chicagosun-times--2020-12-10--National Guard to be sent to veterans homes hit by coronavirus outbreaks

Veterans homes dealing with coronavirus outbreaks will receive help from members of the Illinois National Guard , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Thursday as his administration looks to curb a rise in cases at the longterm care facilities .
The Guard is on the ground at the LaSalle Veterans ’ Home — which has had 33 residents die from the virus — and will be sent Monday to facilities in Quincy and Manteno , Pritzker said .
They will provide staff support for screening and handling testing data .
“ … Here in Illinois , we will leave no stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most vulnerable , especially those who lived to serve , ” Pritzker said at his Thursday briefing on the coronavirus .
So far , 55 veterans at the Quincy home have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday — and a total of 125 residents and staff have recovered from the virus .
At the Manteno home , 18 residents and 33 employees have tested positive for the virus since August , according to an update from the state ’ s Department of Veterans ’ Affairs dated Thursday .
Two residents at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus .
Earlier this week , Pritzker brushed off a question about the National Guard being sent to the LaSalle Veterans ’ Home .
But at Thursday ’ s briefing , he apologized for being dismissive and said he ’ d “ directed every member of my administration to move quickly to respond with every available resource to assist [ the Illinois Department of Veterans ’ Affairs ] , and [ the ] National Guard was asked to be of assistance before I was made aware.
” News of the Guard being sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NPR Illinois .
The move follows the Monday firing of Angela Mehlbrech , who served as administrator of the LaSalle Veterans ’ Home .
As of Thursday , 38 of 93 residents have currently tested positive for the virus , along with three staff members , the governor said .
The state Department of Veterans ’ Affairs said in a statement Monday the personnel change follows the announcement of an independent investigation into the outbreak at the home led by the acting inspector general of the Illinois Department of Human Services .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two reports that detailed problems in the facility , including ineffective hand sanitizer , employees showing up for work after testing positive for the coronavirus and inadequate “ hand hygiene ” practiced by employees .
Asked if there was specific information that led to Mehlbrech ’ s firing , Pritzker said there have been “ lots of pieces of information.
” “ I think we ’ ve been actually very transparent about the things that we ’ ve learned so far , ” Pritzker said .
“ There ’ s certainly more that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to do is make sure that we ’ re keeping the residents as safe as humanly possible , and if there were failures of management there … those are things of great concern to me .
I want to make sure that we plug all of those holes and making sure that we have the right management helps do that .
”

Veterans homes dealing with coronavirus outbreaks will receive help from members of the Illinois National Guard, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday as his administration looks to curb a rise in cases at the long-term care facilities.
The Guard is on the ground at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home — which has had 33 residents die from the virus — and will be sent Monday to facilities in Quincy and Manteno, Pritzker said.
They will provide staff support for screening and handling testing data.
“… Here in Illinois, we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to safeguard our most vulnerable, especially those who lived to serve,” Pritzker said at his Thursday briefing on the coronavirus.
So far, 55 veterans at the Quincy home have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday — and a total of 125 residents and staff have recovered from the virus. At the Manteno home, 18 residents and 33 employees have tested positive for the virus since August, according to an update from the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs dated Thursday.
Two residents at the Manteno facility have died from the coronavirus.
Earlier this week, Pritzker brushed off a question about the National Guard being sent to the LaSalle Veterans’ Home.
But at Thursday’s briefing, he apologized for being dismissive and said he’d “directed every member of my administration to move quickly to respond with every available resource to assist [the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs], and [the] National Guard was asked to be of assistance before I was made aware.”
News of the Guard being sent to the homes was first reported by NPR Illinois.
The move follows the Monday firing of Angela Mehlbrech, who served as administrator of the LaSalle Veterans’ Home. As of Thursday, 38 of 93 residents have currently tested positive for the virus, along with three staff members, the governor said.
The state Department of Veterans’ Affairs said in a statement Monday the personnel change follows the announcement of an independent investigation into the outbreak at the home led by the acting inspector general of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
That investigation was launched after the release of two reports that detailed problems in the facility, including ineffective hand sanitizer, employees showing up for work after testing positive for the coronavirus and inadequate “hand hygiene” practiced by employees.
Asked if there was specific information that led to Mehlbrech’s firing, Pritzker said there have been “lots of pieces of information.”
“I think we’ve been actually very transparent about the things that we’ve learned so far,” Pritzker said. “There’s certainly more that we can learn, but what I want to do is make sure that we’re keeping the residents as safe as humanly possible, and if there were failures of management there … those are things of great concern to me. I want to make sure that we plug all of those holes and making sure that we have the right management help do that.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-10--Bears injuries: Khalil Mack, Buster Skrine, Darnell Mooney still out

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack missed practice for the second-straight day Thursday with a shoulder injury , though defensive coordinator Chuck @ @ @ @ @ particularly concerned .
“ It ’ s part of the game , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ right by Sunday , goes out there and does it all over again , and @ @ @ @ @ to get healed up and go out there next Sunday.
” The Bears other injuries @ @ @ @ @ day before — short of punt returner DeAndre Carter being put on the NFL ’ @ @ @ @ @ cornerback Buster Skrine remains in concussion protocol .
Wide receiver Darnell Mooney has missed two-straight @ @ @ @ @ Outside linebacker James Vaughters remained out with a knee problem .
Tight end Jimmy Graham @ @ @ @ @ and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan all returned to practice after being given Wednesday off fora @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been on a similar program all year .

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack missed practice for a second straight day Thursday with a shoulder injury, though defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano didn’t sound particularly concerned.
“It’s part of the game,” he said. “He gets himself right by Sunday, goes out there and does it all over again, then finds himself a way to get healed up and go out there next Sunday.”
The Bears’ other injuries remained the same from the day before — short of punt returner DeAndre Carter being put on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list.
Slot cornerback Buster Skrine remains in the concussion protocol, wide receiver Darnell Mooney has missed two straight practices for personal reasons and outside linebacker James Vaughters remained out with a knee problem.
Tight end Jimmy Graham, defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and inside linebacker Danny Trevathan all returned to practice after being given Wednesday off for a veteran rest day. They’ve been on a similar program all year.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Hear the call of ‘The Wilds,’ a deeply involving soap about teen girls on their own

It ’ s impossible not to draw comparisons to “ Lost ” and “ The Lord of the Flies ” and even “ The Truman Show ” when watching the ambitious and cutting-edge series “ The Wilds , ” a 10-part survivalist soap opera on Amazon Prime .
• A plane flying over the Pacific Ocean crashes , with a diverse group of passengers miraculously surviving and finding themselves stranded on a remote island that looks like paradise but contains dark secrets .
We learn the back stories of the survivors in flashbacks to their lives before the crash .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to establish some sort of democracy and work together for the common good , but it ’ s not long before they ’ re at each other ’ s throats .
• Something feels … not quite right on the island .
There are too many convenient developments , as if someone is manipulating events from afar and might even be watching their every move .
What ’ s so impressive about “ The Wilds ” is how creator Sarah Streicher ( “ Daredevil ” ) and the deeply talented young cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly and create an almost instant interest and empathy for these eight teenage girls , who on the surface seem to represent various archetypes — the Olympic hopeful , the antisocial bookworm , the quick intense lesbian , the Texas pageant princess , etc .
— but turn out to be so much more than what their Instagram bios say .
Filmed on the North Island of New Zealand and on massive sound stages for the nighttime scenes , “ The Wilds ” features breathtakingly beautiful settings that would have the girls whipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minute were it not for the fact the island feels like a prison .
( Also , the few phones that survive the crash die out before anyone can call for help . )
The group was on a chartered plane heading to some kind of girl-power , self-esteem boosting retreat called the Dawn of Eve in Hawaii when the plane hit heavy turbulence and crashed just off the coast of an uninhabited island .
Turns out each one of these girls had been experiencing some serious trauma back home and they weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accident , and I ’ ll leave it at that .
“ The Wilds ” tells us from the start the girls will get off that island — but at what cost , and for what purpose ?
In the opening scene , we ’ re in an interrogation room , as a condescending investigator ( David Sullivan ) explains to a traumatized and bruised girl named Leah ( Sarah Pidgeon ) that the quarantine will be over soon and her parents are on the way .
We see quick-cuts of intense scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Just to be clear , our primary goal is to conduct an investigation .
There ’ s a lot of haze surrounding your circumstances that we just want to clarify.
” She ’ ll soon be able to return to her life , he assures her .
“ What was so f -- -ing great about the lives we left behind ?
” says Leah , and from there we get our first glimpses of the eight survivors , including Olympic high-dive hopeful Rachel ( Reign Edwards ) and her whip-smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Helena Howard ) ; the tough-talking outcast Dot ( Shannon Berry ) , who is caregiver to her terminally ill father ( Greg Byrk ) ; the evangelical optimist Shelby ( Mia Healey ) ; the hot-tempered Toni ( Erana James ) ; the quiet and sweet Martha ( Jenna Clause ) , and the gorgeous and narcissistic Fatin ( Sophia Ali ) , who packed her thousand-dollar suitcase with makeup and condoms and designer T-shirts .
As the survivors embark on the usual stranded-on-an-island rituals — rationing the little food and drink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , trying to build a shelter — alliances are forged ( and broken ) and hidden truths emerge .
In addition to the engrossing flashback sequences that add so much depth and context to what ’ s happening on the island , we ’ re introduced to one Gretchen Klein ( Rachel Griffiths ) , a controversial and slightly mad researcher who is the architect of the Dawn of Eve retreat and has a keen interest in everything that happens to the survivors .
It ’ s complicated , and at times it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to becoming overwrought , but the writing is strong and the performances are earnest and indelible .
“ The Wilds ” isn ’ t afraid to take chances .
Gretchen actually invokes the word “ gynotopia ” to describe a world in which women take their rightful place atop the hierarchy .
Robyn Hitchcock ’ s version of the Psychedelic Furs ’ “ The Ghost in You ” is featured prominently in one episode that centers on Leah ’ s sexual history with a man nearly twice her age — a man who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was 18 .
The girls find the torso of a mannequin and name it Marcus , a la Wilson the volleyball in “ Castaway.
” There ’ s a shark in the water .
This is one strange and compelling and provocative and deeply involving impromptu sleepover .

