chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Coronavirus-stricken woman gets lung transplants after mother travels to Chicago to say ‘goodbye’ (L

Coronavirus-stricken woman gets lung transplants after mother travels to Chicago to say ‘goodbye’ (LIVE UPDATES)

Coronavirus-stricken woman gets lung transplants after mother travels to Chicago to say ‘ goodbye ’ Mayra Ramirez described her worst moment — when she was close to death and how her mother had been told to catch the first flight to Chicago to come say goodbye .
As Ramirez spoke Thursday , her mother sat a few feet away , silent , most of her face and her outward emotions hidden behind a surgical mask .
“ What hurts the most is knowing everything my family went through during the time I was intubated , ” said Ramirez softly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwestern Memorial Hospital doctors who ensured her mother never had to utter that awful word , “ Goodbye.
” Ramirez , 28 , of Chicago , and Brian Kuhns , a 62-year-old mechanic from Lake Zurich were both Northwestern patients who made history : They were the first in the nation to receive double-lung transplants after the coronavirus destroyed those organs .
Ramirez , a paralegal who moved to the city from North Carolina six years ago , told reporters that she ’ d been careful when the pandemic swept through .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick .
In April , she called her doctor after she lost her sense of taste and smell — and felt excessively tired .
When she had fainting spells later that same month , she came to Northwestern ’ s emergency room .
“ I was asked who would be making my medical decisions for me , ” Ramirez explained .
Her mother , she said .
A few minutes later , she was being hooked up to a ventilator .
The next few weeks were a blur with Ramirez often unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get the full story from reporter Stefano Esposito here .
7:04 p.m. Pritzker : ‘ Now is the moment to wear your mask properly ’ Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois is at “ a danger point ” in the battle against COVID-19 , as public health officials on Thursday announced another 1,772 new coronavirus cases — the highest single day tally since May , when the virus hit its deadly peak .
The rise is part of a disturbing trend that ’ s seen July ’ s daily case average shoot up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 764 per day last month .
In the last nine days alone , more than 13,000 new cases have been reported — more than half the total for all of last month .
Speaking in Peoria , an area Pritzker has put on his warning list , the governor suggested residents are at a crossroads .
“ We ’ re at a danger point everybody .
Pay attention , ” he said .
“ Now is the moment to wear your mask properly.
” The state ’ s positivity rate — which experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading through a region — was 2.7 % on June 26 , when most businesses , restaurants and bars were allowed to resume limited operations under the fourth phase of Pritzker ’ s reopening plan .
Read the full report from Mitch Dudek here .
The VMAs , to air live on Aug. 30 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn , introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times : best music video from home and best quarantine performance .
Grande and Justin Bieber ’ s No .
1 hit “ Stuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music video from home along with Drake ’ s “ Toosie Slide , ” John Legend ’ s “ Bigger Love , ” 5 Seconds of Summer ’ s “ Wildflower , ” blink-182 ’ s “ Happy Days ” and twenty one pilots ’ “ Level of Concern , ” which topped the Billboard rock songs chart for seven weeks and features the lyrics , “ Will you be my little quarantine ?
” R & B duo Chloe x Halle , who have successfully promoted their new album during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their tennis court and outside their new home , are nominated for best quarantine performance for “ Do It ” from MTV ’ s virtual prom “ Prom-athon.
” Other nominees include Gaga ’ s “ Smile ” from the TV special “ One World : Together At Home ” ; Legend ’ s “ # togetherathome ” concert ; DJ D-Nice ’ s “ Club MTV presents # DanceTogether ” ; CNCO ’ s “ MTV Unplugged At Home ” ; and Post Malone ’ s tribute to Nirvana .
3:04 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks-long battle with COVID-19 Herman Cain , former Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of a major pizza chain who went on to become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump , has died of complications from the coronavirus .
He was 74 .
A post on Cain ’ s Twitter account on Thursday announced the death .
Cain had been ill with the virus for several weeks .
It ’ s not clear when or where he was infected , but he was hospitalized less than two weeks after attending Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in June .
Cain had been co-chair of Black Voices for Trump .
“ We knew when he was first hospitalized with COVID-19 that this was going to be a rough fight , ” read an article posted on the Twitter account .
“ He had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital by ambulance .
We all prayed that the initial meds they gave him would get his breathing back to normal , but it became clear pretty quickly that he was in for a battle.
” 11:56 a.m. Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
“ Lipstick is the best cosmetic there is , ” Joan Collins once observed , shrewdly .
Alas , not so much anymore — not now , when face masks are covering the lower half of our faces .
It could mean the end of lipstick as we know it .
And what would we do without it ?
For millennia , lip cosmetics have been one of the ways for women and men to express themselves , to lift their spirits , to make their face stand out in the crowd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the simple joys of lipstick ?
Perish the thought , say lipstick lovers and cosmetic makers , nervously eyeing sales figures expected to fall this year , maybe as much as 11 % according to one market prediction .
Since the pandemic ( and mask-wearing ) started , there ’ s been a dramatic drop in use of lipstick , according to multiple surveys by Poshly , a marketing research firm that works with cosmetic companies , says CEO Doreen Bloch .
With two young children , Meghan Leckey couldn ’ t fathom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trips between homes in Chicago and South Florida during the coronavirus pandemic .
Waiting in lines , wearing a mask , and constantly wiping down surfaces so her family can stay safe just didn ’ t seem feasible for the 37-year-old restaurant owner .
So four weeks ago , Leckey and her family , who ordinarily would fly first class , bought a private jet .
Leckey ’ s move to purchase a private jet last month , though still a luxury only accessible to the ultra-rich , is indicative of a larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry .
Like Leckey , some people who once flew in business or first class are making the switch to chartering a private jet , and those who once chartered planes are taking the major step of purchasing their own plane to avoid crowded airports altogether as the coronavirus pandemic marches on .
Mark Ahasic , president of Ahasic Aviation Advisors , said multiple factors are driving the sudden growth he ’ s seen in the industry .
Not only can worried flyers avoid the discomfort in being sardined in a commercial airliner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid airport terminals , lines and crowds , which have morphed from an annoyance to a perceived health risk for many .
Read the full story from Alice Bazerghi here .
8:08 a.m. Pritzker warns public , pols on COVID-19 precautions : ‘ If things don ’ t change , a reversal is where we ’ re headed ’ A month after Illinois entered its latest phase of reopening , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday warned that another round of closures could be on tap if residents don ’ t take health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s steady rise in coronavirus cases .
“ We are far , far from out of the woods , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said during a Loop news conference .
“ We ’ ve made progress in Illinois , but we ’ ve also seen that it can be fleeting .
And right now , things are not heading in the right direction .
I want to remind everyone that it doesn ’ t take long at all for a trajectory of success to turn into rising hospitalizations and deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ change , a reversal is where we ’ re headed , ” Pritzker said .
The Democratic governor offered his grim prognosis as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the latest 1,393 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among 38,187 tests .
That kept the state ’ s testing positivity rate over the last week at 3.8 % , but raised July ’ s daily average to more than 1,100 new cases reported per day , compared to 764 per day last month .
• Public health officials on Thursday announced another 1,772 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single day tally since May , when the virus hit its deadly peak .
• Herman Cain , former Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of a major pizza chain who went on to become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump , has died at age 74 of complications from the coronavirus .
Before the COVID-19 surge in Florida forced President Donald Trump to scratch his in-person presidential convention in Jacksonville , the top perk package for high-end Republican donors — who would stay at swank resorts and get VIP access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1,161,200 per couple .
The Democrats , taking the pandemic threat more seriously earlier , told people not to come to Milwaukee at the end of June .
The Democratic perk package consists of all-virtual events and tops out with donors asked to give $ 250,000 or to raise at least $ 500,000 .
The Chicago Sun-Times obtained the perk packages for the GOP and Democratic conventions , August events vastly retooled because of the pandemic .
Pre-COVID-19 , both parties used conventions to lure or reward mega-donors , who would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure they would have access to the best hotels , parties , briefings and floor credentials .
Read the full column from Lynn Sweet here .

