chicagosun-times--2020-09-02--Horoscope for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020

Horoscope for Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Pisces .
After the uncertainty of this week , it ’ s a bonus that today you are focused and ready to work .
Yes , you want to get stuff done and you want to accomplish things .
You are motivated and will happily do routine work that requires attention to detail .
This is good day to make long-range plans about the care and education of kids .
Some of you will make long-range plans for vacations or something to do with amateur or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might be in the picture .
This is an excellent day for serious family discussions , especially about how to tackle home repairs or fix problems within the family .
Input from someone older and more experienced in the family will be a good thing .
Always respect your elders .
( This isn ’ t their first rodeo . )
Your powers of concentration are excellent , which is why you will do work that requires great attention to detail .
You won ’ t overlook anything .
Whatever you do will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( I ’ m impressed . )
You get a gold star !
You will take a serious , practical approach to financial issues and anything to do with money .
If shopping , you will want to buy practical , long-lasting items .
You also want to organize your paperwork so that you know what ’ s happening .
You won ’ t overlook anything .
This is a day for serious thinking and substantial concerns .
You ’ re not interested in games and trivial amusements because you want to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first.
” Listen to the advice of someone older or more experienced because they might help you today .
This is an excellent day for research or delving into matters so that you can find answers to old problems .
You ’ re not interested in abstract ideas .
You want practical solutions and you ’ re willing to dig for them .
Because of your focus and endurance , you ’ ll be like a dog with a bone .
Listen to the advice of anyone who is more experienced or older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
After all , you don ’ t have to reinvent the wheel .
Why not stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before you ?
Seek out their counsel and advice .
This is a solid day for an important discussion with a parent , boss , teacher or someone in a position of authority because everyone is concerned with practical matters today .
They ’ ll be impressed with your efforts to organize yourself .
Furthermore , your critical faculty is sharp — you don ’ t miss a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you to study today .
Likewise , you have the mental mind state to plow through forms and daunting paperwork related to medicine or the law .
Oh yes , you will pay attention to detail !
( How commendable . )
This is a good day to make future plans for travel and further education .
You can clear up a lot of loose ends regarding inheritances , shared property , insurance issues and anything that you might own jointly with someone else .
The reason you will make great progress is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical results .
It ’ s that simple .
Discussions with partners and close friends will deal with serious and important concerns today .
You might look at how to share expenses or something to do with the division of labor .
If someone offers to help you , accept their assistance !
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Charlie Sheen ( 1965 ) shares your birthday .
You have excellent people skills .
You are also well organized and self-disciplined .
This year you will learn something that sets you in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your success next year .
It ’ s a time of learning and perhaps teaching as well .
Explore meditation , yoga or any discipline that helps you get a better understanding of who you are .
Invest in your future self .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Pisces.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
After the uncertainty of this week, it’s a bonus that today you are focused and ready to work. Yes, you want to get stuff done and you want to accomplish things. You are motivated and will happily do routine work that requires attention to detail.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is good day to make long-range plans about the care and education of kids. Some of you will make long-range plans for vacations or something to do with amateur or professional sports. Romance with someone older might be in the picture.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is an excellent day for serious family discussions, especially about how to tackle home repairs or fix problems within the family. Input from someone older and more experienced in the family will be a good thing. Always respect your elders. (This isn’t their first rodeo.)
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Your powers of concentration are excellent, which is why you will do work that requires great attention to detail. You won’t overlook anything. Whatever you do will be done very carefully and thoroughly. (I’m impressed.) You get a gold star!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You will take a serious, practical approach to financial issues and anything to do with money. If shopping, you will want to buy practical, long-lasting items. You also want to organize your paperwork so that you know what’s happening. You won’t overlook anything.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a day for serious thinking and substantial concerns. You’re not interested in games and trivial amusements because you want to get important things done. “First things first.” Listen to the advice of someone older or more experienced because they might help you today.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is an excellent day for research or delving into matters so that you can find answers to old problems. You’re not interested in abstract ideas. You want practical solutions and you’re willing to dig for them. Because of your focus and endurance, you’ll be like a dog with a bone.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Listen to the advice of anyone who is more experienced or older because you will benefit from this today. After all, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Why not stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before you? Seek out their counsel and advice.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This is a solid day for an important discussion with a parent, boss, teacher or someone in a position of authority because everyone is concerned with practical matters today. They’ll be impressed with your efforts to organize yourself. Furthermore, your critical faculty is sharp — you don’t miss a thing!
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
It will be easy for you to study today. Likewise, you have the mental mind state to plow through forms and daunting paperwork related to medicine or the law. Oh yes, you will pay attention to detail! (How commendable.) This is a good day to make future plans for travel and further education.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You can clear up a lot of loose ends regarding inheritances, shared property, insurance issues and anything that you might own jointly with someone else. The reason you will make great progress is your mind is focused and you want practical results. It’s that simple.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Discussions with partners and close friends will deal with serious and important concerns today. You might look at how to share expenses or something to do with the division of labor. If someone offers to help you, accept their assistance!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Charlie Sheen (1965) shares your birthday. You have excellent people skills. You are also well organized and self-disciplined. This year you will learn something that sets you in a new direction, which could be crucial for your success next year. It’s a time of learning and perhaps teaching as well. Explore meditation, yoga or any discipline that helps you get a better understanding of who you are. Invest in your future self.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-02--Losing ugly: White Sox make four errors in 8-1 loss, drop series to Twins

With first place on the line in the rubber game of a three-game series against the defending American League Central champion Twins , the White Sox played perhaps their worst game of the season Wednesday night .