It’s impossible not to draw comparisons to “Lost” and “The Lord of the Flies” and even “The Truman Show” when watching the ambitious and cutting-edge series “The Wilds,” a 10-part survivalist soap opera on Amazon Prime.
‘The Wilds’
Untitled A 10-episode series now streaming on Amazon Prime. The first episode may be seen free on the Amazon Prime Video YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts through Dec. 25.
• A plane flying over the Pacific Ocean crashes, with a diverse group of passengers miraculously surviving and finding themselves stranded on a remote island that looks like paradise but contains dark secrets. We learn the back stories of the survivors in flashbacks to their lives before the crash.
Checkmark the “Lost” box.
• Young people stranded on an island attempt to establish some sort of democracy and work together for the common good, but it’s not long before they’re at each other’s throats.
Checkmark “The Lord of the Flies” box.
• Something feels … not quite right on the island. There are too many convenient developments, as if someone is manipulating events from afar and might even be watching their every move.
Checkmark “The Truman Show” box.
Helena Howard (from left), Mia Healey, Shannon Berry, Sophia Ali, Reign Edwards and Sarah Pidgeon star on “The Wilds.” Amazon Studios
What’s so impressive about “The Wilds” is how creator Sarah Streicher (“Daredevil”) and the deeply talented young cast members immerse us in this world so quickly and create an almost instant interest and empathy for these eight teenage girls, who on the surface seem to represent various archetypes — the Olympic hopeful, the antisocial bookworm, the quick intense lesbian, the Texas pageant princess, etc. — but turn out to be so much more than what their Instagram bios say.
Filmed on the North Island of New Zealand and on massive sound stages for the nighttime scenes, “The Wilds” features breathtakingly beautiful settings that would have the girls whipping out their phones and snapping shots every minute were it not for the fact the island feels like a prison. (Also, the few phones that survive the crash die out before anyone can call for help.) The group was on a chartered plane heading to some kind of girl-power, self-esteem boosting retreat called the Dawn of Eve in Hawaii when the plane hit heavy turbulence and crashed just off the coast of an uninhabited island. Turns out each one of these girls had been experiencing some serious trauma back home and they weren’t selected for this trip by accident, and I’ll leave it at that.
Her ruined phone is of no use to Leah (Sarah Pidgeon) on “The Wilds.” Amazon Studios
“The Wilds” tells us from the start the girls will get off that island — but at what cost, and for what purpose? In the opening scene, we’re in an interrogation room, as a condescending investigator (David Sullivan) explains to a traumatized and bruised girl named Leah (Sarah Pidgeon) that the quarantine will be over soon and her parents are on the way. We see quick-cuts of intense scenes on the island as the investigator continues: “Just to be clear, our primary goal is to conduct an investigation. There’s a lot of haze surrounding your circumstances that we just want to clarify.” She’ll soon be able to return to her life, he assures her.
“What was so f---ing great about the lives we left behind?” says Leah, and from there we get our first glimpses of the eight survivors, including Olympic high-dive hopeful Rachel (Reign Edwards) and her whip-smart and socially awkward twin sister Nora (Helena Howard); the tough-talking outcast Dot (Shannon Berry), who is caregiver to her terminally ill father (Greg Byrk); the evangelical optimist Shelby (Mia Healey); the hot-tempered Toni (Erana James); the quiet and sweet Martha (Jenna Clause), and the gorgeous and narcissistic Fatin (Sophia Ali), who packed her thousand-dollar suitcase with makeup and condoms and designer T-shirts.
As the survivors embark on the usual stranded-on-an-island rituals — rationing the little food and drink they have, searching for fresh water, trying to build a shelter — alliances are forged (and broken) and hidden truths emerge. In addition to the engrossing flashback sequences that add so much depth and context to what’s happening on the island, we’re introduced to one Gretchen Klein (Rachel Griffiths), a controversial and slightly mad researcher who is the architect of the Dawn of Eve retreat and has a keen interest in everything that happens to the survivors. It’s complicated, and at times it’s deeply melodramatic and comes close to becoming overwrought, but the writing is strong and the performances are earnest and indelible.
“The Wilds” isn’t afraid to take chances. Gretchen actually invokes the word “gynotopia” to describe a world in which women take their rightful place atop the hierarchy. Robyn Hitchcock’s version of the Psychedelic Furs’ “The Ghost in You” is featured prominently in one episode that centers on Leah’s sexual history with a man nearly twice her age — a man who believed 16-year-old Leah when she lied and said she was 18. The girls find the torso of a mannequin and name it Marcus, a la Wilson the volleyball in “Castaway.” There’s a shark in the water.
This is one strange and compelling and provocative and deeply involving impromptu sleepover.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Dear Abby: Teen is disgusted that her dad, 50, is dating a 19-year-old

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m really uncomfortable about my father ’ s new relationship .
He is 50 and dating a girl who is 19 — only two years older than I am .
She went to my high school .
I think their age difference is disgusting .
He knows how I feel about it , and he doesn ’ t care .
We fought , and I told him I wouldn ’ t talk to him anymore .
I would rather live with my mom full time than spend half my time at his house .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him in more than a month , and I am hurt that he would choose his girlfriend over me .
My father and I were never super close , but we had a decent relationship .
I looked up to him .
Without him in my life I feel like something is missing .
I have tried to get over how I feel and force myself to accept the situation regardless of how uncomfortable it makes me feel , but I just can ’ t !
I have lost respect for him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
How can I take his parental advice seriously or listen when he tries to discipline me when he is dating someone my age ?
It makes me wonder if he treats his girlfriend like his daughter and tries to parent her , too — which is just creepy .
What can I do to feel better ?
— HATES DAD ’ S TEEN ROMANCE DEAR HATES : I would love to know how that girl ’ s parents feel about this love match .
Your father may be flattered that someone so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Being with her may make him forget that he ’ s 31 years older — past middle age — and think he ’ s a cool young dude again .
When there is that great an age difference , the older person is usually the one calling the shots , and the balance of power in the relationship is unequal .
If your father is parenting her , it may be because she needs a “ daddy ” and it makes him feel important .
You ’ ll start feeling better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t control what your father does and realize that his relationship with your contemporary may not last .
In the meantime , focus on your studies .
DEAR ABBY : The world seems bleak to many of us who are self-quarantined .
I ordered quarts of ice cream from a local ice cream company , picked them up at the store with coolers and ice packs in my car and delivered them to the front doors of several friends .
As I was driving away , I called and told them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all surprised and pleased to have a little pick-me-up for their day .
Last night , one of these friends dropped off cinnamon rolls .
She knocked and left .
She wanted them to be at our house for breakfast today .
Neither of these were big , expensive items , but they brought a smile when there isn ’ t much to smile about these days .
— PAY IT FORWARD IN THE SOUTH DEAR PAY IT : Comfort food comes in many forms — ice cream , baked goods of every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s all the more tasty when shared among friends as you have described .
All of these quick fixes work , at least for a little while .
I am now trying to repent from my torrid affair with pralines ’ n ’ cream ice cream .
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 .
For an excellent guide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I’m really uncomfortable about my father’s new relationship. He is 50 and dating a girl who is 19 — only two years older than I am. She went to my high school.
I think their age difference is disgusting. He knows how I feel about it, and he doesn’t care. We fought, and I told him I wouldn’t talk to him anymore. I would rather live with my mom full time than spend half my time at his house.
I haven’t seen or spoken to him in more than a month, and I am hurt that he would choose his girlfriend over me. My father and I were never super close, but we had a decent relationship. I looked up to him.
Without him in my life I feel like something is missing. I have tried to get over how I feel and force myself to accept the situation regardless of how uncomfortable it makes me feel, but I just can’t! I have lost respect for him. I feel like he is a pervert.
How can I take his parental advice seriously or listen when he tries to discipline me when he is dating someone my age? It makes me wonder if he treats his girlfriend like his daughter and tries to parent her, too — which is just creepy. What can I do to feel better? — HATES DAD’S TEEN ROMANCE
DEAR HATES: I would love to know how that girl’s parents feel about this love match. Your father may be flattered that someone so young would have a romantic interest in him. Being with her may make him forget that he’s 31 years older — past middle age — and think he’s a cool young dude again.
When there is that great an age difference, the older person is usually the one calling the shots, and the balance of power in the relationship is unequal. If your father is parenting her, it may be because she needs a “daddy” and it makes him feel important.
You’ll start feeling better as soon as you accept that you can’t control what your father does and realize that his relationship with your contemporary may not last. In the meantime, focus on your studies.
DEAR ABBY: The world seems bleak to many of us who are self-quarantined. I ordered quarts of ice cream from a local ice cream company, picked them up at the store with coolers and ice packs in my car and delivered them to the front doors of several friends. As I was driving away, I called and told them to check their porch. They were all surprised and pleased to have a little pick-me-up for their day.
Last night, one of these friends dropped off cinnamon rolls. She knocked and left. She wanted them to be at our house for breakfast today. Neither of these were big, expensive items, but they brought a smile when there isn’t much to smile about these days. — PAY IT FORWARD IN THE SOUTH
DEAR PAY IT: Comfort food comes in many forms — ice cream, baked goods of every variety, chocolate. And it’s all the more tasty when shared among friends as you have described. All of these quick fixes work, at least for a little while. I am now trying to repent from my torrid affair with pralines ’n’ cream ice cream.
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.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Nearly 900 CTA workers have had COVID-19; 18 of them drove the busy No. 79 or No. 49 bus routes

