chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Maxwell Street shines on the big screen — but it’s now ‘Anytown U.S.A.,’ critics say

Editor ’ s note : This article was originally published on June 22 , 2005 , as part of a weeklong series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “ The Blues Brothers.
” The Sun-Times is republishing the stores to mark the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2020 .
There was Nate ’ s Deli , Jim ’ s Original and a store known as “ Cheat You Fair.
” Today there ’ s a Caribou Coffee , Jamba Juice and a sports bar .
The intersection of Halsted and Maxwell was once the center of a home-grown street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century .
It ’ s also where scores of blues greats , from Junior Wells to Bo Diddley , and some also-rans cut their teeth , But today , you won ’ t hear any blues music there .
Nor will you find Nate ’ s Deli , which was forced to close in 1995 after 70 years ( including nearly 50 years as Lyon ’ s Deli ) when the University of Illinois at Chicago expanded .
Nate ’ s , formerly at 807 W. Maxwell , was backdrop for a scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Lee Hooker sings a soulful version of “ Boom , Boom ” smack in the middle of the street .
He was backed up by musicians including Pinetop Perkins and Willie “ Big Eyes ” Smith .
Muddy Waters was supposed to appear but was sick the day of shooting .
The inside of Nate ’ s was loosely replicated on a Hollywood set and used as the location for Aretha Franklin ’ s memorable rendition of “ Think.
” “ It was good , ” owner Nate Duncan , 75 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of people there over the weekend .
My deli was always so packed you couldn ’ t get in.
” Those who worked on the street said it offered poor migrants and immigrants a chance to make a living , either through sales or through music .
“ So many people from around the country came here to get a foothold , ” said Bobby Davis , 73 , a blues musician who made enough in tips to get by playing the old Maxwell Street .
But in a well-publicized battle that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most of the largely dilapidated structures in the area and put up dorms , condos , town houses and academic buildings .
Steve Balkin , director of the Maxwell Street Foundation , said the street ’ s heritage is now but a memory .
“ They took something that was culturally rich and authentic and they wiped that out , ” said Balkin , a Roosevelt University economics professor .
“ They replaced it with something very corporate and culturally homogenous .
It has the look of ‘ Anytown , U.S.A. ’ “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American Mattress , Great Clips and Foot Locker .
There are strict rules dictating the look of nearly everything in the new University Village , from signage to lighting .
Although two longtime Polish sausage stands were initially going to return to Halsted , traffic concerns have permanently pushed those stands — including the 66-year-old Jim ’ s Original , which was featured in the movie — off the main drag .
University officials said they sought a mix of established national and regional chains along with local businesses to ensure long-term economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Bookstore , Lalo ’ s and Morgan ’ s Bar and Grill .
Spokesman Mark Rosati emphasized the university ’ s efforts to preserve some of the old buildings and facades and its plans to honor the area ’ s history in a street display .
But he said the street ’ s remake was still a work in progress .
“ The university has worked very hard to capture the history of the area while pointing the way to a vibrant future , ” Rosati said .
UIC student Ricky McCallum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Halsted from far northwest suburban Cary , said he likes the business mix because it ’ s geared toward college students .
Eight hundred students live in the residence halls , including one at the site of Nate ’ s , although it was closed last year because of water and mold damage .
Meanwhile , the city ’ s new weekly outdoor street market , which has moved to Canal , is thriving in its own right , but it is now largely dominated by Latino culture .
James Wheeler , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plays blues weekly at the south end of the market at 16th and Canal .
But unlike the old market , his band is inaudible in most parts of the new market .
Even an animated performance on a recent Sunday only attracted a couple dozen onlookers .
“ The blues traveled from Maxwell Street and Halsted all over the world , ” said Wheeler , 71 .
“ It ’ s a tougher crowd over here .
I wish it was still on Maxwell .
”

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on June 22, 2005, as part of a weeklong series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “The Blues Brothers.” The Sun-Times is republishing the stories to mark the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2020.
There was Nate’s Deli, Jim’s Original and a store known as “Cheat You Fair.” Today there’s a Caribou Coffee, Jamba Juice and a sports bar.
The intersection of Halsted and Maxwell was once the center of a home-grown street market that thrived for well over a century. It’s also where scores of blues greats, from Junior Wells to Bo Diddley, and some also-rans cut their teeth,
But today, you won’t hear any blues music there. Nor will you find Nate’s Deli, which was forced to close in 1995 after 70 years (including nearly 50 years as Lyon’s Deli) when the University of Illinois at Chicago expanded.
Nate’s, formerly at 807 W. Maxwell, was backdrop for a scene in “The Blues Brothers” where John Lee Hooker sings a soulful version of “Boom, Boom” smack in the middle of the street. He was backed up by musicians including Pinetop Perkins and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. Muddy Waters was supposed to appear but was sick the day of shooting.
The inside of Nate’s was loosely replicated on a Hollywood set and used as the location for Aretha Franklin’s memorable rendition of “Think.”
“It was good,” owner Nate Duncan, 75, recalls. “We used to have thousands of people there over the weekend. My deli was always so packed you couldn’t get in.”
John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd outside Nate’s Deli on Maxwell Street in a photo taken during filming of “The Blues Brothers” in 1979. Sun-Times files
John Lee Hooker plays “Boom, Boom, Boom” during “The Blues Brothers.” Blues Brothers/Sun-Times files
A foothold
Those who worked on the street said it offered poor migrants and immigrants a chance to make a living, either through sales or through music.
“So many people from around the country came here to get a foothold,” said Bobby Davis, 73, a blues musician who made enough in tips to get by playing the old Maxwell Street.
But in a well-publicized battle that raged in the 1990s, UIC demolished most of the largely dilapidated structures in the area and put up dorms, condos, town houses and academic buildings.
Steve Balkin, director of the Maxwell Street Foundation, said the street’s heritage is now but a memory.
“They took something that was culturally rich and authentic and they wiped that out,” said Balkin, a Roosevelt University economics professor. “They replaced it with something very corporate and culturally homogenous. It has the look of ‘Anytown, U.S.A.’ “
Other corporate chains in the area include American Mattress, Great Clips and Foot Locker.
There are strict rules dictating the look of nearly everything in the new University Village, from signage to lighting. Although two longtime Polish sausage stands were initially going to return to Halsted, traffic concerns have permanently pushed those stands — including the 66-year-old Jim’s Original, which was featured in the movie — off the main drag.
Some streets signs from the old Maxwell Street as they appeared in the movie. Sun-Times file photo.
A work in progress
University officials said they sought a mix of established national and regional chains along with local businesses to ensure long-term economic success.
Some locals include Barbara’s Bookstore, Lalo’s and Morgan’s Bar and Grill.
Spokesman Mark Rosati emphasized the university’s efforts to preserve some of the old buildings and facades and its plans to honor the area’s history in a street display. But he said the street’s remake was still a work in progress.
“The university has worked very hard to capture the history of the area while pointing the way to a vibrant future,” Rosati said.
UIC student Ricky McCallum, who moved into a dorm on Halsted from far northwest suburban Cary, said he likes the business mix because it’s geared toward college students. Eight hundred students live in the residence halls, including one at the site of Nate’s, although it was closed last year because of water and mold damage.
Meanwhile, the city’s new weekly outdoor street market, which has moved to Canal, is thriving in its own right, but it is now largely dominated by Latino culture.
James Wheeler, who performs under the stage name Piano Red, plays blues weekly at the south end of the market at 16th and Canal.
But unlike the old market, his band is inaudible in most parts of the new market. Even an animated performance on a recent Sunday only attracted a couple dozen onlookers.
“The blues traveled from Maxwell Street and Halsted all over the world,” said Wheeler, 71. “It’s a tougher crowd over here. I wish it was still on Maxwell.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Girl, 16, among 5 shot in East Garfield Park

A teenage girl was critically wounded in a shooting that left four other people injured Monday in East Garfield Park @ @ @ @ @ The group was at a large gathering on the street at 2:45 a.m. on South @ @ @ @ @ fired shots from a passing vehicle , according to Chicago police .
The 16-year-old girl @ @ @ @ @ and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition , police said .
A 24-year-old woman @ @ @ @ @ a 32-year-old man shot in the arm were taken to the same hospital in good @ @ @ @ @ , 30 and 31 , were each shot in the leg and went to Mount @ @ @ @ @ in good condition , police said .
No one is in custody as Area Four @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage girl was critically wounded in a shooting that left four other people injured Monday in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The group was at a large gathering on the street at 2:45 a.m. on South Central Park Boulevard when someone fired shots from a passing vehicle, according to Chicago police.
The 16-year-old girl was hit in the abdomen and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. A 24-year-old woman shot in the leg and a 32-year-old man shot in the arm were taken to the same hospital in good condition.
Two other men, 30 and 31, were each shot in the leg and went to Mount Sinai Hospital on their own in good condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Businesses, white people must lead on racial progress