Another 1,772 new coronavirus cases — the highest single day tally since May, when the virus hit its deadly peak — were announced today. That brings Illinois total case number to 176,896. Its tally of coronavirus deaths is 7,478.
Here’s what else happened as Chicago and the state continued the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
News
8:55 p.m. Coronavirus-stricken woman gets lung transplants after mother travels to Chicago to say ‘goodbye’
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Mayra Ramirez described her worst moment — when she was close to death and how her mother had been told to catch the first flight to Chicago to come say goodbye.
As Ramirez spoke Thursday, her mother sat a few feet away, silent, most of her face and her outward emotions hidden behind a surgical mask.
“What hurts the most is knowing everything my family went through during the time I was intubated,” said Ramirez softly, as she appeared with the team of Northwestern Memorial Hospital doctors who ensured her mother never had to utter that awful word, “Goodbye.”
Ramirez, 28, of Chicago, and Brian Kuhns, a 62-year-old mechanic from Lake Zurich were both Northwestern patients who made history: They were the first in the nation to receive double-lung transplants after the coronavirus destroyed those organs.
Ramirez, a paralegal who moved to the city from North Carolina six years ago, told reporters that she’d been careful when the pandemic swept through. She stayed home mostly, but still got sick. In April, she called her doctor after she lost her sense of taste and smell — and felt excessively tired. When she had fainting spells later that same month, she came to Northwestern’s emergency room.
“I was asked who would be making my medical decisions for me,” Ramirez explained. Her mother, she said. A few minutes later, she was being hooked up to a ventilator. The next few weeks were a blur with Ramirez often unable to distinguish reality from her frequent nightmares.
Get the full story from reporter Stefano Esposito here.
7:04 p.m. Pritzker: ‘Now is the moment to wear your mask properly’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker adjusts his face mask after a press conference in the Lawndale Plaza parking lot on the West Side, Wednesday afternoon, June 17, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned Illinois is at “a danger point” in the battle against COVID-19, as public health officials on Thursday announced another 1,772 new coronavirus cases — the highest single day tally since May, when the virus hit its deadly peak.
The rise is part of a disturbing trend that’s seen July’s daily case average shoot up to more than 1,100, compared to 764 per day last month. In the last nine days alone, more than 13,000 new cases have been reported — more than half the total for all of last month.
Speaking in Peoria, an area Pritzker has put on his warning list, the governor suggested residents are at a crossroads.
“We’re at a danger point everybody. Pay attention,” he said. “Now is the moment to wear your mask properly.”
The state’s positivity rate — which experts say indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading through a region — was 2.7% on June 26, when most businesses, restaurants and bars were allowed to resume limited operations under the fourth phase of Pritzker’s reopening plan.
Read the full report from Mitch Dudek here.
4:43 p.m. VMAs introduce 2 new quarantine categories
The VMAs, to air live on Aug. 30 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance.
Grande and Justin Bieber’s No. 1 hit “Stuck with U” will compete for best music video from home along with Drake’s “Toosie Slide,” John Legend’s “Bigger Love,” 5 Seconds of Summer’s “Wildflower,” blink-182’s “Happy Days” and twenty one pilots’ “Level of Concern,” which topped the Billboard rock songs chart for seven weeks and features the lyrics, “Will you be my little quarantine?”
R&B duo Chloe x Halle, who have successfully promoted their new album during the pandemic with impressive live performances mostly put on in their tennis court and outside their new home, are nominated for best quarantine performance for “Do It” from MTV’s virtual prom “Prom-athon.” Other nominees include Gaga’s “Smile” from the TV special “One World: Together At Home”;Legend’s “#togetherathome” concert; DJ D-Nice’s “Club MTV presents #DanceTogether”; CNCO’s “MTV Unplugged At Home”; and Post Malone’s tribute to Nirvana.
Read the full story here.
3:04 p.m. Herman Cain dies at 74 after weeks-long battle with COVID-19
Herman Cain, former Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of a major pizza chain who went on to become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has died of complications from the coronavirus. He was 74.
A post on Cain’s Twitter account on Thursday announced the death. Cain had been ill with the virus for several weeks. It’s not clear when or where he was infected, but he was hospitalized less than two weeks after attending Trump’s campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June. Cain had been co-chair of Black Voices for Trump.
“We knew when he was first hospitalized with COVID-19 that this was going to be a rough fight,” read an article posted on the Twitter account. “He had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. We all prayed that the initial meds they gave him would get his breathing back to normal, but it became clear pretty quickly that he was in for a battle.”
Read the full story here.
11:56 a.m. Will mask mandates be the end of lipstick?
“Lipstick is the best cosmetic there is,” Joan Collins once observed, shrewdly. Alas, not so much anymore — not now, when face masks are covering the lower half of our faces.
It could mean the end of lipstick as we know it. And what would we do without it?
For millennia, lip cosmetics have been one of the ways for women and men to express themselves, to lift their spirits, to make their face stand out in the crowd.
Will pandemic face masks wipe away the simple joys of lipstick?
Perish the thought, say lipstick lovers and cosmetic makers, nervously eyeing sales figures expected to fall this year, maybe as much as 11% according to one market prediction.
Since the pandemic (and mask-wearing) started, there’s been a dramatic drop in use of lipstick, according to multiple surveys by Poshly, a marketing research firm that works with cosmetic companies, says CEO Doreen Bloch.
Read the full story here.
9:56 a.m. Private jet usage soaring for Chicago charter companies amid pandemic
With two young children, Meghan Leckey couldn’t fathom boarding a commercial airplane for her regular trips between homes in Chicago and South Florida during the coronavirus pandemic. Waiting in lines, wearing a mask, and constantly wiping down surfaces so her family can stay safe just didn’t seem feasible for the 37-year-old restaurant owner.
So four weeks ago, Leckey and her family, who ordinarily would fly first class, bought a private jet.
Leckey’s move to purchase a private jet last month, though still a luxury only accessible to the ultra-rich, is indicative of a larger trend starting to appear in the travel industry. Like Leckey, some people who once flew in business or first class are making the switch to chartering a private jet, and those who once chartered planes are taking the major step of purchasing their own plane to avoid crowded airports altogether as the coronavirus pandemic marches on.
Mark Ahasic, president of Ahasic Aviation Advisors, said multiple factors are driving the sudden growth he’s seen in the industry. Not only can worried flyers avoid the discomfort in being sardined in a commercial airliner, flying in private planes lets them avoid airport terminals, lines and crowds, which have morphed from an annoyance to a perceived health risk for many.
Read the full story from Alice Bazerghi here.
8:08 a.m. Pritzker warns public, pols on COVID-19 precautions: ‘If things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed’
A month after Illinois entered its latest phase of reopening, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday warned that another round of closures could be on tap if residents don’t take health precautions more seriously to stem the state’s steady rise in coronavirus cases.
“We are far, far from out of the woods,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during a Loop news conference.
“We’ve made progress in Illinois, but we’ve also seen that it can be fleeting. And right now, things are not heading in the right direction. I want to remind everyone that it doesn’t take long at all for a trajectory of success to turn into rising hospitalizations and deaths.
“And if things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed,” Pritzker said.
The Democratic governor offered his grim prognosis as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the latest 1,393 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among 38,187 tests. That kept the state’s testing positivity rate over the last week at 3.8%, but raised July’s daily average to more than 1,100 new cases reported per day, compared to 764 per day last month.
Reporter Mitch Arementrout has the full story.
New cases
Public health officials on Thursday announced another 1,772 new coronavirus cases in Illinois — the highest single day tally since May, when the virus hit its deadly peak.
Herman Cain, former Republican presidential candidate and former CEO of a major pizza chain who went on to become an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has died at age 74 of complications from the coronavirus.
Analysis & Commentary
8:21 p.m. Toilet troubles worsened by COVID crisis
Tim Pyle, executive director of the American Restroom Association, recently got an urgent email from Wichita alerting him that the bathroom at the bus station downtown was closed to the public; could the ARA help?
While the Baltimore-based group is not intended to address individual shuttered toilets across this great land, Pyle responded sympathetically.
“Municipalities and governments have dropped the ball in the past 20 years, and have abdicated their responsibilities to store owners, gas stations, and eateries,” he wrote. “Now that COVID has hit, it is more important than ever for ‘public’ facilities to do their part and keep them open.”
Which is separate from the issue of whether people should even go into public restrooms that are open. Public bathrooms are perfect virus spreaders. Strangers gather in the smallest space possible. They perform functions that are then rendered into whirling vortexes of airborne contamination, thanks to flushing toilets, and blasted through the room by hand dyers.
Two related problems then: keeping bathrooms open, and improving their safety.
Read Neil Steinberg’s full column here.
8:33 a.m. Fallout from Trump canceling Jacksonville convention events: GOP mega-donor perks vanish
Before the COVID-19 surge in Florida forced President Donald Trump to scratch his in-person presidential convention in Jacksonville, the top perk package for high-end Republican donors — who would stay at swank resorts and get VIP access to Trump cabinet members — was priced at $1,161,200 per couple.
The Democrats, taking the pandemic threat more seriously earlier, told people not to come to Milwaukee at the end of June. The Democratic perk package consists of all-virtual events and tops out with donors asked to give $250,000 or to raise at least $500,000.
The Chicago Sun-Times obtained the perk packages for the GOP and Democratic conventions, August events vastly retooled because of the pandemic.
Pre-COVID-19, both parties used conventions to lure or reward mega-donors, who would have concierge fundraisers assigned to them to make sure they would have access to the best hotels, parties, briefings and floor credentials.
Read the full column from Lynn Sweet here.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Why would anybody vote for anybody in the ‘burn it all down’ Republican Party?