The Sox got 1⅔ innings from starter Reynaldo Lopez , made a whopping four errors and managed only four hits in an ugly 8-1 loss that dropped them out of a first-place tie with the Indians .
“ There ’ s no way to justify it or make excuses for it , ” manager Rick Renteria said .
“ Just a bad night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty ballgame .
It ’ s not the type of baseball we ’ ve played.
” It was the fourth loss in six games for the Sox ( 22-15 ) against the Twins ( 22-16 ) this season , which is no way to state a case for being the best team in the division .
Rookie second baseman Nick Madrigal ’ s second error of the series preceded a two-out , two-run double by Josh Donaldson to put Lopez in a 3-0 hole and a botched rundown by third baseman Yoan Moncada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst blemishes under a bright full moon in Minneapolis .
Moncada also had a throwing error on a routine play that didn ’ t factor into the Twins ’ scoring , and Madrigal ’ s lob toss to Anderson almost denied Lopez of an inning-ending double play after he loaded the bases with no outs in the first .
Eloy Jimenez , who struck out three times against All-Star right-hander Jose Berrios , misplayed Luis Arraez ’ s sinking liner for the fourth error of the night .
“ Put it behind us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very little time left , no time to regurgitate it very much .
Understand what we didn ’ t do correctly and move on.
” The Twins , who are 41-22 against the Sox since 2017 , have outscored the Sox 43-28 this season .
Lopez , making his third start since leaving his first one against the Twins in the first inning with a sore shoulder , hasn ’ t lasted longer than four innings yet .
He allowed three runs ( one earned ) , four hits and two walks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ERA above 6 against the Twins .
Lopez might have pitched his way out of the rotation .
“ He was getting so high in his pitch count , probably wiser to pull the plug right there , ” Renteria said .
“ We ’ ll probably have a discussion tomorrow .
.
.
and make a decision.
” “ I felt good before the game , ” Lopez said .
“ Made some good pitches and some that weren ’ t so good.
” Jose Abreu , named AL Player of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of beating the Twins before the game .
“ At the end , what matters for us is just understanding what we need to do in order to win games , ” Abreu said .
“ We don ’ t have to be concerned about what other teams do .
They do whatever they ’ re going to do , but it ’ s what we can do to win every game , what we need to do to get better .
I respect other teams ; I respect the Twins .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned about what they do.
” The Sox had chances early against Berrios .
Abreu and Edwin Encarnacion singled in the second , but Jimenez , Luis Robert and Nomar Mazara struck out swinging on Berrios curveballs .
They loaded the bases with one out in the third but settled for one run on Abreu ’ s bouncer to first baseman Miguel Sano , who could ’ ve forced Anderson at home had he not bobbled the ball .
It was the 6-4 , 270-pound Sano who was caught in a rundown between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ground ball to Abreu .
Moncada , rather than running Sano back toward second , flipped too soon to Anderson , and Anderson ’ s return throw to Abreu covering third was wide , allowing Sano to score .
“ If we work as a team and address the things we need to address to win games , we ’ re going to be good at the end of the season , ” Abreu said .
“ Then we don ’ t have to worry about other teams and other circumstances .
”

With first place on the line in the rubber game of a three-game series against the defending American League Central champion Twins, the White Sox played perhaps their worst game of the season Wednesday night.
The Sox got 1⅔ innings from starter Reynaldo Lopez, made a whopping four errors and managed only four hits in an ugly 8-1 loss that dropped them out of a first-place tie with the Indians.
“There’s no way to justify it or make excuses for it,” manager Rick Renteria said. “Just a bad night. Obviously, this was not a pretty ballgame. It’s not the type of baseball we’ve played.”
It was the fourth loss in six games for the Sox (22-15) against the Twins (22-16) this season, which is no way to state a case for being the best team in the division.
Rookie second baseman Nick Madrigal’s second error of the series preceded a two-out, two-run double by Josh Donaldson to put Lopez in a 3-0 hole and a botched rundown by third baseman Yoan Moncada and shortstop Tim Anderson were the two worst blemishes under a bright full moon in Minneapolis.
Moncada also had a throwing error on a routine play that didn’t factor into the Twins’ scoring, and Madrigal’s lob toss to Anderson almost denied Lopez of an inning-ending double play after he loaded the bases with no outs in the first. Eloy Jimenez, who struck out three times against All-Star right-hander Jose Berrios, misplayed Luis Arraez’s sinking liner for the fourth error of the night.
“Put it behind us,” Renteria said. “There is very little time left, no time to regurgitate it very much. Understand what we didn’t do correctly and move on.”