It was about 40 years ago , and the memory of the faces has faded , but the words have stayed on .
I was a young reporter for the Southtown Economist covering what was then a summer ritual of depressing regularity , a racial confrontation in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side .
Black demonstrators and their white supporters were marching into the park from the east , demanding open housing , better schools , access to a beautiful park and the right to live in a normally quiet neighborhood with neat homes and two-flats .
Other white people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know they weren ’ t wanted .
Yes , every imagined slur was in the air .
I recall there was little violence , but the threat of it came from the counter-demonstrators .
A line of police protected the marchers and took abuse from the white agitators .
As is common on the Southwest Side , church steeples were prominent in the surrounding blocks , and the marchers ’ route took them past Holy Cross Hospital .
I saw a priest threading his way through the crowd , and I asked him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He practically ran away from me .
I approached a couple of shouting counter-demonstrators for their opinions .
A semicircle formed around me , not in a hostile way , but out of eagerness .
They wanted to talk to a white reporter from a local outlet they thought might be friendly .
Even in those days , angry whites felt the downtown media were against them .
Their words had a stabbing pitch .
“ They ” had forced them out of the old neighborhoods .
“ They ” had ruined Sherman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ” had let the parishes to the east decline .
“ They ” brought down the schools .
“ They ” cost white residents when homes were sold at a loss .
With this group , there was no distinguishing content of character from color of skin .
There could be no admission that not everyone had their privileges and access and that white disinvestment — by businesses , institutions and everyday people — was part of the problem .
I walked into the park .
Along came a lone white man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed , tore the sign from him and knocked him to the ground .
I was afraid he ’ d be beaten up , only there was a distraction in the distance and the attackers departed , but not before a rhythmic and racist chant for the man , who was Jewish .
When the mind unleashes the dogs of hate , the target could be anyone .
I ’ ve been thinking of those people a lot lately .
If the white protesters are still with us , they ’ d be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe retired in the suburbs , Florida , Arizona or who knows .
I wonder what they ’ d think of themselves back then and how they ’ d react to the TV images of the riots and looting that took their greatest toll in Black neighborhoods .
I ’ m afraid it would be more “ theys ” — there they go again , they can ’ t take care of what they have , etc .
Can white people do better in their reactions and sympathy ?
We could if we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in where we live , worship and work .
The leadership to change , to avoid having the recent looting condemn areas to deeper poverty , has to come from the top of the power structure .
This Chicagoan wants to see businesses lead the way , and not by outsourcing their conscience with a check to a foundation or a downtown charity ball , where they don ’ t have to meet the people they say they want to help .
This has to involve on-the-ground efforts to bring training , jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with different industries and competitors pulling together for an all-purpose economic resource .
One template could be the local health centers pioneered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois , one in Pullman and another due in Morgan Park .
The banks have a responsibility here ; an excellent WBEZ and City Bureau report documented how they bypass minority areas in Chicago while lavishing loans on white neighborhoods .
They wrote the old racial covenants and profited from the real estate blockbusting that re-segregated some neighborhoods in the blink of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hold the politicians ’ involvement to a bare minimum .
They want control , credit and contributions .
This should be a private-sector commitment to results with urgency and without conceit .
Its basis should be an understanding that we can ’ t afford racism and inequality anymore .
That old Marquette Park mob might not be much help here .
Their racism stems from isolationism .
A younger , bolder and more diverse generation , whether in a C-level executive suite or not , must answer the call to be better @

It was about 40 years ago, and the memory of the faces has faded, but the words have stayed on.
I was a young reporter for the Southtown Economist covering what was then a summer ritual of depressing regularity, a racial confrontation in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
Black demonstrators and their white supporters were marching into the park from the east, demanding open housing, better schools, access to a beautiful park and the right to live in a normally quiet neighborhood with neat homes and two-flats. Other white people massed along the route to let them know they weren’t wanted.
Opinion bug Opinion
Yes, every imagined slur was in the air. I recall there was little violence, but the threat of it came from the counter-demonstrators. A line of police protected the marchers and took abuse from the white agitators.
As is common on the Southwest Side, church steeples were prominent in the surrounding blocks, and the marchers’ route took them past Holy Cross Hospital. I saw a priest threading his way through the crowd, and I asked him what he made of the confrontation. He practically ran away from me.
I approached a couple of shouting counter-demonstrators for their opinions. A semicircle formed around me, not in a hostile way, but out of eagerness. They wanted to talk to a white reporter from a local outlet they thought might be friendly. Even in those days, angry whites felt the downtown media were against them.
Their words had a stabbing pitch. “They” had forced them out of the old neighborhoods. “They” had ruined Sherman Park and made it unsafe. “They” had let the parishes to the east decline. “They” brought down the schools. “They” cost white residents when homes were sold at a loss.
With this group, there was no distinguishing content of character from color of skin. There could be no admission that not everyone had their privileges and access and that white disinvestment — by businesses, institutions and everyday people — was part of the problem.
I walked into the park. Along came a lone white man carrying an anti-racism sign. A crowd formed, tore the sign from him and knocked him to the ground. I was afraid he’d be beaten up, only there was a distraction in the distance and the attackers departed, but not before a rhythmic and racist chant for the man, who was Jewish.
When the mind unleashes the dogs of hate, the target could be anyone.
I’ve been thinking of those people a lot lately. If the white protesters are still with us, they’d be in their 60s or 70s now, maybe retired in the suburbs, Florida, Arizona or who knows.
I wonder what they’d think of themselves back then and how they’d react to the TV images of the riots and looting that took their greatest toll in Black neighborhoods. I’m afraid it would be more “theys” — there they go again, they can’t take care of what they have, etc.
Can white people do better in their reactions and sympathy? We could if we weren’t so quick to self-segregate in where we live, worship and work. The leadership to change, to avoid having the recent looting condemn areas to deeper poverty, has to come from the top of the power structure.
This Chicagoan wants to see businesses lead the way, and not by outsourcing their conscience with a check to a foundation or a downtown charity ball, where they don’t have to meet the people they say they want to help.
This has to involve on-the-ground efforts to bring training, jobs and investment opportunities where they are needed, with different industries and competitors pulling together for an all-purpose economic resource. One template could be the local health centers pioneered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, one in Pullman and another due in Morgan Park.
The banks have a responsibility here; an excellent WBEZ and City Bureau report documented how they bypass minority areas in Chicago while lavishing loans on white neighborhoods. They wrote the old racial covenants and profited from the real estate blockbusting that re-segregated some neighborhoods in the blink of an eye. They owe people.
Please, hold the politicians’ involvement to a bare minimum. They want control, credit and contributions.
This should be a private-sector commitment to results with urgency and without conceit. Its basis should be an understanding that we can’t afford racism and inequality anymore.
That old Marquette Park mob might not be much help here. Their racism stems from isolationism. A younger, bolder and more diverse generation, whether in a C-level executive suite or not, must answer the call to be better.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Illinois records lowest number of new COVID-19 cases in nearly three months  (LIVE UPDATES)

