and contacts .
This is a powerful week for you .
The sun is in your sign boosting your energy and calling attention to you .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiding in your chart , boosting your ability to do research or find answers to old questions .
How helpful !
Enjoy some quiet time now .
This is a good time to do some thinking about what you want for your new year ahead ( birthday to birthday ) .
Meanwhile you will also hear from old friends and members of groups you have been out of touch with .
This will include creative , artistic people .
Enjoy warm friendships with others as well as members of clubs and groups at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you will hear from old bosses from your past or even parents you have been out of touch with because Mercury retrograde has slipped back from Scorpio into Libra , which places it at the top of your chart .
Travel delays plus a desire to travel are a mixed bag for your sign at this time .
However , one thing is certain : This is an excellent time to study or to finish an important paper or manuscript because things will flow easily and you will enjoy the work .
Bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that will help you to wrap up details with old red-tape issues you have been postponing .
This could relate to taxes , debt , shared property , wills , estates and inheritances .
Get on it and this work will flow quickly !
If Your Birthday Is Today Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates ( 1955 ) shares your birthday .
You are intense , ambitious and extremely focused on achieving whatever goals you want .
Nevertheless , you appear calm .
Service to others will be an important theme for you this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Therefore , take care of yourself so that you can be a strong resource .
Meanwhile , decide to invest in the relationships that you value .
Hang out with quality people .

Moon Alert
After 3 a.m. Chicago time, there are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Aries.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Mercury retrograde has slipped from Scorpio back into Libra, which places it opposite your sign. This will put you in touch with ex-partners and old friends you haven’t seen for a while. Fortunately, with Venus also in Libra, relations with others are sweet and friendly.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Brace yourself because Mercury retrograde will create delays and silly mistakes at work or with any task that you set for yourself. On the upside, this could be your chance to successfully address a previous health issue. Confusion with pets is likely.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Old flames might be back on the scene for some of you? Others might be in touch with kids they haven’t heard from in a while. Meanwhile, fair Venus has entered a fun part of your chart bringing opportunities for socializing, enjoying sports and fun activities with young people. Yay!
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Suddenly, there’s an increased emphasis on home, family and your private life. Relatives you haven’t heard from for a while might be in touch. Many of you might will tackle redecorating projects or do something to make your digs look more cozy.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Transportation delays and confused communications are likely as Mercury retrograde slips back into your house of communications. Fortunately, Venus is also in the picture, and this sweetens your words with everyone. A nice help.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Financial delays, checks that are late in the mail, misplaced or lost items and old money issues are things you’re dealing with right now. However, to offset this, Venus will tend to attract money to you. You win some; you lose some.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
In a curious way, retrograde Mercury has slipped back from Scorpio into your sign, while your ruler Venus has moved forward from Virgo into your sign. They both arrived from different directions! “Let’s party!” Indeed, expect to hear from old friends and contacts.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
This is a powerful week for you. The sun is in your sign boosting your energy and calling attention to you. Meanwhile, both Mercury retrograde and fair Venus are hiding in your chart, boosting your ability to do research or find answers to old questions. How helpful!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Enjoy some quiet time now. This is a good time to do some thinking about what you want for your new year ahead (birthday to birthday). Meanwhile you will also hear from old friends and members of groups you have been out of touch with. This will include creative, artistic people.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Enjoy warm friendships with others as well as members of clubs and groups at this time. Meanwhile, many of you will hear from old bosses from your past or even parents you have been out of touch with because Mercury retrograde has slipped back from Scorpio into Libra, which places it at the top of your chart.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Travel delays plus a desire to travel are a mixed bag for your sign at this time. However, one thing is certain: This is an excellent time to study or to finish an important paper or manuscript because things will flow easily and you will enjoy the work. Bonus!
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Suddenly, there are two planets now that will help you to wrap up details with old red-tape issues you have been postponing. This could relate to taxes, debt, shared property, wills, estates and inheritances. Get on it and this work will flow quickly!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates (1955) shares your birthday. You are intense, ambitious and extremely focused on achieving whatever goals you want. Nevertheless, you appear calm. Service to others will be an important theme for you this year, especially within your family. Therefore, take care of yourself so that you can be a strong resource. Meanwhile, decide to invest in the relationships that you value. Hang out with quality people.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--Dodgers win first World Series title since 1988

ARLINGTON , Texas — No dogpile , no champagne and a mask on nearly every face — the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their first World Series title since 1988 in a manner no one could have imagined prior to the coronavirus pandemic .
They did it without Justin Turner , their red-headed star who received a positive test for COVID-19 in the middle of their clinching victory .
Turner was removed from Los Angeles ’ 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 on Tuesday night after registering Major League Baseball ’ s first positive test in 59 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field as the Dodgers enjoyed the spoils of a title earned during a most unusual season .
“ Thanks to everyone reaching out !
, ” Turner said on Twitter .
“ I feel great , no symptoms at all .
Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine .
Can ’ t believe I couldn ’ t be out there to celebrate with my guys !
So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA.
” Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Turner ’ s positive test moments after presenting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a jarring reminder of all that ’ s been different in this season where the perennially favored Dodgers finally broke through .