The Twins, who are 41-22 against the Sox since 2017, have outscored the Sox 43-28 this season. Lopez, making his third start since leaving his first one against the Twins in the first inning with a sore shoulder, hasn’t lasted longer than four innings yet. He allowed three runs (one earned), four hits and two walks and fell to 1-6 with a career ERA above 6 against the Twins.
Lopez might have pitched his way out of the rotation.
“He was getting so high in his pitch count, probably wiser to pull the plug right there,” Renteria said.
“We’ll probably have a discussion tomorrow . . . and make a decision.”
“I felt good before the game,” Lopez said. “Made some good pitches and some that weren’t so good.”
Jose Abreu, named AL Player of the Month, tried to downplay the significance of beating the Twins before the game.
“At the end, what matters for us is just understanding what we need to do in order to win games,” Abreu said. “We don’t have to be concerned about what other teams do. They do whatever they’re going to do, but it’s what we can do to win every game, what we need to do to get better. I respect other teams; I respect the Twins. But, honestly, I’m not concerned about what they do.”
The Sox had chances early against Berrios. Abreu and Edwin Encarnacion singled in the second, but Jimenez, Luis Robert and Nomar Mazara struck out swinging on Berrios curveballs.
They loaded the bases with one out in the third but settled for one run on Abreu’s bouncer to first baseman Miguel Sano, who could’ve forced Anderson at home had he not bobbled the ball.
It was the 6-4, 270-pound Sano who was caught in a rundown between second and third on Arraez’s ground ball to Abreu. Moncada, rather than running Sano back toward second, flipped too soon to Anderson, and Anderson’s return throw to Abreu covering third was wide, allowing Sano to score.
“If we work as a team and address the things we need to address to win games, we’re going to be good at the end of the season,” Abreu said. “Then we don’t have to worry about other teams and other circumstances.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--75 pot shop licenses to be awarded in lottery that includes just 21 applicants; losing firms ‘shocke

75 pot shop licenses to be awarded in lottery that includes just 21 applicants; losing firms ‘shocked’

State officials announced Thursday that the next round of long-delayed and highly sought after cannabis dispensary licenses will be awarded in a lottery later this month .
The applicants that will be included in the lottery for the 75 new licenses were informed earlier in the day after a global accounting firm finished grading 1,667 applications , according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation .
All those applicants received perfect scores and qualify as social equity candidates , meaning they were afforded a leg-up in the application as part of the state ’ s efforts to build @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are extremely gratified that every license in this first round will go to a social equity applicant , ” said Toi Hutchinson , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s key cannabis adviser .
“ Illinois is the first and only state in the nation to reach this equity milestone .
Equity has been at the center of this legislation from day one of negotiations , as we worked to create a system that prioritizes social equity applicants and reinvests revenues in communities hit hardest by the war on drugs.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be issued on May 1 , have been delayed months by the coronavirus pandemic , which prompted a nationwide travel ban for the outside grading firm KPMG .
Applicants with tied scores in each of the 17 regions will receive a single entry into a region ’ s lottery for each application they submitted , the IDFPR said .
Some firms gambled and paid to submit multiple applications at a cost of $ 2,500 each .
Nearly 50 of the licenses will be awarded to shops to open in the Chicago region , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city and suburbs and beyond .
Licenses will be awarded conditionally and will be contingent on the businesses meeting various requirements , including equity provisions .
But all the spots in the lottery are held by just 21 applicants , according to the IDFPR .
Some of the winning applicants also share the same owners .
They will be able to win the right to open up to 10 pot shops in the lottery .
Edie Moore , executive director of the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of two of the limited liability corporations that were selected , according to records kept by the Illinois Secretary of State ’ s office .
Moore didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
In addition , two other applicants are both managed by a Western Springs company called Clean Slate Holdings LLC , records show .
The firm couldn ’ t be reached .
Of the 336 lottery spots , applicants tied to Clean Slate control 76 and Moore ’ s groups have nine more .
Meanwhile , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the line for many socially equity candidates hoping to gain footholds in the state ’ s booming weed business .
Michael Malcolm , a real estate broker from Morgan Park who submitted 10 applications across multiple regions , said it ’ s “ insane ” that the lottery includes so few entrants .
“ That doesn ’ t sound to me like social equity .
... That sounds like big business , ” Malcolm added while awaiting a call from his attorney to clarify certain rules .
“ It ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vincent Norment , an Englewood native and veteran of the U.S. Marines , applied for 21 licenses across all the regions .
His budding company was included in an incubator program led by Chicago-based cannabis giant Cresco Labs and even took money from outside investors hoping to get in on the ground floor of a local pot startup .
But on Thursday , he and his investors learned they ’ d had come out empty-handed .
Like Malcolm , Norment expressed concerns that only 21 applicants are entered in the lottery .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest in some of the firms included in the upcoming lottery .
Viola Brands , which has become the bellwether for Black ownership in the white-dominated weed industry , also came up short after applying for multiple licenses .
The Los Angeles firm was founded by former NBA star Al Harrington and Dan Pettigrew , a serial entrepreneur from Hyde Park .
Pettigrew declined to comment on Thursday , only saying that he was “ still digesting ” the news .