Daily coronavirus totals : 26 additional deaths and another 462 cases — lowest number of new infections in nearly three months State health officials on Monday announced 462 new coronavirus cases and 26 additional deaths .
That brings the state ’ s total number of cases to 137,224 and the total number of deaths to 6,671 .
The 462 new cases is the lowest daily tally on any given day since March 30 , when 461 were reported .
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases from June 15 to June 21 is 2 % .
Health officials also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been performed , raising the state ’ s total to 1,379,003 .
Read the full report from Mitch Dudek here .
7:04 p.m .
Details revealed of Chicago ’ s move on Friday into Phase 4 of reopening plan Lincoln Park Zoo will remain free , but with reservations required for certain time slots to avoid having too many people descending on the gate at the same time , exceeding the 100-person capacity limit .
Gyms will be open , but face masks will be required and workout equipment will either be six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities , separated by clear plastic screens .
Saunas and showers will remain closed .
Movie theaters , as well as other heaters and live performance venues can open to audiences of 50 or fewer , but all but the smallest theaters are likely to remain closed because production costs will far exceed the gate .
Standing-room-only live music venues will remain closed — and likely will be the last to reopen .
That ’ s just a snapshot of what will happen Friday , as Chicago moves into Phase 4 of Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen the Chicago economy .
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here .
6:11 p.m. Trump : US doing ‘ too good a job ’ on testing WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has done “ too good a job ” on testing for cases of COVID-19 , even as his staff insisted the president was only joking when he said over the weekend that he had instructed aides to “ slow the testing down , please.
” The president ’ s comments at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday brought quick rebukes from the campaign of likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as well as scores of Democratic lawmakers .
In an interview with Scripps for its local TV stations , Trump was asked Monday whether he did indeed tell aides to “ slow it down.
” He did not directly answer the question .
“ If it did slow down , frankly , I think we ’ re way ahead of ourselves , if you want to know the truth , ” Trump said .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that the reason the United States has more coronavirus cases is that it does more testing .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said any suggestion that testing has been curtailed is not rooted in fact , saying Trump made the slow-it-down comment “ in jest.
” 4:20 p.m .
Surging US virus cases raise fear that progress is slipping : ‘ It is snowballing ’ ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. — Alarming surges in coronavirus cases across the South and West raised fears Monday that the outbreak is spiraling out of control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is slipping away because of resistance among many Americans to wearing masks and keeping their distance from others .
Confirming predictions that the easing of state lockdowns over the past month and a half could lead to a comeback by the virus , cases surpassed 100,000 in Florida , hospitalizations are rising dramatically in Houston , and a startling 1 in 5 of those tested in Arizona are proving to be infected .
Over the weekend , the virus seemed to be everywhere at once : Six staff members helping set up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tulsa , Oklahoma , tested positive , as did 23 Clemson University football players in South Carolina .
At least 30 members of the Louisiana State University team were isolated after becoming infected or coming into contact with someone who was .
Meatpacking plants were also hit with outbreaks .
“ It is snowballing .
We will most certainly see more people die as a result of this spike , ” said Dr. Marc Boom , CEO and president of Houston Methodist Hospital , noting that the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,400 across eight hospital systems in the Houston metropolitan area .
Two Chicago area ’ s biggest outdoor attractions will start welcoming visitors again soon as Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo plan to reopen in the coming weeks .
Both zoos will operate under limited capacity with strict guidelines for social distancing to comply with local orders .
Lincoln Park Zoo plans to reopen to the general public next Monday after a members-only weekend for donors .
Brookfield Zoo will follow up a week later with the general public being welcomed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implementing online ticket reservation systems for all visitors .
At Lincoln Park Zoo , reservations will be free , but guests will be required to leave after approximately two hours in order to maintain capacity limits .
RAVENNA , Italy — Conducting a joyful Mozart motet , Riccardo Muti sent a resounding message Sunday night , that live classical music has returned to the Italian stage after the coronavirus lockdown .
A full summer festival program is planned in his adopted home of Ravenna , even as the musical outlook remains grim in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra .
The 78-year-old renowned conductor said the coronavirus had ‘ ’ destroyed music , ’ ’ with shuttered venues depriving the world of ‘ ’ spiritual food ’ ’ as it faced a pandemic that still threatens uncalculated economic repercussions beyond the lives lost .
Even during two world wars , Muti noted , theaters stayed open to provide cultural relief except during the worst of the bombings .
Muti suggested that concerts could be held in Chicago ’ s Millennium Park , with 2,000 guests instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing musicians for the virus and possibly sticking to a repertoire that limits the number of musicians on stage .
During part of the CSO ’ s season that was canceled , Muti was to have conducted in April a symphony by African American composer Florence Price , which the program said “ gives powerful voice to the African American experience.
” Muti , who has been watching the Black Lives Matters protests from afar , said classical music must do more to integrate people of color .
1:46 p.m. CTA to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riders this week Customers returning to Chicago ’ s public transit this week will be offered free “ travel healthy kits ” at several of CTA ’ s busiest “ L ” stations and bus terminals .
The kits , which include a 2-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer , a reusable cloth mask and a guide to healthy riding tips , will be distributed for free from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at different locations each morning this week .
Here ’ s where the CTA says they ’ ll be offering them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopens and CTA welcomes customers back , we want to encourage everyone to continue to follow the healthy habits we ’ ve all learned since mid-March , ” CTA president Dorval R. Carter , Jr. said in a statement .
“ Wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer are two simple and effective ways to help keep yourself and your fellow customers healthy.
” 12:09 p.m. Chicagoans return to lakefront trail on first day of reopening The throaty growl of a passing motor boat .
A dog yapping at the waves .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see , the lake shimmering like a million silver coins .
“ Enjoying the lakefront , that ’ s what Chicago is all about , ” said Matt Zellmer , 27 , out for a walk with his Australian Shepherd dog , Tucker , near Montrose Harbor .
Zellmer said it was a real “ treat ” to be able to escape from his “ 700-square-foot box ” of an apartment .
“ So far , everyone has been really responsible .
Staying far apart , ” he said .
For Annie Reising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was her first ever trip to the city ’ s lakefront .
She moved here last October .
“ I was out of town a lot and then the holidays hit .
It was cold .
Then the coronavirus , ” she explained .
“ I missed my chance .
I ’ ve been waiting for this for months.
” 11:48 a.m. Pritzker releases safety guidance for Phase 4 with reopening of indoor restaurant services , gyms , museums Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s administration Monday released safety guidance for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which allows indoor restaurant services , gyms and museums to open with capacity limits beginning Friday .
Notable changes for Phase 4 include allowing gatherings of 50 people or less — and reopening of indoor restaurant services to groups of 10 or less , with tables spaced 6-feet-apart .
Indoor seating at restaurants would also be capped at 25 % capacity .
Indoor gyms can reopen at 50 % capacity , with group fitness classes capped at 50 people , according to the guidelines designed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health .
The use of face coverings and social distancing is still encouraged under the public safety and health guidelines .
Businesses are also encouraged to continue to conduct regular cleanings , to screen employees for temperatures upon entry and to allow employees who can continue working from home to do so .
Pritzker ’ s office said about 400,000 Illinoisans will get back to work in Phase 4 .
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles here .
10:39 a.m. Chicagoans hit Lakefront , 606 trails on first day of reopening A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On your left !
Watch where you ’ re going !
” to an oblivious walker wearing headphones .
After three months away , it may take some time for the walkers , joggers and cyclists to remember how to peacefully coexist along the 606 , which reopened Monday morning .
Ned English missed the elevated trail so much he used it twice Monday morning — once to go jogging and then a little later for a stroll with his 3-year-old daughter , Frida .
English , who lives near Humboldt Park , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people using the trail during the lockdown .
“ I didn ’ t feel right doing that with a little kid , ” said English , 43 .
It was worth the wait .
“ It ’ s beautiful .
There is no traffic , and it ’ s one of the nicest parks around here , ” he said .
Daniel Salas and his wife , Eliud Corona , were out pushing a stroller .
Inside were their tiny chihuahuas , Elsa and Topo Grigio .
“ We were excited to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corona , 42 , who lives in the Humboldt Park neighborhood .
Both she and her husband said while they enjoy the park after which their neighborhood is named , they have missed the changing scenery the trail offers .
Salas massaged his belly and explained the other reason he was out walking Monday .
“ We ’ ve gained a few pounds , ” he said .
“ My doctor recommended exercising.
” Nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to represent a large portion of the pandemic ’ s impact on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing home residents and staff have died of COVID-19 , making up 55 % of the state total , and 21,476 residents and staff have tested positive , comprising 16 % of the state total .
Over the past week , 165 nursing home residents and staff died — representing 49 % of the state ’ s coronavirus deaths over that time period — and 718 have tested positive , representing 17 % of the state ’ s newly confirmed cases .
Five nursing homes have suffered five or more deaths over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Symphony at 87th ; Birchwood Plaza Nursing-Rehab and Lee Manor Rehab and Nursing in Cook County ; and Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center in St. Clair County .
Read the full story from Ben Pope here .
An additional 23 people have died of coronavirus in Illinois , state health officials announced Sunday .
That brings the state ’ s COVID-19 pandemic death toll to 6,647 .
Despite the ever-increasing total , Illinois remains one of the most-improved states in terms of daily new death and case rate , contrasting the rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , South Carolina , Alabama and Texas .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced Sunday another 658 new COVID-19 cases found among 23,816 newly processed tests .
That raises the state ’ s total case count to 136,762 , although the vast majority — approximately 94 % — of those have since recovered .
More than 1.3 million Illinoisans have been tested so far .
The test positivity rate over the past seven days fell to 2 % .
6:18 a.m. City requires visitors to wear masks , ‘ keep it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months under lockdown because of the coronavirus , the Lakefront and 606 trails will officially reopen Monday to all manner of joggers , cyclists and pedestrians .
The COVID-19 pandemic , however , rages on , with 658 new cases being reported Sunday in Illinois .
So , though exercisers and commuters are being welcomed back to the popular pathways , city officials are urging people to use them cautiously .
When the Lakefront Trail reopens Monday , users will be required to wear a face mask and stay at least six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Park District website .
Anyone on the trail will be expected to “ keep it moving , ” meaning that any congregating will be prohibited .
The same guidelines will apply to the 606 Trail on the North Side , said Hali Levandoski , a spokeswoman for the mayor ’ s office .
Both trails will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice .
Read the full story from Sam Kelly here .
• An additional 23 people have died of coronavirus in Illinois , state health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hughley announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville , Tennessee .
• That brings the state ’ s COVID-19 pandemic death toll to 6,647.President Donald Trump ’ s campaign says six staff members helping set up for his Saturday night rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , have tested positive for coronavirus .
4:43 p.m. College football amid a pandemic is not worth the risk to young men ’ s lives How many lives of young men and women should be sacrificed for entertainment — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t be ducked as the NCAA allows colleges to begin “ voluntary ” football practices , and other college teams begin to practice .
Colleges are desperate to open the full football season , a source of millions in profits for colleges and universities .
Donald Trump , who pretends that COVID-19 is behind us , wants a return to normal , with stadiums filled with fans cheering their heroes .
Players are eager to compete and to display their skills .
Only problem is that the coronavirus doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about fans or coaches .
It doesn ’ t follow polls , doesn ’ t care who wins the presidential election , and has no party .
It is deadly and it ’ s still here , even spiking in more than 20 states .
And now , it ’ s hitting football players hard .
Thirty Louisiana State players are in quarantine , either testing positive for the virus or from being in contact with those who tested positive .
Twenty-three Clemson football players have tested positive since workouts started on June @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Kansas State , and more at Alabama , Mississippi , Southern Florida , Auburn , Oklahoma State and others .
Read the full commentary from the Rev .
Jesse Jackson here .
7:39 a.m .
Illegal tenant lockouts an early warning sign of a national evictions explosion to come From the moment the coronavirus pandemic hit Chicago , throwing thousands of residents out of work , the fear has been that evictions would follow .
Now , as reported by the Sun-Times on Friday , it ’ s beginning to happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ push out tenants who are behind in the rent .
The problem threatens to grow worse , and could explode , unless government takes action .
We favor intervention at the federal level , given the national scope of the problem , and given as well the limited ability of local governments to help without subverting market forces in ways that could make things worse .
We favor the leveraging of federal assistance or tax breaks to encourage landlords and tenants to reach an accommodation .
A specific bill we support , proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would offer forgivable federal loans to landlords who waive rent and extend leases during the pandemic .
As reported by Stephanie Zimmermann , calls to the Metropolitan Tenants Organization about illegal lockouts in Chicago roughly doubled from mid-March through mid-June compared to monthly averages .
The actual numbers are not yet high — about 41 calls a month compared to the usual 22 .
But only a fraction of tenants who are illegally evicted ever call for help .
And in those rising numbers is a warning sign about a possible explosion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court reopens .