My friend David French , one of the most admirable voices in America today , argues that conservatives need not vote against Republican senate candidates in order to send a message about Trumpism .
He writes , “ A rage , fury , and a ‘ burn it all down ’ mentality is one of the maladies that brought us to the present moment.
” This assumes that the reason some plan to evict Republican senators is simply a matter of anger .
But voting against a candidate or even a whole party is not nihilism .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approval or disapproval .
The current Republican Party has chosen to become the burn-it-all-down party .
The most demoralizing aspect of the past four years has not been that a boob conman was elected president , but that one of the two great political parties surrendered to him utterly .
David suggests that voting against Republican senators ignores that they had bad choices .
It ’ s certainly true that Republicans perceived their options to be limited .
If they speak up , they say , they will flush their careers down the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Flake , Mark Sanford and Bob Corker !
But this overstates things .
A number of Republicans have stood up to Trump and maintained their electoral viability — especially when they challenged him on matters in which he has shown little interest , namely public policy .
Sen. Pat Toomey , R-Pennsylvania , for example , voted against the president ’ s USMCA trade agreement and ( gasp ) wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal explaining his reasoning .
When the president abruptly announced , following a phone call with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was withdrawing American troops forthwith from Syria , a number of Republicans voiced horror .
Sen. Ben Sasse , R-Nebraska , said it would lead to a “ slaughter.
” Sen. Ted Cruz said it would be “ DISGRACEFUL.
” Rep. Liz Cheney called it a “ catastrophic mistake that puts our gains against ISIS at risk and threatens America ’ s national security.
” Senators Lindsay Graham , R-South Carolina , Mitch McConnell , R-Kentucky , Mitt Romney , R-Utah , Marco Rubio , R-Florida , former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When the president suggested lifting sanctions on Russia , Sen .
Rob Portman , R-Ohio , said it would be “ horrible ” for the United States .
And after Gen. James Mattis wrote an op-ed saying that Donald Trump was making a “ mockery of the U.S. Constitution , ” Sen. Lisa Murkowski said : “ I was really thankful .
I thought General Mattis ’ words were true , and honest and necessary and overdue.
” So , it is possible to speak up about this president and survive .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican officeholders often use words like “ kill ” or “ destroy ” or “ annihilate ” when contemplating what Trump would do to them if they raise their heads too far above the parapet .
In fact , all that actually threatened them was the possibility of nasty tweets and the chance that they might lose their seats .
David is right that very few people in any walk of life display courage on anything , though craven Republicans holding House and Senate posts might want to pause from time to time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Hong Kong , Iran and Egypt who continue to put their freedom and sometimes their lives at risk by taking to the streets .
And should being an elected official really be one ’ s “ life work ” ?
As noted above , Republicans have criticized the president on policy matters , sometimes even harshly .
Where they have shrunk into their shells was on matters that are even more critical to the health of our republic .
They have , by their silence , given assent to his cruelty , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flirtations with political violence and his consistent demolition of institutions .
Institutions are like scaffolding .
When a society ’ s institutions are weakened , the whole edifice can come crashing down .
Donald Trump undermined the institution of the free press , urging his followers to disbelieve everything except what came from the leader .
He weakened respect for law enforcement and the courts , suggesting that he was the victim of a “ deep state ” and that “ so-called judges ” need not be respected .
He scorned allies and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt on the integrity of elections .
He ran the executive branch like a gangster , demanding personal loyalty and abusing officials such as the hapless Jeff Sessions , who merely followed ethics rules .
He ignored the law to get his way on the border wall .
He violated the most sacred norms of a multiethnic society by encouraging racial hatred .
He made the U.S. guilty of separating babies from their mothers .
Elected officials , terrified of their own constituents , have cowered and temporized in the face of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They believed that they were powerless and acted accordingly .
Since they were powerless when it counted , perhaps we should make it official ?

My friend David French, one of the most admirable voices in America today, argues that conservatives need not vote against Republican senate candidates in order to send a message about Trumpism.
I disagree.
He writes, “A rage, fury, and a ‘burn it all down’ mentality is one of the maladies that brought us to the present moment.”
This assumes that the reason some plan to evict Republican senators is simply a matter of anger. But voting against a candidate or even a whole party is not nihilism. It’s the legal, Constitutional way to express approval or disapproval. The current Republican Party has chosen to become the burn-it-all-down party. The most demoralizing aspect of the past four years has not been that a boob conman was elected president, but that one of the two great political parties surrendered to him utterly.
David suggests that voting against Republican senators ignores that they had bad choices.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
It’s certainly true that Republicans perceived their options to be limited. If they speak up, they say, they will flush their careers down the drain. Look at what happened to Jeff Flake, Mark Sanford and Bob Corker!
But this overstates things. A number of Republicans have stood up to Trump and maintained their electoral viability — especially when they challenged him on matters in which he has shown little interest, namely public policy. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania, for example, voted against the president’s USMCA trade agreement and (gasp) wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal explaining his reasoning.
When the president abruptly announced, following a phone call with Turkish leader Recep Erdogan, that he was withdrawing American troops forthwith from Syria, a number of Republicans voiced horror. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, said it would lead to a “slaughter.” Sen. Ted Cruz said it would be “DISGRACEFUL.” Rep. Liz Cheney called it a “catastrophic mistake that puts our gains against ISIS at risk and threatens America’s national security.” Senators Lindsay Graham, R-South Carolina, Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, Mitt Romney, R-Utah, Marco Rubio, R-Florida, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and others weighed in as well.
When the president suggested lifting sanctions on Russia, Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, said it would be “horrible” for the United States. And after Gen. James Mattis wrote an op-ed saying that Donald Trump was making a “mockery of the U.S. Constitution,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski said: “I was really thankful. I thought General Mattis’ words were true, and honest and necessary and overdue.”
So, it is possible to speak up about this president and survive. I use that word advisedly, because these Republican officeholders often use words like “kill” or “destroy” or “annihilate” when contemplating what Trump would do to them if they raise their heads too far above the parapet. In fact, all that actually threatened them was the possibility of nasty tweets and the chance that they might lose their seats.
David is right that very few people in any walk of life display courage on anything, though craven Republicans holding House and Senate posts might want to pause from time to time to contemplate the extraordinary valor of protesters in Hong Kong, Iran and Egypt who continue to put their freedom and sometimes their lives at risk by taking to the streets. And should being an elected official really be one’s “life work”?
As noted above, Republicans have criticized the president on policy matters, sometimes even harshly. Where they have shrunk into their shells was on matters that are even more critical to the health of our republic. They have, by their silence, given assent to his cruelty, his assaults on truth, his dangerous flirtations with political violence and his consistent demolition of institutions.
Institutions are like scaffolding. When a society’s institutions are weakened, the whole edifice can come crashing down.
Donald Trump undermined the institution of the free press, urging his followers to disbelieve everything except what came from the leader. He weakened respect for law enforcement and the courts, suggesting that he was the victim of a “deep state” and that “so-called judges” need not be respected. He scorned allies and toadied to dictators. He has cast doubt on the integrity of elections. He ran the executive branch like a gangster, demanding personal loyalty and abusing officials such as the hapless Jeff Sessions, who merely followed ethics rules. He ignored the law to get his way on the border wall. He violated the most sacred norms of a multiethnic society by encouraging racial hatred. He made the U.S. guilty of separating babies from their mothers.
Elected officials, terrified of their own constituents, have cowered and temporized in the face of a truly unprecedented assault on democratic values. They believed that they were powerless and acted accordingly.
Since they were powerless when it counted, perhaps we should make it official?
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--CPD officer receives  lifesaving kidney transplant from sister, a fellow Chicago cop

When Chicago Police Officer Joanna Lukasik Millan needed a kidney transplant earlier this year , she didn ’ t need to look far for a donor .
The organ that would save her life would soon come from someone in both her personal family and professional family : her sister , CPD Officer Margaret Coleman .
“ For me , it was a no-brainer to save my baby sister if I could , ” said Coleman , who is four years older than Millan .
The siblings underwent a successful kidney transplant procedure in late May at Northwestern Memorial Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headquarters , Millan said she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease when she was in her twenties .
The officers ’ father also suffered from the disease .
Asked how she felt when she learned her donor would be not just a colleague , but a close relative , Millan said , “ We are a big blue family , so I felt doubly lucky .
She could save my life on the street and now she ’ s saving me at home as well .
It ’ s almost indescribable , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life.
” Millan and Coleman have been with the CPD for 15 and 23 years , respectively , and are assigned to the department ’ s Internal Affairs and Asset Forfeiture divisions .
Dr. Joseph Levanthal , the surgeon who performed the procedure , stressed the importance of organ donation by those who are still alive .
Levanthal said there are currently 4,000 people in Illinois who are on the organ donation wait list , the majority of whom need a kidney .
Those on the list must wait for someone to die @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The story of these two remarkable sisters illustrates the power of living donation , ” Levanthal said .

When Chicago Police Officer Joanna Lukasik Millan needed a kidney transplant earlier this year, she didn’t need to look far for a donor.
The organ that would save her life would soon come from someone in both her personal family and professional family: her sister, CPD Officer Margaret Coleman.
“For me, it was a no-brainer to save my baby sister if I could,” said Coleman, who is four years older than Millan.
The siblings underwent a successful kidney transplant procedure in late May at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Speaking to reporters Thursday at CPD headquarters, Millan said she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease when she was in her twenties. The officers’ father also suffered from the disease.
Asked how she felt when she learned her donor would be not just a colleague, but a close relative, Millan said, “We are a big blue family, so I felt doubly lucky. She could save my life on the street and now she’s saving me at home as well. It’s almost indescribable, the feeling of knowing that she saved my life.”
Millan and Coleman have been with the CPD for 15 and 23 years, respectively, and are assigned to the department’s Internal Affairs and Asset Forfeiture divisions.
Dr. Joseph Levanthal, the surgeon who performed the procedure, stressed the importance of organ donation by those who are still alive.
Levanthal said there are currently 4,000 people in Illinois who are on the organ donation wait list, the majority of whom need a kidney. Those on the list must wait for someone to die before their organs are harvested.
“The story of these two remarkable sisters illustrates the power of living donation,” Levanthal said.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--‘A Most Beautiful Thing’: A boat bonds West Side teens in an uplifting documentary