After all the state ’ s outstanding pot licenses have been issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow , infuse and transport the drug — Hutchinson said the state will conduct a disparity study “ to better understand how this new industry is working and correct any structural challenges to equity as we move forward in issuing hundreds of additional licenses and further developing this new industry .
”

State officials announced Thursday the next round of long-delayed and highly sought after cannabis dispensary licenses will be awarded in a lottery later this month.
The 21 qualifying applicants for the 75 new licenses were informed after a global accounting firm finished grading 4,518 applications, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
All those applicants received perfect scores and qualify as social equity candidates, meaning they were afforded a leg up in the application process as part of the state’s efforts to build diversity in an industry dominated by white men.
“We are extremely gratified that every license in this first round will go to a social equity applicant. ... Equity has been at the center of this legislation from day one of negotiations, as we worked to create a system that prioritizes social equity applicants and reinvests revenues in communities hit hardest by the war on drugs,” said Toi Hutchinson, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s key cannabis adviser.
Seventeen of the qualifying applicants have at least one minority owner, while 13 are majority owned by people of color, the IDFPR said. Sixteen have at least one owner who’s a woman.
Two-thirds of the applicants qualified because at least one person involved has for five of the last 10 years lived in an area that’s been disproportionately impacted by past marijuana enforcement, the IDFPR said.
The remaining applicants met other qualifications: Four are majority owned by individuals who have been arrested for or convicted of an expungeable pot offense; two more are majority owned by applicants with a family member, guardian or dependent that meets that criteria; and another has a workforce that consists mostly of people who would qualify.
The licenses, which were initially set to be issued on May 1, have been delayed months by the coronavirus pandemic, which prompted a nationwide travel ban for the outside grading firm KPMG.
Applicants with tied scores in each of the 17 regions will receive a single entry into a region’s lottery for each application they submitted, the IDFPR said. Some firms gambled and paid to submit multiple applications at a cost of $2,500 each.
Nearly 50 of the licenses will be awarded to shops to open in the Chicago region, which includes a wide area in the city, suburbs and beyond. Licenses will be awarded conditionally and be contingent on the businesses meeting various requirements, including equity provisions.
Announcement leaves losing applicants ‘shocked’
Some of the qualifying applicants share the same owners, according to records kept by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. They will ultimately be able to win the right to open up to 10 pot shops in the lottery.
Edie Moore, executive director of the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, is listed as a manager of two of the limited liability corporations that were selected, records show. Moore didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
In addition, two other applicants are both managed by a Western Springs company called Clean Slate Holdings LLC, records show. The firm couldn’t be reached.
Of the 336 lottery spots, applicants tied to Clean Slate control 76 and Moore’s groups have nine more.
The announcement of the drawing marked the end of the line for many socially equity candidates hoping to gain footholds in the state’s booming weed business.
Michael Malcolm, a real estate broker from Morgan Park who submitted 10 applications across multiple regions, said it’s “insane” the lottery includes so few entrants.
“That doesn’t sound to me like social equity. ... That sounds like big business,” Malcolm added while awaiting a call from his attorney to clarify certain rules. “It’s a bit of a shock right now.”
Vincent Norment (from left), Michael Malcolm and Dan Pettigrew were all shut out of a lottery to win licenses to run marijuana businesses in Illinois. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times; Santiago Covarrubias/For the Sun-Times
Vincent Norment, an Englewood native and veteran of the U.S. Marines, led a group that applied for 21 licenses across all the regions. Like Malcolm, Norment came out empty-handed and expressed concerns about the small pool of applicants included in the lottery.
“My team is shocked. I’m disappointed,” noted Norment, who said his group ultimately plans to invest in some of the firms included in the upcoming drawing.
After all the state’s outstanding pot licenses have been issued — including the other delayed permits to grow, infuse and transport the drug — Hutchinson said the state will conduct a disparity study “to better understand how this new industry is working and correct any structural challenges to equity as we move forward in issuing hundreds of additional licenses and further developing this new industry.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--Biden visits Kenosha with vow to tackle racism, bad policing — and looting: ‘Chance for a real awake

Biden visits Kenosha with vow to tackle racism, bad policing — and looting: ‘Chance for a real awakening here’

Capping a week that has seen two men paint starkly different portraits of a deeply divided America , Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited Kenosha on Thursday , declaring that the reeling Wisconsin city reveals “ an enormous opportunity ” for the nation to finally achieve racial equity .
“ I am not pessimistic .
I am optimistic about the opportunity if we seize it , ” the former vice president said during a community meeting organized by his campaign .
“ We ’ ve reached an inflection point in American history .
I honest to God believe we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen , the curtain , has been pulled back on just what ’ s going on in the country — to do a lot of really positive things , ” Biden said .
Just two days earlier , President Donald Trump visited that same southeastern Wisconsin city , painting Kenosha as a place “ ravaged by anti-police and anti-American riots ” in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake .
But while the president never mentioned Blake by name , Biden not only spoke of him , the former vice president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and talked with Jacob Blake himself by telephone .
For Biden , it was just his second trip outside a carefully controlled COVID-19 bubble over the last few months of a pandemic-ridden election race .
The Democratic nominee held court at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha , just west of the downtown area that saw days of heated protests — and nights of violent unrest — following the Aug. 23 shooting of Blake .
