chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Like her newsman dad, songwriter Ava Suppelsa stands out in a competitive business

Mark Suppelsa remembers it like it was yesterday .
Mere hours before his shift at WGN-Channel 9 , the news anchor found himself driving his then 13-year-old daughter Ava downtown to pick up her busking permit .
Once she had the paper in her hand , the teen asked her dad if he could drop off her and her guitar on Michigan Avenue .
So he did .
And then he drove away .
But as Mark Suppelsa watched his little girl take on the big city in his rear-view mirror , he instinctively knew she was going to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he once did .
Mark and Ava have a special bond , a bond forged between two underdogs who were determined not to let the naysayers win .
“ My dad always told me that if you are a good person and you work really hard and you are good at what you do , you will be fine , ” Ava Suppelsa tells the Sun-Times from her home in Nashville .
From his own home in Montana , her dad adds with a laugh , “ You realize later in your life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of your mouth actually end up sticking.
” Back in the day , Mark Suppelsa ’ s dream was to work in broadcast journalism , a cutthroat field where the Milwaukee native was often told he would never make it .
But he did , amassing a 25-year long career with three Chicago television stations , before retiring in 2017 .
“ We have always told our kids to chase their dreams , and don ’ t let anyone stop you , ” says Mark Suppelsa .
“ I guess that ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into Ava ’ s brain.
” Earlier this month , the 23-year-old talent signed a global publishing deal with King Pen Music and Warner Chappell Music Nashville .
“ We were literally jumping up and down when we got the news , ” remarks Candus Suppelsa , Mark ’ s wife of 29 years .
“ Gosh , I remember when Ava was 4 years old , and she couldn ’ t write , but she would tell me that she had written a song in her head and she needed me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw her potential.
” “ Taylor Swift was a huge inspiration for me , ” recalls Ava Suppelsa , who already has had her music recorded by artists such as Keith Urban , Temecula Road and Home Free .
“ When I was younger , I had a journal and I would write about what I was going through , and those words would turn into songs.
” Every day wasn ’ t easy though , including the day Ava Suppelsa moved away as a teen to attend the prestigious boarding school Interlochen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
Or the day Ava decided to drop out of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston in favor of moving to Nashville to pursue writing full time .
“ That ’ s when and where the real work started , ” Ava Suppelsa chuckles .
“ As soon as you get into town as a songwriter , you are having to compete with the best of the best .
Plus , you have to find a way to make a living , so I spent three years writing and doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from waitressing to cleaning B & Bs to food delivery.
” And yes , at one point , Ava Suppelsa even had her parents worried .
“ I was working 9 to 5 every day and writing 6 to 9 every night and letting parts of my life fall by the wayside , ” says Ava Suppelsa , whose compositions have amassed over 13 million streams across various music platforms .
I learned along the way how to better balance it all.
” Adds Candus Suppelsa , “ I ’ m always telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time.
” Indeed , the whole Suppelsa family seems to be following that advice these days .
While there were times in which it seemed like Ava Suppelsa might want the spotlight shining solely on her , she is currently content as the songwriter behind the artist .
And for Candus and Mark Suppelsa , they are content too , now living full time in their longtime vacation home in Bigfork , Montana , basking in the beauty of the picturesque Rocky Mountains … and watching Ava and her brother Matt , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreams come true .
“ Working 12-hour days meant that I missed a lot of the things that the kids were doing , ” Mark Suppelsa says quietly , pausing to take in the memory for a brief moment .
“ Candus and I pinch ourselves every day that we are now lucky enough to stare out at the Rocky Mountains knowing our kids are healthy and happy and climbing their own career ladder .
”

Mark Suppelsa remembers it like it was yesterday.
Mere hours before his shift at WGN-Channel 9, the news anchor found himself driving his then 13-year-old daughter Ava downtown to pick up her busking permit. Once she had the paper in her hand, the teen asked her dad if he could drop off her and her guitar on Michigan Avenue.
So he did.
And then he drove away.
But as Mark Suppelsa watched his little girl take on the big city in his rear-view mirror, he instinctively knew she was going to make her dreams come true … just like he once did. Mark and Ava have a special bond, a bond forged between two underdogs who were determined not to let the naysayers win.
“My dad always told me that if you are a good person and you work really hard and you are good at what you do, you will be fine,” Ava Suppelsa tells the Sun-Times from her home in Nashville.
From his own home in Montana, her dad adds with a laugh, “You realize later in your life that some of the words that come out of your mouth actually end up sticking.”
Retired journalist Mark Suppelsa worked in Chicago at WMAQ-Channel 5, WFLD-Channel 32 and finally WGN-Channel 9. Provided
Back in the day, Mark Suppelsa’s dream was to work in broadcast journalism, a cutthroat field where the Milwaukee native was often told he would never make it. But he did, amassing a 25-year long career with three Chicago television stations, before retiring in 2017.
“We have always told our kids to chase their dreams, and don’t let anyone stop you,” says Mark Suppelsa. “I guess that ‘chase your dream’ part got locked into Ava’s brain.”
Earlier this month, the 23-year-old talent signed a global publishing deal with King Pen Music and Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
Ava Suppelsa Catherine Powell
“We were literally jumping up and down when we got the news,” remarks Candus Suppelsa, Mark’s wife of 29 years. “Gosh, I remember when Ava was 4 years old, and she couldn’t write, but she would tell me that she had written a song in her head and she needed me to write down the words. We always saw her potential.”
“Taylor Swift was a huge inspiration for me,” recalls Ava Suppelsa, who already has had her music recorded by artists such as Keith Urban, Temecula Road and Home Free. “When I was younger, I had a journal and I would write about what I was going through, and those words would turn into songs.”
Every day wasn’t easy though, including the day Ava Suppelsa moved away as a teen to attend the prestigious boarding school Interlochen Arts Academy to study in its songwriting program. Or the day Ava decided to drop out of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston in favor of moving to Nashville to pursue writing full time.
“That’s when and where the real work started,” Ava Suppelsa chuckles. “As soon as you get into town as a songwriter, you are having to compete with the best of the best. Plus, you have to find a way to make a living, so I spent three years writing and doing any odd job I could find, from waitressing to cleaning B&Bs to food delivery.”
And yes, at one point, Ava Suppelsa even had her parents worried.
“I was working 9 to 5 every day and writing 6 to 9 every night and letting parts of my life fall by the wayside,” says Ava Suppelsa, whose compositions have amassed over 13 million streams across various music platforms. I learned along the way how to better balance it all.”
Adds Candus Suppelsa, “I’m always telling her…just take it one day at a time.”
Indeed, the whole Suppelsa family seems to be following that advice these days. While there were times in which it seemed like Ava Suppelsa might want the spotlight shining solely on her, she is currently content as the songwriter behind the artist.
And for Candus and Mark Suppelsa, they are content too, now living full time in their longtime vacation home in Bigfork, Montana, basking in the beauty of the picturesque Rocky Mountains … and watching Ava and her brother Matt, a political analyst in Istanbul, make their dreams come true.
“Working 12-hour days meant that I missed a lot of the things that the kids were doing,” Mark Suppelsa says quietly, pausing to take in the memory for a brief moment. “Candus and I pinch ourselves every day that we are now lucky enough to stare out at the Rocky Mountains knowing our kids are healthy and happy and climbing their own career ladder.”
Tricia Despres is a local freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Pandemic vs. ambition: how one company is adjusting plans for growth