The latest
The state also is moving into its Phase 4 on Friday. The city guidelines generally follow the state rules, though the state’s capacity restrictions are looser in some areas. Scott Olson/Getty Images
State health officials on Monday announced 462 new coronavirus cases and 26 additional deaths.
That brings the state’s total number of cases to 137,224 and the total number of deaths to 6,671.
The 462 new cases is the lowest daily tally on any given day since March 30, when 461 were reported.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases from June 15 to June 21 is 2%.
Health officials also announced an additional 18,219 coronavirus tests had been performed, raising the state’s total to 1,379,003.
News
7:04 p.m. Details revealed of Chicago’s move on Friday into Phase 4 of reopening plan
Lincoln Park Zoo will remain free, but with reservations required for certain time slots to avoid having too many people descending on the gate at the same time, exceeding the 100-person capacity limit.
Gyms will be open, but face masks will be required and workout equipment will either be six feet apart — or, in smaller facilities, separated by clear plastic screens. Saunas and showers will remain closed.
Movie theaters, as well as other heaters and live performance venues can open to audiences of 50 or fewer, but all but the smallest theaters are likely to remain closed because production costs will far exceed the gate. Standing-room-only live music venues will remain closed — and likely will be the last to reopen.
That’s just a snapshot of what will happen Friday, as Chicago moves into Phase 4 of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to cautiously reopen the Chicago economy.
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here.
6:11 p.m. Trump: US doing ‘too good a job’ on testing
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has done “too good a job” on testing for cases of COVID-19, even as his staff insisted the president was only joking when he said over the weekend that he had instructed aides to “slow the testing down, please.”
The president’s comments at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday brought quick rebukes from the campaign of likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as well as scores of Democratic lawmakers.
In an interview with Scripps for its local TV stations, Trump was asked Monday whether he did indeed tell aides to “slow it down.” He did not directly answer the question.
“If it did slow down, frankly, I think we’re way ahead of ourselves, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said. “We’ve done too good a job,” adding that the reason the United States has more coronavirus cases is that it does more testing.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said any suggestion that testing has been curtailed is not rooted in fact, saying Trump made the slow-it-down comment “in jest.”
Read the full report here.
4:20 p.m. Surging US virus cases raise fear that progress is slipping: ‘It is snowballing’
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alarming surges in coronavirus cases across the South and West raised fears Monday that the outbreak is spiraling out of control and that hard-won progress against the scourge is slipping away because of resistance among many Americans to wearing masks and keeping their distance from others.
Confirming predictions that the easing of state lockdowns over the past month and a half could lead to a comeback by the virus, cases surpassed 100,000 in Florida, hospitalizations are rising dramatically in Houston, and a startling 1 in 5 of those tested in Arizona are proving to be infected.
Over the weekend, the virus seemed to be everywhere at once: Six staff members helping set up for President Donald Trump’s rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, tested positive, as did 23 Clemson University football players in South Carolina. At least 30 members of the Louisiana State University team were isolated after becoming infected or coming into contact with someone who was. Meatpacking plants were also hit with outbreaks.
“It is snowballing. We will most certainly see more people die as a result of this spike,” said Dr. Marc Boom, CEO and president of Houston Methodist Hospital, noting that the number of COVID-19 hospital admissions has tripled since Memorial Day to more than 1,400 across eight hospital systems in the Houston metropolitan area.
Read the full story here.
3:05 p.m. Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo to reopen in coming weeks
Two Chicago area’s biggest outdoor attractions will start welcoming visitors again soon as Lincoln Park Zoo and Brookfield Zoo plan to reopen in the coming weeks. Both zoos will operate under limited capacity with strict guidelines for social distancing to comply with local orders.
Lincoln Park Zoo plans to reopen to the general public next Monday after a members-only weekend for donors. Brookfield Zoo will follow up a week later with the general public being welcomed back July 8.
Both zoos will be implementing online ticket reservation systems for all visitors. At Lincoln Park Zoo, reservations will be free, but guests will be required to leave after approximately two hours in order to maintain capacity limits.
— Satchel Price
2:23 p.m. CSO’s Riccardo Muti looks to reopen Chicago’s classical music scene
RAVENNA, Italy — Conducting a joyful Mozart motet, Riccardo Muti sent a resounding message Sunday night, that live classical music has returned to the Italian stage after the coronavirus lockdown.
A full summer festival program is planned in his adopted home of Ravenna, even as the musical outlook remains grim in the United States, where he also conducts the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The 78-year-old renowned conductor said the coronavirus had ‘’destroyed music,’’ with shuttered venues depriving the world of ‘’spiritual food’’ as it faced a pandemic that still threatens uncalculated economic repercussions beyond the lives lost.
Even during two world wars, Muti noted, theaters stayed open to provide cultural relief except during the worst of the bombings.
Muti suggested that concerts could be held in Chicago’s Millennium Park, with 2,000 guests instead of the 30,000 capacity, and by first testing musicians for the virus and possibly sticking to a repertoire that limits the number of musicians on stage.
During part of the CSO’s season that was canceled, Muti was to have conducted in April a symphony by African American composer Florence Price, which the program said “gives powerful voice to the African American experience.” Muti, who has been watching the Black Lives Matters protests from afar, said classical music must do more to integrate people of color.
Read the full story here.
1:46 p.m. CTA to give free ‘travel healthy kits’ to riders this week
One of the “travel healthy kits” that will be given out at busy CTA stations this week. Provided by CTA
Customers returning to Chicago’s public transit this week will be offered free “travel healthy kits” at several of CTA’s busiest “L” stations and bus terminals.
The kits, which include a 2-ounce bottle of hand sanitizer, a reusable cloth mask and a guide to healthy riding tips, will be distributed for free from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. at different locations each morning this week. Here’s where the CTA says they’ll be offering them by day:
TUESDAY : Clark/Lake, Polk (Pink Line) and 95th Street (Red Line)
: Clark/Lake, Polk (Pink Line) and 95th Street (Red Line) WEDNESDAY : Howard (Red Line) Roosevelt (Red, Green, Orange Lines)
: Howard (Red Line) Roosevelt (Red, Green, Orange Lines) THURSDAY : Jefferson Park (Blue Line) Roosevelt (Red, Green, Orange Lines)
: Jefferson Park (Blue Line) Roosevelt (Red, Green, Orange Lines) FRIDAY: Midway (Orange Line) Harlem/Lake (Green Line)
“As the city reopens and CTA welcomes customers back, we want to encourage everyone to continue to follow the healthy habits we’ve all learned since mid-March,” CTA president Dorval R. Carter, Jr. said in a statement. “Wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer are two simple and effective ways to help keep yourself and your fellow customers healthy.”
— Satchel Price
12:09 p.m. Chicagoans return to lakefront trail on first day of reopening
People exercise on the Lakefront Trail near Fullerton Avenue on the North Side on the first day the park reopens to the public after being closed amid fears of the coronavirus pandemic, Monday morning, June 22, 2020 Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
The throaty growl of a passing motor boat. A dog yapping at the waves. And, as far as the eye could see, the lake shimmering like a million silver coins.
“Enjoying the lakefront, that’s what Chicago is all about,” said Matt Zellmer, 27, out for a walk with his Australian Shepherd dog, Tucker, near Montrose Harbor.
Zellmer said it was a real “treat” to be able to escape from his “700-square-foot box” of an apartment.
“So far, everyone has been really responsible. Staying far apart,” he said.
For Annie Reising, 31, of Wrigleyville, it was her first ever trip to the city’s lakefront. She moved here last October.
“I was out of town a lot and then the holidays hit. It was cold. Then the coronavirus,” she explained. “I missed my chance. I’ve been waiting for this for months.”
— Stefano Esposito
11:48 a.m. Pritzker releases safety guidance for Phase 4 with reopening of indoor restaurant services, gyms, museums
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration Monday released safety guidance for the state’s next phase of reopening, which allows indoor restaurant services, gyms and museums to open with capacity limits beginning Friday.
Notable changes for Phase 4 include allowing gatherings of 50 people or less — and reopening of indoor restaurant services to groups of 10 or less, with tables spaced 6-feet-apart. Indoor seating at restaurants would also be capped at 25% capacity.
Indoor gyms can reopen at 50% capacity, with group fitness classes capped at 50 people, according to the guidelines designed by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The use of face coverings and social distancing is still encouraged under the public safety and health guidelines. Businesses are also encouraged to continue to conduct regular cleanings, to screen employees for temperatures upon entry and to allow employees who can continue working from home to do so. Pritzker’s office said about 400,000 Illinoisans will get back to work in Phase 4.
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles here.
10:39 a.m. Chicagoans hit Lakefront, 606 trails on first day of reopening
People exercise on the 606 Trail near Western Avenue on the North Side on the first day the park reopens to the public after being closed amid fears of the coronavirus pandemic, Monday morning, June 22, 2020. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
A cyclist swerved suddenly and yelled, “On your left! Watch where you’re going!” to an oblivious walker wearing headphones.
After three months away, it may take some time for the walkers, joggers and cyclists to remember how to peacefully coexist along the 606, which reopened Monday morning.
Ned English missed the elevated trail so much he used it twice Monday morning — once to go jogging and then a little later for a stroll with his 3-year-old daughter, Frida.
English, who lives near Humboldt Park, said he’s seen plenty of people using the trail during the lockdown.
“I didn’t feel right doing that with a little kid,” said English, 43.
It was worth the wait.
“It’s beautiful. There is no traffic, and it’s one of the nicest parks around here,” he said.
Daniel Salas and his wife, Eliud Corona, were out pushing a stroller. Inside were their tiny chihuahuas, Elsa and Topo Grigio.
Eliud Corona and Daniel Salas, who live in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, go for a walk along the 606 trail Monday morning. Stefano Esposito/Sun-Times
“We were excited to hear it was opening today,” said Corona, 42, who lives in the Humboldt Park neighborhood.
Both she and her husband said while they enjoy the park after which their neighborhood is named, they have missed the changing scenery the trail offers. Salas massaged his belly and explained the other reason he was out walking Monday.
“We’ve gained a few pounds,” he said. “My doctor recommended exercising.”
—Stefano Esposito
9:13 a.m. Nursing home cases, deaths rising in Illinois
Nursing homes and long-term care facilities continue to represent a large portion of the pandemic’s impact on Illinois.
A total of 3,649 Illinois nursing home residents and staff have died of COVID-19, making up 55% of the state total, and 21,476 residents and staff have tested positive, comprising 16% of the state total.
Over the past week, 165 nursing home residents and staff died — representing 49% of the state’s coronavirus deaths over that time period — and 718 have tested positive, representing 17% of the state’s newly confirmed cases.
Five nursing homes have suffered five or more deaths over the past week: Grosse Pointe Manor; Symphony at 87th; Birchwood Plaza Nursing-Rehab and Lee Manor Rehab and Nursing in Cook County; and Cedar Ridge Health and Rehab Center in St. Clair County.
Read the full story from Ben Pope here.
7:41 a.m. Illinois announces 23 additional coronavirus deaths, 658 new cases
An additional 23 people have died of coronavirus in Illinois, state health officials announced Sunday.
That brings the state’s COVID-19 pandemic death toll to 6,647.
Despite the ever-increasing total, Illinois remains one of the most-improved states in terms of daily new death and case rate, contrasting the rapidly worsening situations in southern states like Florida, South Carolina, Alabama and Texas.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced Sunday another 658 new COVID-19 cases found among 23,816 newly processed tests.
That raises the state’s total case count to 136,762, although the vast majority — approximately 94% — of those have since recovered. More than 1.3 million Illinoisans have been tested so far.
The test positivity rate over the past seven days fell to 2%.
Read the full report here.
6:18 a.m. City requires visitors to wear masks, ‘keep it moving’ on newly reopened trails
After three months under lockdown because of the coronavirus, the Lakefront and 606 trails will officially reopen Monday to all manner of joggers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The COVID-19 pandemic, however, rages on, with 658 new cases being reported Sunday in Illinois. So, though exercisers and commuters are being welcomed back to the popular pathways, city officials are urging people to use them cautiously.
When the Lakefront Trail reopens Monday, users will be required to wear a face mask and stay at least six feet away from others, according to the Chicago Park District website. Anyone on the trail will be expected to “keep it moving,” meaning that any congregating will be prohibited.
The same guidelines will apply to the 606 Trail on the North Side, said Hali Levandoski, a spokeswoman for the mayor’s office. Both trails will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.
Read the full story from Sam Kelly here.
New cases
An additional 23 people have died of coronavirus in Illinois, state health officials announced Sunday.
Comedian D.L. Hughley announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville, Tennessee.
That brings the state’s COVID-19 pandemic death toll to 6,647.President Donald Trump’s campaign says six staff members helping set up for his Saturday night rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have tested positive for coronavirus.
Analysis & Commentary
4:43 p.m. College football amid a pandemic is not worth the risk to young men’s lives
How many lives of young men and women should be sacrificed for entertainment — and for billions in profit? That question can’t be ducked as the NCAA allows colleges to begin “voluntary” football practices, and other college teams begin to practice.
Colleges are desperate to open the full football season, a source of millions in profits for colleges and universities. Donald Trump, who pretends that COVID-19 is behind us, wants a return to normal, with stadiums filled with fans cheering their heroes. Players are eager to compete and to display their skills.
Only problem is that the coronavirus doesn’t care about profits or presidents, or about fans or coaches. It doesn’t follow polls, doesn’t care who wins the presidential election, and has no party. It is deadly and it’s still here, even spiking in more than 20 states.
And now, it’s hitting football players hard. Thirty Louisiana State players are in quarantine, either testing positive for the virus or from being in contact with those who tested positive. Twenty-three Clemson football players have tested positive since workouts started on June 1. Thirteen at Texas, 14 at Kansas State, and more at Alabama, Mississippi, Southern Florida, Auburn, Oklahoma State and others.
Read the full commentary from the Rev. Jesse Jackson here.
7:39 a.m. Illegal tenant lockouts an early warning sign of a national evictions explosion to come
From the moment the coronavirus pandemic hit Chicago, throwing thousands of residents out of work, the fear has been that evictions would follow.
Now, as reported by the Sun-Times on Friday, it’s beginning to happen. Unscrupulous landlords are using illegal methods to push out tenants who are behind in the rent. The problem threatens to grow worse, and could explode, unless government takes action.
We favor intervention at the federal level, given the national scope of the problem, and given as well the limited ability of local governments to help without subverting market forces in ways that could make things worse.
We favor the leveraging of federal assistance or tax breaks to encourage landlords and tenants to reach an accommodation. A specific bill we support, proposed by U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., would offer forgivable federal loans to landlords who waive rent and extend leases during the pandemic.
As reported by Stephanie Zimmermann, calls to the Metropolitan Tenants Organization about illegal lockouts in Chicago roughly doubled from mid-March through mid-June compared to monthly averages.
The actual numbers are not yet high — about 41 calls a month compared to the usual 22. But only a fraction of tenants who are illegally evicted ever call for help. And in those rising numbers is a warning sign about a possible explosion in evictions once Chicago’s housing court reopens.
Read the full editorial here.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Daily coronavirus totals: 26 additional deaths and another 462 cases — lowest number of new infectio