Two of the CTA ’ s busiest bus routes — the No .
79 that runs along 79th Street and the No .
49 on Western Avenue — have recorded the most coronavirus cases among bus drivers , with nine drivers on each run falling ill over a six-month span , records show .
Three other routes — the No .
4 , No .
8 and No .
22 — each saw eight CTA drivers infected with COVID-19 over the same period .
Four more routes — the No .
3 , No .
20 , No .
29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers each diagnosed with the virus .
Together , those nine routes carried more than 65,000 riders on the average weekday in September .
Thirty-three CTA L operators reported catching the coronavirus during the same six-month period .
Eleven worked the Red Line before reporting their illness and 11 the Blue Line .
Both rail lines operate 24 hours a day .
CTA employees were among those deemed essential to stay on the job as the pandemic exploded .
Between mid-March and mid-September , 470 of them reported testing positive , records obtained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 % of the government agency ’ s workforce of nearly 11,000 people .
Since September , 400 more CTA employees have been diagnosed , according to Catherine Hosinski , a spokeswoman for the mass transit agency , though their job assignments weren ’ t released .
Eight CTA employees have died after testing positive for the coronavirus , records show .
The CTA hasn ’ t been conducting contact tracing to try to determine a potential path of the virus , so it ’ s difficult to say whether its employees got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have passed it along .
“ Contract tracing falls under the purview of public health agencies .
.
.
responsible for leading case investigations , contact tracing and outbreak investigations , ” according to the CTA .
There are no reports “ that we ’ re aware of ” of passengers who think they might have become infected from a CTA bus driver or L operator , Hosinski says .
Records the agency released indicate the last route a bus driver was on before reporting having tested positive .
But it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other runs before then , as some operators bounce between routes .
And some who got sick had been off-duty for a while when they tested positive .
“ The number of positive cases among personnel have been spread throughout the agency , ” Hosinski says .
“ We are not aware of any hot spots or notable outliers among the work locations.
” • The employees who died from coronavirus were assigned to the following bus routes on their final day on the job : No .
4 , No .
20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
82 .
Two workers were in vehicle maintenance .
One performed “ miscellaneous operations support tasks.
” • Fifteen employees reported testing positive on May 26 — the highest single-day total in the six months for which the CTA provided records .
May was the heaviest month for cases for the CTA , with 156 employees falling ill .
The Amalgamated Transit Union , which represents most CTA employees , wants “ hazard pay ” for the agency ’ s workers .
But the CTA says its union contracts “ do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public health crisis.
” The union also says the CTA hasn ’ t done enough to protect employees or notify co-workers of those infected .
Keith Hill , president of ATU Local 241 , which represents bus employees , says , “ There ’ s not enough service out there to accommodate the passenger load.
” Hill also says bus drivers are put in a tough spot to enforce a ridership cap and mask rule — which many riders ignore .
“ We have people boarding every day coughing and spitting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing we can do , ” he says .
According to the CTA : “ All bus operators sit behind a plexiglass shield and have little direct interaction with customers in the few seconds it takes to board and pay their fares .
That said , every effort has been and continues to be made to minimize the potential hazards that may still occur during these limited interactions .
Among the measures we ’ ve implemented to better protect our frontline workers has been the distribution of PPE to all employees ( including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face shields , disinfectant cleaners , etc . )
, increased cleaning of facilities and vehicles , enforcing social distancing requirements in the workplace and making adjustments to our day-to-day operations , such as vehicle capacity limits.
” Citing studies , Hosinski says , “ There ’ s limited evidence to say that transit is a spreader of coronavirus ” in a significant way .
On 40-foot buses , pandemic rules generally allow 15 riders , Hosinski says .
On 60-footers , it ’ s 22 .
CTA buses and trains have operated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic , but ridership has plummeted .
In September , the number of bus passengers was down 60 % over 2019 .
The CTA projects revenue will fall nearly $ 400 million in 2020 .

Two of the CTA’s busiest bus routes — the No. 79 that runs along 79th Street and the No. 49 on Western Avenue — have recorded the most coronavirus cases among bus drivers, with nine drivers on each run falling ill over a six-month span, records show.
Three other routes — the No. 4, No. 8 and No. 22 — each saw eight CTA drivers infected with COVID-19 over the same period.
Four more routes — the No. 3, No. 20, No. 29 and No. 72 — had seven drivers each diagnosed with the virus.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Together, those nine routes carried more than 65,000 riders on the average weekday in September.
Thirty-three CTA L operators reported catching the coronavirus during the same six-month period. Eleven worked the Red Line before reporting their illness and 11 the Blue Line. Both rail lines operate 24 hours a day.
CTA employees were among those deemed essential to stay on the job as the pandemic exploded. Between mid-March and mid-September, 470 of them reported testing positive, records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show — about 4% of the government agency’s workforce of nearly 11,000 people.
Since September, 400 more CTA employees have been diagnosed, according to Catherine Hosinski, a spokeswoman for the mass transit agency, though their job assignments weren’t released.
Eight CTA employees have died after testing positive for the coronavirus, records show.
The No. 49 bus, which operates on Western Avenue. Nine CTA bus operators who were infected with the coronavirus reported that was the last route they worked. It’s among the CTA’s busiest bus routes. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
The CTA hasn’t been conducting contact tracing, so it’s impossible to say whether employees got the virus on the job or could have passed it along.
But spokesman Brian Steele says the CTA requires employees to report “if they test positive for COVID-19 and to also identify coworkers who were close contacts.” He says the CTA tells those employees “to remain at home for 14 days from the date of last contact” and advises those with possible symptoms to stay home and check with their doctor.
There are no reports “that we’re aware of” of passengers who think they might have become infected from a CTA bus driver or L operator, Hosinski says.
Records the agency released indicate the last route a bus driver was on before reporting having tested positive. But it’s possible those drivers had been working other runs before then. Some operators bounce between routes. And some who got sick had been off-duty for a while when they tested positive.
“We are not aware of any hot spots or notable outliers among the work locations,” Hosinski says.
The Blue Line was the last place 11 CTA L operators worked before reporting they tested positive for the coronavirus between mid-March and mid-September. The Red Line had the same number. Brian Ernst / Sun-Times
Records show:
The employees who died from coronavirus were assigned to the following bus routes on their final day on the job: No. 4, No. 20, No. N20, No. 72 and No. 82. Two workers were in vehicle maintenance. One performed “miscellaneous operations support tasks.”
Fifteen employees reported testing positive on May 26 — the highest single-day total in the six months for which the CTA provided records. May was the heaviest month for cases for the CTA, with 156 employees falling ill.
The Amalgamated Transit Union, which represents most CTA employees, wants “hazard pay” for the agency’s workers. But the CTA says its union contracts “do not provide premium pay for working during a public health crisis.”
The union also says the CTA hasn’t done enough to protect employees or notify co-workers of those infected.
Keith Hill, president of ATU Local 241, which represents bus employees, says, “There’s not enough service out there to accommodate the passenger load.”
Hill also says bus drivers are put in a tough spot to enforce a ridership cap and mask rule — which many riders ignore.
“We have people boarding every day coughing and spitting on the bus, and there’s nothing we can do,” he says.
According to the CTA: “All bus operators sit behind a plexiglass shield and have little direct interaction with customers in the few seconds it takes to board and pay their fares. That said, every effort has been and continues to be made to minimize the potential hazards that may still occur during these limited interactions. Among the measures we’ve implemented to better protect our frontline workers has been the distribution of PPE to all employees (including masks, hand sanitizer, gloves, face shields, disinfectant cleaners, etc.), increased cleaning of facilities and vehicles, enforcing social distancing requirements in the workplace and making adjustments to our day-to-day operations, such as vehicle capacity limits.”
Citing studies, Hosinski says, “There’s limited evidence to say that transit is a spreader of coronavirus” in a significant way.
On 40-foot buses, pandemic rules generally allow 15 riders, Hosinski says. On 60-footers, it’s 22.
CTA buses and trains have operated for the most part on normal schedules during the pandemic, but ridership has plummeted. In September, the number of bus passengers was down 60% over 2019.
The CTA projects revenue will fall nearly $400 million in 2020.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--‘Epic failure’ of Illinois’ legal weed backers in Springfield to keep promises on diversity