The answer is 10 .
Ten years old , or maybe 11 .
The question is , When was the first time you saw somebody die ?
And for the members of the 1990s Manley High School rowing team ( that ’ s right ) , the answer is : 10 .
Ten years old , or maybe 11 .
Not all American childhoods are the same .
We know that .
We see evidence of that every day , perhaps now more than ever .
But as we learn in Mary Mazzio ’ s uplifting and inspirational and just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thing , ” not all American rowing teams are born in prep schools on the East Coast , and not all rowers look like the Winklevoss twins ( who are among the famous executive producers of this film , along with Dwyane Wade , Grant Hill and Chaz Ebert ) .
Narrated by Chicago ’ s ( and the world ’ s ) Common , “ A Most Beautiful Thing ” tells the stories of Arshay Cooper , Alvin Ross , Malcolm Hawkins , Preston Grandberry and Ray Hawkins Jr. , who all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago in the 1980s and 1990s and attended Manley Career Academy High School in the East Garfield Park neighborhood .
( Director Mazzio , a former Olympic rower , based the film on Cooper ’ s memoir . )
Arriving at school one day , they were surprised to see a beautiful and quite incongruous boat — along with an invitation to get some free pizza and learn about the sport of rowing .
Forming a crew team was the brainchild of Ken Alpart , a former rower for Penn and a Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Cooper et al.
, they formed the country ’ s first African American high school rowing team .
Spoiler alert : As the men recount in funny , frank and self-deprecating interviews , they didn ’ t win any championships , but they forged a lifelong bond as teammates — and 20 years later , at a funeral service for one of their coaches from back in the day , they decide to get the band back together and compete in the Chicago Sprints in the Lincoln Park Lagoon .
The men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t ? )
There are success stories — one started a moving business , another became a licensed barber — but the film doesn ’ t sugarcoat the fact that two of them have been incarcerated .
The training sequences ( and for that matter , most of the film itself ) are like something straight out of a Disney sports movie , and the story becomes even more amazing and incredible when Cooper suggests they invite members of the Chicago Police Department , nearly all of them white , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s happening in the city and in the country these days , the scenes of the cops and the original Manley rowing crew working together , sharing laughs , bonding and rooting for one another are particularly poignant .
We can feel our hearts hurting and soaring at the same time .

The answer is 10. Ten years old, or maybe 11.
The question is, When was the first time you saw somebody die? And for the members of the 1990s Manley High School rowing team (that’s right), the answer is: 10. Ten years old, or maybe 11.
Not all American childhoods are the same. We know that. We see evidence of that every day, perhaps now more than ever. But as we learn in Mary Mazzio’s uplifting and inspirational and just plain cool documentary “A Most Beautiful Thing,” not all American rowing teams are born in prep schools on the East Coast, and not all rowers look like the Winklevoss twins (who are among the famous executive producers of this film, along with Dwyane Wade, Grant Hill and Chaz Ebert).
‘A Most Beautiful Thing’
Untitled 50 Eggs Films presents a documentary directed by Mary Mazzio. No MPAA rating (recommended for viewers 16 and up). Running time: 95 minutes. Premieres Friday on Xfinity on Demand and Sept. 4 on Peacock.
Narrated by Chicago’s (and the world’s) Common, “A Most Beautiful Thing” tells the stories of Arshay Cooper, Alvin Ross, Malcolm Hawkins, Preston Grandberry and Ray Hawkins Jr., who all grew up on the West Side of Chicago in the 1980s and 1990s and attended Manley Career Academy High School in the East Garfield Park neighborhood. (Director Mazzio, a former Olympic rower, based the film on Cooper’s memoir.) Arriving at school one day, they were surprised to see a beautiful and quite incongruous boat — along with an invitation to get some free pizza and learn about the sport of rowing.
Forming a crew team was the brainchild of Ken Alpart, a former rower for Penn and a Chicago trading exec, and despite initial skepticism from Cooper et al., they formed the country’s first African American high school rowing team. Spoiler alert: As the men recount in funny, frank and self-deprecating interviews, they didn’t win any championships, but they forged a lifelong bond as teammates — and 20 years later, at a funeral service for one of their coaches from back in the day, they decide to get the band back together and compete in the Chicago Sprints in the Lincoln Park Lagoon.
The men are older and heavier. (Who isn’t?) There are success stories — one started a moving business, another became a licensed barber — but the film doesn’t sugarcoat the fact that two of them have been incarcerated. The training sequences (and for that matter, most of the film itself) are like something straight out of a Disney sports movie, and the story becomes even more amazing and incredible when Cooper suggests they invite members of the Chicago Police Department, nearly all of them white, to row with them.
Given what’s happening in the city and in the country these days, the scenes of the cops and the original Manley rowing crew working together, sharing laughs, bonding and rooting for one another are particularly poignant. We can feel our hearts hurting and soaring at the same time.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Sue the T. Rex gets life-like model to match skeleton

For two decades , Sue has drawn dinosaur lovers to the Field Museum so they can catch a glimpse of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered .
Now , museum-goers can walk up to a life-size model of what Sue would have looked like when alive .
The 40-foot-long , 14-foot-tall “ Sue in the Flesh ” exhibit was unveiled at the museum ’ s Stanley Field Hall Thursday .
The life-size model prominently features a replica baby Edmontosaurus in its mouth .
The Edmontosaurus was probably a popular part of a Tyrannosaurus rex ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Flesh ” was created at Blue Rhino Studio in Minnesota and matches the exact dimensions and details of Sue ’ s skeletal counterpart , including scars and scratches .
Just above the dinosaur ’ s left ankle is a scar experts guess caused a bone infection and was the result of Sue being rammed by a Triceratops or battered by the clubbed tail of an Ankylosaurus , said Bill Simpson , head of geological collections at the museum .
It ’ s still up for debate whether Sue would have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Simpson said fossils that have been uncovered lead experts to imagine the dinosaur without feathers .
Using a miniature 3D print of Sue ’ s skeleton , “ Sue in the Flesh ” took roughly a year to make , said Ben Miller , an exhibition developer at the Field Museum .
The model uses dense foam and a fiberglass shell to bring the bones to life .
Miller saw the structure as it was being constructed , but seeing it in its complete form was an entirely different way of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s amazing how big it is , ” Miller said .
“ Its calf muscle is as big as I am.
” Megan and Ryan Hood brought their three children , ages 7 , 5 and 2 , to the Field Museum Thursday because it was on the family ’ s bucket list before they move from their Sauganash home .
“ It ’ s pretty incredible , ” Megan Hood said .
“ It ’ s slightly graphic , but the kids are not as scared as I thought they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flesh ” will be at the Field Museum until Aug. 17 .
After that , it ’ ll be shipped across the country and world as a part of a traveling exhibit .
Joseph Mandrell will travel with the creature , setting it up in each new location and disassembling it to move onto the next museum , a process he said he anticipates will take less than a day to complete .
“ Sue looks fantastic here in the Stanley Field Hall , ” Mandrell said .
“ But in some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presence will be even more overwhelming.
” The Field Museum is open Thursday to Monday , and tickets have a designated entry time due to the coronavirus .

For two decades, Sue has drawn dinosaur lovers to the Field Museum so they can catch a glimpse of the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton ever discovered.
Now, museum-goers can walk up to a life-size model of what Sue would have looked like when alive.
The 40-foot-long, 14-foot-tall “Sue in the Flesh” exhibit was unveiled at the museum’s Stanley Field Hall Thursday. The life-size model prominently features a replica baby Edmontosaurus in its mouth. The Edmontosaurus was probably a popular part of a Tyrannosaurus rex’s diet, experts say.
“Sue in the Flesh” was created at Blue Rhino Studio in Minnesota and matches the exact dimensions and details of Sue’s skeletal counterpart, including scars and scratches. Just above the dinosaur’s left ankle is a scar experts guess caused a bone infection and was the result of Sue being rammed by a Triceratops or battered by the clubbed tail of an Ankylosaurus, said Bill Simpson, head of geological collections at the museum.
Scars on Sue’s nose and throughout its body match markings found on the bones of its skeleton. Clare Proctor/Sun-Times
A scar above Sue’s left ankle could be from a Triceratops or Ankylosaurus, said Bill Simpson, head of geological collections at the museum. Clare Proctor/Sun-Times
It’s still up for debate whether Sue would have had scaly skin or been covered in feathers, but Simpson said fossils that have been uncovered lead experts to imagine the dinosaur without feathers.
Using a miniature 3D print of Sue’s skeleton, “Sue in the Flesh” took roughly a year to make, said Ben Miller, an exhibition developer at the Field Museum. The model uses dense foam and a fiberglass shell to bring the bones to life.
Miller saw the structure as it was being constructed, but seeing it in its complete form was an entirely different way of experiencing Sue, he said.
“It’s amazing how big it is,” Miller said. “Its calf muscle is as big as I am.”
Megan and Ryan Hood of Sauganash look at “Sue in the Flesh” with their three children, ages 7, 5 and 2. Clare Proctor/Sun-Times
Megan and Ryan Hood brought their three children, ages 7, 5 and 2, to the Field Museum Thursday because it was on the family’s bucket list before they move from their Sauganash home.
“It’s pretty incredible,” Megan Hood said. “It’s slightly graphic, but the kids are not as scared as I thought they would be.”
“Sue in the Flesh” will be at the Field Museum until Aug. 17. After that, it’ll be shipped across the country and world as a part of a traveling exhibit. Joseph Mandrell will travel with the creature, setting it up in each new location and disassembling it to move onto the next museum, a process he said he anticipates will take less than a day to complete.
“Sue looks fantastic here in the Stanley Field Hall,” Mandrell said. “But in some of the smaller venues, I think its presence will be even more overwhelming.”
It took two days to set up “Sue in the Flesh” in the Stanley Field Hall, said Joseph Mandrell, who works in exhibitions. Katharine Uhrich/Provided by the Field Museum
The Field Museum is open Thursday to Monday, and tickets have a designated entry time due to the coronavirus.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--Dear Abby: Telling widower he’s in a ‘new normal’ just makes it worse