Daily coronavirus totals: 26 additional deaths and another 462 cases — lowest number of new infections in nearly three months

State health officials on Monday announced 462 new coronavirus cases and 26 additional deaths .
That brings the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ to 137,224 and the total number of deaths to 6,671 .
The 462 new cases @ @ @ @ @ on any given day since March 30 , when 461 were reported .
The preliminary @ @ @ @ @ cases from June 15 to June 21 is 2 % .
Health officials also announced @ @ @ @ @ had been performed , raising the state ’ s total to 1,379,003 .
Also Monday @ @ @ @ @ Chicago will move into Phase 4 of a plan to cautiously reopen the city ’ @ @ @ @ @ also is moving into its Phase 4 on Friday .
The city guidelines generally follow @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s capacity restrictions are looser in some areas .

State health officials on Monday announced 462 new coronavirus cases and 26 additional deaths.
That brings the state’s total number of cases to 137,224 and the total number of deaths to 6,671.
The 462 new cases is the lowest daily tally on any given day since March 30, when 461 were reported.
The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases from June 15 to June 21 is 2%.
Health officials also announced an additional 18,219 coronavirus tests had been performed, raising the state’s total to 1,379,003.
Also Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Chicago will move into Phase 4 of a plan to cautiously reopen the city’s economy.
The state also is moving into its Phase 4 on Friday. The city guidelines generally follow the state rules, though the state’s capacity restrictions are looser in some areas.
“We are seeing very promising trends in our COVID-19 data. Week after week for the last five weeks we have seen a decline in the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said in an statement.
“The positivity rate in all regions of the state is similarly decreasing. These data affirm that all the steps we have been taking — wearing face coverings and keeping distance between people, is working. However, the virus still remains and until there is a vaccine or proven treatment, we must continue to take precautions,” she said.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Foxx sees police as both helpers and critics — and needing to change: ‘It’s not going to be easy, an

Foxx sees police as both helpers and critics — and needing to change: ‘It’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be quick’

Growing up , Kim Foxx said it was not her experience to be “ treated poorly by the police.
” In Cabrini-Green , the Near North Side public housing development where the future Cook County State ’ s Attorney spent her childhood , Foxx ’ s “ role in the family ” was to sometimes call the police to help defend her mother from her mother ’ s boyfriend .
“ I viewed them as someone who could help us to be able to stop the harm that was happening to my mother , ” Foxx said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with , a fear of the police .
Now , I have relatives — Black men in my family — whose experiences were very different … People would come and try to clear corners , and sometimes they would ask politely and sometimes less so.
” For Foxx , the “ jarring ” encounters with police were not on a street corner or traffic stop , but in her dealings with the Chicago police union or postings on individual officers ’ blogs .
Professionally , it ’ s been “ no secret that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken issue with me , and I think in a way that is felt beyond just my policy reform ideas , ” the county ’ s top prosecutor said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ The hate mail that I ’ ve received – no one should ever read ‘ Second City Cop ’ if you want to maintain your belief in humanity , ” she said , referring to a blogger she accused of “ using racist rhetoric to describe me.
” “ It would be one thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ oh , it ’ s a few bad apples , ’ but the permissiveness of such language and rhetoric that is rooted in race , that is rooted in misogyny and their still , to this day , lack of apology for being in the company of , and feeling comfortable in the company of white supremacists who marched on my office — that has been jarring , ” Foxx said .
The police union has been a regular critic of Foxx and her work , organizing a rally against her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Proud Boys , the American Guard and the American Identity Movement attending .
The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Proud Boys and the American Guard hate groups .
And Second City Cop , an anonymous blog run by a Chicago police officer that shares department rumors and commentary on local news , has been a vocal and insulting critic of Foxx .
The prosecutor says such treatment is why she is “ deeply empathetic ” with those who are frustrated and feel they have nowhere to turn for help in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people whose job it is to serve and protect ” them .
“ What I say is , I know that the overwhelming majority of the people in the Chicago Police Department , and in our suburban police departments , are there for the right reasons , doing the right thing and don ’ t buy into the rhetoric of their union leadership , ” she said .
Chicago FOP President John Catanzara Jr. said the union ’ s complaints about Foxx are based on her job performance .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Catanzara wrote in an email .
“ She is SUPPOSED to be on that page .
Except she is a social activist in an elected law enforcement position .
Yet another Chicago , Cook County , State of Illinois contradiction !
Her lack of willingness to faithfully do her job is the FOP ’ s biggest problem with Kim Foxx.
” Despite the FOP and the bloggers , the Cook County state ’ s attorney sees the conversations happening now after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd as a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the possibility of change .
“ It ’ s an optimism that ’ s rooted in it ’ s not going to be easy , and it ’ s not going to be quick , ” she said .
The transformation needs to be in policing as well as communities rocked by violence — and the relationship between the two .
“ I think for decades there have been conversations that have talked about the fractured relationship between police and communities that have scratched the surface and not why the relationship was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foxx said .
“ I think the biggest difference that I see now than in conversations past is that there has been what feels like universal agreement that there have been systemic , racist policies that have driven a lot of criminal justice system over the last several decades and a universal consensus that until we attack those systemic issues we ’ re not going to be able to move in a way that sees substantial change.
” The county ’ s top prosecutor favors an “ all hands on deck ” approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s contract to examining racial disparities in police shootings and incarceration to providing opportunities to communities that need them .
Foxx said there needs to be “ significantly more investment in things that prevent crime , ” such as drug treatment , mental health facilities , and in the economies on the South and West sides .
Foxx didn ’ t use the term “ defunding the police , ” but she does support putting resources into “ community-based solutions to crime prevention ” and making “ prevention just as important as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t necessarily mean taking those funds from police .
“ If you really talk to people in these neighborhoods , they will tell you , ‘ Look , we need police — we just need them to be good , ’ ” Foxx said .