Mookie Betts , who came to the Dodgers to make a World Series difference , had a mad dash to home plate in the sixth inning to put Los Angeles over the top .
The end of a frustrating championship drought for LA — and perhaps just the start for Betts and the Dodgers , whose seventh World Series title was their sixth since leaving Brooklyn to the West Coast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the go-ahead run on World Series MVP Corey Seager ’ s infield grounder , then led off the eighth with a punctuating homer .
“ I just came to be a part of it .
I ’ m just happy I could contribute , ” Betts said Clayton Kershaw was warming in the bullpen when Julio Urias struck out Willy Adames to end it and ran alongside teammates to celebrate in the infield , later joined by family who had been in the bubble with them in North Texas .
Players were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although many of their embraces came mask-free even after Turner ’ s positive test .
The Dodgers had played 5,014 regular season games and were in their 114th postseason game since Orel Hershiser struck out Oakland ’ s Tony Phillips for the final out of the World Series in 1988 , the same year Kershaw — the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner who won Games 1 and 5 of this Series — was born in nearby Dallas .
Los Angeles had come up short in the World Series twice in the previous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other side two years ago and homered in the clinching Game 5 for the Boston Red Sox , who before this season traded the 2018 AL MVP to the Dodgers .
They later gave him a $ 365 million , 12-year extension that goes until he turns 40 in 2032 .
Betts ’ 3.2-second sprint was just enough to beat the throw by first baseman Ji-Man Choi , pushing Los Angeles ahead 2-1 moments after Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled ace left-hander Blake Snell despite a dominant performance over 5 1/3 innings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ why , ” Betts said when asked about the move .
“ I ’ m not going to ask any questions .
He was pitching a great game.
” Randy Arozarena , the powerful Tampa Bay rookie , extended his postseason record with his 10th homer in the first off rookie right-hander Tony Gonsolin , the first of seven Dodgers pitchers .
The Rays never got another runner past second base as LA ’ s bullpen gave reliever-reliant Tampa Bay a taste of its own medicine .
About 2 1/2 weeks after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their season in the NBA bubble in Orlando , Florida , the Dodgers gave Los Angeles another championship in this year when the novel coronavirus pandemic has delayed , shortened and moved around sports seasons .
Seager , also the NLCS MVP , set Dodgers records with eight homers and 20 RBIs this postseason .
The MLB season didn ’ t start until late July and was abbreviated to 60 games for the shortest regular season since 1878 .
And the expanded postseason , with 16 teams making it instead of 10 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended when Urias got the last two out Tampa Bay batters on called third strikes — the 15th and 16 Ks by the Rays , with catcher Austin Barnes stuffing the last pitch in his back pocket .
Along with the 11 strikeouts by the Dodgers , it was the most combined strikeouts in a nine-inning World Series game .

ARLINGTON, Texas — No dogpile, no champagne and a mask on nearly every face — the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their first World Series title since 1988 in a manner no one could have imagined prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
They did it without Justin Turner, their red-headed star who received a positive test for COVID-19 in the middle of their clinching victory.
Turner was removed from Los Angeles’ 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 6 on Tuesday night after registering Major League Baseball’s first positive test in 59 days and wasn’t on the field as the Dodgers enjoyed the spoils of a title earned during a most unusual season.
“Thanks to everyone reaching out!,” Turner said on Twitter. “I feel great, no symptoms at all. Just experienced every emotion you can possibly imagine. Can’t believe I couldn’t be out there to celebrate with my guys! So proud of this team & unbelievably happy for the City of LA.”
Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed Turner’s positive test moments after presenting the World Series trophy to Los Angeles — a jarring reminder of all that’s been different in this season where the perennially favored Dodgers finally broke through.
Mookie Betts, who came to the Dodgers to make a World Series difference, had a mad dash to home plate in the sixth inning to put Los Angeles over the top.
The end of a frustrating championship drought for LA — and perhaps just the start for Betts and the Dodgers, whose seventh World Series title was their sixth since leaving Brooklyn to the West Coast in 1958.
Betts bolted from third for the go-ahead run on World Series MVP Corey Seager’s infield grounder, then led off the eighth with a punctuating homer.
“I just came to be a part of it. I’m just happy I could contribute,” Betts said
Clayton Kershaw was warming in the bullpen when Julio Urias struck out Willy Adames to end it and ran alongside teammates to celebrate in the infield, later joined by family who had been in the bubble with them in North Texas. Players were handed face masks as they gathered, although many of their embraces came mask-free even after Turner’s positive test.
The Dodgers had played 5,014 regular season games and were in their 114th postseason game since Orel Hershiser struck out Oakland’s Tony Phillips for the final out of the World Series in 1988, the same year Kershaw — the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner who won Games 1 and 5 of this Series — was born in nearby Dallas.
Los Angeles had come up short in the World Series twice in the previous three years. Betts was on the other side two years ago and homered in the clinching Game 5 for the Boston Red Sox, who before this season traded the 2018 AL MVP to the Dodgers. They later gave him a $365 million, 12-year extension that goes until he turns 40 in 2032.
Betts’ 3.2-second sprint was just enough to beat the throw by first baseman Ji-Man Choi, pushing Los Angeles ahead 2-1 moments after Rays manager Kevin Cash pulled ace left-hander Blake Snell despite a dominant performance over 5 1/3 innings.