DEAR ABBY : My wife died unexpectedly two years ago , after 18 years of a happy marriage and two kids .
While we are doing as well as can be expected , one thing seems to set my grief off .
It ’ s when someone refers to my life as my “ new normal.
” I ’ m not sure I can put my finger on why this phrase bothers me so much , but if I had to guess , it ’ s because I suspect people are using it to hint that it ’ s time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people who would be deeply offended if I attempted to tell them what to do with their life seem to think it ’ s acceptable to imply that I have grieved enough ?
As I look at my life , I know it is forever changed , and it will never be “ normal ” again .
It will be what it is , but I will have lost forever the love of my life and the mother of my children .
Right now , I am trying my best to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roof over their heads and dealing with my own grief .
( We are all seeing our own counselors . )
I have zero time and energy to invest in anything or anyone else .
Am I just holding onto the past ?
Are these people thoughtlessly saying something hurtful , or is it something completely different ?
— ANNOYED IN ARKANSAS DEAR ANNOYED : People often are at a loss about what to say to someone who has lost a parent , a spouse or a child .
While they may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouths can be hurtful rather than comforting .
Something I have learned from experience , as well as from my readers , is that EVERYONE GRIEVES DIFFERENTLY .
It ’ s an individual process .
Do not assume you know what these people are implying when they make that statement .
“ New normal ” is a catchphrase that ’ s popular now .
It is used to describe conditions as the quarantines are being lifted or re-imposed .
They may not realize how emotionally loaded that term can be .
When it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontational , but do tell them how it made you feel .
DEAR ABBY : What ’ s the correct way to break up with someone who lives with you ?
A friend of mine wants to break up with his girlfriend , who lives in his home along with her adult son and teenage daughter .
His concern is she has no place to go .
She refuses to work a steady job , so he pays all the bills and supplies her with a vehicle and spending money .
She wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three years of living with her , he knows he won ’ t marry her .
He says she ’ s a nice person , but she ’ s a terrible housekeeper and has no ambition .
My friend is a financial planner and works three to four side jobs , etc .
He doesn ’ t have a clue how to end this , but he wants to .
How should he dissolve this live-in relationship ?
— ASKING FOR A FRIEND DEAR ASKING : Your “ friend ” needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lady he isn ’ t in love with her , doesn ’ t plan to marry her and he wants her to move .
When he gives her the unhappy news , he should also give her a date by which he expects her and her “ children ” to be out of there .
Advise him that if he ’ s smart , he should first discuss this with his attorney and , possibly , offer her enough money for a deposit on a place of her ( or their ) own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: My wife died unexpectedly two years ago, after 18 years of a happy marriage and two kids. While we are doing as well as can be expected, one thing seems to set my grief off. It’s when someone refers to my life as my “new normal.”
I’m not sure I can put my finger on why this phrase bothers me so much, but if I had to guess, it’s because I suspect people are using it to hint that it’s time I moved on. Why is it that people who would be deeply offended if I attempted to tell them what to do with their life seem to think it’s acceptable to imply that I have grieved enough?
As I look at my life, I know it is forever changed, and it will never be “normal” again. It will be what it is, but I will have lost forever the love of my life and the mother of my children. Right now, I am trying my best to keep them healthy, working to keep a roof over their heads and dealing with my own grief. (We are all seeing our own counselors.) I have zero time and energy to invest in anything or anyone else.
Am I just holding onto the past? Are these people thoughtlessly saying something hurtful, or is it something completely different? — ANNOYED IN ARKANSAS
DEAR ANNOYED: People often are at a loss about what to say to someone who has lost a parent, a spouse or a child. While they may be well-meaning, what comes out of their mouths can be hurtful rather than comforting.
Something I have learned from experience, as well as from my readers, is that EVERYONE GRIEVES DIFFERENTLY. It’s an individual process. Do not assume you know what these people are implying when they make that statement. “New normal” is a catchphrase that’s popular now. It is used to describe conditions as the quarantines are being lifted or re-imposed. They may not realize how emotionally loaded that term can be. When it happens again, don’t be confrontational, but do tell them how it made you feel.
DEAR ABBY: What’s the correct way to break up with someone who lives with you? A friend of mine wants to break up with his girlfriend, who lives in his home along with her adult son and teenage daughter. His concern is she has no place to go. She refuses to work a steady job, so he pays all the bills and supplies her with a vehicle and spending money.
She wants desperately to get married. After two or three years of living with her, he knows he won’t marry her. He says she’s a nice person, but she’s a terrible housekeeper and has no ambition. My friend is a financial planner and works three to four side jobs, etc. He doesn’t have a clue how to end this, but he wants to. How should he dissolve this live-in relationship? — ASKING FOR A FRIEND
DEAR ASKING: Your “friend” needs to summon up the courage to tell this lady he isn’t in love with her, doesn’t plan to marry her and he wants her to move. When he gives her the unhappy news, he should also give her a date by which he expects her and her “children” to be out of there. Advise him that if he’s smart, he should first discuss this with his attorney and, possibly, offer her enough money for a deposit on a place of her (or their) own. He’ll be glad he did.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--Woman injured in Grand Crossing crash

Woman injured in Grand Crossing crash

A 21-year-old woman was injured in a crash Friday in Grand Crossing on the South Side .
She was driving @ @ @ @ @ a driver ran a red light and struck her vehicle in the 7400 block of @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police said .
The woman was taken to Jackson Park Hospital in good condition @ @ @ @ @ lacerations to her foot , police said .

A 21-year-old woman was injured in a crash Friday in Grand Crossing on the South Side.
She was driving eastbound about 12:33 a.m. when a driver ran a red light and struck her vehicle in the 7400 block of South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago police said.
The woman was taken to Jackson Park Hospital in good condition with neck pain and minor lacerations to her foot, police said.
The driver received multiple citations, police said.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--When pandemic hit, a Chicago jazz icon’s world fell apart. Friends helped put it together again.

Share All sharing options for : When pandemic hit , a Chicago jazz icon ’ s world fell apart .
Friends helped put it together again .
On his 1975 album “ Boogie Piano Chicago Style , ” Erwin Helfer taps out a tune on the piano called “ Rubbish Boogie , ” an upbeat , toe-tapping melody .
Another track , “ Inside , ” is more plodding , clipping along at a slower tempo , a musical version of what it feels like to be sad .
Not depressed , just a little sad .
“ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between being sad , ” says Helfer , sitting in his backyard on the North Side .
“ But the thing is you have to have all of those emotions in order to play music .
You know , it ’ s part of what music is about.
” At 84 , Helfer has experienced a lifetime of joy and sadness , more than enough to fill 10 albums of his piano music and jazz festivals and other gigs he ’ s played in Chicago and overseas .
Growing up in the 1950s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piano legend spent much of his time on the South Side learning from jazz piano great Jimmy Yancey and later accompanying blues singer Estelle “ Mama ” Yancey .
As a young man , he traveled with and made recordings of jazz and blues piano greats including Doug Suggs , Speckled Red and Billie Pierce .
Until March , Helfer was playing shows at the Hungry Brain in Lakeview every Tuesday night and offering piano lessons .
Then , the pandemic hit .
Within weeks , he was hospitalized — not from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become a significant side-effect of the pandemic .
Helfer fell into a deep and debilitating depression .
“ Along came the pandemic , and , at that moment , my life became very difficult , ” he says .
On March 10 , he played his last gig at the Hungry Brain .
Then , Helfer , who lives alone and , because of his age , is in a high-risk group for the coronavirus , began quarantining at his Lincoln Park home .
The absence of social interaction brought on by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a toll on his mental health .
“ What happened was that the things I love doing most — teaching and performing — were no longer available to me , ” he says .
“ And also I have no computer skills , or now minimal computer skills .
I did all my stuff by just walking in to the bank and did it in person .
So somehow I went into a deep kind of despair , and I wasn ’ t even aware of this.
” After a few weeks alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few days .
The visit helped .
But then , he says , “ I went back home , and I just hit the bottom .
I ’ ve never known anything like this .
Normally , I ’ m pretty good-natured , positive and so on.
” Helfer says he ’ d never had any issues with mental illness and had never experienced anything close to the depression brought on by isolation .
A close friend , Ivan Handler , picked him up at his home on May 8 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s psychiatric ward , where Helfer was admitted .
Diagnosed with severe depression , he remained there for six weeks .
“ In the first three days I was there , I was looking for a window to jump out , seriously .
I was taking a certain amount of drugs , I don ’ t know what they were , and I wasn ’ t getting much better.
” Handler says he called Helfer every day at Rush and was updating about 60 other friends with daily emails .
Hearing that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the depiction in the movie “ One Flew Over the Cuckoo ’ s Nest.
” “ We ’ re not going to have Erwin , you know , we ’ re not going to have him subject to some kind of torture , right ?
” Handler says he was thinking .
“ That was a scary moment for a lot of us.
” But it turned out that , for Helfer , undergoing the therapy was when the world stopped being scary , and he started to get better .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as shock therapy , ” he says .
“ And that was really pulling me out .
After several sessions , I knew I got better when the nurse came in my room and said , ‘ When was your last bowel movement ?
’ And I said , ‘ We just met , aren ’ t you being personal ?
’ And then she broke out laughing , and I laughed .
And that was a sign that I was getting better.
” On June 23 , Helfer was released from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that his house had been cleaned from top to bottom .
And a friend , blues singer and educator Katherine Davis , was ready to stay with him for as long as he needs .
Davis , who has known Helfer for nearly 40 years , had been living alone in Englewood through the first two months of the stay-at-home order , afraid to leave even to visit her daughters and grandson .
Like many of Helfer ’ s friends , Davis says she had been on the receiving end of so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering to care for him was a given .
Besides , she says , it was good for both of them to have the companionship .
“ He introduced me to my second husband and walked me down the aisle , ” she says .
“ He ’ s played a big part in my life — helping me in many ways and everything , you know , some difficult times as well as more good times .
So he ’ s just been a true friend.
” The world that Helfer returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he left behind in May because of the mass protests and civil unrest in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Coupled with the pandemic , Helfer says he thought , “ This is the worst moment that I can ever remember.
” But , rather than feel overwhelmed , Helfer says he now has a measured view of , well , everything .
In a sense , he sees the virus as the planet ’ s way of biting back at humanity after centuries of abuse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a species , or we ’ ll become extinguished , ” he says .
“ That ’ s the nature of everything.
” Of the increasingly influential Black Lives Matter movement , Helfer sees the impact on the jazz community in Chicago as “ nothing but positive , ” a view he says was shaped by the time he ’ s spent with so many Black musicians .
“ I kind of romanticized where they were at , but actually they had to fight for their lives because of the discrimination that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Having confronted and dealt with depression at a time of so much tumult in the world , Helfer says his experience has left him with an overwhelming sense of gratitude — for having come through it all and for the friends who cared for him and continue to do so .
He says he doesn ’ t long for the pre-pandemic times because , “ Things are too cool now.
” One thing in his own life has changed significantly .
Helfer hasn ’ t played the piano at all lately .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play or perform again .
And he ’ s OK with that .
He says he ’ s spent a lot of time listening to Bach — “ the ultimate stuff ” — and feels he ’ s said all he needs to say .
“ I ’ m just grateful for everything , and I find my days full , ” he says .
Helfer says he isn ’ t done with music .
He ’ s looking forward to getting back to the studio to edit his latest album , recorded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ label The Sirens Records plans to release sometime in late fall or early winter .
He ’ s also written a book , “ Blues Piano and How to Play It , ” which the label plans to publish .
And he intends to spend some time getting his music notated , getting his songs down on paper .
Many of them exist only on recordings or in his memory .
Handler says it was painful to see his friend suffer so deeply as the pandemic shut down the country .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important social relationships are , ” he says .
“ We kind of look at them , you know , in a kind of jaded way .
I think this emphasizes for me how important our relationships are for our mental health .
And our mental health is everything .
”