About a year ago , a news item landed that now seems straight out of a world of pre-pandemic innocence .
It was from the consulting firm West Monroe Partners , which was doubling the size of its downtown Chicago office , adding more than 100,000 square feet , as part of an overall push to double its worker headcount here to 1,600 people by 2024 .
It was undertaking this expansion as it moved its headquarters to a building at 311 W. Monroe St. West Monroe was moving to West Monroe .
It made for an easy headline .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ congregating in them ?
And a company betting on higher demand for consulting on projects that are easily put off when times get dicey ?
How are you doing with that , West Monroe ?
Pretty well , although the employee-owned firm is adapting to conquer the challenges , said Tom Hulsebosch , senior managing director in the utilities practice for West Monroe .
The firm specializes in several industries , including health care , life sciences and finance .
He said the company has somewhat lengthened the timetable for its hiring and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about half its office space as it assesses needs .
Hulsebosch said when the pandemic recedes , clients will quickly play catch up on projects and demand more from consultants .
“ Next year is going to be a boom year , ” he said .
West Monroe sees a scenario in which its office usage increases rather than decreases .
Many of its experts used to work on the road at clients ’ sites .
“ Monday through Thursday used to be pretty light days at the office .
Fridays were busiest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in with one another , ” Hulsebosch said .
“ We have to do things a little differently .
Clients are realizing we can still deliver value and be remote .
They ’ re also realizing that it ’ s nice not to have to pay our peoples ’ expenses.
” The new office opens officially Monday and has adopted some of the design elements now common .
Workstations have been thinned out , corridors marked as one-way routes to keep people from bumping into each other , and hand sanitizer is everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a greater use of technology to keep teams coordinated and to manage who comes back to the office and when .
“ We ’ re seeing that the technology we used pre-COVID , telecommunications , video conferencing , was poor .
What we ’ ve discovered is that with Zoom and other tools for remote collaboration , the experience has been great .
It ’ s meeting the organization ’ s needs better compared to work that ’ s partially office , partially remote , ” he said .
Other companies in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably aren ’ t using the best technology , Hulsebosch said .
Banks are struggling with the concept , he said , because sensitive documents can only be accessed from limited locations .
West Monroe is starting with the assumption that about 10 % of its staff will be in the office .
Hulsebosch said that could grow to 20 % .
Employees will be assigned workstations on a rotating basis , depending on who really needs to get away from home to get work done .
It ’ s an acknowledgment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person can do well in a solitary apartment , while someone else ’ s place brims with distractions .
“ We ’ re an employee-owned company .
Our people are our shareholders .
It ’ s great that we can think of them that way , ” Hulsebosch said .
One tool West Monroe is using heavily is Work.com , a Salesforce product , that manages the workstation assignments and requires people to answer a few simple health questions to determine if they can come into the office .
Hulsebosch said he doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant screenings annoying .
They ’ re also so used to remote work they won ’ t feel pressure to use the office , he said .
Does the firm see its needs for physical space increasing , or will it have to shed some of its lease at 311 W. Monroe ?
“ No one has been in a post-COVID environment , ” Hulsebosch said , adding , “ Can you talk to me in a year ?
We will not be the same as what we were.
” Developer Sterling Bay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the protocols one would expect — enhanced cleaning , limited elevator access and the like .
The 15-story building , for its size , has a forward-thinking amenity package for tenants , courtesy of money Sterling Bay put into improvements after it bought the building in 2017 .
It includes a fitness center and a private bar .
A bowling alley in the basement has been closed because of COVID-19 , but a spokeswoman for Sterling Bay said it is reopening Monday .

About a year ago, a news item landed that now seems straight out of a world of pre-pandemic innocence.
It was from the consulting firm West Monroe Partners, which was doubling the size of its downtown Chicago office, adding more than 100,000 square feet, as part of an overall push to double its worker headcount here to 1,600 people by 2024. It was undertaking this expansion as it moved its headquarters to a building at 311 W. Monroe St.
West Monroe was moving to West Monroe. It made for an easy headline.
But really now — offices with people congregating in them? And a company betting on higher demand for consulting on projects that are easily put off when times get dicey?
How are you doing with that, West Monroe? Pretty well, although the employee-owned firm is adapting to conquer the challenges, said Tom Hulsebosch, senior managing director in the utilities practice for West Monroe. The firm specializes in several industries, including health care, life sciences and finance.
Chicago Enterprise bug Chicago Enterprise
He said the company has somewhat lengthened the timetable for its hiring and is holding off on designing and equipping about half its office space as it assesses needs. Hulsebosch said when the pandemic recedes, clients will quickly play catch up on projects and demand more from consultants.
“Next year is going to be a boom year,” he said.
West Monroe sees a scenario in which its office usage increases rather than decreases. Many of its experts used to work on the road at clients’ sites. “Monday through Thursday used to be pretty light days at the office. Fridays were busiest as people were back home and checked in with one another,” Hulsebosch said.
“We have to do things a little differently. Clients are realizing we can still deliver value and be remote. They’re also realizing that it’s nice not to have to pay our peoples’ expenses.”
The new office opens officially Monday and has adopted some of the design elements now common. Workstations have been thinned out, corridors marked as one-way routes to keep people from bumping into each other, and hand sanitizer is everywhere. Beyond that, Hulsebosch said, is a greater use of technology to keep teams coordinated and to manage who comes back to the office and when.
“We’re seeing that the technology we used pre-COVID, telecommunications, video conferencing, was poor. What we’ve discovered is that with Zoom and other tools for remote collaboration, the experience has been great. It’s meeting the organization’s needs better compared to work that’s partially office, partially remote,” he said.
Tom Hulsebosch Provided
Other companies in professional services reluctant to embrace remote work probably aren’t using the best technology, Hulsebosch said. Banks are struggling with the concept, he said, because sensitive documents can only be accessed from limited locations.
West Monroe is starting with the assumption that about 10% of its staff will be in the office. Hulsebosch said that could grow to 20%. Employees will be assigned workstations on a rotating basis, depending on who really needs to get away from home to get work done. It’s an acknowledgment that people’s needs differ; one person can do well in a solitary apartment, while someone else’s place brims with distractions.
“We’re an employee-owned company. Our people are our shareholders. It’s great that we can think of them that way,” Hulsebosch said.
One tool West Monroe is using heavily is Work.com, a Salesforce product, that manages the workstation assignments and requires people to answer a few simple health questions to determine if they can come into the office. Hulsebosch said he doesn’t think staff will find the constant screenings annoying. They’re also so used to remote work they won’t feel pressure to use the office, he said.
Does the firm see its needs for physical space increasing, or will it have to shed some of its lease at 311 W. Monroe? “No one has been in a post-COVID environment,” Hulsebosch said, adding, “Can you talk to me in a year? We will not be the same as what we were.”
Developer Sterling Bay owns 311 W. Monroe and has adopted all of the protocols one would expect — enhanced cleaning, limited elevator access and the like. The 15-story building, for its size, has a forward-thinking amenity package for tenants, courtesy of money Sterling Bay put into improvements after it bought the building in 2017. It includes a fitness center and a private bar. A bowling alley in the basement has been closed because of COVID-19, but a spokeswoman for Sterling Bay said it is reopening Monday.
Thank goodness for simple pleasures.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--14-year-old among 7 fatally shot in Chicago this weekend

Seven people were killed and 26 others were injured in shootings across Chicago since over the weekend .
One teenager is among the dead , while three other teens were wounded .
The latest fatal attack left a man dead and four others wounded Sunday afternoon inside an East Garfield Park home on the West Side .
About 5:40 p.m. , someone walked into the home in the 200 block of North Sacramento Boulevard , pulled out a gun and fired shots at the people inside before fleeing , Chicago police said .
A 27-year-old man was struck in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinai Hospital , where he later died , police said .
A 32-year-old man who was shot in the buttocks was in serious condition at the same hospital , along with a 37-year-old man who was in good condition with a gunshot wound to the foot .
Two more men , 25 and 27 , were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
The younger man was shot in the leg , while the older man was struck in the arm , body and back .
A woman was killed Sunday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A male suspect followed the 26-year-old woman to a vehicle after an argument and fired shots at her about 4:20 a.m. in the 7500 block of South Emerald Avenue , according to Chicago police .
She was hit in the chest and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where she was pronounced dead .
Another man was shot to death Saturday afternoon in Lawndale on the West Side .
Kent Mitchell , 42 , was outside shortly after 3 p.m. in the 1500 block of South MIllard Avenue when a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , striking him in the neck and chest , Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
Mitchell , who lives in Rogers Park , was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead at 3:27 p.m. On Saturday morning , a woman was killed and a man injured in a shooting in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
They were in a vehicle at 4:19 a.m. in the 3700 block of West Chicago Avenue when a black Chevrolet approached and someone inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tynaz Shorter , 22 , was shot in the right leg and buttocks and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where she died , officials said .
A 23-year-old man was hit in the right forearm and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
Two people were shot , one fatally , earlier Saturday morning in Chatham on the South Side .
Aaron Campbell , 30 , and a 26-year-old woman were in a parked vehicle shortly after midnight in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue when two males approached and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Campbell was shot nine times and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he died .
The woman was taken to the same hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the buttocks .
Another man was fatally shot late Friday night in Dunning on the Northwest Side .
Ramon Flores Jr. , 42 , went outside to smoke about 11:50 p.m. in the 6700 block of West Belmont Avenue when two males approached and began shooting at him , officials said .
Flores , who lived in Orlando @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood , where he died .
About an hour earlier , one teenager was fatally shot and another injured in Lawndale on the West Side .
Officers found the two boys shot in a stairway about 10:50 p.m. Friday in the 3600 block of West Douglas Boulevard , police said .
Antwon Winters , 14 , suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to Stroger Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The other boy , 15 , was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
A teenage girl was among two people wounded in a shooting Saturday afternoon in Grand Crossing on the South Side .
The girl was with another female about 5:15 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Dorchester Avenue when shots were fired from somewhere , striking both of them , police said .
The other female , whose age is not known , was struck in the head and back , and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
The 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good condition with a gunshot wound to the knee .
Earlier in the afternoon , three men were wounded in a shooting in Calumet Heights on the South Side .
Someone in a vehicle fired shots at the trio about 3:20 p.m. in the 1900 block of East 95th Street , police said .
A 27-year-old man was struck several times in the body and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
Another man , 40 , was taken to the same hospital in serious condition with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third man , who is in his 30s , was struck multiple times in the body and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition .
Saturday morning , a 17-year-old boy was shot while driving in Bucktown on the North Side .
He was riding in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of West Diversey Avenue when he heard gunshots and realized he was hit , according to Chicago police .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first reported shooting left a man wounded in Austin on the West Side .
A 22-year-old man was shot in the groin about 6:06 p.m. in the 5100 block of West Ohio Street , police said .
He was taken in stable condition to Mount Sinai Hospital .
Twelve more people were wounded in citywide shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
Last weekend saw five people killed and 48 others wounded by gun violence in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