“I’m not exactly sure why,” Betts said when asked about the move. “I’m not going to ask any questions. He was pitching a great game.”
Randy Arozarena, the powerful Tampa Bay rookie, extended his postseason record with his 10th homer in the first off rookie right-hander Tony Gonsolin, the first of seven Dodgers pitchers. The Rays never got another runner past second base as LA’s bullpen gave reliever-reliant Tampa Bay a taste of its own medicine.
About 2 1/2 weeks after the Lakers won the NBA title while finishing their season in the NBA bubble in Orlando, Florida, the Dodgers gave Los Angeles another championship in this year when the novel coronavirus pandemic has delayed, shortened and moved around sports seasons.
Seager, also the NLCS MVP, set Dodgers records with eight homers and 20 RBIs this postseason.
The MLB season didn’t start until late July and was abbreviated to 60 games for the shortest regular season since 1878. And the expanded postseason, with 16 teams making it instead of 10, almost went the full distance.
It ended when Urias got the last two out Tampa Bay batters on called third strikes — the 15th and 16 Ks by the Rays, with catcher Austin Barnes stuffing the last pitch in his back pocket. Along with the 11 strikeouts by the Dodgers, it was the most combined strikeouts in a nine-inning World Series game.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-27--How Democrat Lauren Underwood, Republican Jim Oberweis are closing their lllinois 14 Congress race

WASHINGTON — A new behind-the-scenes documentary debuting recently on Showtime , “ Surge , ” captured Democrat Lauren Underwood ’ s stunned reaction when she learned on election night 2018 she won her long shot House bid in the heavily GOP 14th District .
“ Is this for real ?
” she asked staffers monitoring the returns in St. Charles .
Told it was , the shocked Underwood said , “ No way , no way , no way , no way , no way.
” Underwood ’ s victory was remarkable because the top of the Democratic ticket , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district she won in 2018 , and voters in the GOP turf preferred President Donald Trump in 2016 .
She was bolstered by the blue wave unleashed by Trump ’ s election .
Underwood is the first female and person of color to represent the 14th Congressional District in Congress .
Underwood is the rare Black candidate to ever win a House seat in a majority White district .
She is one of the higher-profile freshmen in the big and most diverse class ever elected to Congress .
In 2020 , Underwood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battling state Sen. Jim Oberweis , 74 , who lives in Sugar Grove .
The sprawling 14th Congressional District hugs the Chicago outer suburbs up to the Wisconsin border and includes parts of Lake , McHenry , Kane , DeKalb , Kendall , DuPage and Will Counties .
It meanders from Antioch to Yorkville , about an hour drive away , and beyond .
The cautious Underwood , aware she represents a district with many GOP voters , has not aligned herself with any of the organized House Democratic political factions .
Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far : The latest : Oberweis last week landed a sought-after endorsement from Trump .
Trump said in a tweet , Oberweis “ will be a terrific Congressman for Illinois !
A successful businessman , he will Create Jobs , Lower Taxes , Defend Law & Order , and Protect your Second Amendment from the Radical Left .
Jim has my Complete and Total Endorsement !
” Meanwhile , in the final days of the election , the Democratic-allied House Majority super PAC bought $ 560,000 of TV time to slam Oberweis on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his opposition to abortion and his support for repealing the Affordable Care Act , which guarantees coverage of pre-existing conditions .
The ad concludes , “ The worst thing Jim Oberweis is against … is us.
” Underwood ’ s closing spot — a positive , not mentioning Oberweis — showing people in masks , highlights the COVID-19 pandemic .
Her closing message for a second term is , “ There is still so much to do for the health and safety of our loved ones.
” A registered nurse whose pre-Congress career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she worked in the Obama administration at the Department of Health and Human Services — Underwood ran on health care in 2018 .
In Congress , she is focused on health related legislation .
Elements of her measures , including lowering insulin prices , have made it into three bills Trump signed into law .
Trump also signed a bill where she was the chief sponsor regarding veterans suicide .
The government response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a top Underwood reelection issue .
His closing TV spot is a hit on Underwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seeks to portray her as soft on crime .
He takes a snippet of a statement she made to the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board to try to create the false impression she thinks destructive riots are “ peaceful protests.
” The role of money : Underwood is ranked by the Center for Responsive Politics as one of the poorest freshmen in Congress — her net worth at most is about $ 30,000 .
The multimillionaire Oberweis is so rich he has , through the years , poured millions of his own dollars into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Senate bid ; in 2008 , special and general House elections : a 2006 governor bid ; and 2004 and 2002 Senate bids .
Oberweis ’ House run is viable because he is self-funding .
As of Sept. 30 , according to the latest Federal Election Commission reports , he loaned his campaign $ 1.7 million .
Campaign cash stats : According to the FEC , as of Sept. 30 , Underwood ’ s receipts totaled $ 7,147,077 .
Oberweis , including his loan , took in $ 3,015,192 .
Underwood started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1.8 million cash-on-hand compared to about $ 700,000 for Oberweis .