Nearly a year after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois , the state has failed to meet its promised diversity goals for the businesses licensed to be part of what ’ s expected to be a billion-dollar industry .
Backers of the law , which took effect last Jan. 1 , promised to take steps to bolster minority ownership in response to calls for the racial and ethnic groups most harmed by the federal government ’ s long war on drugs to be given a greater opportunity to be part of the expected cash cow .
But there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that counts a person of color as a majority owner .
Legal weed in Illinois continues to be dominated by a small group of white-owned , financially well-backed corporations .
State Rep. La Shawn Ford , D-Chicago , says Illinois ’ efforts to boost social equity in its weed industry so far have amounted to “ an epic failure.
” He traces that to the state ’ s decision to give a head start to those already in the industry in Illinois : the owners of licensed medical cannabis businesses , who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recreational marijuana .
“ There is nothing for us to be proud of as it relates to the rollout of cannabis , ” says Ford , who represents parts of the West Side in Springfield .
It ’ s “ how capitalism works , ” says attorney Akele Parnell of the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights , who says the social equity applicants whose efforts he has worked for will “ never have a fair share in the industry.
” “ We ’ ve just seen the benefits accrued to the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin with , well-connected , ” Parnell says .
“ That ’ s not what we intended to accomplish with legalization .
But it does seem like that ’ s where we ’ re going to end up , based on how we set up the program.
” For those already in the industry , business is booming amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Dispensaries in Illinois have sold $ 580 million of recreational marijuana over the first 11 months of the year , according to state regulators , and more than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jank , the manager of consulting services of the Brightfield Group , a cannabis research firm in the Loop , expects total sales of legal marijuana in Illinois will hit $ 1 billion for the full year , surpassing predictions .
Ford is part of a legislative working group he says is trying to remedy problems with legalization .
But he says he thinks the efforts to create social equity in the cannabis industry are a pipe dream and predicts that the current group of marijuana companies will “ always dominate ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal weed giants Cresco Labs , PharmaCann and Green Thumb Industries , known as GTI , and other big companies that already are engaged in a cycle of consolidation .
Cresco , GTI and PharmaCann are among the growing number of legal weed businesses partnering with Innovative Industrial Properties , a publicly traded real estate investment trust known for short as IIP that ’ s become a key player in the industry even as it remains outside state regulators ’ scope because it doesn ’ t have any ownership stake in the marijuana-producing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ San Diego-based IIP buys cultivation centers , then leases them back to cultivators .
Those arrangements have been vital for growers to be able to tap more capital while expanding their reach .
IIP has now bought six of Illinois ’ 21 lucrative legal weed growhouses .
The operators of those large-scale cultivation centers are allowed to hold only three state licenses .
But the legalization law doesn ’ t apply to IIP because it doesn ’ t operate them .
The company is looking to keep growing , spokesman Ben Regan says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an opportunity to expand our footprint in Illinois with a tenant-partner we like , we will pursue that opportunity.
” IIP now has properties in at least 16 states and a market capitalization of $ 3.4 billion .
It most recently attracted backing from the so-called Big Three investment fund management firms — BlackRock , the Vanguard Group and State Street Corporation .
Their investments are perhaps the clearest indication yet of how big the potential of Illinois ’ cannabis industry is seen to be .
That they ’ re bullish on legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that IIP ’ s stock value has skyrocketed by roughly 100 % this year .
IIP ’ s returns are coming in large part from companies based or operating in Illinois .
Cresco Labs , GTI and PharmaCann have a combined 13 leases with IIP , four of those in Illinois .
That ’ s according to a recent filing by IIP with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission that also says those three companies ’ deals account for 34 % of IIP ’ s rental revenue , its key source of income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wellness Holdings , a Massachusetts company that leases a cultivation center in downstate Barry and two more in other states .
“ I do believe the governor and the Legislature have a responsibility to regulate and to end any monopoly , ” he says .
New companies wanting to get into the industry have been stymied in part by the pandemic and an ongoing licensing imbroglio .
When COVID-19 hit , the issuance of new licenses to sell , grow , transport and infuse marijuana products in Illinois were put on hold indefinitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispensary licenses was partly due to a travel ban instituted by KPMG , the accounting firm awarded $ 6.7 million in Illinois state contracts to grade the license applications .
When state officials announced in September that just 21 of the more than 900 applicant groups qualified for a lottery to determine who would get new recreational marijuana shop licenses , the list was packed with people with deep pockets , political connections and ties to the industry .
A series of lawsuits challenging the choices followed .
That prompted Gov .
J.B. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give some of the jilted applicants a chance to revise their applications and challenge their scores .
But that supplementary process for the dispensary licenses still hasn ’ t begun .
And there ’ s no indication yet when delayed licenses for craft cultivation , infusion and transportation will be issued .
“ What ’ s so bad about this is people were promised and sold that they would really have an opportunity to be involved in this industry , ” says Ford , who , with other lawmakers , is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ways to create more dispensary licenses amid the delays .
On the day the law took effect in January , state Sen. Heather Steans , D-Chicago , who was chief sponsor of the legislation along with state Rep. Kelly Cassidy , D-Chicago , said : “ Moving forward , our top priorities for the cannabis industry are to ensure not only that it operates safely and in a way that generates much needed revenues for our state but that we harness the power of our state act to propel significant economic opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ensures diversification of the industry.
” Cassidy previously has said the license categories that are being added “ will create space for more innovation and entrepreneurship in the industry but , more importantly , provide opportunity for more diversity in an industry with a pressing need for it.
” Now , Cassidy says , “ It ’ s still too soon to measure overall success or failure .
“ We knew going in that nobody had successfully done this in spite of lots of effort to get it right , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Trying to accomplish this in a pandemic is an added hurdle.
” Edie Moore , executive director of the influential Chicago chapter of NORML , the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws , is among those lobbying to create more licenses for legal weed shops .
She ’ s also majority owner of two social equity groups that qualified for the long-delayed lottery .
“ The doors need to be opened so that we can get on the playing field , ” Moore says of herself and other social equity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end up having ownership control of 10 % to 20 % of the state ’ s marijuana industry .
“ It ’ s on regulators to sort of create a marketplace where we don ’ t end up with a duopoly , ” says Parnell , describing a system in which , after consolidation , only a couple of operators dominate an industry .
“ We already have this sort of oligopoly or racial monopoly.
” Andy Seeger , a cannabis industry analyst , says corporate takeovers already have had an outsize influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guy is just behind the ball consistently , ” says Seeger , an independent consultant who previously worked for the Brightfield Group , MillerCoors and Constellation Brands , the Chicago company that owns some of the biggest beer and liquor brands .
“ We ’ ll get a ‘ craft ’ movement at some point .
But , for now , there ’ s going to be four , five , six big players in the market that ’ ll eventually maybe whittle down to two or three , like in beer .
@