Before he spoke , Biden heard from an exhausted Kenosha firefighter and local small business owner trying to rebuild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and socially distanced attendees .
In a sometimes-meandering talk , the Democratic nominee said the devastation those workers had seen in their city reminded him of the destruction he saw in his hometown of Wilmington , Delaware , following the assassination of the Rev .
Martin Luther King , Jr. — and the encouragement he felt in seeing it rebuilt .
“ I said , ‘ Don ’ t tell me things can ’ t change ’ … but I made a mistake about something , ” Biden said .
“ I thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hides .
And when someone in authority breathes oxygen under that rock , it legitimizes those folks to come on out from under the rocks.
” That circled Biden back to what he ’ s said prompted his White House run : Trump ’ s comments that there were “ very fine people on both sides ” of deadly clashes between protesters and white supremacists in Charlottesville , Virginia , in 2017 .
“ The words of a president matter , no matter [ if ] they ’ re good , bad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden , who claimed Trump “ gives succor to the white supremacists.
” “ It ’ s not all his [ Trump ’ s ] fault .
But it legitimized a dark side of human nature .
What it did , though , was also expose what had not been paid enough attention to : the underlying racism that is institutionalized in the United States , that still exists and has for 400 years .
So we end up with a circumstance like we have here in Kenosha , ” Biden said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pestilence and plagues .
... And we ’ re finally now getting to the point where we ’ re going to be reaching the original sin of this country ... slavery and all the vestiges of it.
” He conceded “ I can ’ t guarantee everything gets solved in four years .
“ But I guarantee one thing : it ’ ll be a whole heck of a lot better .
We ’ ll move a lot farther down the road , ” Biden said .
Trump didn ’ t address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , instead spotlighting the property damage and slamming “ Democrat-run cities ” including Chicago for their handling of “ rioting , looting , arson and violence ” over the summer .
Biden said , “ Protesting is protesting … but none of it justifies burning , looting or anything else .
So regardless how angry you are , if you loot or burn , you should be held accountable the same as someone who has done anything else , period.
” He also said , if elected , he ’ d launch a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together civil rights activists and police chiefs to address racial disparities in policing .
“ A significant portion of the police are decent police , but there are a lot of bad folks in any organization .
There are a lot of people who don ’ t want to speak up and be the odd man out or the odd woman out , ” Biden said .
“ I think there is a real chance for a real awakening here .
I don ’ t think we have any alternative than to fight @ @ @

Capping a week that has seen two men paint starkly different portraits of a deeply divided America, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited Kenosha on Thursday, declaring the reeling Wisconsin city reveals “an enormous opportunity” for the nation to finally achieve racial equity.
“I am not pessimistic. I am optimistic about the opportunity if we seize it,” the former vice president said during a community meeting organized by his campaign.
“We’ve reached an inflection point in American history. I honest to God believe we have an enormous opportunity — now that the screen, the curtain, has been pulled back on just what’s going on in the country — to do a lot of really positive things,” Biden said.
Just two days earlier, President Donald Trump visited that same southeastern Wisconsin city, painting Kenosha as a place “ravaged by anti-police and anti-American riots” in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
But while the president never mentioned Blake by name, Biden not only spoke of him, the former vice president met with his family during his visit and talked with Jacob Blake himself by telephone.
For Biden, it was just his second trip outside a carefully controlled COVID-19 bubble over the last few months of a pandemic-ridden election race. The Democratic nominee held court at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha, just west of the downtown area that saw days of heated protests — and nights of violent unrest — following the Aug. 23 shooting of Blake.
Before he spoke, Biden heard from an exhausted Kenosha firefighter and local small business owner trying to rebuild, among just a couple dozen masked and socially distanced attendees.
In a sometimes-meandering talk, the Democratic nominee said the devastation those workers had seen in their city reminded him of the destruction he saw in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, following the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. — and the encouragement he felt in seeing it rebuilt.
“I said, ‘Don’t tell me things can’t change’ … but I made a mistake about something,” Biden said. “I thought you could defeat hate. It only hides. And when someone in authority breathes oxygen under that rock, it legitimizes those folks to come on out from under the rocks.”
That circled Biden back to what he’s said prompted his White House run: Trump’s comments that there were “very fine people on both sides” of deadly clashes between protesters and white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017.
“The words of a president matter, no matter [if] they’re good, bad, indifferent. They matter,” said Biden, who claimed Trump “gives succor to the white supremacists.”
“It’s not all his [Trump’s] fault. But it legitimized a dark side of human nature. What it did, though, was also expose what had not been paid enough attention to: the underlying racism that is institutionalized in the United States, that still exists and has for 400 years. So we end up with a circumstance like we have here in Kenosha,” Biden said.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden meets with community members at Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha, Wis., Thursday. Carolyn Kaster/AP
“We’ve gone through wars, pestilence and plagues. ... And we’re finally now getting to the point where we’re going to be reaching the original sin of this country ... slavery and all the vestiges of it.”
He conceded “I can’t guarantee everything gets solved in four years.
“But I guarantee one thing: It’ll be a whole heck of a lot better. We’ll move a lot farther down the road,” Biden said.