The role of Oberweis Dairy : Oberweis is the chairman of the well-known Oberweis Dairy , and his ice cream — as in previous campaigns — plays a ubiquitous featured role since he is handing it out in public stops .
Even though all campaign spending is supposed to appear on FEC reports , Oberweis does not disclose the dairy costs .
A spokesman said Oberweis “ personally ” pays for the products .
Oberweis said on his Sun-Times questionnaire , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary solutions at best ” in dealing with the COVID-19 economic crisis .
In July , the Oberweis Dairy received a $ 5.6 million federal Paycheck Protection Program pandemic forgivable loan .
Predictions : The Cook Political Report rates the Illinois 14 contest as “ likely Democratic.
” The University of Virginia Center for Politics also projects the outcome as “ likely Democratic .
”

WASHINGTON — A new behind-the-scenes documentary debuting recently on Showtime, “Surge,” captured Democrat Lauren Underwood’s stunned reaction when she learned on election night 2018 she won her long shot House bid in the heavily GOP 14th District.
“Is this for real?” she asked staffers monitoring the returns in St. Charles. Told it was, the shocked Underwood said, “No way, no way, no way, no way, no way.”
She beat four-term Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, R-Ill., 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent.
Underwood’s victory was remarkable because the top of the Democratic ticket, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, lost the district she won in 2018, and voters in the GOP turf preferred President Donald Trump in 2016.
She was bolstered by the blue wave unleashed by Trump’s election.
Underwood is the first female and person of color to represent the 14th Congressional District in Congress. Underwood is the rare Black candidate to ever win a House seat in a majority White district. She is one of the higher-profile freshmen in the big and most diverse class ever elected to Congress.
In 2020, Underwood, 34, a Naperville resident, is battling state Sen. Jim Oberweis, 74, who lives in Sugar Grove.
The sprawling 14th Congressional District hugs the Chicago outer suburbs up to the Wisconsin border and includes parts of Lake, McHenry, Kane, DeKalb, Kendall, DuPage and Will Counties. It meanders from Antioch to Yorkville, about an hour drive away, and beyond.
The cautious Underwood, aware she represents a district with many GOP voters, has not aligned herself with any of the organized House Democratic political factions.
Here’s the Illinois 14 story so far:
The latest: Oberweis last week landed a sought-after endorsement from Trump. Trump said in a tweet, Oberweis “will be a terrific Congressman for Illinois! A successful businessman, he will Create Jobs, Lower Taxes, Defend Law & Order, and Protect your Second Amendment from the Radical Left. Jim has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
Meanwhile, in the final days of the election, the Democratic-allied House Majority super PAC bought $560,000 of TV time to slam Oberweis on several health care related issues, including his opposition to abortion and his support for repealing the Affordable Care Act, which guarantees coverage of pre-existing conditions. The ad concludes, “The worst thing Jim Oberweis is against … is us.”
Underwood’s closing spot — a positive, not mentioning Oberweis — showing people in masks, highlights the COVID-19 pandemic. Her closing message for a second term is, “There is still so much to do for the health and safety of our loved ones.”
The pandemic highlights an Underwood calling card.
A registered nurse whose pre-Congress career was mainly in public health policy — she worked in the Obama administration at the Department of Health and Human Services — Underwood ran on health care in 2018.
In Congress, she is focused on health related legislation. Elements of her measures, including lowering insulin prices, have made it into three bills Trump signed into law. Trump also signed a bill where she was the chief sponsor regarding veterans suicide.
The government response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a top Underwood reelection issue.
Oberweis is making “law and order” a theme.
His closing TV spot is a hit on Underwood that flunks a truth test as he seeks to portray her as soft on crime. He takes a snippet of a statement she made to the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board to try to create the false impression she thinks destructive riots are “peaceful protests.”
The role of money: Underwood is ranked by the Center for Responsive Politics as one of the poorest freshmen in Congress — her net worth at most is about $30,000. The multimillionaire Oberweis is so rich he has, through the years, poured millions of his own dollars into his failed campaigns: In 2014, a Senate bid; in 2008, special and general House elections: a 2006 governor bid; and 2004 and 2002 Senate bids.
Oberweis’ House run is viable because he is self-funding. As of Sept. 30, according to the latest Federal Election Commission reports, he loaned his campaign $1.7 million.
Campaign cash stats: According to the FEC, as of Sept. 30, Underwood’s receipts totaled $7,147,077. Oberweis, including his loan, took in $3,015,192. Underwood started the final stretch of the campaign with $1.8 million cash-on-hand compared to about $700,000 for Oberweis.
The role of Oberweis Dairy: Oberweis is the chairman of the well-known Oberweis Dairy, and his ice cream — as in previous campaigns — plays a ubiquitous featured role since he is handing it out in public stops. Even though all campaign spending is supposed to appear on FEC reports, Oberweis does not disclose the dairy costs. A spokesman said Oberweis “personally” pays for the products.
Oberweis said on his Sun-Times questionnaire, “Bailouts and stimulus bills are only temporary solutions at best” in dealing with the COVID-19 economic crisis. In July, the Oberweis Dairy received a $5.6 million federal Paycheck Protection Program pandemic forgivable loan.