On his 1975 album “Boogie Piano Chicago Style,” Erwin Helfe r taps out a tune on the piano called “Rubbish Boogie,” an upbeat, toe-tapping melody. Another track, “Inside,” is more plodding, clipping along at a slower tempo, a musical version of what it feels like to be sad. Not depressed, just a little sad.
“There’s a difference between being depressed and between being sad,” says Helfer, sitting in his backyard on the North Side. “But the thing is you have to have all of those emotions in order to play music. You know, it’s part of what music is about.”
At 84, Helfer has experienced a lifetime of joy and sadness, more than enough to fill 10 albums of his piano music and jazz festivals and other gigs he’s played in Chicago and overseas.
Growing up in the 1950s in the north suburbs, the Chicago piano legend spent much of his time on the South Side learning from jazz piano great Jimmy Yancey and later accompanying blues singer Estelle “Mama” Yancey. As a young man, he traveled with and made recordings of jazz and blues piano greats including Doug Suggs, Speckled Red and Billie Pierce.
Until March, Helfer was playing shows at the Hungry Brain in Lakeview every Tuesday night and offering piano lessons.
Then, the pandemic hit. Within weeks, he was hospitalized — not from COVID-19 but from what experts say is likely to become a significant side-effect of the pandemic. Helfer fell into a deep and debilitating depression.
“Along came the pandemic, and, at that moment, my life became very difficult,” he says.
On March 10, he played his last gig at the Hungry Brain.
Then, Helfer, who lives alone and, because of his age, is in a high-risk group for the coronavirus, began quarantining at his Lincoln Park home.
The absence of social interaction brought on by the stay-at-home order almost immediately began taking a toll on his mental health.
“What happened was that the things I love doing most — teaching and performing — were no longer available to me,” he says. “And also I have no computer skills, or now minimal computer skills. I did all my stuff by just walking in to the bank and did it in person. So somehow I went into a deep kind of despair, and I wasn’t even aware of this.”
After a few weeks alone, Helfer went to stay with friends for a few days. The visit helped.
But then, he says, “I went back home, and I just hit the bottom. I’ve never known anything like this. Normally, I’m pretty good-natured, positive and so on.”
Helfer says he’d never had any issues with mental illness and had never experienced anything close to the depression brought on by isolation.
A close friend, Ivan Handler, picked him up at his home on May 8 and took him to Rush University Medical Center’s psychiatric ward, where Helfer was admitted. Diagnosed with severe depression, he remained there for six weeks.
“In the first three days I was there, I was looking for a window to jump out, seriously. I was taking a certain amount of drugs, I don’t know what they were, and I wasn’t getting much better.”
Handler says he called Helfer every day at Rush and was updating about 60 other friends with daily emails.
When medication wasn’t helping, doctors suggested electroconvulsive therapy for Helfer.
Hearing that, Handler says his mind immediately went to the depiction in the movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
“We’re not going to have Erwin, you know, we’re not going to have him subject to some kind of torture, right?” Handler says he was thinking. “That was a scary moment for a lot of us.”
But it turned out that, for Helfer, undergoing the therapy was when the world stopped being scary, and he started to get better.
“They started electroconvulsive therapy, also known as shock therapy,” he says. “And that was really pulling me out. After several sessions, I knew I got better when the nurse came in my room and said, ‘When was your last bowel movement?’ And I said, ‘We just met, aren’t you being personal?’ And then she broke out laughing, and I laughed. And that was a sign that I was getting better.”
On June 23, Helfer was released from the hospital. He returned home to find that his house had been cleaned from top to bottom. And a friend, blues singer and educator Katherine Davis, was ready to stay with him for as long as he needs.
Chicago piano legend Erwin Helfer back home and well after being hospitalized for severe depression that began after most businesses were shut down and people were told to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic. James Foster / Sun-Times
Davis, who has known Helfer for nearly 40 years, had been living alone in Englewood through the first two months of the stay-at-home order, afraid to leave even to visit her daughters and grandson.
Like many of Helfer’s friends, Davis says she had been on the receiving end of so much kindness from him over the years that offering to care for him was a given. Besides, she says, it was good for both of them to have the companionship.
“He introduced me to my second husband and walked me down the aisle,” she says. “He’s played a big part in my life — helping me in many ways and everything, you know, some difficult times as well as more good times. So he’s just been a true friend.”
The world that Helfer returned to seemed significantly different than the one he left behind in May because of the mass protests and civil unrest in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Coupled with the pandemic, Helfer says he thought, “This is the worst moment that I can ever remember.”
But, rather than feel overwhelmed, Helfer says he now has a measured view of, well, everything. In a sense, he sees the virus as the planet’s way of biting back at humanity after centuries of abuse.
“We’ll either make it as a species, or we’ll become extinguished,” he says. “That’s the nature of everything.”
Of the increasingly influential Black Lives Matter movement, Helfer sees the impact on the jazz community in Chicago as “nothing but positive,” a view he says was shaped by the time he’s spent with so many Black musicians.
“I kind of romanticized where they were at, but actually they had to fight for their lives because of the discrimination that they faced,” he says.
Having confronted and dealt with depression at a time of so much tumult in the world, Helfer says his experience has left him with an overwhelming sense of gratitude — for having come through it all and for the friends who cared for him and continue to do so.
He says he doesn’t long for the pre-pandemic times because, “Things are too cool now.”
One thing in his own life has changed significantly. Helfer hasn’t played the piano at all lately. He doesn’t know when he might play or perform again. And he’s OK with that.
He says he’s spent a lot of time listening to Bach — “the ultimate stuff” — and feels he’s said all he needs to say.
“I’m just grateful for everything, and I find my days full,” he says.
Many of Erwin Helfer’s songs aren’t written down. They exist only on record and in his memory. He hopes to fix that.
Helfer says he isn’t done with music. He’s looking forward to getting back to the studio to edit his latest album, recorded in March, which the Highland Park label The Sirens Records plans to release sometime in late fall or early winter. He’s also written a book, “Blues Piano and How to Play It,” which the label plans to publish.
And he intends to spend some time getting his music notated, getting his songs down on paper. Many of them exist only on recordings or in his memory.
Handler says it was painful to see his friend suffer so deeply as the pandemic shut down the country.
“I don’t think people understand how important social relationships are,” he says. “We kind of look at them, you know, in a kind of jaded way. I think this emphasizes for me how important our relationships are for our mental health. And our mental health is everything.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--‘Black is King’: Beyoncé dedicates celebration of Black beauty, retelling of ‘Lion King’ to son