Trump didn’t address racism during his visit to Kenosha Tuesday, instead spotlighting the property damage and slamming “Democrat-run cities,” including Chicago, for their handling of “rioting, looting, arson and violence” over the summer.
Biden said, “Protesting is protesting … but none of it justifies burning, looting or anything else. So regardless how angry you are, if you loot or burn, you should be held accountable the same as someone who has done anything else, period.”
He also said if elected, he’d launch a White House commission on policing, bringing together civil rights activists and police chiefs to address racial disparities in policing.
“A significant portion of the police are decent police, but there are a lot of bad folks in any organization. There are a lot of people who don’t want to speak up and be the odd man out or the odd woman out,” Biden said.
“I think there is a real chance for a real awakening here. I don’t think we have any alternative than to fight back.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--In Kenosha, Biden tells nervous Democrats Trump’s ‘law and order’ push is not working

Share All sharing options for : In Kenosha , Biden tells nervous Democrats Trump ’ s ‘ law and order ’ push is not working KENOSHA , WIS. — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden arrived at Grace Lutheran Church on Thursday on a healing — and turnout — mission , tying the Jacob Blake shooting to a series of larger race-related issues two months before his showdown with President Donald Trump .
“ I made a mistake about something .
I thought you could defeat hate .
It only hides , ” said Biden , masked and socially distancing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he listened , Biden hear from a former Marine , a looted picture frame shop owner and a lawyer who worked defense and prosecution only to conclude no matter what side of the aisle she was on , the system was rigged against Black and Brown defendants .
Trump was in Kenosha on Tuesday with a starkly different agenda , emphasizing and praising law enforcement — law and order is his main message for now — while ignoring the incident that ’ s sparked protests and riots : A white Kenosha police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Black man , seven times in the back .
Blake is paralyzed with other severe internal injuries .
Biden , traveling with his wife Jill , had a combo assignment on Thursday : Meeting with the Blake family — he talked to the hospitalized younger Blake by phone — the church visit that showcased the empathy he earned through tragedy and winning the key swing state of Wisconsin .
The rap against Hillary Clinton was she never campaigned in Wisconsin in 2016 , contributing to her 22,000-vote defeat in this key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , his vice president , won the state in 2008 and 2012 .
Biden ’ s visit on Thursday was his first in the Badger State since the 2018 mid-term elections , when he came to stump for folks on the Democratic Wisconsin ticket .
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic , Biden had no in-person appearance before the April Wisconsin primary .
And after cancelling the Democratic National Convention activities in Milwaukee , he also scraped plans to deliver his acceptance speech in that city because of the spike in the state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a second stop in Wauwatosa , targeting the GOP vote rich Milwaukee suburbs .
The idea is to shave points from Trump ’ s presumed margin on that turf .
In a backyard , Biden talked about school re-openings during the pandemic , a topic aim at worried parents .
Kenosha is a swing county in a swing state , with Trump prevailing in 2016 by just 286 votes .
Obama and Biden won here in 2008 and 2012 .
Kenosha County Democratic Chair Lori Hawkins , a Bristol resident and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kenosha before she headed to Grace Lutheran Church .
“ We ’ re glad ( Biden ) is here today , and people understand why he hasn ’ t been here , ” she said , as Trump ’ s campaign on Thursday continued to pound Biden for not being in Wisconsin before now .
Whether Trump ’ s scorched rhetoric and in-person Kenosha visit on Tuesday helped him remains to be seen , Hawkins said .
Trump on Tuesday “ didn ’ t meet the moment that we needed from a president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our community , ” she said .
Healing is what Biden is selling .
If Biden were president , he said he would create a commission and get everyone – police chiefs , civil rights activists , Black and Latino representatives – together to “ work it out .
Because a significant portion of police are decent people.
” Near the end , Biden said , “ I think there is a chance for a real awakening here .
And the point is , I don ’ t think we have any alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nervous Democrats who think Trump , after his law and order convention “ really made inroads , ” Biden said in a big stage whisper , “ He hasn ’ t .
“ Not at all .
This should give you a little bit of confidence in the American people .
They ain ’ t buying it.
” Earlier in the day , a block away from where Blake was shot , I talked to Ardis Mosley , a member of a pioneering Kenosha civil rights family , as youths were painting murals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scuba and Aquatic Center .
Mosley said the young student mural project is intended , in part , for the youth to “ express their feelings about what is taking place .
And also to show them , that all is not discouraged.
” They ’ ve been painting for two days and have more work to do on Friday .
With the Trump and Biden visits have any impact on the vote ?
Said Mosley , Biden “ represents hope , that change is going to come , ” that “ there @ @ @ @ @ @

KENOSHA, Wis. — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden arrived at Grace Lutheran Church on Thursday on a healing — and turnout — mission, tying the Jacob Blake shooting to a series of larger race-related issues two months before his showdown with President Donald Trump.
“I made a mistake about something. I thought you could defeat hate. It only hides,” said Biden, masked and socially distancing. “It only hides.”
Taking notes as he listened, Biden heard from a former Marine fire fighter, a looted picture frame shop owner and a lawyer who worked defense and prosecution only to conclude no matter what side of the aisle she was on, the system was rigged against Black and Brown defendants.