Predictions: The Cook Political Report rates the Illinois 14 contest as “likely Democratic.” The University of Virginia Center for Politics also projects the outcome as “likely Democratic.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Pritzker stands by COVID-19 restaurant crackdown in Chicago as state adds 6,110 more cases

Despite pushback from business owners and criticism from Mayor Lori Lightfoot , closing time is still coming Friday for Chicago restaurants ’ indoor dining rooms .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker stood by his restaurant crackdown Wednesday as the latest wave of the “ COVID storm ” that ’ s sweeping Illinois brought more than 6,110 new COVID-19 infections , the second-highest daily tally of the pandemic .
“ When you ’ re in a bar or restaurant , the fact that it ’ s a gathering place for many people from around a community , that ’ s a different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nevertheless still a spreading location , and we want to be able to deal with that , ” Pritzker said .
“ We want to cut off the virus from having the ability to transmit.
” The Democratic governor released a resurgence plan in July outlining the potential “ mitigations ” such as indoor dining bans that his health team would slap on regions that cross the 8 % testing positivity rate threshold for three consecutive days .
They also go into effect when a region sees a week or more of increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as was the case for Chicago .
The city has since hit 8.1 % positivity .
Now , mitigations will be in effect in eight of the state ’ s 11 regions by Saturday , including the entire Chicago area .
The Lake-McHenry county region became the latest slapped with restrictions Wednesday due to its sustained 8 % positivity rate .
Lightfoot said she wasn ’ t asking for “ special favors ” for Chicago when she initially said she ’ d try to persuade Pritzker not to deal another devastating blow to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Lightfoot said she won ’ t challenge the governor ’ s order , she maintained the biggest driver of Chicago ’ s second surge is the indoor gatherings people are having in their own homes , where they ’ re more inclined to let their guards down .
“ We ’ ve got to … make sure that we communicate effectively to the businesses across Chicago that are gon na be affected , ” Lightfoot said .
“ The most important point is how do we move forward .
… We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we continue to work together.
” House Republican Leader Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs went much further in slamming Pritzker ’ s measures , saying the restaurant industry has been “ turned into the scapegoat ” for the spread of the deadly virus .
“ The restaurant owners and business owners are barely hanging on by a thread throughout the state , but especially in Chicago and the surrounding communities , because they ’ ve lost office workers on their lunch breaks , tourists enjoying a nice evening , ” Durkin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses for decades are watching them disintegrate right before their eyes , forced into a government mandated bankruptcy.
” Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington questioned why Pritzker moved “ immediately to suspend indoor seating and dining ” instead of lowering capacities at restaurants .
Brady called on Pritzker to release the data driving his decision-making on the mitigations .
Pritzker — who has cited 12 studies including one from the federal Centers for Disease Control that suggests bars and restaurants can be viral super-spreading sites — noted that regions hit with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return to regular business , or as regular as it can be in the age of COVID-19 .
“ That ’ s how the system works , and it works well region to region .
So it will work well for the city of Chicago , ” Pritzker said .
With many establishments advertising their defiance of Pritzker ’ s shutdown order , Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said his troopers so far have received complaints in 37 counties and issued citations to bars and restaurants in five counties .
Scofflaws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Compliance is always the goal — no more , no less .
We know that patience is wearing thin , ” Kelly said .
As positivity rates soar statewide , the entire state could be facing mitigations by next week .
Illinois ’ latest 6,110 cases were confirmed among 70,752 tests , raising the statewide average positivity rate to a nearly five-month high of 6.7 % .
Officials also attributed 51 more deaths to the virus , while Illinois hospitals are treating the most coronavirus patients they ’ ve seen since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since March , about 7.5 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Illinois , with 389,095 people confirmed to carry the virus and 9,619 of those dying .

Despite pushback from business owners and criticism from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, closing time is still coming Friday for Chicago restaurants’ indoor dining rooms.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker stood by his restaurant crackdown Wednesday as the latest wave of the “COVID storm” that’s sweeping Illinois brought more than 6,110 new COVID-19 infections, the second-highest daily tally of the pandemic.
“When you’re in a bar or restaurant, the fact that it’s a gathering place for many people from around a community, that’s a different situation than in a home, but nevertheless still a spreading location, and we want to be able to deal with that,” Pritzker said. “We want to cut off the virus from having the ability to transmit.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a tour of the Pullman Community Center on Wednesday. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The Democratic governor released a resurgence plan in July outlining the potential “mitigations” such as indoor dining bans that his health team would slap on regions that cross the 8% testing positivity rate threshold for three consecutive days. They also go into effect when a region sees a week or more of increased hospital admissions and daily positivity increases, as was the case for Chicago. The city has since hit 8.1% positivity.
Now, mitigations will be in effect in eight of the state’s 11 regions by Saturday, including the entire Chicago area. The Lake-McHenry county region became the latest slapped with restrictions Wednesday due to its sustained 8% positivity rate.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
Lightfoot said she wasn’t asking for “special favors” for Chicago when she initially said she’d try to persuade Pritzker not to deal another devastating blow to the city’s foundering restaurant industry.
While Lightfoot said she won’t challenge the governor’s order, she maintained the biggest driver of Chicago’s second surge is the indoor gatherings people are having in their own homes, where they’re more inclined to let their guards down.