Seven people were killed and 26 others were injured in shootings across Chicago over the weekend.
One teenager is among the dead, while three other teens were wounded between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend saw five people killed and 48 others wounded in citywide gun violence.
Sunday
The latest fatal attack left a man dead and four others wounded Sunday afternoon inside an East Garfield Park home on the West Side. About 5:40 p.m., someone walked into the home in the 200 block of North Sacramento Boulevard, pulled out a gun and fired shots at the people inside before fleeing, Chicago police said.
Dantrel Johnson, 27, was struck in the leg and arm and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he later died, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. A 32-year-old man who was shot in the buttocks was in serious condition at the same hospital, along with a 37-year-old man who was in good condition with a gunshot wound to the foot. Two more men, 25 and 27, were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition. The younger man was shot in the leg, while the older man was struck in the arm, body and back.
A woman was killed Sunday morning in Englewood on the South Side. A male suspect followed 26-year-old Rodjzae Funches-Heard to a vehicle after an argument and fired shots at her about 4:20 a.m. in the 7500 block of South Emerald Avenue, officials said. She was hit in the chest and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Saturday
Another man was shot to death Saturday afternoon in Lawndale on the West Side. Kent Mitchell, 42, was outside shortly after 3 p.m. in the 1500 block of South MIllard Avenue when a group of people walked up and opened fire, striking him in the neck and chest, authorities said. Mitchell, who lives in Rogers Park, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Saturday morning, a woman was killed and a man injured in a shooting in Humboldt Park on the West Side. They were in a vehicle at 4:19 a.m. in the 3700 block of West Chicago Avenue when a black Chevrolet approached and someone inside started shooting, according to police. Tynaz Shorter, 22, was shot in the right leg and buttocks and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she died, officials said. A 23-year-old man was hit in the right forearm and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Two people were shot, one fatally, earlier Saturday morning in Chatham on the South Side. Aaron Campbell, 30, and a 26-year-old woman were in a parked vehicle shortly after midnight in the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue when two males approached and fired multiple shots, authorities said. Campbell was shot nine times and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died. The woman was taken to the same hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the buttocks.
Friday
Another man was fatally shot late Friday night in Dunning on the Northwest Side. Ramon Flores Jr., 42, went outside to smoke about 11:50 p.m. in the 6700 block of West Belmont Avenue when two males approached and began shooting at him, officials said. Flores, who lived in Orlando, Florida, was shot in the back and taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he died.
About an hour earlier, a teenager was fatally shot and another injured in Lawndale on the West Side. Officers found the two boys shot in a stairway about 10:50 p.m. Friday in the 3600 block of West Douglas Boulevard, police said. Antwon Winters, 14, suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The other boy, 15, was shot in the right leg and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Teens wounded
A teenage girl was among two people wounded in a shooting Saturday afternoon in Grand Crossing on the South Side. The girl was with another female about 5:15 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Dorchester Avenue when shots were fired from somewhere, striking both of them, police said. The other female, whose age is not known, was struck in the head and back, and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. The 17-year-old was taken to the same hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the knee.
Saturday morning, a 17-year-old boy was shot while driving in Bucktown on the North Side. He was riding in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 2200 block of West Diversey Avenue when he heard gunshots and realized he was hit, according to Chicago police. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the buttocks, police said.
Sixteen more people were wounded in citywide shootings over the weekend.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Payback time for women in America

Payback time for women in America

Trump had a woman problem long before he was elevated to the White House .
And he is a problem for the many women he has divorced , denigrated , insulted and oppressed .
Yet , incredibly , Trump was elected in 2016 with the help of millions of women voters .
How , I asked then , could any woman vote for a misogynist who spews racism , sexism and division ?
How could women support a man who had been accused of sexual harassment , abuse and assault ?
How could they ?
Especially after the emergence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which Trump bragged about forcing himself on women .
But in 2020 , something is new .
Trump ’ s struggles to win critical suburban voters “ stem in particular from his changing fortunes among white women , a group that backed him over Clinton by 9 points four years ago , ” the PBS NewsHour reports .
A PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll , conducted Oct. 8 through Oct. 13 , asked registered and likely voters about Trump ’ s job performance as president .
In the national poll , 50 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43 % approved , and 8 % were unsure .
Among white female college graduates , 68 % disapproved , 30 % approved , and 1 % were unsure .
To win the Nov. 3 election , Trump must win over those voters , especially in suburban areas in the crucial swing states .
So now , after a lifetime of afflicting women , Trump is desperately wooing them .
If you vote for the other guy , “ they ” are coming for you , he warns on the campaign trail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ looters , gangbangers and — worst of all — the radical left are coming for you .
So , he says , vote for me .
Last week , fresh off his brief bout with COVID-19 and chock-full of steroids , Trump hit the campaign hustings in Johnstown , in the swing state of Pennsylvania .
“ Suburban women , will you please like me ?
” he pleaded at his MAGA rally .
“ Please .
Please .
I saved your damn neighborhood , OK ?
” American women , please , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is time to silence Trump ’ s divisive , hateful agenda .
To all women , suburban , urban , rural , feminists , pro-lifers , pro-choicers , all : It is time to say , “ Mr .
President , I ’ m speaking.
” Mr. President , I ’ m speaking for the hundreds of thousands of women who have marched , again and again , from your inauguration until today , to protest your divisive and oppressive policies .
Mr. President , I ’ m speaking for all who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ravages of COVID-19 , the terrible disease you dismiss as “ disappearing.
” Mr. President , I ’ m speaking for the immigrant mothers who were separated from their babies at our borders , thanks to your inhumane immigration policy .
And I ’ m speaking for all the women and their families who may lose their right to vital insurance coverage , as you appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Health Care Act .
I ’ m speaking for the mothers grieving for their black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racist and institutionalized police misconduct .
And for all the other women who , for decades , you have divorced , denigrated , insulted and oppressed .
It ’ s payback time .
Time for all women to speak , with our vote , and say , “ Mr .
President , it ’ s time for you to go .
”

President Donald J. Trump has a woman problem.
“Nothing new,” you say?
Trump had a woman problem long before he was elevated to the White House. And he is a problem for the many women he has divorced, denigrated, insulted and oppressed.
Yet, incredibly, Trump was elected in 2016 with the help of millions of women voters.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
How, I asked then, could any woman vote for a misogynist who spews racism, sexism and division? How could women support a man who had been accused of sexual harassment, abuse and assault?
How could they? Especially after the emergence of the notorious “Access Hollywood” audiotape in which Trump bragged about forcing himself on women.
But in 2020, something is new.
Trump’s struggles to win critical suburban voters “stem in particular from his changing fortunes among white women, a group that backed him over Clinton by 9 points four years ago,” the PBS NewsHour reports.
A PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll, conducted Oct. 8 through Oct. 13, asked registered and likely voters about Trump’s job performance as president. In the national poll, 50% of non-college-educated, white women disapproved, while 43% approved, and 8% were unsure.
Among white female college graduates, 68% disapproved, 30% approved, and 1% were unsure.
To win the Nov. 3 election, Trump must win over those voters, especially in suburban areas in the crucial swing states.
So now, after a lifetime of afflicting women, Trump is desperately wooing them. If you vote for the other guy, “they” are coming for you, he warns on the campaign trail. Those people in public housing, urban looters, gangbangers and — worst of all — the radical left are coming for you. So, he says, vote for me.
Last week, fresh off his brief bout with COVID-19 and chock-full of steroids, Trump hit the campaign hustings in Johnstown, in the swing state of Pennsylvania. “Suburban women, will you please like me?” he pleaded at his MAGA rally. “Please. Please. I saved your damn neighborhood, OK?”
American women, please, please. Help save our country. It is time to silence Trump’s divisive, hateful agenda.
To all women, suburban, urban, rural, feminists, pro-lifers, pro-choicers, all:
It is time to say, “Mr. President, I’m speaking.”
Mr. President, I’m speaking for the hundreds of thousands of women who have marched, again and again, from your inauguration until today, to protest your divisive and oppressive policies.
Mr. President, I’m speaking for all who have lost grandparents, parents and children to the ravages of COVID-19, the terrible disease you dismiss as “disappearing.”
Mr. President, I’m speaking for the immigrant mothers who were separated from their babies at our borders, thanks to your inhumane immigration policy.
And I’m speaking for all the women and their families who may lose their right to vital insurance coverage, as you appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Health Care Act.
I’m speaking for the mothers grieving for their black sons, lost to the hands of racist and institutionalized police misconduct.
And for all the other women who, for decades, you have divorced, denigrated, insulted and oppressed.
It’s payback time. Time for all women to speak, with our vote, and say, “Mr. President, it’s time for you to go.”
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--1 dead, 4 wounded in shooting at East Garfield Park home