Nearly a year after the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois, the state has failed to meet its promised diversity goals for the businesses licensed to be part of what’s expected to be a billion-dollar industry.
Backers of the law, which took effect last Jan. 1, promised to take steps to bolster minority ownership in response to calls for the racial and ethnic groups most harmed by the federal government’s long war on drugs to be given a greater opportunity to be part of the expected cash cow.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
But there’s not a single licensed marijuana business that counts a person of color as a majority owner. Legal weed in Illinois continues to be dominated by a small group of white-owned, financially well-backed corporations.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, says Illinois’ efforts to boost social equity in its weed industry so far have amounted to “an epic failure.”
He traces that to the state’s decision to give a head start to those already in the industry in Illinois: the owners of licensed medical cannabis businesses, who were allowed ahead to immediately grow and sell recreational marijuana.
“There is nothing for us to be proud of as it relates to the rollout of cannabis,” says Ford, who represents parts of the West Side in Springfield.
It’s “how capitalism works,” says attorney Akele Parnell of the Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights, who says the social equity applicants whose efforts he has worked for will “never have a fair share in the industry.”
“How capitalism works,” attorney Akele Parnell says. “We’ve just seen the benefits accrued to the same old folks: people that are wealthy to begin with, well-connected.” Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights
“We’ve just seen the benefits accrued to the same old folks: people that are wealthy to begin with, well-connected,” Parnell says. “That’s not what we intended to accomplish with legalization. But it does seem like that’s where we’re going to end up, based on how we set up the program.”
For those already in the industry, business is booming amid the coronavirus pandemic. Dispensaries in Illinois have sold $580 million of recreational marijuana over the first 11 months of the year, according to state regulators, and more than $331 million of medical marijuana.
Alyssa Jank, the manager of consulting services of the Brightfield Group, a cannabis research firm in the Loop, expects total sales of legal marijuana in Illinois will hit $1 billion for the full year, surpassing predictions.
Sales like this one in May at Cresco Labs’ dispensary at 436 N. Clark St. have made legal weed a booming business in Illinois. Dispensaries statewide have sold $580 million of recreational marijuana in the first 11 months since it was legalized. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Ford is part of a legislative working group he says is trying to remedy problems with legalization. But he says he thinks the efforts to create social equity in the cannabis industry are a pipe dream and predicts that the current group of marijuana companies will “always dominate” the burgeoning business.
Those include the Loop-based legal weed giants Cresco Labs, PharmaCann and Green Thumb Industries, known as GTI, and other big companies that already are engaged in a cycle of consolidation.
Cresco, GTI and PharmaCann are among the growing number of legal weed businesses partnering with Innovative Industrial Properties, a publicly traded real estate investment trust known for short as IIP that’s become a key player in the industry even as it remains outside state regulators’ scope because it doesn’t have any ownership stake in the marijuana-producing and selling businesses.
Instead, the San Diego-based IIP buys cultivation centers, then leases them back to cultivators. Those arrangements have been vital for growers to be able to tap more capital while expanding their reach.
IIP has now bought six of Illinois’ 21 lucrative legal weed growhouses. The operators of those large-scale cultivation centers are allowed to hold only three state licenses. But the legalization law doesn’t apply to IIP because it doesn’t operate them.
Innovative Industrial Properties bought this 75,000-square-feet grow facility in downstate Barry and leases it to a Massachusetts-based marijuana cultivation company. Revolution Enterprises
The company is looking to keep growing, spokesman Ben Regan says: “If we feel there is an opportunity to expand our footprint in Illinois with a tenant-partner we like, we will pursue that opportunity.”
IIP now has properties in at least 16 states and a market capitalization of $3.4 billion. It most recently attracted backing from the so-called Big Three investment fund management firms — BlackRock, the Vanguard Group and State Street Corporation.
Their investments are perhaps the clearest indication yet of how big the potential of Illinois’ cannabis industry is seen to be. That they’re bullish on legal weed isn’t surprising, given that IIP’s stock value has skyrocketed by roughly 100% this year.
IIP’s returns are coming in large part from companies based or operating in Illinois. Cresco Labs, GTI and PharmaCann have a combined 13 leases with IIP, four of those in Illinois.
This Cresco Labs Sunnyside dispensary at 436 N. Clark St. was the first cannabis retail shop near downtown Chicago and the first recreational-use only dispensary in the city. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times file
That’s according to a recent filing by IIP with the federal Securities and Exchange Commission that also says those three companies’ deals account for 34% of IIP’s rental revenue, its key source of income. Another 10% comes from Ascend Wellness Holdings, a Massachusetts company that leases a cultivation center in downstate Barry and two more in other states.
Ford calls IIP’s growing role in Illinois “very alarming.”
“I do believe the governor and the Legislature have a responsibility to regulate and to end any monopoly,” he says.
New companies wanting to get into the industry have been stymied in part by the pandemic and an ongoing licensing imbroglio. When COVID-19 hit, the issuance of new licenses to sell, grow, transport and infuse marijuana products in Illinois were put on hold indefinitely. The delay in issuing 75 recreational dispensary licenses was partly due to a travel ban instituted by KPMG, the accounting firm awarded $6.7 million in Illinois state contracts to grade the license applications.
When state officials announced in September that just 21 of the more than 900 applicant groups qualified for a lottery to determine who would get new recreational marijuana shop licenses, the list was packed with people with deep pockets, political connections and ties to the industry. A series of lawsuits challenging the choices followed. That prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker to establish a supplementary grading period to give some of the jilted applicants a chance to revise their applications and challenge their scores.
But that supplementary process for the dispensary licenses still hasn’t begun.
And there’s no indication yet when delayed licenses for craft cultivation, infusion and transportation will be issued.
“What’s so bad about this is people were promised and sold that they would really have an opportunity to be involved in this industry,” says Ford, who, with other lawmakers, is working with social equity advocates and industry figures on ways to create more dispensary licenses amid the delays.
“Too soon to measure overall success or failure,” state Rep. Kelly Cassidy says. Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file
On the day the law took effect in January, state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, who was chief sponsor of the legislation along with state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, said: “Moving forward, our top priorities for the cannabis industry are to ensure not only that it operates safely and in a way that generates much needed revenues for our state but that we harness the power of our state act to propel significant economic opportunity for every community and in a way that ensures diversification of the industry.”
Cassidy previously has said the license categories that are being added “will create space for more innovation and entrepreneurship in the industry but, more importantly, provide opportunity for more diversity in an industry with a pressing need for it.”
Now, Cassidy says, “It’s still too soon to measure overall success or failure.
“We knew going in that nobody had successfully done this in spite of lots of effort to get it right,” she says of the social equity push. “Trying to accomplish this in a pandemic is an added hurdle.”
Edie Moore, executive director of Chicago NORML. Provided
Edie Moore, executive director of the influential Chicago chapter of NORML, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, is among those lobbying to create more licenses for legal weed shops. She’s also majority owner of two social equity groups that qualified for the long-delayed lottery.
“The doors need to be opened so that we can get on the playing field,” Moore says of herself and other social equity applicants.
Parnell expects that minorities will end up having ownership control of 10% to 20% of the state’s marijuana industry.
“It’s on regulators to sort of create a marketplace where we don’t end up with a duopoly,” says Parnell, describing a system in which, after consolidation, only a couple of operators dominate an industry. “We already have this sort of oligopoly or racial monopoly.”
Andy Seeger. LinkedIn
Andy Seeger, a cannabis industry analyst, says corporate takeovers already have had an outsize influence on the industry.
“The small guy is just behind the ball consistently,” says Seeger, an independent consultant who previously worked for the Brightfield Group, MillerCoors and Constellation Brands, the Chicago company that owns some of the biggest beer and liquor brands. “We’ll get a ‘craft’ movement at some point. But, for now, there’s going to be four, five, six big players in the market that’ll eventually maybe whittle down to two or three, like in beer.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Bears nominate Jimmy Graham for Walter Payton Award

Tight end Jimmy Graham was named the Bears ’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award , @ @ @ @ @ to the NFL player who embodies the intersection of philanthropy and on-field excellence .
After @ @ @ @ @ March , Graham researched charities and decided to make a six-figure donation to Ignite , @ @ @ @ @ Chicago .
Graham , who is a pilot , arranges for helicopter and airplane rides @ @ @ @ @ veterans through his own Jimmy Graham Foundation .
The award , which is named after @ @ @ @ @ is given out the night before the Super Bowl at NFL Honors .
Graham is @ @ @ @ @ a two-year , $ 16 million deal , though the Bears could cut him this @ @ @ @ @ 9 million total .
He has 38 catches for 334 yards and five touchdowns this @ @ @ @ @ held without a catch in two of the last three games as rookie Cole Kmet @ @ @ @ @ ’ preferred every-down tight end .

Tight end Jimmy Graham was named the Bears’ nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which is given each year to the NFL player who embodies the intersection of philanthropy and on-field excellence.
After signing with the Bears in March, Graham researched charities and decided to make a six-figure donation to Ignite, which helps at-risk youth in Chicago. Graham, who is a pilot, arranges helicopter and airplane rides for at-risk kids and military veterans through his own Jimmy Graham Foundation.
The award, which is named after the former Bears great, is given out the night before the Super Bowl at NFL Honors.
Graham is in the first year of a two-year, $16 million deal, though the Bears could cut him this offseason after paying him $9 million total. He has 38 catches for 334 yards and five touchdowns this season, though has been held without a catch in two of the last three games as rookie Cole Kmet has emerged as the Bears’ preferred every-down tight end.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--4 shot, 1 fatally Thursday in Chicago