“We’ve got to … make sure that we communicate effectively to the businesses across Chicago that are gonna be affected,” Lightfoot said. “The most important point is how do we move forward. … We’ve committed to make sure that we continue to work together.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot discussed the ban on indoor dining in Chicago after a ceremony to cut the ribbon on a new Amazon facility in Pullman. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
House Republican Leader Rep. Jim Durkin of Western Springs went much further in slamming Pritzker’s measures, saying the restaurant industry has been “turned into the scapegoat” for the spread of the deadly virus.
“The restaurant owners and business owners are barely hanging on by a thread throughout the state, but especially in Chicago and the surrounding communities, because they’ve lost office workers on their lunch breaks, tourists enjoying a nice evening,” Durkin said. “People who have built their businesses for decades are watching them disintegrate right before their eyes, forced into a government mandated bankruptcy.”
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady of Bloomington questioned why Pritzker moved “immediately to suspend indoor seating and dining” instead of lowering capacities at restaurants. Brady called on Pritzker to release the data driving his decision-making on the mitigations.
Pritzker — who has cited 12 studies including one from the federal Centers for Disease Control that suggests bars and restaurants can be viral super-spreading sites — noted that regions hit with mitigations over the summer improved their metrics to return to regular business, or as regular as it can be in the age of COVID-19.
“That’s how the system works, and it works well region to region. So it will work well for the city of Chicago,” Pritzker said.
With many establishments advertising their defiance of Pritzker’s shutdown order, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said his troopers so far have received complaints in 37 counties and issued citations to bars and restaurants in five counties. Scofflaws can face fines up to $2,500.
“Compliance is always the goal — no more, no less. We know that patience is wearing thin,” Kelly said.
As positivity rates soar statewide, the entire state could be facing mitigations by next week.
Illinois’ latest 6,110 cases were confirmed among 70,752 tests, raising the statewide average positivity rate to a nearly five-month high of 6.7%.
Officials also attributed 51 more deaths to the virus, while Illinois hospitals are treating the most coronavirus patients they’ve seen since June 4, with 2,861 beds occupied.
Since March, about 7.5 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Illinois, with 389,095 people confirmed to carry the virus and 9,619 of those dying.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Harris makes robocall pitch in heated state’s attorney’s race: ‘I choose to stand behind my friend,

Harris makes robocall pitch in heated state’s attorney’s race: ‘I choose to stand behind my friend, Kim Foxx, and I hope you’ll join me’

Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx is calling on a prominent Democratic friend to sway voters who may still be undecided .
In a robocall recorded Tuesday , Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris urges voters to cast their ballots for “ my friend , Kim Foxx.
” The automated calls from the nationally known U.S. senator and former prosecutor were just one voice helping Foxx begin her closing argument for a second term in a hotly contested race that just this week saw a Democratic alderman back her Republican opponent .
Foxx enlisted others to aid in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black Caucus , which put out a statement blasting Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) for throwing his support to GOP nominee Pat O ’ Brien .
Harris focused on Foxx , calling her a prosecutor who ’ s “ smart on crime.
” “ We can not go back to the old ways of criminal justice that harmed our communities — we need her in office to continue making Cook County a model of reform , ” Harris said in a recording of the call , which was paid for by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nov. 3 , we have an opportunity to make an important decision on the future of criminal justice in Cook County .
I choose to stand behind my friend , Kim Foxx , and I hope you ’ ll join me.
” The robocall will be sent to “ targeted Cook County Democratic voters ” all over the county , a Foxx spokeswoman said , though she didn ’ t provide any exact wards or areas of the county .
The release of the automated call comes just one day after Reilly ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former Democratic Cook County Circuit Court judge .
In a statement Wednesday , Foxx ’ s campaign rattled off a list of Democratic allies in Illinois who support the first-term prosecutor , including Gov .
J.B Pritzker , Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle .
“ We are grateful for the Democratic coalition behind this campaign , ” the campaign ’ s statement reads .
“ The State ’ s Attorney is also honored to have the strong support of national stakeholders , such as Democratic Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put out a campaign robocall on behalf of the State ’ s Attorney.
” The 19-member aldermanic Black caucus — chaired by Ald .
Jason Ervin ( 28th ) — jabbed at Reilly , saying “ elected officials that switch political parties and lack commitment to Democratic values are careless.
” “ It does not benefit the residents or our neighborhoods to endorse Republican candidate Pat O ’ Brien , who has more than 27 wrongful convictions which has cost the city more than $ 64 million dollars over the years , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its support for Foxx on Wednesday was the City Council ’ s Progressive Caucus .
A spokesman for O ’ Brien ’ s campaign said “ last-ditch tactics like this tell us that Kim Foxx is rightfully concerned that she will lose this race .
“ Pat O ’ Brien is a lifelong Democrat who has never met Donald Trump or sought his support , ” said campaign spokesman Brad Goodman , referring to Foxx ’ s regular comparisons of O ’ Brien to the president .
“ Today ’ s robocall shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County Democrats .
Kim Foxx can line up as many robocalls from politicians outside of Cook County as she wants , but Cook County voters know the truth about her record : Under Foxx , crime is up , prosecutions are down , and families and neighborhoods are less safe.