Growing up, Kim Foxx said it was not her experience to be “treated poorly by the police.”
In Cabrini-Green, the Near North Side public housing development where the future Cook County State’s Attorney spent her childhood, Foxx’s “role in the family” was to sometimes call the police to help defend her mother from her mother’s boyfriend.
“I viewed them as someone who could help us to be able to stop the harm that was happening to my mother,” Foxx said. “I did not have, or grow up with, a fear of the police. Now, I have relatives — Black men in my family — whose experiences were very different … People would come and try to clear corners, and sometimes they would ask politely and sometimes less so.”
For Foxx, the “jarring” encounters with police were not on a street corner or traffic stop, but in her dealings with the Chicago police union or postings on individual officers’ blogs.
Professionally, it’s been “no secret that the [Fraternal Order of Police] has taken issue with me, and I think in a way that is felt beyond just my policy reform ideas,” the county’s top prosecutor said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times.
“The hate mail that I’ve received – no one should ever read ‘Second City Cop’ if you want to maintain your belief in humanity,” she said, referring to a blogger she accused of “using racist rhetoric to describe me.”
“It would be one thing to simply say, as they do, ‘oh, it’s a few bad apples,’ but the permissiveness of such language and rhetoric that is rooted in race, that is rooted in misogyny and their still, to this day, lack of apology for being in the company of, and feeling comfortable in the company of white supremacists who marched on my office — that has been jarring,” Foxx said.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx speaks to reporters and residents at a day of action rally on the West Side earlier this month. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file
The police union has been a regular critic of Foxx and her work, organizing a rally against her last year that saw members of the Proud Boys, the American Guard and the American Identity Movement attending. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Proud Boys and the American Guard hate groups.
And Second City Cop, an anonymous blog run by a Chicago police officer that shares department rumors and commentary on local news, has been a vocal and insulting critic of Foxx.
The prosecutor says such treatment is why she is “deeply empathetic” with those who are frustrated and feel they have nowhere to turn for help in the face of the broken relationship with “the people whose job it is to serve and protect” them.
“What I say is, I know that the overwhelming majority of the people in the Chicago Police Department, and in our suburban police departments, are there for the right reasons, doing the right thing and don’t buy into the rhetoric of their union leadership,” she said.
Chicago FOP President John Catanzara Jr. said the union’s complaints about Foxx are based on her job performance.
“We are a law and order profession by nature,” Catanzara wrote in an email. “She is SUPPOSED to be on that page. Except she is a social activist in an elected law enforcement position. Yet another Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois contradiction! Her lack of willingness to faithfully do her job is the FOP’s biggest problem with Kim Foxx.”
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara speaks to reporters outside the FOP lodge earlier this month. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file
Despite the FOP and the bloggers, the Cook County state’s attorney sees the conversations happening now after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd as a “transformational moment.”
She’s optimistic about the possibility of change.
“It’s an optimism that’s rooted in it’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be quick,” she said.
The transformation needs to be in policing as well as communities rocked by violence — and the relationship between the two.
“I think for decades there have been conversations that have talked about the fractured relationship between police and communities that have scratched the surface and not why the relationship was fractured in the first place,” Foxx said.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx sits down for an interview at the Sun-Times in March. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file
“I think the biggest difference that I see now than in conversations past is that there has been what feels like universal agreement that there have been systemic, racist policies that have driven a lot of criminal justice system over the last several decades and a universal consensus that until we attack those systemic issues we’re not going to be able to move in a way that sees substantial change.”
The county’s top prosecutor favors an “all hands on deck” approach that includes everything from reopening the FOP’s contract to examining racial disparities in police shootings and incarceration to providing opportunities to communities that need them.
Foxx said there needs to be “significantly more investment in things that prevent crime,” such as drug treatment, mental health facilities, and in the economies on the South and West sides.
Foxx didn’t use the term “defunding the police,” but she does support putting resources into “community-based solutions to crime prevention” and making “prevention just as important as response,” though that doesn’t necessarily mean taking those funds from police.
“If you really talk to people in these neighborhoods, they will tell you, ‘Look, we need police — we just need them to be good,’” Foxx said.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Suspect sought in beating death of New Lenox business owner

Police are asking the community for help identifying a suspect in connection with the beating death of a business owner in suburban New Lenox .
The man , described as having a large beard , is considered a suspect in the attack of Wayne Deutsch , 39 , the Will County sheriff ’ s office said in a statement .
On June 12 , Deutsch , owner of Shades of Darkness Window Tinting at 13957 W. Illinois Highway , told deputies that the man had come into the store asking for a refund on a previous tinting job , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pair exchanged words and the man left the store only to come back moments later and start a physical altercation with Deutsch , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The man beat Deutsch as he fell to the floor and he drove off in a dark-colored Chrysler 300 with tinted windows .
Deutsch , of Orland Park , refused medical treatment at the scene and didn ’ t identify the suspect to detectives who spoke to him after the attack , the sheriff ’ s office said .
His injuries worsened and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sheriff ’ s office said .
He died at Palos Community Hospital on June 17 .
An autopsy found he died of an accumulation of blood in his chest caused by broken ribs from an assault , the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
His death was ruled a homicide .
Anyone with information is asked to call the Will County sheriff ’ s office at 815-727-8574 .

Police are asking the community for help identifying a suspect in connection with the beating death of a business owner in suburban New Lenox.
The man, described as having a large beard, is considered a suspect in the attack of Wayne Deutsch, 39, the Will County sheriff’s office said in a statement.
On June 12, Deutsch, owner of Shades of Darkness Window Tinting at 13957 W. Illinois Highway, told deputies that the man had come into the store asking for a refund on a previous tinting job, the sheriff’s office said.
The pair exchanged words and the man left the store only to come back moments later and start a physical altercation with Deutsch, the sheriff’s office said. The man beat Deutsch as he fell to the floor and he drove off in a dark-colored Chrysler 300 with tinted windows.
Deutsch, of Orland Park, refused medical treatment at the scene and didn’t identify the suspect to detectives who spoke to him after the attack, the sheriff’s office said.
His injuries worsened and he was hospitalized on June 14, the sheriff’s office said. He died at Palos Community Hospital on June 17.
An autopsy found he died of an accumulation of blood in his chest caused by broken ribs from an assault, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. His death was ruled a homicide.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Will County sheriff’s office at 815-727-8574.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--MLB players reject deal for 60-game regular season

NEW YORK — The executive board of the Major League Baseball Players Association rejected a proposed 60-game schedule by a 33-5 vote , daring Commissioner Rob Manfred to give a unilateral order for the regular season ’ s start and provoke what figures to be lengthy and costly litigation over the impact of the coronavirus .
The union ’ s vote was confirmed by a person familiar with the meeting who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement was immediately made .
Manfred was expected to take the next step later Monday as baseball descends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95 .
With the collapse of a negotiated deal , playoffs are set to remain at 10 teams rather than expand to 16 , and the proposed expansion of the designated hitter to games involving NL teams would be off .
Also falling through for now is a planned experiment that would have had a runner start each extra inning on second base .
Spring training was suspended on March 12 , two weeks ahead of scheduled openers , and the sides have reverted to the familiar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past .
An initial deal March 26 called for players to receive prorated salaries , but that agreement did not require MLB to play in empty ballparks .
Players refused to alter from their insistence on prorated salaries , and MLB finally agreed last week during a meeting between Manfred and union head Tony Clark .
But the sides remained about $ 275 million apart after weeks of talks .
MLB offered 60 games and $ 1.48 billion from salaries that originally totaled $ 4 billion , plus a $ 25 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted 70 games and $ 1.73 billion plus a $ 50 million pool .
Players are expected to file a grievance , claiming MLB violated a provision in the March agreement requiring both sides to “ work in good faith to as soon as is practicable commence play , and complete the fullest 2020 championship season and postseason that is economically feasible ” consistent with several provisions .
MLB is expected to file a grievance accusing the union of negotiating in bad faith .