A man was killed and four people were wounded Sunday after a gunman walked into an East Garfield Park home and opened fire .
About 5:40 p.m. , someone walked into the home in the 200 block of North Sacramento Boulevard , pulled out a gun and fired shots at the people inside before fleeing , Chicago police said .
A 27-year-old man was struck in the leg and arm and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he later died , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office identified him as Dantrel Johnson of Humboldt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot in the buttocks was in serious condition at the same hospital , along with a 37-year-old man who was in good condition with a gunshot wound to the foot .
Two more men , 25 and 27 , were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition , police said .
The younger man was shot in the leg , while the older man was struck in the arm , body and back .
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

A man was killed and four people were wounded Sunday after a gunman walked into an East Garfield Park home and opened fire.
About 5:40 p.m., someone walked into the home in the 200 block of North Sacramento Boulevard, pulled out a gun and fired shots at the people inside before fleeing, Chicago police said.
A 27-year-old man was struck in the leg and arm and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he later died, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Dantrel Johnson of Humboldt Park.
A 32-year-old man who was shot in the buttocks was in serious condition at the same hospital, along with a 37-year-old man who was in good condition with a gunshot wound to the foot.
Two more men, 25 and 27, were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said. The younger man was shot in the leg, while the older man was struck in the arm, body and back.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Car crashes into Gold Coast furniture store

Someone crashed a car into a furniture store Sunday in the Gold Coast .
The Honda sedan was southbound at @ @ @ @ @ block of inner North Lake Shore Drive when it crashed through the front windows of @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
Cort Furniture Rental is located in that block at 540 N. Lake @ @ @ @ @ driver got out of the car and ran away , police said .
No injuries @ @ @ @ @ have been made .
A truck crashed into the Cort storefront in 2016 .
In @ @ @ @ @ also ran away and abandoned the truck .

Someone crashed a car into a furniture store Sunday in the Gold Coast.
The Honda sedan was southbound at 10:19 p.m. in the 500 block of inner North Lake Shore Drive when it crashed through the front windows of the store, according to Chicago police.
Cort Furniture Rental is located in that block at 540 N. Lake Shore Drive.
The male driver got out of the car and ran away, police said. No injuries were reported and no arrests have been made.
A truck crashed into the Cort storefront in 2016. In that case, the driver also ran away and abandoned the truck.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Bears’ Eddie Jackson, Danny Trevathan chirp at officials after beating Panthers

Bears star safety Eddie Jackson ’ s day included a forced fumble for a takeaway , getting knocked out of @ @ @ @ @ injury ( he was fine ) and having a pick-six wiped out by penalty for @ @ @ @ @ .
The highlight of his day would ’ ve been a pass break-up by cornerback @ @ @ @ @ Jackson at the Panthers ’ 17-yard line early in the third quarter .
He darted @ @ @ @ @ end zone , but Fuller was flagged for pass interference for hitting wide receiver Robby @ @ @ @ @ .
Jackson chimed in later on Twitter that having his touchdown called back “ makes @ @ @ @ @ it a step further by adding , “ If you think these refs dot have @ @ @ @ @ ” He deleted that one .
Jackson was not alone venting his frustration with the @ @ @ @ @ Danny Trevathan added , “ We need to start fining refs .
This is ludicrous @ @

Bears star safety Eddie Jackson’s day included a forced fumble for a takeaway, getting knocked out of the game briefly by an injury (he was fine) and having a pick-six wiped out by penalty for the second time this season.
The highlight of his day would’ve been a pass break-up by cornerback Kyle Fuller that deflected to Jackson at the Panthers’ 17-yard line early in the third quarter. He darted through the Panthers to the end zone, but Fuller was flagged for pass interference for hitting wide receiver Robby Anderson before the ball arrived.
Jackson chimed in later on Twitter that having his touchdown called back “makes no sense.”
He took it a step further by adding, “If you think these refs dot have something against us you Crazy.” He deleted that one.
Jackson was not alone venting his frustration with the officials on Twitter. Linebacker Danny Trevathan added, “We need to start fining refs. This is ludicrous.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Alert: Bears’ running game jumps from 2.5 to 2.52 yards per carry vs. Panthers

CHARLOTTE , N.C. — The Bears ’ running game got better Sunday , as long as everyone is comfortable measuring progress in fractions .
The team and the coach that love talking about running the ball more than actually doing it managed just 2.5 yards per carry in the 23-16 win over the Panthers .
Technically , it was 2.52 yards , which was up from a flat 2.5 the week before against the Buccaneers and — get ready for this — almost a yard of improvement from the 1.8 yards they averaged in the loss to the Colts two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game , when the Bears most needed to run so they could drain the clock and avoid another scary finish , they either could not or did not .
After running back David Montgomery managed 1 yard on second-and-3 with 1:49 left , Nagy called a pass play that went incomplete as Nick Foles overthrew Allen Robinson .
That gave the Panthers the ball back with 1:32 remaining and an opportunity to tie or win the game .
“ If you get that first down right there , it ’ s game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in defense of his third-down pass , a decision he had already made in his mind before the first play of the possession .
“ You can run the ball and possibly get it and you make them burn a timeout , but that ’ s not an aggressive approach .
“ We felt really good , all of us , with the decision to do that .
It ’ s one of those ones that if you get it , it ’ s a great call and it ’ s game over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it stinks and you ’ ve got ta give the ball back to them .
We ’ ve got ta finish the end of those games.
” Montgomery had 58 yards on 19 carries , Cordarrelle Patterson ran once for a yard and Foles tacked on five rushes for four yards , including a QB sneak for a touchdown .

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bears’ running game got better Sunday, as long as everyone is comfortable measuring progress in fractions. The team and the coach that love talking about running the ball more than actually doing it managed just 2.5 yards per carry in the 23-16 win over the Panthers.
Technically, it was 2.52 yards, which was up from a flat 2.5 the week before against the Buccaneers and — get ready for this — almost a yard of improvement from the 1.8 yards they averaged in the loss to the Colts two games ago.
At the end of the game, when the Bears most needed to run so they could drain the clock and avoid another scary finish, they either could not or did not. After running back David Montgomery managed 1 yard on second-and-3 with 1:49 left, Nagy called a pass play that went incomplete as Nick Foles overthrew Allen Robinson.
That gave the Panthers the ball back with 1:32 remaining and an opportunity to tie or win the game.
“If you get that first down right there, it’s game over,” coach Matt Nagy said in defense of his third-down pass, a decision he had already made in his mind before the first play of the possession. “You can run the ball and possibly get it and you make them burn a timeout, but that’s not an aggressive approach.
“We felt really good, all of us, with the decision to do that. It’s one of those ones that if you get it, it’s a great call and it’s game over. And if you don’t, it stinks and you’ve gotta give the ball back to them. We’ve gotta finish the end of those games.”
Montgomery had 58 yards on 19 carries, Cordarrelle Patterson ran once for a yard and Foles tacked on five rushes for four yards, including a QB sneak for a touchdown.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Cook County tosses ‘lifeline’ to needy residents, opening housing voucher waiting list for first tim

Cook County tosses ‘lifeline’ to needy residents, opening housing voucher waiting list for first time since 2001

As many as 10,000 Cook County residents who meet the income requirements can join the line for help paying their rent , officials said Monday , as they opened up the housing choice voucher program waiting list for the first time in nearly 20 years .
As of 10:30 a.m. Monday , 6,000 people had already submitted applications , although they have until Nov. 2 to apply for a voucher , said Richard Monocchio , the head of the Housing Authority of Cook County .
“ This program is a lifeline for so many people , especially today , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We look forward to housing as many people as we can and continuing to be a lifeline for Cook County families during these very difficult times.
” The waiting list will have 10,000 spots for new applicants — 6,000 people were already on the list before the applications opened Monday .
Once the county gets through those applicants it can begin processing new applications , Monocchio said .
The last time the list was open was in 2001 .
The county ’ s housing authority already provides assistance to 15,000 voucher holders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which used to be called Section 8 , provides subsidies to households who meet a certain income threshold to help them pay rent .
In the Chicago metro area , the income eligibility threshold ranges from $ 31,850 for a single individual to $ 60,100 for a household of eight , officials said in a statement .
Families who get on the waiting list will be able to take their voucher anywhere in the country after spending a year in the housing authority ’ s jurisdiction , which includes all of suburban Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park and Cicero , Monocchio said .
In August , county officials announced a program that would allow suburban county residents who were behind on rent to apply for financial relief of up to three months of rent — or up to $ 4,500 .
Monocchio said the pandemic wasn ’ t the reason why the waiting list was being opened , though the decision comes at a “ fortuitous time ” because it “ gives people some hope now at a time where , unfortunately , hope is in short supply for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