” Foxx has said she considers Harris a mentor .
Before she joined the Senate , Harris served as district attorney in San Francisco and attorney general for California .
She endorsed Foxx in February during a primary season that saw the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move on to the general election .
The California senator said Foxx is “ righting the wrongs of the failed war on drugs in expunging low-level marijuana convictions , leading the nation in exonerating the wrongfully convicted , and reducing mass incarceration by prosecuting on violent crimes instead of over-criminalizing non-violent low-level offenses.
” Earlier this month , Foxx stumped for Harris and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on a Zoom program ahead of the vice presidential debate .

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is calling on a prominent Democratic friend to sway voters who may still be undecided.
In a robocall recorded Tuesday, Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris urges voters to cast their ballots for “my friend, Kim Foxx.”
The automated calls from the nationally known U.S. senator and former prosecutor were just one voice helping Foxx begin her closing argument for a second term in a hotly contested race that just this week saw a Democratic alderman back her Republican opponent.
Foxx enlisted others to aid in her defense, including the City Council Black Caucus, which put out a statement blasting Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) for throwing his support to GOP nominee Pat O’Brien.
Harris focused on Foxx, calling her a prosecutor who’s “smart on crime.”
“We cannot go back to the old ways of criminal justice that harmed our communities — we need her in office to continue making Cook County a model of reform,” Harris said in a recording of the call, which was paid for by Foxx’s campaign.
“On Nov. 3, we have an opportunity to make an important decision on the future of criminal justice in Cook County. I choose to stand behind my friend, Kim Foxx, and I hope you’ll join me.”
The robocall will be sent to “targeted Cook County Democratic voters” all over the county, a Foxx spokeswoman said, though she didn’t provide any exact wards or areas of the county.
The release of the automated call comes just one day after Reilly’s endorsement of O’Brien, a former Democratic Cook County Circuit Court judge.
Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Pat O’Brien speaks during a news conference in the North Austin neighborhood earlier this month. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
In a statement Wednesday, Foxx’s campaign rattled off a list of Democratic allies in Illinois who support the first-term prosecutor, including Gov. J.B Pritzker, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle.
“We are grateful for the Democratic coalition behind this campaign,” the campaign’s statement reads. “The State’s Attorney is also honored to have the strong support of national stakeholders, such as Democratic Vice President nominee Sen. Kamala Harris, who recently put out a campaign robocall on behalf of the State’s Attorney.”
The 19-member aldermanic Black caucus — chaired by Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) — jabbed at Reilly, saying “elected officials that switch political parties and lack commitment to Democratic values are careless.”
Ald. Brendan Reilly is interviewed by reporter Fran Spielman last year. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
“It does not benefit the residents or our neighborhoods to endorse Republican candidate Pat O’Brien, who has more than 27 wrongful convictions which has cost the city more than $64 million dollars over the years,” the caucus statement read.
Also announcing its support for Foxx on Wednesday was the City Council’s Progressive Caucus.
A spokesman for O’Brien’s campaign said “last-ditch tactics like this tell us that Kim Foxx is rightfully concerned that she will lose this race.
“Pat O’Brien is a lifelong Democrat who has never met Donald Trump or sought his support,” said campaign spokesman Brad Goodman, referring to Foxx’s regular comparisons of O’Brien to the president.
“Today’s robocall shows Foxx has absolutely no support from local Cook County Democrats. Kim Foxx can line up as many robocalls from politicians outside of Cook County as she wants, but Cook County voters know the truth about her record: Under Foxx, crime is up, prosecutions are down, and families and neighborhoods are less safe.”
Foxx has said she considers Harris a mentor. Before she joined the Senate, Harris served as district attorney in San Francisco and attorney general for California. She endorsed Foxx in February during a primary season that saw the incumbent Cook County prosecutor defeat three Democrats to move on to the general election.
The California senator said Foxx is “righting the wrongs of the failed war on drugs in expunging low-level marijuana convictions, leading the nation in exonerating the wrongfully convicted, and reducing mass incarceration by prosecuting on violent crimes instead of over-criminalizing non-violent low-level offenses.”
Earlier this month, Foxx stumped for Harris and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on a Zoom program ahead of the vice presidential debate.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Mural honoring 96-year-old woman fatally stabbed with a pitchfork unveiled in Gresham

Emotions ran high Wednesday as the family of Myrtis Jackson , the woman who was fatally stabbed with a pitchfork by her grandson this summer , went to see the mural in Gresham painted in honor of their beloved matriarch on what would ’ ve been her 97th birthday .
A dozen of Jackson ’ s mask-wearing family members gathered and took pictures and selfies with the freshly dried mural located near 75th Place and Ashland Avenue .
“ I ’ m very emotional , driving up I was tearing up , ” Jackson ’ s granddaughter , Chataun Kirkman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s turned 90 we ’ ve thrown her a birthday party , so we ’ re still going to celebrate , just family.
” Artist Corbin DeShazo , 28 , said the goal of the mural — that took four days to complete — was to bring awareness to domestic violence .
That ’ s why the background of the artwork is various shades of purple and lavender , which happened to also be Jackson ’ s favorite color .