4 shot, 1 fatally Thursday in Chicago

Four people were shot , one of them fatally Thursday in Chicago .
A 39-year-old man was killed Thursday morning in Burnside on the South Side .
He was inside his home about 5:35 a.m. in the 500 block of East 89th Street when three males entered and fired shots , Chicago police said .
He was struck in his left buttocks , once in his lower right abdomen and once in his lower back , police said .
He was rushed to Trinity Hospital where he was pronounced dead .
In non-fatal shootings , a 38-year-old man was wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He was arguing with another male about 11:30 p.m. near a stairwell inside a building in the 1800 block of East 71st Street when the male shot him multiple times in the leg , police said .
He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition , according to police .
About 9:35 p.m. a 19-year-old man was grazed by a bullet in West Pullman on the South Side .
The man was standing outside in the 11500 block of South Wentworth Avenue when someone walked up and fired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was listed in good condition , police said .
Thursday morning a man was shot while traveling on Lake Shore Drive near Soldier Field .
The 24-year-old and a female were southbound in a vehicle about 11:45 a.m. in the 1800 block of South Lake Shore Drive when someone in another vehicle opened fire , striking the man in the back , police said .
He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in an unknown condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of unknown age , was not injured .
Eight people were shot , one of them fatally Wednesday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Four people were shot, one of them fatally Thursday in Chicago.
A 39-year-old man was killed Thursday morning in Burnside on the South Side.
He was inside his home about 5:35 a.m. in the 500 block of East 89th Street when three males entered and fired shots, Chicago police said.
He was struck in his left buttocks, once in his lower right abdomen and once in his lower back, police said. He was rushed to Trinity Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In non-fatal shootings, a 38-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in South Shore.
He was arguing with another male about 11:30 p.m. near a stairwell inside a building in the 1800 block of East 71st Street when the male shot him multiple times in the leg, police said. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition, according to police.
About 9:35 p.m. a 19-year-old man was grazed by a bullet in West Pullman on the South Side.
The man was standing outside in the 11500 block of South Wentworth Avenue when someone walked up and fired shots, grazing him on the hand, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in good condition, police said.
Thursday morning a man was shot while traveling on Lake Shore Drive near Soldier Field.
The 24-year-old and a female were southbound in a vehicle about 11:45 a.m. in the 1800 block of South Lake Shore Drive when someone in another vehicle opened fire, striking the man in the back, police said.
He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in an unknown condition, according to police. The female, of unknown age, was not injured.
Eight people were shot, one of them fatally Wednesday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-10--Horoscope for Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

Horoscope for Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Scorpio .
Double check banking details and anything to do with inheritances , estates , shared property and the wealth of your partner because something surprising might catch you off guard .
In other words , you snooze , you lose !
Stay in the know and be on top of things .
Relations with partners and close friends will have to accommodate some kind of surprise today .
Perhaps one party will make an unusual demand on the other , or want more freedom in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unusual .
It might be your partner or friend — it might be you .
Stay tuned .
Your work routine will be interrupted by some kind of surprise .
( Quite likely , in the morning . )
Staff shortages , mixed-up messages , problems with technology are all possibilities .
Meanwhile , this is also an unpredictable day for your pet .
In fact , it ’ s an accident-prone day ; therefore , be vigilant .
Parents should take note that this is an accident-prone day for your kids , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware .
Certainly , make sure they are not near hazardous situations .
Meanwhile , social events might be canceled or changed .
Expect romantic challenges .
Oy !
Small appliances might break down or a minor breakage could occur at home because something will change your daily routine where you live .
It might be surprising news that is family related .
Could be anything .
( Get dressed . )
Pay attention to everything that you say and do today because this is an accident-prone day for your sign .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some clever , moneymaking ideas ?
( This is because you can think outside of the box today . )
Spare change ?
Keep an eye on your money and possessions today because something unpredictable might affect them .
For example , you might find money , or you might lose money .
Be smart and make sure that you protect your possessions from loss , theft or damage .
Keep your eyes open so that you have no regrets later .
Today you will be more excited , impulsive and spontaneous in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against rash impulses that you might later regret .
On the other hand , you might act on a great idea , who knows ?
( The moon is in your sign sitting opposite wild , unpredictable Uranus . )
Today is filled with excitement and stimulation , which is why you might act disruptively in your relationships with others .
You might surprise someone else or you in turn , might be surprised .
That ’ s because this is an unpredictable day .
This surprise could be related to an area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet someone unusual today — avant-garde or Bohemian .
Or perhaps , someone you already know will do something that is different or unusual , and this surprises you .
Either way , it ’ s not a boring day as you engage with friends and groups — that ’ s for sure .
A boss , parent , teacher or a member of the police might catch you off guard today .
Do be aware of this .
Whatever happens will surprise you .
However , despite feeling independent and even impulsive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything you will later regret .
Be smart .
Travel plans will be canceled , delayed or changed today .
Or perhaps , you suddenly have to travel when you did not expect to do so .
Likewise , plans related to medicine , the law and higher education are also very unpredictable .
The media might also be a source of surprise to you .
( “ Whaaat ?
” ) If Your Birthday Is Today Actress Hailee Steinfeld ( 1996 ) shares your birthday .
You appear determined and confident , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to feel secure and you need to feel free .
This year will be a more easygoing year .
Your smart choice will be to cooperate because your relations with others will benefit you , even business and personal relationships .
Grab every chance to practice kindness and be helpful .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Scorpio.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Double check banking details and anything to do with inheritances, estates, shared property and the wealth of your partner because something surprising might catch you off guard. In other words, you snooze, you lose! Stay in the know and be on top of things.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Relations with partners and close friends will have to accommodate some kind of surprise today. Perhaps one party will make an unusual demand on the other, or want more freedom in the relationship or suggest something different or unusual. It might be your partner or friend — it might be you. Stay tuned.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Your work routine will be interrupted by some kind of surprise. (Quite likely, in the morning.) Staff shortages, mixed-up messages, problems with technology are all possibilities. Meanwhile, this is also an unpredictable day for your pet. In fact, it’s an accident-prone day; therefore, be vigilant.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Parents should take note that this is an accident-prone day for your kids, which means you have to be more aware. Certainly, make sure they are not near hazardous situations. Meanwhile, social events might be canceled or changed. Expect romantic challenges. Oy!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Small appliances might break down or a minor breakage could occur at home because something will change your daily routine where you live. It might be surprising news that is family related. Could be anything. (Get dressed.)
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Pay attention to everything that you say and do today because this is an accident-prone day for your sign. On the bright side, you might have some clever, moneymaking ideas? (This is because you can think outside of the box today.) Spare change?
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Keep an eye on your money and possessions today because something unpredictable might affect them. For example, you might find money, or you might lose money. Be smart and make sure that you protect your possessions from loss, theft or damage. Keep your eyes open so that you have no regrets later.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today you will be more excited, impulsive and spontaneous in everything you do. Therefore, guard against rash impulses that you might later regret. On the other hand, you might act on a great idea, who knows? (The moon is in your sign sitting opposite wild, unpredictable Uranus.)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today is filled with excitement and stimulation, which is why you might act disruptively in your relationships with others. You might surprise someone else or you in turn, might be surprised. That’s because this is an unpredictable day. This surprise could be related to an area where you feel competitive.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You might meet someone unusual today — avant-garde or Bohemian. Or perhaps, someone you already know will do something that is different or unusual, and this surprises you. Either way, it’s not a boring day as you engage with friends and groups — that’s for sure.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
A boss, parent, teacher or a member of the police might catch you off guard today. Do be aware of this. Whatever happens will surprise you. However, despite feeling independent and even impulsive, don’t do or say anything you will later regret. Be smart.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Travel plans will be canceled, delayed or changed today. Or perhaps, you suddenly have to travel when you did not expect to do so. Likewise, plans related to medicine, the law and higher education are also very unpredictable. The media might also be a source of surprise to you. (“Whaaat?”)
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Hailee Steinfeld (1996) shares your birthday. You appear determined and confident, but privately you are sensitive. You need to feel secure and you need to feel free. This year will be a more easygoing year. Your smart choice will be to cooperate because your relations with others will benefit you, even business and personal relationships. Grab every chance to practice kindness and be helpful.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-10--Man turns himself in for fatal stabbing of 61-year-old in Chatham: police

A South Deering man allegedly turned himself in for the fatal stabbing of a 61-year-old man Wednesday in Chatham on @ @ @ @ @ Morris , 60 , was charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing of Kevin Sudduth @ @ @ @ @ .
Sudduth Sr. was found dead with multiple stab wounds about 10:45 a.m. in the @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , police said .
An autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ homicide .
Later that afternoon , Morris allegedly walked into the 3rd District police station @ @ @ @ @ Ave. , to turn himself in , police said .