After all that, Major League Baseball has a restart date: July 1.
Maybe.
Late Monday, a few hours after the MLB Players Association had turned down the latest offer from management, MLB issued a statement that — at last, and if nothing else — provided a strong sense that a 2020 season, however compromised, is coming.
To produce a schedule with a specific number of games, MLB urged the MLBPA to give it an answer by Tuesday about whether players will be able to report to camps by July 1.
No matter how poorly beleaguered commissioner Rob Manfred has handled negotiations with the union since the coronavirus pandemic shut down the season, and no matter how much blame fans and media were laying on owners for what has felt like an interminable stalemate, it’s on the players to keep the boulder moving forward now.
In the final accounting of these negotiations, there will be, of course, more than enough ‘‘L’s’’ to go around. Given the task of finding common ground to save the season amid broader struggles related to the pandemic, MLB and the MLBPA were unable to do so before Manfred had to go to his so-called nuclear option.
A July 1 start to camps likely would mean — with no major coronavirus-related snags — an Opening Day sometime in the last week of the month.
The MLBPA’s executive board rejected MLB’s latest offer Monday by a 33-5 vote, setting up a widely expected next step by Manfred: a unilaterally implemented schedule. Such a schedule likely will feature 50 to 60 games with full prorated play but without an expanded playoff field.
Of more relevance in the big picture, nothing has been solved in terms of the strife between the sides. An even bigger, gnarlier fight looms with the collective-bargaining agreement scheduled to expire in 2021 and acrimony already dialed up to 10.
Rejected, by a resounding count, was a 60-game package at full prorated salaries. The sides remained far enough apart on games (10 or so) and money (about $275 million) that what most observers figured would be hammered out weeks ago — and a lot less publicly — instead went full blood-in-the-streets mode in plain sight of the sport’s disgusted fans.
Now attention will turn to that July 1 date — and to safety plans and protocols both sides will have to embrace as spikes in coronavirus cases affect much of the country.
‘‘Earlier this evening, the full Board reaffirmed the players’ eagerness to return to work as soon and as safely as possible,’’ an MLBPA statement said. ‘‘To that end, we anticipate finalizing a comprehensive set of health and safety protocols with Major League Baseball in the coming days. . . .
‘‘While we had hoped to reach a revised back-to-work agreement with the league, the Players remain fully committed to proceeding under our current agreement and getting back on the field for the fans, for the game and for each other.’’
Barely a week ago, the union responded to an earlier MLB offer by calling further negotiation ‘‘futile’’ and saying, in dramatic fashion: ‘‘It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.’’ The ‘‘when and where’’ part became a popular hashtag used by players on social media.
After ‘‘when and where’’ turned into a 33-5 nay vote, players will have a public-relations hit to take with fans who had been laying more blame on Manfred and the owners.
Spring training was suspended March 12. Two weeks later, the details of the season to come still vastly unknown, the sides agreed that players would receive prorated salaries depending on how many games would be played. As time passed and reality set in that many — and perhaps all — games would be played with zero ticket revenue, negotiations sparked back up.
Players are expected to file a grievance, claiming MLB violated a provision in the March agreement that required both sides to work in good faith to start the season as early as possible and play as complete a season as possible. MLB is expected to file a grievance accusing the union of negotiating in bad faith.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Trump: US doing ‘too good a job’ on testing

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has done “ too good a job ” on testing for cases of COVID-19 , even as his staff insisted the president was only joking when he said over the weekend that he had instructed aides to “ slow the testing down , please.
” The president ’ s comments at a campaign rally in Tulsa , Oklahoma , on Saturday brought quick rebukes from the campaign of likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as well as scores of Democratic lawmakers .
In an interview with Scripps for its local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether he did indeed tell aides to “ slow it down.
” He did not directly answer the question .
“ If it did slow down , frankly , I think we ’ re way ahead of ourselves , if you want to know the truth , ” Trump said .
“ We ’ ve done too good a job , ” adding that the reason the United States has more coronavirus cases is that it does more testing .
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said any suggestion that testing has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying Trump made the slow-it-down comment “ in jest.
” She said that Trump ’ s comments were an effort to criticize the media for its coverage of the coronavirus and its “ failure ” to understand that “ when you test more , you also find more cases.
” However , the U.S. is seeing disturbing trends in several benchmarks , including the percentage of tests that prove positive for the virus .
Health officials say that testing in the United States early on was insufficient for optimal containment .
In early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member of the White House coronavirus task force , testified that the nation ’ s testing system was “ not really geared to what we need right now ” and added , “ it is a failing .
Let ’ s admit it.
” But now , about a half-million people per day are being tested , and the president and his aides have been repeatedly touting the United States as leading the world in testing .
Democratic Gov .
Steve Sisolak of Nevada told Vice President Mike Pence in a conference call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s comments were not helpful and wanted assurances there is not a federal mandate to slow down testing .
Pence told Sisolak and other governors on the call that the administration looked forward to continuing to partner with them on testing .
The administration also stressed to governors on the call that states should be focusing resources on “ hard to test ” communities and that counties with high positivity rates should be saturated with more testing .
Lawmakers are expected to have several questions about testing and the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration ’ s coronavirus task force testify at a House hearing .
“ The American people are owed answers about why President Trump wants less testing when experts say much more is needed , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said .
The United States has confirmed nearly 2.3 million COVID-19 cases , which represents about a quarter of the world ’ s cases .
More than 120,000 people in the U.S. with COVID-19 have died .
The next closest nation is Brazil , with 50,600 deaths .

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday the United States has done “too good a job” on testing for cases of COVID-19, even as his staff insisted the president was only joking when he said over the weekend that he had instructed aides to “slow the testing down, please.”
The president’s comments at a campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday brought quick rebukes from the campaign of likely Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden as well as scores of Democratic lawmakers.
In an interview with Scripps for its local TV stations, Trump was asked Monday whether he did indeed tell aides to “slow it down.” He did not directly answer the question.
“If it did slow down, frankly, I think we’re way ahead of ourselves, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said. “We’ve done too good a job,” adding that the reason the United States has more coronavirus cases is that it does more testing.
White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said any suggestion that testing has been curtailed is not rooted in fact, saying Trump made the slow-it-down comment “in jest.”
She said that Trump’s comments were an effort to criticize the media for its coverage of the coronavirus and its “failure” to understand that “when you test more, you also find more cases.”
However, the U.S. is seeing disturbing trends in several benchmarks, including the percentage of tests that prove positive for the virus.
Health officials say that testing in the United States early on was insufficient for optimal containment. In early March, Dr. Anthony Fauci, a member of the White House coronavirus task force, testified that the nation’s testing system was “not really geared to what we need right now” and added, “it is a failing. Let’s admit it.”
But now, about a half-million people per day are being tested, and the president and his aides have been repeatedly touting the United States as leading the world in testing.
Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak of Nevada told Vice President Mike Pence in a conference call with governors on Monday that the president’s comments were not helpful and wanted assurances there is not a federal mandate to slow down testing. Pence told Sisolak and other governors on the call that the administration looked forward to continuing to partner with them on testing.
The administration also stressed to governors on the call that states should be focusing resources on “hard to test” communities and that counties with high positivity rates should be saturated with more testing.
Lawmakers are expected to have several questions about testing and the president’s comments on Tuesday when members of the administration’s coronavirus task force testify at a House hearing.
“The American people are owed answers about why President Trump wants less testing when experts say much more is needed,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
The United States has confirmed nearly 2.3 million COVID-19 cases, which represents about a quarter of the world’s cases. More than 120,000 people in the U.S. with COVID-19 have died. The next closest nation is Brazil, with 50,600 deaths.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--Federal judge grants compassionate release to Outfit enforcer labeled an ‘urban terrorist’

Federal judges have described onetime Chicago Outfit enforcer Mario Rainone as an “ urban terrorist ” and “ a vicious person having little or no regard for human life.
” But Monday , more than eight years before he was due out of prison , U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber granted compassionate release to the now 65-year-old Rainone amid the coronavirus pandemic , finding it “ unlikely that Rainone will pose a danger to his community.
” In an eight-page order , Leinenweber reduced Rainone ’ s 15-year prison sentence to time served and ordered his immediate release .
Prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held at a medical center in Minnesota , and he was not due to go free until 2028 .
“ The court is optimistic that Rainone understands that given his long criminal history and his advancing age , he is likely to spend the rest of his natural life imprisoned if he breaks the law again , ” Leinenweber wrote .
Federal prosecutors objected to Rainone ’ s release , calling him “ street muscle ” for the Outfit whose specialty lay in “ extorting and terrorizing innocent members of the public.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an elderly restaurant owner for $ 200,000 , they said he threatened to cut off the heads of the restaurant owner and his children and put them on a pole .
Rainone ’ s attorneys , Joseph and Lisa Lopez , wrote last month that , “ Mr .
Rainone poses no danger to any person or to his community .
Between his cataracts , use of an inhaler , kidney disease , prostate and skin cancers , he is no longer the Mario Rainone of the past .
Instead , he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of medical issues.
” Reached after Leinenweber handed down his ruling Monday , Joseph Lopez said prosecutors “ came at ( Rainone ) with every weapon that they had to demonize him , to blacken his eyes and to scare the judge , and it didn ’ t work .
The judge followed the law and did the right thing.
” U.S. District Judge James Alesia gave Rainone more than 17 years in prison back in 1992 , labeling him an “ urban terrorist ” while sending him away for racketeering and extortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2006 and was not allowed to have a firearm .
Then , in 2009 , authorities found a stolen Smith & Wesson revolver during a search of his home .
In seeking his release last month , Joseph and Lisa Lopez told the judge that Rainone “ suffers from a multitude of health problems which include skin cancer , cataracts , liver disease , prostate cancer , heart and breathing problems.
” They said COVID-19 posed a deadly risk .
However , Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu said Rainone ’ s prostate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , and he accused Rainone of misleading the judge .
Leinenweber wrote Monday that Rainone ’ s “ ailments will get worse as time goes on , and if he is infected with COVID-19 , his advanced age makes it more likely that he will experience major complications .
”