When Jackson ’ s daughter , Cletora Kirkman , first saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I don ’ t want to cry but I love it , I love it , ” Kirkman said .
“ She would ’ ve been crazy about it ; that is so nice.
” The last four months have been “ pure hell ” for Kirkman , who was with Jackson in their Gresham home on July 7 when Kirkman ’ s son , Dujuan Randle , attacked the two women with a pitchfork , killing Jackson .
Kirkman suffered multiple stab wounds and said her son also ruptured her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Randle has since pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial , according to court records .
Kirkman , who has post-traumatic stress disorder from the attack , said she ’ ll never forgive her son for what he did to her and her mother .
However , she felt at peace — at least for a brief moment — on Wednesday as she stared at the mural surrounded by family .
“ In a way it does [ bring me some closure ] , ” Kirkman said .
“ [ My son ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost two years and he was getting worse and worse.
” After the unveiling of the mural , the family was planning to celebrate Jackson ’ s birthday as they would ’ ve if she were still here .
“ At first , I said I wasn ’ t going to go because of COVID , but then I changed my mind , ” Kirkman said .
“ We ’ re going to celebrate her birthday .
”

Emotions ran high Wednesday as the family of Myrtis Jackson, the woman who was fatally stabbed with a pitchfork by her grandson this summer, went to see the mural in Gresham painted in honor of their beloved matriarch on what would’ve been her 97th birthday.
A dozen of Jackson’s mask-wearing family members gathered and took pictures and selfies with the freshly dried mural located near 75th Place and Ashland Avenue.
“I’m very emotional, driving up I was tearing up,” Jackson’s granddaughter, Chataun Kirkman, said. “Every year since she’s turned 90 we’ve thrown her a birthday party, so we’re still going to celebrate, just family.”
Artist Corbin DeShazo, 28, said the goal of the mural — that took four days to complete — was to bring awareness to domestic violence. That’s why the background of the artwork is various shades of purple and lavender, which happened to also be Jackson’s favorite color.
When Jackson’s daughter, Cletora Kirkman, first saw the mural, she was nearly speechless.
“I don’t want to cry but I love it, I love it,” Kirkman said. “She would’ve been crazy about it; that is so nice.”
Family members of Myrtis Jackson observe a mural dedicated to domestic violence awareness honoring Jackson at 75th Place and South Ashland Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The last four months have been “pure hell” for Kirkman, who was with Jackson in their Gresham home on July 7 when Kirkman’s son, Dujuan Randle, attacked the two women with a pitchfork, killing Jackson. Kirkman suffered multiple stab wounds and said her son also ruptured her eardrum when he kicked her head.
Randle has since pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial, according to court records.
Kirkman, who has post-traumatic stress disorder from the attack, said she’ll never forgive her son for what he did to her and her mother. However, she felt at peace — at least for a brief moment — on Wednesday as she stared at the mural surrounded by family.
“In a way it does [bring me some closure],” Kirkman said. “[My son] hadn’t taken his medication in almost two years and he was getting worse and worse.”
After the unveiling of the mural, the family was planning to celebrate Jackson’s birthday as they would’ve if she were still here.
“At first, I said I wasn’t going to go because of COVID, but then I changed my mind,” Kirkman said. “We’re going to celebrate her birthday.”
The community-funded artwork sponsored by Mama 2 Mama Gifts and the Simple Good organizations features the family’s favorite portrait of Jackson surrounded by red flowers, with a quote. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--8-year-old girl dies after being hit by stray gunfire in East Chicago; $10K reward offered

An 8-year-old girl has died after being shot in the head last week by stray gunfire while seated on a living room floor doing homework in East Chicago , Indiana .
Timya Andrews died about 2 p.m. Wednesday at Comer Children ’ s Hospital , according to the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
A $ 10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved in the Oct. 22 shooting , East Chicago Deputy Chief Jose Rivera said Wednesday in an email .
Timya was shot after someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon about 10 p.m. , sending one stray bullet through the siding of the home , Rivera said then .
Police responded to the shooting in the 4500 block of Magoun Avenue and found the child lying on the floor , bleeding from her head .
The girl was taken to St. Catherine ’ s Hospital in East Chicago , where her condition stabilized , before being flown to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in Chicago .
Police asked anyone with information to call East Chicago police ’ s anonymous tip line at @ @

An 8-year-old girl has died after being shot in the head last week by stray gunfire while seated on a living room floor doing homework in East Chicago, Indiana.
Timya Andrews died about 2 p.m. Wednesday at Comer Children’s Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
An autopsy conducted Thursday ruled Andrews’ death a homicide.
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people involved in the Oct. 22 shooting, East Chicago Deputy Chief Jose Rivera said Wednesday in an email.
Timya was shot after someone outside fired 16 shots from an automatic weapon about 10 p.m., sending one stray bullet through the siding of the home, Rivera said then.
Police responded to the shooting in the 4500 block of Magoun Avenue and found the child lying on the floor, bleeding from her head. The girl was taken to St. Catherine’s Hospital in East Chicago, where her condition stabilized, before being flown to Comer Children’s Hospital in Chicago.
Police asked anyone with information to call East Chicago police’s anonymous tip line at 219-391-8500.