A South Deering man allegedly turned himself in for the fatal stabbing of a 61-year-old man Wednesday in Chatham on the South Side.
Larry Morris, 60, was charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing of Kevin Sudduth Sr., Chicago police said.
Larry Morris Chicago police
Sudduth Sr. was found dead with multiple stab wounds about 10:45 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Indiana Avenue, police said. An autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled his death a homicide.
Later that afternoon, Morris allegedly walked into the 3rd District police station, 7040 S. Cottage Grove Ave., to turn himself in, police said.
Morris is due in bond court Friday.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Jim Burns, former U.S. attorney, longtime inspector general for Illinois secretary of state, dies at

Jim Burns, former U.S. attorney, longtime inspector general for Illinois secretary of state, dies at 75

Longtime Illinois Secretary of State Inspector General Jim Burns , who served four years as Chicago ’ s U.S. attorney , died this week at 75 .
Secretary of State Jesse White announced the death of Burns , who also once ran for governor and played for the Chicago Bulls , in a news release Friday .
“ Burns was a strong , visible and independent inspector general , and I am grateful for all he accomplished , ” White said .
“ Burns restored the public trust and changed the culture of the office .
His legacy of honesty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mark on the Secretary of State ’ s office and the state of Illinois.
” Burns ’ reputation as a corruption-buster led White to tap the former top fed as his inspector general in 2000 .
Burns led the U.S. attorney ’ s office during the Operation Silver Shovel corruption investigation and the Operation Haunted Hall ghost-payroll prosecution .
His office also took on the Gangster Disciples street gang .
Randall Samborn , hired by Burns as the first full-time spokesman for the U.S. attorney ’ s office in Chicago , remembered Burns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would want , and expect , the U.S. attorney to be.
” He said the two had remained close friends .
“ Being United States attorney is a serious job , and Jim took it seriously , as you would expect , ” Samborn said .
“ But he never took himself seriously .
He always had a quip or an acronym that made you chuckle and kept you on your toes.
” Burns earned his law degree from Northwestern University in 1971 and was a shooting guard the Chicago Bulls , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moving to the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association .
He then worked as a federal prosecutor from 1971 until 1978 , eventually becoming chief of the criminal litigation division before moving to private practice .
President Bill Clinton appointed Burns as Chicago ’ s top federal prosecutor in 1993 .
In Chicago , Burns led an office staff of 250 people while battling street gangs , public corruption and organized crime , leaving that job in 1997 .
Ron Safer , who served as a federal prosecutor when Burns was U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Gangster Disciples even though it was “ not in the heartland ” of an office long known for battling public corruption .
He also did so despite fallout from earlier convictions involving the El Rukn street gang that were being dismantled .
“ ( Burns ) had the courage to say , ‘ We are going to do this because people in our streets are being killed , ’ ” Safer said .
The Gangster Disciples investigation “ got legs ” on Burns ’ watch , Safer said .
Burns reached out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers who could help identify street activity that corroborated secretly taped conversations between Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover and his top lieutenants at the Vienna Correctional Center .
Following his time as U.S. attorney , Burns unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 1998 .
Samborn acknowledged Burns had political ambitions , but said Burns pursued them “ without ever letting that have any effect on the way he performed his job as U.S. attorney.
” White appointed Burns as inspector general in April 2000 .
Burns expanded the size of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variety of backgrounds and initiated legislation that made the post permanent and broadened its reach .
He created a website and hotline to allow the public or employees to make complaints , established an audit review committee and strengthened relationships with outside law enforcement agencies resulting in several prosecutions , according to White ’ s office .
“ He made a world of difference in our office , ” said Dave Druker , White ’ s spokesman .

Longtime Illinois Secretary of State Inspector General Jim Burns, who served four years as Chicago’s U.S. attorney, died this week at 75.
Secretary of State Jesse White announced the death of Burns, who also once ran for governor and played for the Chicago Bulls, in a news release Friday.
“Burns was a strong, visible and independent inspector general, and I am grateful for all he accomplished,” White said. “Burns restored the public trust and changed the culture of the office. His legacy of honesty, fairness and transparency leaves an indelible mark on the Secretary of State’s office and the state of Illinois.”
Burns’ reputation as a corruption-buster led White to tap the former top fed as his inspector general in 2000. Burns led the U.S. attorney’s office during the Operation Silver Shovel corruption investigation and the Operation Haunted Hall ghost-payroll prosecution. His office also took on the Gangster Disciples street gang.
U.S. Attorney Jim Burns at a March 1996 press conference. Chicago Sun Times
Randall Samborn, hired by Burns as the first full-time spokesman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, remembered Burns Friday as “the epitome of what you would want, and expect, the U.S. attorney to be.” He said the two had remained close friends.
“Being United States attorney is a serious job, and Jim took it seriously, as you would expect,” Samborn said. “But he never took himself seriously. He always had a quip or an acronym that made you chuckle and kept you on your toes.”
Relatives declined to speak Friday night. Arrangements are pending.
Burns earned his law degree from Northwestern University in 1971 and was a shooting guard the Chicago Bulls, briefly, during the 1967-68 season before moving to the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association.
Jim Burns played part of one season for the Chicago Bulls after graduating from Northwestern University, where he had averaged nearly 20 points a game over three seasons for the Wildcats. Sun-Times file
He then worked as a federal prosecutor from 1971 until 1978, eventually becoming chief of the criminal litigation division before moving to private practice.
President Bill Clinton appointed Burns as Chicago’s top federal prosecutor in 1993. In Chicago, Burns led an office staff of 250 people while battling street gangs, public corruption and organized crime, leaving that job in 1997.
Ron Safer, who served as a federal prosecutor when Burns was U.S. attorney, recalled how Burns took on the Gangster Disciples even though it was “not in the heartland” of an office long known for battling public corruption. He also did so despite fallout from earlier convictions involving the El Rukn street gang that were being dismantled.
“(Burns) had the courage to say, ‘We are going to do this because people in our streets are being killed,’” Safer said.
The Gangster Disciples investigation “got legs” on Burns’ watch, Safer said. Burns reached out to the Chicago Police Department to enlist officers who could help identify street activity that corroborated secretly taped conversations between Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover and his top lieutenants at the Vienna Correctional Center.
Gubernatorial hopeful Jim Burns on Election Night in March 1998, talking to reporters in his hotel suite. Next to him is his wife, Marty. AP
Following his time as U.S. attorney, Burns unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 1998. Samborn acknowledged Burns had political ambitions, but said Burns pursued them “without ever letting that have any effect on the way he performed his job as U.S. attorney.”
White appointed Burns as inspector general in April 2000. Burns expanded the size of the office, hired professional investigators from a variety of backgrounds and initiated legislation that made the post permanent and broadened its reach. He created a website and hotline to allow the public or employees to make complaints, established an audit review committee and strengthened relationships with outside law enforcement agencies resulting in several prosecutions, according to White’s office.
“He made a world of difference in our office,” said Dave Druker, White’s spokesman.
Contributing: Manny Ramos


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--‘A Trump before Trump’: Drawing parallels between Nixon’s disgraced VP Spiro Agnew and our current p

‘A Trump before Trump’: Drawing parallels between Nixon’s disgraced VP Spiro Agnew and our current president

Of all the wacky but fun news assignments I ’ ve had in my long career , the one involving President Richard Nixon ’ s corrupt veep Spiro T. Agnew — a Trump before Trump — tops the list .
Now the star of MSNBC ’ s Rachel Maddow ’ s new book “ Bagman , ” Agnew was a flamethrower and profligate “ witch hunt ” pitchman , who , Maddow suggests , broke the mold of old Republicanism , a crook who loved name calling his critics as well as those investigating him — all the while casually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his White House office .
On Oct. 10 , 1973 , Agnew resigned from office after pleading no contest to federal income tax evasion .
It was accompanied by a get-out-of-jail-free card from prosecutors in the U.S. Justice Department — and 10 months before Nixon resigned in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal .
Or as newspaper columnist Richard Cohen once wrote : Agnew “ went down because his numbers did not add up.
” On Oct. 11 , the veep who once called reporters “ nattering nabobs of negativism ” disappeared in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On the evening of Oct. 27 , 1973 , I got a phone call from my editor .
“ Do you have an evening gown ?
” “ Well , would you mind putting it on and meeting me at the Pump Room in one hour ?
” “ Spiro Agnew is expected to be Frank Sinatra ’ s dinner mate at the Pump Room in ONE hour and I ’ ve made a reservation for two at a table next to him , ” chirped my boss , who wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get your ear tuned up for what ’ s up.
” Rumors had surfaced that Sinatra and Agnew were planning to do business together , that Agnew was advising foreign governments .
Years ago , I wrote : “ The lights were dim and the music soft .
The perfect setting at Table 43 for the golden voice and the king of barbs .
“ So as Sinatra spooned creamed spinach and dolloped sauce onto his medium-rare steak , I watched Agnew , who had just resigned from office , draw an imaginary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a piece of saffron rice he identified as ‘ Russia.
’ “ My boss kept asking : ‘ What are they saying ?
’ “ Hell .
It was hard to understand what anyone was saying .
“ So while Agnew downed curried morsels of lobster , shrimp and crabmeat and quaffed a $ 45 bottle of red wine , Sinatra abruptly turned toward me and loudly spouted : ‘ I know a guy who kept a sign in his office which read , “ Don ’ t discuss work.
” ’ “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stated : ‘ I think that ’ s a good idea.
’ “ Not to disappoint my boss , I attempted to corner the men when they left their table .
“ ‘ What are you doing in Chicago ?
’ ( How ’ s that for a tough question ? )
“ ‘ No comment , ’ bleated Sinatra , who stuck his arm in front of Agnew .
“ ‘ I ’ m here to have a good time , ’ Agnew retorted .
“ ‘ How are you feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great , just great , ’ he said .
‘ And you ?
’ ” What a parry .
What a thrust .
What a nothing story .
Sinatra is now dead .
Agnew , who never again talked to Nixon , died in 1996 although he did attend his funeral .
And my right ear has never been the same .
The feds may have sighed a relief at their ability to keep Agnew from becoming Nixon ’ s replacement , which came after they determined that a vice president in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could not .
But as Maddow ’ s new book suggests — it likely resulted in an unintended consequence : a lasting Justice Department policy that sitting presidents can ’ t face criminal charges , which she believes has clearly benefitted Trump .
But back then , my Agnew story of unintended consequences wound up on page one .