The trailblazer , 38 , continued her push toward equality with the release of her raw and honest visual album “ Black is King ” ( out on Disney+ Friday ) , which explores the beauty of blackness that is at best undervalued and at worst discriminated against .
Production on “ Black is King ” started one year ago as a companion piece to ” The Lion King : The Gift ” soundtrack , which Beyoncé produced after starring as Nala in the 2019 Disney remake .
But her visual album has taken on new meaning following the reemergence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight against police brutality and racism , social causes Beyoncé has lent her star power to .
“ If you think you are insignificant , you better think again , ” Beyoncé sings to a newborn baby cradled in her arm as waves wash against the shore and her flawlessly draped asymmetrical gown .
The all-encompassing experience takes viewers on a worldwide journey of a young king ’ s quest through self-identity — from Beyoncé ’ s backyard ( literally ) to Johannesburg and the Grand Canyon — by way of stunning visuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and breathtaking scenery .
In the opening scenes to “ BIGGER , ” Beyoncé marks a young boy ’ s face with white paint to anoint the future king , a similar act Rafiki performed on newborn Simba in the “ Lion King.
” The future king is led astray on his discovery by betrayal on “ Don ’ t Jealous Me ” ( where Beyoncé is draped in a yellow boa constrictor ) and “ SCAR ” ( where Mufasa is hit by a motorcycle , the equivalent to the original film @ @ @ @ @ @ @ viewers watched Simba grow from a cub to a Lion over the course of “ Hakuna Matata , ” the young prince ages to a familiar face as the familiar tune plays overhead : Jay-Z ( Shawn Carter ) .
The Carters are a major mood as they live in the lap of Black luxury while performing “ MOOD FOR EVA , ” complete with a garden tea party featuring Beyoncé ’ s mother Tina Knowles-Lawson and Destiny Child bandmate Kelly Rowland and a human chessboard where Beyoncé is rightfully Queen .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pharrell Williams made an appearance on “ WATER ” and the debutante-themed music video for “ BROWN SKIN GIRL ” featured Naomi Campbell , Lupita Nyong ’ o , Rowland , Knowles-Lawson and daughters Blue Ivy , 8 , and Rumi Carter , 3 .
“ We have always been wonderful , ” Beyoncé says while flawlessly blending spoken word , imagery and song .
” I see us reflected in the world ’ s most heavenly things .
Black is King .
We were beauty before they knew what beauty was.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ film , however , is the raw , untapped talent from creators around the world that showcased their rich tradition and culture , history and lineage .
“ Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance , ” said James Earl Jones , who voices Mufasa in “ Lion King.
” ” You need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures , from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope .
We are all connected in the great circle of life.
” Beyoncé closed “ Black is King ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alongside a colorful choir and Blue Ivy , who made numerous appearances throughout her mother ’ s ” passion project.
” The songstress dedicated her ” labor of love ” to her 3-year-old twin son , Sir Carter : “ To all our sons and daughters , the sun and the moon bow for you .
You are the keys to the kingdom .
”

Beyoncéhas spoken.
The trailblazer, 38, continued her push toward equality with the release of her raw and honest visual album “Black is King” (out on Disney+ Friday), which explores the beauty of blackness that is at best undervalued and at worst discriminated against.
Production on “Black is King” started one year ago as a companion piece to ”The Lion King: The Gift” soundtrack, which Beyoncé produced after starring as Nala in the 2019 Disney remake. But her visual album has taken on new meaning following the reemergence of the Black Lives Matter movement and fight against police brutality and racism, social causes Beyoncé has lent her star power to.
“If you think you are insignificant, you better think again,” Beyoncé sings to a newborn baby cradled in her arm as waves wash against the shore and her flawlessly draped asymmetrical gown.
The all-encompassing experience takes viewers on a worldwide journey of a young king’s quest through self-identity — from Beyoncé’s backyard (literally) to Johannesburg and the Grand Canyon — by way of stunning visuals full of song, dance, fashion and breathtaking scenery.
In the opening scenes to “BIGGER,” Beyoncé marks a young boy’s face with white paint to anoint the future king, a similar act Rafiki performed on newborn Simba in the “Lion King.”
The future king is led astray on his discovery by betrayal on “Don’t Jealous Me” (where Beyoncé is draped in a yellow boa constrictor) and “SCAR” (where Mufasa is hit by a motorcycle, the equivalent to the original film’s wildebeest stampede.)
Like viewers watched Simba grow from a cub to a Lion over the course of “Hakuna Matata,” the young prince ages to a familiar face as the familiar tune plays overhead: Jay-Z (Shawn Carter).
The Carters are a major mood as they live in the lap of Black luxury while performing “MOOD FOR EVA,” complete with a garden tea party featuring Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles-Lawson and Destiny Child bandmate Kelly Rowland and a human chessboard where Beyoncé is rightfully Queen.
The star power didn’t stop there. Pharrell Williams made an appearance on “WATER” and the debutante-themed music video for “BROWN SKIN GIRL” featured Naomi Campbell, Lupita Nyong’o, Rowland, Knowles-Lawson and daughters Blue Ivy, 8, and Rumi Carter, 3.
“We have always been wonderful,” Beyoncé says while flawlessly blending spoken word, imagery and song. ”I see us reflected in the world’s most heavenly things. Black is King. We were beauty before they knew what beauty was.”
The real star of the visual film, however, is the raw, untapped talent from creators around the world that showcased their rich tradition and culture, history and lineage.
“Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance,” said James Earl Jones, who voices Mufasa in “Lion King.” ”You need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope. We are all connected in the great circle of life.”
Beyoncé closed “Black is King” with a celestial performance of “SPIRIT” alongside a colorful choir and Blue Ivy, who made numerous appearances throughout her mother’s ”passion project.”
The songstress dedicated her ”labor of love” to her 3-year-old twin son, Sir Carter: “To all our sons and daughters, the sun and the moon bow for you. You are the keys to the kingdom.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--Man hit by vehicle in Rogers Park

Man hit by vehicle in Rogers Park

A 31-year-old man is in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle Friday in Rogers Park on the @ @ @ @ @ running across the street about 12:12 a.m. in the 6400 block of North Sheridan Road @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police said .
The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and provided @ @ @ @ @ man was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston with a skull fracture and a @ @ @ @ @ .
The incident is under investigation .

A 31-year-old man is in critical condition after he was struck by a vehicle Friday in Rogers Park on the North Side.
He was running across the street about 12:12 a.m. in the 6400 block of North Sheridan Road when he was hit, Chicago police said. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and provided police with information.
The man was taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston with a skull fracture and a broken leg, police said.
The incident is under investigation.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--13 shot Thursday in Chicago