Trump was in Kenosha on Tuesday with a starkly different agenda, emphasizing and praising law enforcement — law and order is his main message for now — while ignoring the incident that’s sparked protests and riots: A white Kenosha police officer shot the Evanston-raised Blake, 29, a Black man, seven times in the back. Blake is paralyzed with other severe internal injuries.
Opinion bug Opinion
Biden, traveling with his wife, Jill, had a combo assignment on Thursday: meeting with the Blake family — he talked to the hospitalized younger Blake by phone — the church visit that showcased the empathy he earned through tragedy, and winning the key swing state of Wisconsin.
The rap against Hillary Clinton was she never campaigned in Wisconsin in 2016, contributing to her 22,000-vote defeat in the state. President Barack Obama and Biden, his vice president, won the state in 2008 and 2012.
Biden’s visit on Thursday was his first in the Badger State since the 2018 midterm elections, when he came to stump for folks on the Democratic Wisconsin ticket.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden had no in-person appearance before the April Wisconsin primary. And after cancelling the Democratic National Convention activities in Milwaukee, he also scrapped plans to deliver his acceptance speech in that city because of the state’s spike in coronavirus infections.
After Kenosha, Biden made a second stop in Wauwatosa, targeting the GOP vote-rich Milwaukee suburbs. The idea is to shave points from Trump’s presumed margin on that turf. In a backyard, Biden talked about school reopenings during the pandemic, a topic aimed at worried parents.
Kenosha is in a swing county in a swing state, with Trump prevailing in 2016 by just 286 votes.
Kenosha County Democratic Chair Lori Hawkins, a Bristol resident and an English teacher, and I talked about Kenosha before she headed to Grace Lutheran Church.
Kenosha County Democratic Chair Lori Hawkins on Sept. 3, 2020 | Lynn Sweet/Sun-Times
“We’re glad [Biden] is here today, and people understand why he hasn’t been here,” she said, as Trump’s campaign on Thursday continued to pound Biden for not being in Wisconsin before now.
Whether Trump’s scorched rhetoric and in-person Kenosha visit on Tuesday helped him remains to be seen, Hawkins said.
Trump on Tuesday “didn’t meet the moment that we needed from a president. He was not here to heal our community,” she said.
Healing is what Biden is selling.
If Biden were president, he said he would create a commission and get everyone — police chiefs, civil rights activists, Black and Latino representatives — together to “work it out. Because a significant portion of police are decent people.”
Near the end, Biden said, “I think there is a chance for a real awakening here. And the point is, I don’t think we have any alternative but to fight.”
And to the nervous Democrats who think Trump, after his law and order convention, “really made inroads,” Biden said in a big stage whisper, “He hasn’t.”
“Not at all. This should give you a little bit of confidence in the American people. They ain’t buying it.”
Longtime Kenosha resident Ardis Mosley on Sept. 3, 2020 | Lynn Sweet/Sun-Times
Earlier in the day, a block away from where Blake was shot, I talked to Ardis Mosley, a member of a pioneering Kenosha civil rights family, as youths were painting murals on the boarded-up Diver Dan’s Scuba and Aquatic Center.
Her brother, Tim Mahone, of their family Mary Lou & Arthur F. Mahone Fund - which provides scholarships and services to Kenosha’s residents of color - moderated the Biden event at the church.
Mosley said the student mural project is intended, in part, for the youths to “express their feelings about what is taking place. And also to show them that all is not discouraged.” They’ve been painting for two days and have more work to do on Friday.
Will the Trump and Biden visits have any impact on the vote? Said Mosley, Biden “represents hope, that change is going to come,” that “there is a brighter tomorrow.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--A failing, smashing, broken windows presidency

Let me explain .
In 1982 , the Atlantic published an article that became legendary in conservative circles .
Authored by George Kelling and the late James Q. Wilson , “ Broken Windows ” argued for better community policing .
Police walking a beat , they urged , tended to reduce the quality of life crimes that degrade city life — public urination , aggressive panhandling , turnstile jumping .
“ Disorder and crime are usually inextricably linked , ” they wrote , “ if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired , all the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” For the better part of two decades , “ broken windows policing ” was credited with the sharp drop in crime the nation experienced starting in the 1990s .
That may or may not have been justified ; the drop in crime has yet to be fully explained .
Whatever the problems of implementation may have been with broken windows policing , the insight on which it was based — that disorder begets more disorder — seemed sound , particularly to conservatives who are temperamentally more sensitive to disruptions of order than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ply their trade unmolested on street corners and drunks are sleeping in vestibules , it ’ s an invitation to more serious breakdowns of public order .
Oddly , conservatives seem not to have applied this insight to Donald Trump , who , from the moment he entered the fray , has been hurling rocks through windows .
He smashed the window that required candidates to provide their tax returns .
He lobbed a brick through the norm that American public figures do not encourage vigilantism .
He demolished the principle that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before former aides caught in criminal activity .
Each and every time he has violated a law or a norm and received no pushback from his party , he has made further violations of law and custom more likely .
Though it was hardly the most egregious infraction during his tenure , Trump used the White House as a political platform for the Republican National Convention .