It happened one night.
Of all the wacky but fun news assignments I’ve had in my long career, the one involving President Richard Nixon’s corrupt veep Spiro T. Agnew — a Trump before Trump — tops the list.
Now the star of MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow’s new book “Bagman,” Agnew was a flamethrower and profligate “witch hunt” pitchman, who, Maddow suggests, broke the mold of old Republicanism, a crook who loved name calling his critics as well as those investigating him — all the while casually accepting bribes in the hallowed grounds of his White House office.
Rachel Maddow’s new book tells the story of Richard Nixon’s vice president, Spiro Agnew, and his corruption while in the White House.
On Oct. 10, 1973, Agnew resigned from office after pleading no contest to federal income tax evasion. It was accompanied by a get-out-of-jail-free card from prosecutors in the U.S. Justice Department — and 10 months before Nixon resigned in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal.
Or as newspaper columnist Richard Cohen once wrote: Agnew “went down because his numbers did not add up.”
On Oct. 11, the veep who once called reporters “nattering nabobs of negativism” disappeared in a cloud of what’s next.
On the evening of Oct. 27, 1973, I got a phone call from my editor.
He had a question.
“Do you have an evening gown?”
What?
“Do you have formal attire?”
“Ah, sure. Why?”
“Well, would you mind putting it on and meeting me at the Pump Room in one hour?”
Huh?
“Spiro Agnew is expected to be Frank Sinatra’s dinner mate at the Pump Room in ONE hour and I’ve made a reservation for two at a table next to him,” chirped my boss, who wanted to know what Agnew was doing.
“Get your ear tuned up for what’s up.”
Rumors had surfaced that Sinatra and Agnew were planning to do business together, that Agnew was advising foreign governments.
Risky business, perhaps?
Ah, eavesdropping.
Years ago, I wrote: “The lights were dim and the music soft. The perfect setting at Table 43 for the golden voice and the king of barbs.
“So as Sinatra spooned creamed spinach and dolloped sauce onto his medium-rare steak, I watched Agnew, who had just resigned from office, draw an imaginary map on the tablecloth and point to a piece of saffron rice he identified as ‘Russia.’
(Or was it Saudi Arabia?)
“My boss kept asking: ‘What are they saying?’
“Hell. It was hard to understand what anyone was saying.
“So while Agnew downed curried morsels of lobster, shrimp and crabmeat and quaffed a $45 bottle of red wine, Sinatra abruptly turned toward me and loudly spouted: ‘I know a guy who kept a sign in his office which read, “Don’t discuss work.”’
“Agnew then shot a glance at me and stated: ‘I think that’s a good idea.’
(The game was up. It was over. No scoop this time.)
“Not to disappoint my boss, I attempted to corner the men when they left their table.
“‘What are you doing in Chicago?’ (How’s that for a tough question?)
“‘No comment,’ bleated Sinatra, who stuck his arm in front of Agnew.
“‘Can’t the vice president speak for himself?’ I countered.
“‘I’m here to have a good time,’ Agnew retorted.
“‘How are you feeling?’ I said.
“‘Great, just great,’ he said. ‘And you?’”
U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew, left, and entertainer Frank Sinatra take off for a round of golf, on Oct. 8, 1972, at Palm Springs, Calif. — a year before Agnew resigned and dined with Sinatra at the Pump Room. AP
What a parry. What a thrust. What a nothing story.
Sinatra is now dead. Agnew, who never again talked to Nixon, died in 1996 although he did attend Nixon’s 1994 funeral. And my right ear has never been the same.
The feds may have sighed a relief at their ability to keep Agnew from becoming Nixon’s replacement, which came after they determined that a vice president in this case could be indicted but the president could not. But as Maddow’s new book suggests — it likely resulted in an unintended consequence: a lasting Justice Department policy that sitting presidents can’t face criminal charges, which she believes has clearly benefitted Trump.
Who knew?
But back then, my Agnew story of unintended consequences wound up on page one.
Sneedlings . . .
Saturday birthdays: Regina Hall, 50; Jaime Lorente, 29; and Jennifer Connelly, 50. . . . Sunday birthdays: Taylor Swift, 31; Dick Van Dyke, 95; and Christopher Plummer, 91.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Six House Democrats urge unity in letter to 19 members who won’t back Madigan as speaker

Six House Democrats have sent a letter to colleagues who ’ ve said they won ’ t vote for Speaker Michael Madigan to retain that position , urging them to “ come together as a family ” as they grapple with the question of who will lead them during the next General Assembly .
“ Commonwealth Edison ’ s deferred prosecution agreement and subsequent indictments have understandably caused many of us to consider the future of our Caucus , who should lead us , and the type of transition process we all wish would occur in the coming months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This letter isn ’ t meant to persuade you to question your decision , rather it is an invitation to come together as a family and show our opposition that we ’ re better than they assume , ” the letter continues in part .
“ That we , the House Democratic Caucus , can once again unite for a common purpose .
That we are more concerned about the collective fate of our state than our individual elections.
” While the six signees — and most House Democrats — don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ’ ve announced they won ’ t vote for speaker , “ your personal process in reaching your decision deserves respect and recognition , both individually and collectively.
” One of those signing the letter , Rep. Michael Zalewski , D-Riverside , said the vote for speaker — and the start of session in January — are “ fast approaching ” and the group of legislators “ wanted to start a conversation.
” “ We ’ ve got to start trying to operate as a caucus .
That ’ s what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Zalewski said .
“ It really is not a letter designed to convince them to just sort of surrender and vote for the speaker .
… We respect those positions , we talk about what the future looks like in [ the letter ] and it is not a pro-Madigan effort in the way that it ’ s going to be interpreted.
” Zalewski said the caucus is in a “ unique position ” now that its leadership is in question .
That uncertain position makes conversations around the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and clean energy measures harder to navigate without a clear leader , Zalewski said .
The letter was first reported by WBEZ-FM ( 91.5 ) .
Rep. Will Guzzardi , D-Chicago , one of the 19 , said the group is still discussing their response , but had no other comment .
Others in the group did not immediately respond to requests for comment .
Some of those 19 made their decision known after the July indictment of ComEd in a federal bribery scheme .
That indictment , and the deferred prosecution agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House legislative probe of Madigan ’ s dealings with the utility company .
Others — including a member of the chamber ’ s party leadership — followed suit after the indictment of Michael McClain , a close confidant of Madigan ’ s , and three others in a November filing that shows top employees at ComEd attempting to influence and reward Madigan by arranging for his associates and allies to get jobs , contracts and money for doing little or no work .
If all 19 reps hold to their statements , Madigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any wrongdoing , is six votes short of the 60 needed to remain speaker .

Six House Democrats have sent a letter to colleagues who’ve said they won’t vote for Speaker Michael Madigan to retain that position, urging them to “come together as a family” as they grapple with the question of who will lead them during the next General Assembly.
“Commonwealth Edison’s deferred prosecution agreement and subsequent indictments have understandably caused many of us to consider the future of our Caucus, who should lead us, and the type of transition process we all wish would occur in the coming months,” the two-page letter reads in part.
“This letter isn’t meant to persuade you to question your decision, rather it is an invitation to come together as a family and show our opposition that we’re better than they assume,” the letter continues in part. “That we, the House Democratic Caucus, can once again unite for a common purpose. That we are more concerned about the collective fate of our state than our individual elections.”
While the six signees — and most House Democrats — don’t agree with the 19 members who’ve announced they won’t vote for speaker, “your personal process in reaching your decision deserves respect and recognition, both individually and collectively.”
One of those signing the letter, Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside, said the vote for speaker — and the start of session in January — are “fast approaching” and the group of legislators “wanted to start a conversation.”
“We’ve got to start trying to operate as a caucus. That’s what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Zalewski said. “It really is not a letter designed to convince them to just sort of surrender and vote for the speaker. … We respect those positions, we talk about what the future looks like in [the letter] and it is not a pro-Madigan effort in the way that it’s going to be interpreted.”
Zalewski said the caucus is in a “unique position” now that its leadership is in question.
That uncertain position makes conversations around the state’s budget woes, redistricting, ethics reform and clean energy measures harder to navigate without a clear leader, Zalewski said.
The letter was first reported by WBEZ-FM (91.5).
Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, one of the 19, said the group is still discussing their response, but had no other comment. Others in the group did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Some of those 19 made their decision known after ComEd was charged in a bribery scheme in July. That federal charge, and the deferred prosecution agreement stemming from it, prompted a special House legislative probe of Madigan’s dealings with the utility company.
Others — including a member of the chamber’s party leadership — followed suit after the indictment of Michael McClain, a close confidant of Madigan’s, and three others in a November filing that shows top employees at ComEd attempting to influence and reward Madigan by arranging for his associates and allies to get jobs, contracts and money for doing little or no work.
If all 19 reps hold to their statements, Madigan, who has not been charged with any wrongdoing, is six votes short of the 60 needed to remain speaker.