13 shot Thursday in Chicago

Thirteen people were wounded in shootings across Chicago Thursday , including a teenager and an 8-year-old boy .
The child and a 27-year-old woman were shot in Altgeld Gardens on the Far South Side , Chicago police said .
They were outside about 8:40 p.m. when someone walked up and shot at a nearby male in the 700 block of East 132nd Street .
One bullet went through the boy ’ s back , while another grazed him on the arm , police said .
He was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in good condition .
The woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in fair condition with gunshot wounds to her abdomen and leg .
In the early morning , a 17-year-old boy was shot in Roseland on the Far South Side .
About 2:30 a.m. , he was standing on the sidewalk in the 200 block of West 115th Street when he heard shots and felt a pain , police said .
He was struck in the left leg and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition .
On Thursday afternoon , a man was grazed by gunfire in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ males approached the 34-year-old about 5:50 p.m. at a gas station in the 200 block of West 103rd Street , police said .
Someone pulled out a gun and opened fire , grazing the man in the abdomen and thigh .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
Just over an hour before that , a man was shot in Morgan Park on the Far South Side .
He was in a vehicle about 4:42 p.m. in the 1000 block of West 115th Street when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The 35-year-old was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition with gunshot wounds to his arm and back .
About 40 minutes earlier , another man was wounded in Grand Crossing on the South Side .
The 32-year-old was shot in the arm about 4 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Stony Island Avenue , according to police .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
Earlier that morning , two men were shot in a drive-by in South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sidewalk about 8:15 a.m. in the 8300 block of South Colfax Avenue when a blue car pulled up and four gunmen inside fired shots , police said .
A 36-year-old was shot in his groin area , while a 40-year-old was shot in his arm and knee .
Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
Several hours before that , a gunshot victim was dropped off at a hospital in Lake View on the North Side .
About 2:40 a.m. , the male was dropped off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wound to the chest , police said .
He was listed in serious condition .
Minutes earlier , a 27-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
About 2:35 a.m. , he was standing in the 11900 block of South Eggleston Avenue when someone inside a passing white-colored sedan fired shots at him , police said .
He was struck in the left leg and the left arm and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition .
Another man was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a half before that in West Town .
The robber approached the 22-year-old about 1 a.m. as he walked in the 600 block of North Ada Street and announced a robbery , police said .
The man struggled with the robber , who shot him in the hand before fleeing with the man ’ s backpack .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition .
The day ’ s first shooting wounded a 30-year-old woman in West Englewood .
She was outside with a group about 12:15 a.m. in the 7300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a black sedan opened fire , striking her in the arm , police said .
The woman was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in fair condition .
Three Chicago police officers were also wounded in an exchange of gunfire Thursday morning at the 25th District police station on the Northwest Side .
Sources told the Sun-Times a carjacking suspect in a transport wagon shot the officers .
In turn , he was shot multiple times .
One officer was in serious condition after being shot in the chin .
He was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supt .
David Brown told reporters outside that hospital .
Two officers suffered less serious wounds .
One was shot in his protective vest , but the bullet didn ’ t penetrate ; the other officer was wounded in the hip .
They were taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood , Brown said .
Two other officers were taken to that hospital for chest pains , Brown added .
The prisoner ’ s condition was unknown ; he was taken to Stroger Hospital .
The shooting happened about 9:40 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed one person and wounded 10 others in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Thirteen people were wounded in shootings across Chicago Thursday, including a teenager and an 8-year-old boy.
The child and a 27-year-old woman were shot in Altgeld Gardens on the Far South Side, Chicago police said. They were outside about 8:40 p.m. when someone walked up and shot at a nearby male in the 700 block of East 132nd Street.
One bullet went through the boy’s back, while another grazed him on the arm, police said. He was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition. The woman was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition with gunshot wounds to her abdomen and leg.
In the early morning, a 17-year-old boy was shot in Roseland on the Far South Side.
About 2:30 a.m., he was standing on the sidewalk in the 200 block of West 115th Street when he heard shots and felt a pain, police said. He was struck in the left leg and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.
On Thursday afternoon, a man was grazed by gunfire in Fernwood on the South Side.
Two males approached the 34-year-old about 5:50 p.m. at a gas station in the 200 block of West 103rd Street, police said. Someone pulled out a gun and opened fire, grazing the man in the abdomen and thigh. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Just over an hour before that, a man was shot in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.
He was in a vehicle about 4:42 p.m. in the 1000 block of West 115th Street when he heard shots and felt pain, police said. The 35-year-old was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition with gunshot wounds to his arm and back.
About 40 minutes earlier, another man was wounded in Grand Crossing on the South Side.
The 32-year-old was shot in the arm about 4 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Stony Island Avenue, according to police. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Earlier that morning, two men were shot in a drive-by in South Chicago.
They were standing on a sidewalk about 8:15 a.m. in the 8300 block of South Colfax Avenue when a blue car pulled up and four gunmen inside fired shots, police said. A 36-year-old was shot in his groin area, while a 40-year-old was shot in his arm and knee. Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Several hours before that, a gunshot victim was dropped off at a hospital in Lake View on the North Side.
About 2:40 a.m., the male was dropped off at Illinois Masonic Hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest, police said. He was listed in serious condition.
Minutes earlier, a 27-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
About 2:35 a.m., he was standing in the 11900 block of South Eggleston Avenue when someone inside a passing white-colored sedan fired shots at him, police said. He was struck in the left leg and the left arm and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition.
Another man was shot during a robbery about an hour and a half before that in West Town.
The robber approached the 22-year-old about 1 a.m. as he walked in the 600 block of North Ada Street and announced a robbery, police said. The man struggled with the robber, who shot him in the hand before fleeing with the man’s backpack. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.
The day’s first shooting wounded a 30-year-old woman in West Englewood.
She was outside with a group about 12:15 a.m. in the 7300 block of South Winchester Avenue when someone in a black sedan opened fire, striking her in the arm, police said. The woman was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in fair condition.
Three Chicago police officers were also wounded in an exchange of gunfire Thursday morning at the 25th District police station on the Northwest Side.
Sources told the Sun-Times a carjacking suspect in a transport wagon shot the officers. In turn, he was shot multiple times.
One officer was in serious condition after being shot in the chin. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, CPD Supt. David Brown told reporters outside that hospital.
Two officers suffered less serious wounds. One was shot in his protective vest, but the bullet didn’t penetrate; the other officer was wounded in the hip. They were taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Brown said. Two other officers were taken to that hospital for chest pains, Brown added.
The prisoner’s condition was unknown; he was taken to Stroger Hospital. The shooting happened about 9:40 a.m., Brown said.
Wednesday’s shootings killed one person and wounded 10 others in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--Man charged with fatally shooting woman in South Shore after luring her to Lansing hotel

Bail was denied for a 27-year-old man accused of luring a woman and fatally shooting her in the face earlier this month in South Shore .
Jamal Sharrieff is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder , according to a bond proffer prepared by Cook County prosecutors .
The July 25 shooting in South Shore killed 20-year-old Annette McKay and wounded a 29-year-old woman .
Sharrieff allegedly held his girlfriend at gunpoint the night of July 24 and used her phone to lure McKay to a Travelodge Hotel in south suburban Lansing , prosecutors said .
When she arrived , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at gunpoint .
Sharrieff allegedly became upset when McKay wouldn ’ t “ enthusiastically participate ” and called someone to pick them up from the hotel , prosecutors said .
The trio was dropped off at 95th Street , and Sharrieff made them walk to the 3000 block of East 78th Street .
About 1:50 a.m. , the women were brought to the back of a secluded building , prosecutors said .
Sharrieff allegedly told his girlfriend to say goodbye to McKay and that he would kill her .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know any of the three , pulled up in a vehicle and tried to enter her home , prosecutors said .
Sharrief allegedly demanded her property and the woman , who didn ’ t notice his gun , ran off and was shot in the shoulder .
Sharrieff then shot McKay in the face , yanking his girlfriend ’ s head out of the way to get a clear shot , prosecutors said .
After the shooting , he took his girlfriend to his mother ’ s home and wrapped his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The girlfriend was able to escape , and she had her mother call police , prosecutors said .
Police searched the home and the Travelodge and recovered Sharrieff ’ s jeans , gun and 20 to 30 bags of heroin .
Surveillance videos from Travelodge corroborated a witness ’ account , and shell casings found on the scene matched Sharrieff ’ s gun .
He was taken into custody about 5:30 p.m. July 27 , prosecutors said .
Sharrieff is scheduled to appear in court August 17 , prosecutors said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probation for multiple drug and weapons convictions dating back to 2011 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Bail was denied for a 27-year-old man accused of luring a woman and fatally shooting her in the face earlier this month in South Shore.
Jamal Sharrieff is charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder, according to a bond proffer prepared by Cook County prosecutors. The July 25 shooting in South Shore killed 20-year-old Annette McKay and wounded a 29-year-old woman.
Sharrieff allegedly held his girlfriend at gunpoint the night of July 24 and used her phone to lure McKay to a Travelodge Hotel in south suburban Lansing, prosecutors said. When she arrived, Sharrieff forced them to perform sexual acts at gunpoint.
Sharrieff allegedly became upset when McKay wouldn’t “enthusiastically participate” and called someone to pick them up from the hotel, prosecutors said. The trio was dropped off at 95th Street, and Sharrieff made them walk to the 3000 block of East 78th Street.
About 1:50 a.m., the women were brought to the back of a secluded building, prosecutors said. Sharrieff allegedly told his girlfriend to say goodbye to McKay and that he would kill her.
At the same time, the 29-year-old woman, who didn’t know any of the three, pulled up in a vehicle and tried to enter her home, prosecutors said. Sharrief allegedly demanded her property and the woman, who didn’t notice his gun, ran off and was shot in the shoulder.
Sharrieff then shot McKay in the face, yanking his girlfriend’s head out of the way to get a clear shot, prosecutors said. After the shooting, he took his girlfriend to his mother’s home and wrapped his gun in the shirt he was wearing.
The girlfriend was able to escape, and she had her mother call police, prosecutors said. Police searched the home and the Travelodge and recovered Sharrieff’s jeans, gun and 20 to 30 bags of heroin.
Surveillance videos from Travelodge corroborated a witness’ account, and shell casings found on the scene matched Sharrieff’s gun. He was taken into custody about 5:30 p.m. July 27, prosecutors said.
Sharrieff is scheduled to appear in court August 17, prosecutors said. He was previously sentenced to prison terms and probation for multiple drug and weapons convictions dating back to 2011.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--Man charged with killing man who broke up fight in Roseland

A Bronzeville man is accused of killing another man who tried to stop him from fighting his sister earlier this @ @ @ @ @ Davis , 18 , was charged with first degree murder for the July 16 shooting @ @ @ @ @ East 107th Street , Chicago police said .
Davis allegedly shot Be ’ Rasheet Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ tried to break up a “ domestic altercation ” between Davis and Mitchell ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell died a day later at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn .
A warrant @ @ @ @ @ arrest and he was taken into custody about 12:55 p.m. Thursday in Galesburg in western @ @ @ @ @ Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A Bronzeville man is accused of killing another man who tried to stop him from fighting his sister earlier this month in Roseland.
Steven Davis, 18, was charged with first degree murder for the July 16 shooting in the 200 block of East 107th Street, Chicago police said.
Davis allegedly shot Be’Rasheet Mitchell, 21, after Mitchell tried to break up a “domestic altercation” between Davis and Mitchell’s sister, officials said. Mitchell died a day later at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
A warrant was issued for Davis’ arrest and he was taken into custody about 12:55 p.m. Thursday in Galesburg in western Illinois, police said.
Davis is due in bond court Friday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-31--Man hurt in Loop hit-and-run

Man hurt in Loop hit-and-run

One person was injured in a hit-and-run rollover crash Thursday in the Loop .
A Hyundai Sonata ran a red @ @ @ @ @ hit a Volkswagen Jetta in the 100 block of North Franklin Street , according to @ @ @ @ @ caused the Volkswagen to roll onto its side .
A 61-year-old man in the Volkswagen @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in good condition , police said .
No other injuries were reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ crash and the driver is not in custody , according to police .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

One person was injured in a hit-and-run rollover crash Thursday in the Loop.
A Hyundai Sonata ran a red light about 9:15 p.m. and hit a Volkswagen Jetta in the 100 block of North Franklin Street, according to Chicago police. The impact caused the Volkswagen to roll onto its side.
A 61-year-old man in the Volkswagen was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition, police said. No other injuries were reported.
The Hyundai drove off after the crash and the driver is not in custody, according to police.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.