As many as 10,000 Cook County residents who meet the income requirements can join the line for help paying their rent, officials said Monday, as they opened up the housing choice voucher program waiting list for the first time in nearly 20 years.
As of 10:30 a.m. Monday, 6,000 people had already submitted applications, although they have until Nov. 2 to apply for a voucher, said Richard Monocchio, the head of the Housing Authority of Cook County.
“This program is a lifeline for so many people, especially today,” Monocchio said at a news conference. “We look forward to housing as many people as we can and continuing to be a lifeline for Cook County families during these very difficult times.”
The waiting list will have 10,000 spots for new applicants — 6,000 people were already on the list before the applications opened Monday. Once the county gets through those applicants it can begin processing new applications, Monocchio said. The last time the list was open was in 2001.
The county’s housing authority already provides assistance to 15,000 voucher holders in the county. The program, which used to be called Section 8, provides subsidies to households who meet a certain income threshold to help them pay rent.
In the Chicago metro area, the income eligibility threshold ranges from $31,850 for a single individual to $60,100 for a household of eight, officials said in a statement.
Families who get on the waiting list will be able to take their voucher anywhere in the country after spending a year in the housing authority’s jurisdiction, which includes all of suburban Cook County, except for Maywood, Oak Park and Cicero, Monocchio said.
In August, county officials announced a program that would allow suburban county residents who were behind on rent to apply for financial relief of up to three months of rent — or up to $4,500.
Monocchio said the pandemic wasn’t the reason why the waiting list was being opened, though the decision comes at a “fortuitous time” because it “gives people some hope now at a time where, unfortunately, hope is in short supply for a lot of low-income people.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Debate commission adopts new rules for presidential debates

President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday ’ s debate while their @ @ @ @ @ answer to each of the debate topics .
The 90-minute debate is divided into six @ @ @ @ @ candidate granted two minutes to deliver uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to an open debate .
@ @ @ @ @ the debate will not feature a mute button , but interruptions by either candidate will @ @ @ @ @ the second and final debate Thursday .
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced the @ @ @ @ @ weeks after a chaotic opening faceoff between the two presidential contenders that featured frequent interruptions @ @ @ @ @ The commission has faced pressure from the Trump campaign to avoid changing the rules , @ @ @ @ @ was hoping for a more ordered debate .
In a statement , the commission said @ @ @ @ @ it is appropriate to adopt measures intended to promote adherence to agreed upon rules and @ @ @ @ @ those rules .
”

President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday’s debate while their rival delivers their opening two-minute answer to each of the debate topics.
The 90-minute debate is divided into six 15-minute segments, with each candidate granted two minutes to deliver uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to an open debate. The open discussion portion of the debate will not feature a mute button, but interruptions by either candidate will count toward their time in the second and final debate Thursday.
The nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates announced the rule changes Monday, three weeks after a chaotic opening faceoff between the two presidential contenders that featured frequent interruptions — most by Trump.
The commission has faced pressure from the Trump campaign to avoid changing the rules, while Biden’s team was hoping for a more ordered debate. In a statement, the commission said it “had determined that it is appropriate to adopt measures intended to promote adherence to agreed upon rules and inappropriate to make changes to those rules.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--A lesson for times of COVID-19 sequestration: a did-it-myself fence

My brother-in-law , Raymond Fox and one of my closest friends , Jack Murray , both men now deceased , were loving and caring to my wife , Diana and me .
They were both skilled in all manner of home repair , electrical wiring , plumbing problems and , if needed , both men were capable of constructing a house from the foundation up to installing walls , ceilings , windows and making any house ready for occupants .
At a time when many people are required to cope with more home projects on their own because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ray and Jack assisted my wife and myself in responding to and repairing our household emergencies .
We were naturally always grateful for their friendship and their devoted assistance .
We needed them because I totally lacked any handyman abilities .
To be honest , I could not change a washer in a faucet , and found it impossible to saw a straight line through a wooden two-by-four .
I did not dare attempt any electrical repair , for fear I might electrocute myself .
Once , in the earlier years of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confidence , I bought a barbecue from Sears Roebuck that carried the bland warning , “ Some assembly required.
” There were only a few components ; the bowl , legs , grill and the handles .
I began the assembly confident that even with my limited skills , I could certainly manage so rudimentary an assembly .
I soon came to understand that putting it together was a more intricate problem than I anticipated .
No matter how carefully I followed the instructions , the parts simply would not fit together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assembly and gave up at twilight .
I began the assembly again the following morning , but my efforts that day proved just as futile .
Ashamed to carry the parts back to the dealer and confess my failure , I secreted them under a tarpaulin in a corner of our garage , where they remained untouched for years .
When we moved from that house years later , I put the parts into the back alley with the other trash .
A decade later , my wife and I with one small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small apartment in Kenwood on Chicago ’ s South Side .
My parents had recently lost their lease on the apartment where they lived .
We decided that we would buy a house together .
We found a commodious two story , seven-room residence that we felt we could afford .
One major disadvantage was that the house and adjoining garage were built along busy 76th Street , which carried a stream of automobile traffic all day long .
The yard where our children would play needed the protection of a fence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbecue assembly , but I was older , and had managed to complete a few minor household projects .
To save the money we ’ d spend by hiring a carpenter , I made the decision to build the fence myself .
My wife and parents tried to conceal their apprehension and provided me their full support .
I began by acquiring a set of plans for a picket fence .
I studied them dutifully and I began by digging holes for inserting sturdy posts into the ground .
I planned to link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would then add the pickets .
From the beginning , I had problems .
I couldn ’ t seem to make the posts with 2x4s stable .
When I attempted to add the pickets , my difficulties mounted .
I couldn ’ t get the pickets to align properly .
Then the posts weren ’ t stable enough and the pickets tumbled .
Every task , small and large , had to be repeated several times .
My wife gently suggested we call on Ray or Jack , expecting that both men would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not admit failure and I struggled on , often having to repeat work I thought had been completed .
June passed , and we began the month of July .
Each morning , I returned to my project resolved to fulfill the task .
Neighbors marveled at my perseverance , while asking whether I planned to finish before winter .
I tried to muster a smile of reassurance in response .
July passed , and we entered the month of August .
I spent a few restless hours each day trying to write @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside to resume work on the fence .
I tried to sound reassuring to my family and my friends , but my confidence was waning .
I struggled to go on , resolved not to give up and have to admit defeat to my family , friends and my neighbors .
I began to see that the fence had become my white whale and I had become the obsessed Captain Ahab .
Then one afternoon , at the end of August , following several days of effort to install hinges on the gate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I looked around and with a feeling of bewilderment , realized I had finished the fence .
My wife came from the house into the yard .
When I saw tears of gratefulness for my victory in her eyes , we cried together .
Decades later , on a day at the beginning of July , I was driving from our home in Indiana into Chicago for a doctor ’ s appointment , I decided to drive past the house where we had lived in South Shore .
I was gratified to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and its sturdy gate still standing .
Later that evening , back home in Indiana , I emailed my beloved niece Lambrini , who had composed a fine biographical entry for me in Wikipedia .
I asked her if she could make a small amendment to future versions of my biography .
I told her I ’ d be grateful if she could add the line , “ Once he built a fence.
” Find more information on novelist Harry Mark Petrakis at harrymarkpetrakis.com .