Federal judges have described onetime Chicago Outfit enforcer Mario Rainone as an “urban terrorist” and “a vicious person having little or no regard for human life.”
But Monday, more than eight years before he was due out of prison, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber granted compassionate release to the now 65-year-old Rainone amid the coronavirus pandemic, finding it “unlikely that Rainone will pose a danger to his community.”
In an eight-page order, Leinenweber reduced Rainone’s 15-year prison sentence to time served and ordered his immediate release. Prison records show Rainone has most recently been held at a medical center in Minnesota, and he was not due to go free until 2028.
“The court is optimistic that Rainone understands that given his long criminal history and his advancing age, he is likely to spend the rest of his natural life imprisoned if he breaks the law again,” Leinenweber wrote.
Federal prosecutors objected to Rainone’s release, calling him “street muscle” for the Outfit whose specialty lay in “extorting and terrorizing innocent members of the public.” Once, when trying to shake down an elderly restaurant owner for $200,000, they said he threatened to cut off the heads of the restaurant owner and his children and put them on a pole.
Rainone’s attorneys, Joseph and Lisa Lopez, wrote last month that, “Mr. Rainone poses no danger to any person or to his community. Between his cataracts, use of an inhaler, kidney disease, prostate and skin cancers, he is no longer the Mario Rainone of the past. Instead, he is an ailing senior citizen with a myriad of medical issues.”
Lisa and Joseph Lopez, attorneys for Mario Rainone Sun-Times Media
Reached after Leinenweber handed down his ruling Monday, Joseph Lopez said prosecutors “came at (Rainone) with every weapon that they had to demonize him, to blacken his eyes and to scare the judge, and it didn’t work. The judge followed the law and did the right thing.”
U.S. District Judge James Alesia gave Rainone more than 17 years in prison back in 1992, labeling him an “urban terrorist” while sending him away for racketeering and extortion. But prosecutors say Rainone left prison in 2006 and was not allowed to have a firearm. Then, in 2009, authorities found a stolen Smith & Wesson revolver during a search of his home.
Leinenweber gave Rainone a mandatory minimum 15-year sentence for illegal possession of a firearm, records show.
In seeking his release last month, Joseph and Lisa Lopez told the judge that Rainone “suffers from a multitude of health problems which include skin cancer, cataracts, liver disease, prostate cancer, heart and breathing problems.” They said COVID-19 posed a deadly risk.
However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu said Rainone’s prostate cancer had been successfully treated seven years earlier, and he accused Rainone of misleading the judge.
Leinenweber wrote Monday that Rainone’s “ailments will get worse as time goes on, and if he is infected with COVID-19, his advanced age makes it more likely that he will experience major complications.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-22--After weekend bloodshed, Brown says ‘violent felons’ driving shootings, CPD needs ‘a little bit of h

After weekend bloodshed, Brown says ‘violent felons’ driving shootings, CPD needs ‘a little bit of help’

Chicago Police Supt .
David Brown on Monday once again called for other criminal justice entities to give the CPD “ a little bit of help ” in combating gun violence after a weekend that saw more than 100 people shot and several children murdered .
Brown said that the city ’ s violence was largely driven by violent felons who were released from jail too soon .
“ At the end of the day , our endgame strategy is to arrest violent felons , but if violent felons are getting right out of jail , we need cooperation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice system , ” Brown said .
Brown ’ s predecessor , Eddie Johnson , made the same plea on innumerable occasions during his 3 ½ years leading the CPD .
Asked for specifics on what drove the weekend bloodshed , Brown said : “ Gangs , guns and drugs and not enough time spent in jail for violent felons.
” When 10 people were killed and 39 others were shot over Memorial Day weekend , Mayor Lori Lightfoot condemned the “ bloodbath ” and called it a “ fail ” by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lightfoot was asked what she would call a Father ’ s Day weekend that ended with 14 homicides that included children ages 3 and 13 .
The mayor never answered the question directly .
Instead , she talked about the parts of the criminal justice “ eco-system ” sidelined during the coronavirus pandemic that are still not fully back online .
“ We still have some concerns on the part of the county about how many people can safely be in Cook County Jail .
We still have some concern about bond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not back in full complement .
I don ’ t believe grand juries have been reconvened .
And many federal agents are still not back doing the work that they normally do , ” Lightfoot said .
Lightfoot said she plans be convene a meeting later this week with each of the stakeholders— including the state ’ s attorney ’ s office and the criminal courts — to “ talk about things each of us can do to step up to stem the violence that we saw this weekend.
” The weekend ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though it was also concentrated .
Of the CPD ’ s 22 districts , 19 of them recorded at least one shooting .
However , nearly half of the weekend ’ s violence was seen in just three districts on the West Side : The Harrison , Ogden and Austin districts .
Combined , the three saw 43 people shot , with seven of those killed , including a 3-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl .
With extra scrutiny being paid to law enforcement in the wake of the death of George Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands-on approach .
Lightfoot ’ s public statements about Chicago police officers accused of misconduct have also made some more reticent in their duties .
“ You don ’ t want to make the news starting the next wild fire here , ” said one veteran CPD officer who spoke on condition of anonymity .
John Catanzara , the president of the Fraternal Order of Police , the union that represents rank-and-file officers , said : “ There ’ s going to be a hesitancy with the mayor basically calling for every little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know that one is necessarily associated with the other as far as the violence this weekend.
” “ I mean , it ’ s Chicago , ” Catanzara added .
“ This is typical .
It ’ s sad but true .
It ’ s typical .
This is summer violence.
” CPD officers have been assigned to work 12-hour days for much of the last three weeks in response to the Floyd-related protests and looting .
Many have remained on that schedule as summer — historically the most violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrives .
“ We want to reassure them that we appreciate the hard work that they ’ re doing and the sacrifices that they ’ ve been making , ” said Anthony Riccio , the CPD ’ s first deputy superintendent .
“ They ’ ve been under a lot of stress and there ’ s been a lot of attention [ paid ] to a few incidents that have occurred , but the overwhelming majority of these officers have worked hard and have done a tremendous job.
” Shortly after taking office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold Chicago murders under 300-a-year for the first time since 1957 .
Now , Chicago is approaching 300 homicides before the end of June .
On Monday , Lightfoot was asked what went wrong .
“ Look , I think what the superintendent said when he had this ambitious idea of 300 — he called it a ‘ moon-shot.
’ And the idea was , not so much the number , but making sure that we rally all of the resources — both within the Police Department , but also with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what each of us can do more around public safety , ” the mayor said .
Asked whether she retains confidence in Brown , Lightfoot said she “ can ’ t even believe someone would ask ” that question after the retired Dallas police chief has been on the job for just eight weeks .

Chicago Police Supt. David Brown on Monday once again called for other criminal justice entities to give the CPD “a little bit of help” in combating gun violence after a weekend that saw more than 100 people shot and several children murdered.
Brown said that the city’s violence was largely driven by violent felons who were released from jail too soon.
“At the end of the day, our endgame strategy is to arrest violent felons, but if violent felons are getting right out of jail, we need cooperation and collaboration with other partners within the criminal justice system,” Brown said.
Brown’s predecessor, Eddie Johnson, made the same plea on innumerable occasions during his 3 ½ years leading the CPD.
Asked for specifics on what drove the weekend bloodshed, Brown said: “Gangs, guns and drugs and not enough time spent in jail for violent felons.”
When 10 people were killed and 39 others were shot over Memorial Day weekend, Mayor Lori Lightfoot condemned the “bloodbath” and called it a “fail” by her newly appointed police superintendent.
On Monday, Lightfoot was asked what she would call a Father’s Day weekend that ended with 14 homicides that included children ages 3 and 13.
The mayor never answered the question directly. Instead, she talked about the parts of the criminal justice “eco-system” sidelined during the coronavirus pandemic that are still not fully back online.
“We still have some concerns on the part of the county about how many people can safely be in Cook County Jail. We still have some concern about bond decisions. Our federal partners are still not back in full complement. I don’t believe grand juries have been reconvened. And many federal agents are still not back doing the work that they normally do,” Lightfoot said.
Lightfoot said she plans be convene a meeting later this week with each of the stakeholders— including the state’s attorney’s office and the criminal courts — to “talk about things each of us can do to step up to stem the violence that we saw this weekend.”
The weekend’s violence was felt across the city, though it was also concentrated. Of the CPD’s 22 districts, 19 of them recorded at least one shooting. However, nearly half of the weekend’s violence was seen in just three districts on the West Side: The Harrison, Ogden and Austin districts. Combined, the three saw 43 people shot, with seven of those killed, including a 3-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl.
With extra scrutiny being paid to law enforcement in the wake of the death of George Floyd, some officers are taking a less hands-on approach. Lightfoot’s public statements about Chicago police officers accused of misconduct have also made some more reticent in their duties.
“You don’t want to make the news starting the next wild fire here,” said one veteran CPD officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.
John Catanzara, the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, said: “There’s going to be a hesitancy with the mayor basically calling for every little thing to be fire-able, but I don’t know that one is necessarily associated with the other as far as the violence this weekend.”
“I mean, it’s Chicago,” Catanzara added. “This is typical. It’s sad but true. It’s typical. This is summer violence.”
CPD officers have been assigned to work 12-hour days for much of the last three weeks in response to the Floyd-related protests and looting. Many have remained on that schedule as summer — historically the most violent part of the year in Chicago — arrives.
“We want to reassure them that we appreciate the hard work that they’re doing and the sacrifices that they’ve been making,” said Anthony Riccio, the CPD’s first deputy superintendent. “They’ve been under a lot of stress and there’s been a lot of attention [paid] to a few incidents that have occurred, but the overwhelming majority of these officers have worked hard and have done a tremendous job.”
Shortly after taking office, Brown told his deputies he wanted to hold Chicago murders under 300-a-year for the first time since 1957.
Now, Chicago is approaching 300 homicides before the end of June. On Monday, Lightfoot was asked what went wrong.
“Look, I think what the superintendent said when he had this ambitious idea of 300 — he called it a ‘moon-shot.’ And the idea was, not so much the number, but making sure that we rally all of the resources — both within the Police Department, but also with our various partners — to really focus on what each of us can do more around public safety,” the mayor said.
Asked whether she retains confidence in Brown, Lightfoot said she “can’t even believe someone would ask” that question after the retired Dallas police chief has been on the job for just eight weeks.