My brother-in-law, Raymond Fox and one of my closest friends, Jack Murray, both men now deceased, were loving and caring to my wife, Diana and me. They were both skilled in all manner of home repair, electrical wiring, plumbing problems and, if needed, both men were capable of constructing a house from the foundation up to installing walls, ceilings, windows and making any house ready for occupants.
At a time when many people are required to cope with more home projects on their own because of the pandemic, I remember how for decades Ray and Jack assisted my wife and myself in responding to and repairing our household emergencies. We were naturally always grateful for their friendship and their devoted assistance.
Opinion Newsletter
We needed them because I totally lacked any handyman abilities. To be honest, I could not change a washer in a faucet, and found it impossible to saw a straight line through a wooden two-by-four. I did not dare attempt any electrical repair, for fear I might electrocute myself.
Once, in the earlier years of my marriage, swept by a momentary surge of confidence, I bought a barbecue from Sears Roebuck that carried the bland warning, “Some assembly required.” There were only a few components; the bowl, legs, grill and the handles. I began the assembly confident that even with my limited skills, I could certainly manage so rudimentary an assembly.
I soon came to understand that putting it together was a more intricate problem than I anticipated. No matter how carefully I followed the instructions, the parts simply would not fit together.
Opinion bug Opinion
I worked all afternoon on the assembly and gave up at twilight. I began the assembly again the following morning, but my efforts that day proved just as futile. Ashamed to carry the parts back to the dealer and confess my failure, I secreted them under a tarpaulin in a corner of our garage, where they remained untouched for years. When we moved from that house years later, I put the parts into the back alley with the other trash.
A decade later, my wife and I with one small son and expecting another were renting a small apartment in Kenwood on Chicago’s South Side. My parents had recently lost their lease on the apartment where they lived. We decided that we would buy a house together.
We found a commodious two story, seven-room residence that we felt we could afford. One major disadvantage was that the house and adjoining garage were built along busy 76th Street, which carried a stream of automobile traffic all day long. The yard where our children would play needed the protection of a fence.
I hadn’t forgotten the failed barbecue assembly, but I was older, and had managed to complete a few minor household projects. To save the money we’d spend by hiring a carpenter, I made the decision to build the fence myself. My wife and parents tried to conceal their apprehension and provided me their full support.
I began by acquiring a set of plans for a picket fence. I studied them dutifully and I began by digging holes for inserting sturdy posts into the ground. I planned to link them with 2x4s, to which I would then add the pickets.
From the beginning, I had problems. I couldn’t seem to make the posts with 2x4s stable. When I attempted to add the pickets, my difficulties mounted. I couldn’t get the pickets to align properly. Then the posts weren’t stable enough and the pickets tumbled. Every task, small and large, had to be repeated several times. My wife gently suggested we call on Ray or Jack, expecting that both men would volunteer to help. But I would not admit failure and I struggled on, often having to repeat work I thought had been completed.
June passed, and we began the month of July. Each morning, I returned to my project resolved to fulfill the task. Neighbors marveled at my perseverance, while asking whether I planned to finish before winter. I tried to muster a smile of reassurance in response.
July passed, and we entered the month of August. I spent a few restless hours each day trying to write but couldn’t concentrate and went outside to resume work on the fence. I tried to sound reassuring to my family and my friends, but my confidence was waning. I struggled to go on, resolved not to give up and have to admit defeat to my family, friends and my neighbors. I began to see that the fence had become my white whale and I had become the obsessed Captain Ahab.
Then one afternoon, at the end of August, following several days of effort to install hinges on the gate, hammering in the last few nails, I looked around and with a feeling of bewilderment, realized I had finished the fence. My wife came from the house into the yard. When I saw tears of gratefulness for my victory in her eyes, we cried together.
Decades later, on a day at the beginning of July, I was driving from our home in Indiana into Chicago for a doctor’s appointment, I decided to drive past the house where we had lived in South Shore. I was gratified to see the fence with its pickets aligned and its sturdy gate still standing.
Later that evening, back home in Indiana, I emailed my beloved niece Lambrini, who had composed a fine biographical entry for me in Wikipedia. I asked her if she could make a small amendment to future versions of my biography. I told her I’d be grateful if she could add the line, “Once he built a fence.”
Find more information on novelist Harry Mark Petrakis at harrymarkpetrakis.com.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Attorneys create free, virtual clinic to give  immigrant Asian business owners legal help

Years after Erica Yang immigrated to the United States , she can still remember how she felt as a teen in a new country .
“ The feeling of vulnerability and anxiety and what it feels like to be an outsider , ” said Yang , who came to the U.S. from China .
“ I still remember that feeling when I was in high school.
” Those memories are why Yang , a commercial finance attorney at the Katten Muchin Rosenman law firm , recently co-founded a free , virtual legal clinic aimed at those in the Asian community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t English .
Lawyers Helping Our Community , under the umbrella of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services , launched in June as a completely virtual clinic to help the Chinatown business community with civil issues such as evictions and insurance claims .
Yang , 29 , thought of the idea for the clinic during the coronavirus pandemic when in-person appointments at many pro bono legal clinics were halted .
At the same time , she was hearing business owners in the Chinatown area were struggling to stay afloat .
The clinic , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students , has worked with about 30 clients .
The volunteers speak various languages like Korean , Mandarin and Cantonese , Yang said .
Julie Shin reached out to the clinic after seeing a post about it on Facebook .
Her family ’ s South Shore beauty store , 2357 E. 75th St. , was damaged by a fire during the days of unrest after George Floyd ’ s killing by police in Minneapolis .
While Shin speaks English , she had trouble making sense of the store ’ s insurance and lease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out what damage would be covered .
Volunteers from the clinic helped them figure out that all the damages couldn ’ t be covered by their insurance .
Even with the coverage and money from a GoFundMe , Shin said her parents won ’ t be able to reopen the store they had operated since 2004 .
“ It was very tragic , ” she said .
“ We are also thankful that people tried to help us , like ( the ) community and lawyers .
We are also thankful that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic , and some owners have seen business drop by as much as 80 % , said Jimmy Lee , vice president of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce .
The chamber plans to launch an app with the help of Lawyers Helping Our Community that will give consumers coupons to spend at certain Chinatown businesses in an attempt to bring customers to the area , Lee said .
The volunteer attorneys have been sorting out issues surrounding the app ’ s privacy and figuring out to how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Chinatown , business is partially down because they are seeing fewer international students frequent the area and because there aren ’ t crowds from nearby conventions that once dined in the neighborhood , Lee said .
And while some businesses have gotten help from the government , Lee said he wasn ’ t sure if more help was coming .
“ We can ’ t sit over there waiting for help , ” Lee said .
“ If the help is not there , what can we do ?
We need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get the economy recovered.
” Margaret Benson , executive director of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services , said they were hearing of business owners being affected by the pandemic as early as February , before the state imposed restrictions on businesses .
Immigrant communities are vulnerable because of language barriers and because they are often targeted by scam artists , Benson said .
This can lead to trust issues in the community , but she credited Yang and Eric Zhi , another attorney who started the clinic , with working with the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be trusted .
“ Language is a huge barrier , and they ’ ve taken care of that , ” Benson said .
Zhi , a real estate attorney at the Kirkland & Ellis law firm , said he also wants the clinic to serve as a way to create mentorship for law students in Chicago .
Like Yang , Zhi was also born in China , and he lived in Canada before coming to the U.S. “ We were thinking how can we better help our community , ” Zhi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community and how do we build a long-term relationship that is through our work.
” Elvia Malagón ’ s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust .

Years after Erica Yang immigrated to the United States, she can still remember how she felt as a teen in a new country.
“The feeling of vulnerability and anxiety and what it feels like to be an outsider,” said Yang, who came to the U.S. from China. “I still remember that feeling when I was in high school.”
Those memories are why Yang, a commercial finance attorney at the Katten Muchin Rosenman law firm, recently co-founded a free, virtual legal clinic aimed at those in the Asian community in Chicago whose primary language isn’t English.
Lawyers Helping Our Community, under the umbrella of the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, launched in June as a completely virtual clinic to help the Chinatown business community with civil issues such as evictions and insurance claims.
Yang, 29, thought of the idea for the clinic during the coronavirus pandemic when in-person appointments at many pro bono legal clinics were halted. At the same time, she was hearing business owners in the Chinatown area were struggling to stay afloat.
The clinic, which includes about 60 volunteer attorneys and law students, has worked with about 30 clients. The volunteers speak various languages like Korean, Mandarin and Cantonese, Yang said.
Julie Shin reached out to the clinic after seeing a post about it on Facebook. Her family’s South Shore beauty store, 2357 E. 75th St., was damaged by a fire during the days of unrest after George Floyd’s killing by police in Minneapolis.
While Shin speaks English, she had trouble making sense of the store’s insurance and lease documents as the family tried to figure out what damage would be covered.
Volunteers from the clinic helped them figure out that all the damages couldn’t be covered by their insurance. Even with the coverage and money from a GoFundMe, Shin said her parents won’t be able to reopen the store they had operated since 2004.
“It was very tragic,” she said. “We are also thankful that people tried to help us, like (the) community and lawyers. We are also thankful that there are good people out there.”
Businesses have struggled during the coronavirus pandemic, and some owners have seen business drop by as much as 80%, said Jimmy Lee, vice president of the Chicago Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber plans to launch an app with the help of Lawyers Helping Our Community that will give consumers coupons to spend at certain Chinatown businesses in an attempt to bring customers to the area, Lee said. The volunteer attorneys have been sorting out issues surrounding the app’s privacy and figuring out to how sign up businesses, Lee said.
In Chinatown, business is partially down because they are seeing fewer international students frequent the area and because there aren’t crowds from nearby conventions that once dined in the neighborhood, Lee said. And while some businesses have gotten help from the government, Lee said he wasn’t sure if more help was coming.
“We can’t sit over there waiting for help,” Lee said. “If the help is not there, what can we do? We need to have a backup plan or another plan to get the economy recovered.”
Margaret Benson, executive director of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services, said they were hearing of business owners being affected by the pandemic as early as February, before the state imposed restrictions on businesses.
Immigrant communities are vulnerable because of language barriers and because they are often targeted by scam artists, Benson said. This can lead to trust issues in the community, but she credited Yang and Eric Zhi, another attorney who started the clinic, with working with the community to let the public know the resource could be trusted.
“Language is a huge barrier, and they’ve taken care of that,” Benson said.
Zhi, a real estate attorney at the Kirkland & Ellis law firm, said he also wants the clinic to serve as a way to create mentorship for law students in Chicago. Like Yang, Zhi was also born in China, and he lived in Canada before coming to the U.S.
“We were thinking how can we better help our community,” Zhi said. “How can we help the community and how do we build a long-term relationship that is through our work.”
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Attack ad, poll shift, six-figure donations bring heated Fox-O’Brien state’s attorney battle to a bo

Attack ad, poll shift, six-figure donations bring heated Fox-O’Brien state’s attorney battle to a boil

Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx is going on offense , ramping up her attacks on her Republican challenger ’ s record in a new ad to begin airing Tuesday — just as a new GOP poll shows the Democratic incumbent losing ground .
As the heated campaign enters the home stretch , the new ad attacking former Cook County Judge Pat O ’ Brien ’ s record as a prosecutor is scheduled to run on TV and streaming platforms just two weeks before the final votes are cast .
And Foxx also on Monday reported a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million dollars , the lion ’ s share from a couple of top Democratic donors .
The infusion helps Foxx level the playing field with O ’ Brien , who had been outraising the Democrat as of last week .
The incumbent prosecutor ’ s ad argues that O ’ Brien is “ pure Trump ” and wrong for Cook County .
But Republicans say O ’ Brien ’ s rise in the polls shows voters are deciding what ’ s wrong for voters are “ the disastrous policies of Kim Foxx.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ describes O ’ Brien and President Donald Trump as one in the same — “ angry ” Republicans who want to “ ‘ lock em up ’ regardless of evidence.
” “ O ’ Brien oversaw nearly 30 wrongful convictions as a prosecutor , including personally putting away four innocent black teenagers who , together , spent 47 years behind bars , helping make Chicago the false confession capitol , ” A female voice says over images of O ’ Brien speaking .
“ His angry rhetoric ?
Pure Trump .
His record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pat O ’ Brien ’ s wrong for state ’ s attorney.
” A spokeswoman for Foxx said that it ’ s important voters know that O ’ Brien “ is a Trump Republican who believes in the old ways of ‘ law and order ’ — locking people up without proper evidence.
” “ These policies of the past have proven to not make our communities any safer and ruin the lives of innocent individuals , ” Alex Sims , a spokeswoman for Foxx ’ s campaign , said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this , the choice is clear.
” Foxx has gone after O ’ Brien previously for his role as prosecutor in the case against four young men for the 1986 murder of medical student Lori Roscetti .
The four were later cleared on the basis of DNA evidence .
The former judge has said he agrees the “ criminal justice system failed those four men , ” but he defended his decisions , given the evidence available at the time , which included “ two court reported confessions ” and “ third party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others .
“ One of the four actually testified that in the final trial , that they had committed the offense , ” O ’ Brien said during a joint appearance last month .
O ’ Brien spokesman Brad Goodman said “ the only person in this campaign who participates in smears is Kim Foxx in an attempt to deceive voters from her record of failure.
” “ Under Kim Foxx , violent crimes are up , and convictions for violent crimes are down , ” Goodman said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not a 32-year-old case , overturned by DNA testing that wasn ’ t even available at the time .
Foxx ’ s only move is to politicize this case .
Unlike Kim Foxx , Pat will be a prosecutor that Cook County residents will be proud of , not a state ’ s attorney who engages in lies and deception.
” Republicans argue that voters are already making up their minds , pointing to a poll commissioned by the Cook County Republican Party .
Foxx was leading O ’ Brien , 47.1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still undecided in the poll .
The countywide survey of 473 likely voters was conducted Sunday .
The margin of error is plus or minus 3.69 percentage points .
“ Law-abiding residents from across Cook County have had enough of the rioting , looting , violent crime , murdered children and general lawlessness that has raged on across the city of Chicago and Cook County under the disastrous policies of Kim Foxx , ” Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison wrote in a Facebook post .
Sims said in a statement “ these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an electorate that doesn ’ t know about [ O ’ Brien ’ s ] record .
That doesn ’ t fit with reality.
” Fundraising numbers did work in Foxx ’ s favor on Monday .
Foxx reported an infusion of $ 249,600 , including $ 100,000 contributions from both Fred Eychaner , owner of Newsweb Corp. , and GCM Grosvenor chairman and CEO Michael Sacks .
Sacks is an investor in Sun-Times Media .
Before the flurry of donations , Foxx was facing the risk of being outspent nearly two-to-one by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Libertarian candidate Brian Dennehy .
Filings available late last week showed Foxx with roughly $ 216,590.45 to spend and O ’ Brien with $ 427,326.62 .
The former judge notified the Illinois State Board of Elections Wednesday that the contributions he ’ d made to his own campaign had reached $ 101,075.91 .
That lifted the limits on the size of contributions any of the candidates in the race can accept .
“ Pat O ’ Brien breaking the caps at this stage is something we anticipated and we ’ re ready to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s attorney , ” Sims said last week .

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is going on offense, ramping up her attacks on her Republican challenger’s record in a new ad to begin airing Tuesday — just as a new GOP poll shows the Democratic incumbent losing ground.
As the heated campaign enters the home stretch, the new ad attacking former Cook County Judge Pat O’Brien’s record as a prosecutor is scheduled to run on TV and streaming platforms just two weeks before the final votes are cast.
And Foxx also on Monday reported a major fundraising boost of nearly a quarter of a million dollars, the lion’s share from a couple of top Democratic donors. The infusion helps Foxx level the playing field with O’Brien, who had been outraising the Democrat as of last week.
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The incumbent prosecutor’s ad argues that O’Brien is “pure Trump” and wrong for Cook County. But Republicans say O’Brien’s rise in the polls shows voters are deciding what’s wrong for voters are “the disastrous policies of Kim Foxx.”
Foxx’s 30-second ad spot describes O’Brien and President Donald Trump as one in the same — “angry” Republicans who want to “‘lock em up’ regardless of evidence.”
“O’Brien oversaw nearly 30 wrongful convictions as a prosecutor, including personally putting away four innocent black teenagers who, together, spent 47 years behind bars, helping make Chicago the false confession capitol,” A female voice says over images of O’Brien speaking.
“His angry rhetoric? Pure Trump. His record as a prosecutor? Even worse. Pat O’Brien’s wrong for state’s attorney.”
Still image from Foxx campaign ad. Screen grab.
A spokeswoman for Foxx said that it’s important voters know that O’Brien “is a Trump Republican who believes in the old ways of ‘law and order’ — locking people up without proper evidence.”
“These policies of the past have proven to not make our communities any safer and ruin the lives of innocent individuals,” Alex Sims, a spokeswoman for Foxx’s campaign, said in a statement. “When Cook County voters see this, the choice is clear.”
Foxx has gone after O’Brien previously for his role as prosecutor in the case against four young men for the 1986 murder of medical student Lori Roscetti. The four were later cleared on the basis of DNA evidence.
The former judge has said he agrees the “criminal justice system failed those four men,” but he defended his decisions, given the evidence available at the time, which included “two court reported confessions” and “third party admissions” the men allegedly made to others.
“One of the four actually testified that in the final trial, that they had committed the offense,” O’Brien said during a joint appearance last month.
Calvin Ollins, right, is congratulated by Omar Saunders, left, and Larry Ollins, center, as Calvin is released from prison in 2001, after DNA tests proved there was no evidence linking the three in the rape and murder of medical student Lori Roscetti in 1986. M. Spencer Green/AP file
O’Brien spokesman Brad Goodman said “the only person in this campaign who participates in smears is Kim Foxx in an attempt to deceive voters from her record of failure.”
“Under Kim Foxx, violent crimes are up, and convictions for violent crimes are down,” Goodman said in a statement. “Voters are looking forward to the future, not a 32-year-old case, overturned by DNA testing that wasn’t even available at the time. Foxx’s only move is to politicize this case. Unlike Kim Foxx, Pat will be a prosecutor that Cook County residents will be proud of, not a state’s attorney who engages in lies and deception.”
Republicans argue that voters are already making up their minds, pointing to a poll commissioned by the Cook County Republican Party.
Foxx was leading O’Brien, 47.1% to 40.6% with 9.8% still undecided in the poll. The countywide survey of 473 likely voters was conducted Sunday. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.69 percentage points.
Republican candidate for Cook County state’s attorney Patrick W. ‘Pat’ O’Brien, left; Cook County Republican Chairman Sean M. Morrison, right. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
“Law-abiding residents from across Cook County have had enough of the rioting, looting, violent crime, murdered children and general lawlessness that has raged on across the city of Chicago and Cook County under the disastrous policies of Kim Foxx,” Cook County GOP Chairman Sean Morrison wrote in a Facebook post.
Sims said in a statement “these numbers from the GOP poll are from an electorate that doesn’t know about [O’Brien’s] record. That doesn’t fit with reality.”
Fundraising numbers did work in Foxx’s favor on Monday.
Foxx reported an infusion of $249,600, including $100,000 contributions from both Fred Eychaner, owner of Newsweb Corp., and GCM Grosvenor chairman and CEO Michael Sacks.
Sacks is an investor in Sun-Times Media.
Before the flurry of donations, Foxx was facing the risk of being outspent nearly two-to-one by her Republican rival. She also faces Libertarian candidate Brian Dennehy.
Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Brian Dennehy-Libertarian participates in an online endorsement interview with the Sun-Times Editorial Board. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Filings available late last week showed Foxx with roughly $216,590.45 to spend and O’Brien with $427,326.62.
The former judge notified the Illinois State Board of Elections Wednesday that the contributions he’d made to his own campaign had reached $101,075.91.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx speaks to reporters after winning the March primary. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Chicago Sun-Times
That lifted the limits on the size of contributions any of the candidates in the race can accept.
“Pat O’Brien breaking the caps at this stage is something we anticipated and we’re ready to communicate the stark difference between him and the state’s attorney,” Sims said last week.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--With COVID-19 on the rise, Americans have a right to know the details about vaccine spending

COVID-19 is surging to record levels in nearly every state , including Illinois , which on Monday reported over 3,000 new cases of the virus .
In Chicago , Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned that our city is on the verge of another strict Phase 3 lockdown — meaning no more indoor restaurant dining , for one , and no social gatherings of more than 10 people — if cases continue to surge past the current average of over 500 a day .
“ I don ’ t want to go there , particularly for those who are in business , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a very difficult year , ” Lightfoot said .
“ But I ’ ve got to do what is right to protect us from this virus.
” Meanwhile , what does President Donald Trump do , on the same day ?
He makes derogatory remarks about the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert , Dr. Anthony Fauci .
“ People are tired of listening to Fauci and these idiots , ” Trump said .
“ Every day he goes on television , there ’ s always a bomb , but there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire him .
.
.
Fauci is a disaster.
” In a sense , we expect no better from Trump , an incompetent blowhard who repeatedly downplays this virus as no worse than the flu and holds campaign rallies with hundreds of maskless supporters .
We would say Trump has now hit rock bottom by insulting Fauci .
But there truly is no bottom with this president .
No matter how weary we are of mask-wearing , hand-washing , social distancing and weekends without social gatherings , those steps are our best defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available .
A vaccine that is safe , effective and affordable .
A vaccine that enough Americans will take to finally get this pandemic under control , for good .
But the Trump administration , it seems , is doing its best to make Americans — nearly half of whom have already told pollsters that they won ’ t take the shot — even more skeptical of a vaccine .
Last month , you will recall , the administration signaled the possibility of an “ October surprise ” vaccine , conveniently available right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , was a lie .
Now , the Trump administration is making matter worse , if that ’ s possible , by fighting to keep critical information about its $ 10 billion vaccine development initiative secret , as NPR recently reported .
For months , the Trump administration has refused to provide lawmakers with detailed information on its coronavirus spending .
Most importantly , that includes the details of more than $ 6 billion in contracts awarded to pharmaceutical companies that are developing a vaccine .
The stonewalling , as one consumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” That $ 6 billion in contracts was awarded through a private firm acting on behalf of the government , an unusual move that leaves the details shrouded in secrecy , as NPR found .
Contracts awarded via the private contractor , Advanced Technologies International , include $ 1.6 billion for Novavax , $ 1.95 billion for Pfizer , $ 1.79 billion for Sanofi and $ 1 billion for Johnson & Johnson .
“ We don ’ t know the rewards or the incentives that the companies are getting , which might drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe do things inappropriately , ” Rick Bright , a leading vaccine scientist who formerly worked on the federal vaccine effort , told NPR .
“ There ’ s no reason to hide what ’ s in those agreements at all.
” Bright was ousted as director of the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority after he filed a whistleblower complaint about political interference into coronavirus decision-making .
If scientists are sounding the alarm , the public ought to listen .
“ The secrecy opens a huge window for self-dealing and waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Citizen , a nonprofit consumer advocacy group , told us last week .
“ We don ’ t know if [ contracting ] decisions are science-based or based on [ potential ] private benefit .
Self-dealing , waste of taxpayer corruption , safety of the vaccine — they ’ re all issues here.
” Lawmakers have proposed legislation requiring these contracts to be included in a public database of coronavirus spending .
The bill has gone nowhere , and we expect it will remain stalled until voters toss President Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America prepares for another winter with COVID-19 , we ’ re willing to spend billions to develop a safe , effective and affordable vaccine .
And we deserve to rest assured that those billions will get us to that goal .

COVID-19 is surging to record levels in nearly every state, including Illinois, which on Monday reported over 3,000 new cases of the virus.
In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned that our city is on the verge of another strict Phase 3 lockdown — meaning no more indoor restaurant dining, for one, and no social gatherings of more than 10 people — if cases continue to surge past the current average of over 500 a day.
“I don’t want to go there, particularly for those who are in business, the small businesses who have already suffered through a very difficult year,” Lightfoot said. “But I’ve got to do what is right to protect us from this virus.”
Editorials bug Editorials
Meanwhile, what does President Donald Trump do, on the same day? He makes derogatory remarks about the nation’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci.
“People are tired of listening to Fauci and these idiots,” Trump said. “Every day he goes on television, there’s always a bomb, but there’s a bigger bomb if you fire him . . . Fauci is a disaster.”
In a sense, we expect no better from Trump, an incompetent blowhard who repeatedly downplays this virus as no worse than the flu and holds campaign rallies with hundreds of maskless supporters.
Opinion Newsletter
We would say Trump has now hit rock bottom by insulting Fauci. But there truly is no bottom with this president.
Secrecy on vaccine development
No matter how weary we are of mask-wearing, hand-washing, social distancing and weekends without social gatherings, those steps are our best defense against COVID-19 until a vaccine becomes widely available.
A vaccine that is safe, effective and affordable. A vaccine that enough Americans will take to finally get this pandemic under control, for good.
But the Trump administration, it seems, is doing its best to make Americans — nearly half of whom have already told pollsters that they won’t take the shot — even more skeptical of a vaccine.
Last month, you will recall, the administration signaled the possibility of an “October surprise” vaccine, conveniently available right before Election Day. That, of course, was a lie.
Now, the Trump administration is making matters worse, if that’s possible, by fighting to keep critical information about its $10 billion vaccine development initiative secret, as NPR recently reported.
For months, the Trump administration has refused to provide lawmakers with detailed information on its coronavirus spending. Most importantly, that includes the details of more than $6 billion in contracts awarded to pharmaceutical companies that are developing a vaccine.
The stonewalling, as one consumer advocate told us, is “unprecedented.”
That $6 billion in contracts was awarded through a private firm acting on behalf of the government, an unusual move that leaves the details shrouded in secrecy, as NPR found. Contracts awarded via the private contractor, Advanced Technologies International, include $1.6 billion for Novavax, $1.95 billion for Pfizer, $1.79 billion for Sanofi and $1 billion for Johnson & Johnson.
“We don’t know the rewards or the incentives that the companies are getting, which might drive some companies to take additional risk or maybe do things inappropriately,” Rick Bright, a leading vaccine scientist who formerly worked on the federal vaccine effort, told NPR. “There’s no reason to hide what’s in those agreements at all.”
Bright was ousted as director of the federal Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority after he filed a whistleblower complaint about political interference into coronavirus decision-making.
If scientists are sounding the alarm, the public ought to listen.
“The secrecy opens a huge window for self-dealing and waste of taxpayer dollars,” Craig Holman of Public Citizen, a nonprofit consumer advocacy group, told us last week. “We don’t know if [contracting] decisions are science-based or based on [potential] private benefit. Self-dealing, waste of taxpayer corruption, safety of the vaccine — they’re all issues here.”
Lawmakers have proposed legislation requiring these contracts to be included in a public database of coronavirus spending. The bill has gone nowhere, and we expect it will remain stalled until voters toss President Trump and his administration out of office.
As America prepares for another winter with COVID-19, we’re willing to spend billions to develop a safe, effective and affordable vaccine.
And we deserve to rest assured that those billions will get us to that goal.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com