This violates the Hatch Act , which forbids most executive branch officials from engaging in political activity during their working hours .
When the president first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the White House , a couple of Republican senators demurred .
Sen. John Thune , the majority whip , said , “ I think anything you do on federal property would seem to be problematic.
” And Sen. John Cornyn used nearly identical language : “ I would have to have somebody show me where it says he could do that .
I would think on government property would be problematic.
” But then Trump went ahead and did it , and they were heard no more .
During the original reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine , Axios asked Sen. Lindsey Graham whether he could envision any circumstances under which he would vote to convict Trump .
“ Sure , ” he said .
“ Show me something that is a crime .
If you could show me that Trump actually was engaging in a quid pro quo , outside the phone call , that would be very disturbing.
” But when the evidence was forthcoming , Graham was not .
Like every other Republican except Mitt Romney , he let it go .
And because the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law and custom , the transgressions have become more flagrant .
The morning after Robert Mueller testified before Congress and was perceived to be ineffectual , Trump dialed up Volodymyr Zelensky and attempted to extort him .
When his invitation to supporters to rough up protesters went unrebutted by Republicans , he openly cheered vigilantes who strapped on long guns and went looking for violence in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
The irony is thick .
In 2016 , Donald Trump ran against what he called the “ corrupt ” Republican elites who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working man .
In reality , the true dereliction by Republican elites has come after Trump ’ s triumph , with their cringing accommodation of his escalating offenses .
Only Republicans were in a position to affect Trump ’ s conduct .
Any criticism by Democrats would be dismissed as partisan sniping .
Only members of his own party could have upheld crucial standards of democratic governance , and they failed .
There have been one or two exceptions to this rule of Republican servility .
When Republicans joined Democrats to criticize the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children from their parents at the border , Trump reversed the policy .
And when the president floated the idea of postponing the election , Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy both jumped to contradict him .
Trump never mentioned it again .
But those examples are not comforting .
Quite the opposite .
They reveal how sensitive Trump actually was to pressure .
They show how very easy it would have been for Republicans to maintain a minimum of civic hygiene .
Instead , they ignored the political equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking windows .
They permitted an atmosphere of disorder and lawlessness .
And now Trump is openly inciting violence on the streets , fomenting distrust of the election results and welcoming insane conspiracists into honored positions in American public life .
When one broken window goes unrepaired , the rest are soon broken as well .
Mona Charen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center .

President Donald Trump is a broken windows president.
Let me explain. In 1982, the Atlantic published an article that became legendary in conservative circles. Authored by George Kelling and the late James Q. Wilson, “Broken Windows” argued for better community policing. Police walking a beat, they urged, tended to reduce the quality of life crimes that degrade city life — public urination, aggressive panhandling, turnstile jumping.
“Disorder and crime are usually inextricably linked,” they wrote, “if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken.”
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
For the better part of two decades, “broken windows policing” was credited with the sharp drop in crime the nation experienced starting in the 1990s. That may or may not have been justified; the drop in crime has yet to be fully explained.
Whatever the problems of implementation may have been with broken windows policing, the insight on which it was based — that disorder begets more disorder — seemed sound, particularly to conservatives who are temperamentally more sensitive to disruptions of order than liberals. If drug dealers are able to ply their trade unmolested on street corners and drunks are sleeping in vestibules, it’s an invitation to more serious breakdowns of public order.
Oddly, conservatives seem not to have applied this insight to Donald Trump, who, from the moment he entered the fray, has been hurling rocks through windows. He smashed the window that required candidates to provide their tax returns. He lobbed a brick through the norm that American public figures do not encourage vigilantism. He demolished the principle that American presidents don’t dangle pardons before former aides caught in criminal activity.
Each and every time he has violated a law or a norm and received no pushback from his party, he has made further violations of law and custom more likely.
Though it was hardly the most egregious infraction during his tenure, Trump used the White House as a political platform for the Republican National Convention. This violates the Hatch Act, which forbids most executive branch officials from engaging in political activity during their working hours.
When the president first floated the idea of holding the convention at the White House, a couple of Republican senators demurred. Sen. John Thune, the majority whip, said, “I think anything you do on federal property would seem to be problematic.” And Sen. John Cornyn used nearly identical language: “I would have to have somebody show me where it says he could do that. I would think on government property would be problematic.”
But then Trump went ahead and did it, and they were heard no more.
During the original reporting of Trump’s extortionate demands on Ukraine, Axios asked Sen. Lindsey Graham whether he could envision any circumstances under which he would vote to convict Trump.
“Sure,” he said. “Show me something that is a crime. If you could show me that Trump actually was engaging in a quid pro quo, outside the phone call, that would be very disturbing.”
But when the evidence was forthcoming, Graham was not. Like every other Republican except Mitt Romney, he let it go.
And because the Republican Party elites have overlooked so many violations of law and custom, the transgressions have become more flagrant. The morning after Robert Mueller testified before Congress and was perceived to be ineffectual, Trump dialed up Volodymyr Zelensky and attempted to extort him. When his invitation to supporters to rough up protesters went unrebutted by Republicans, he openly cheered vigilantes who strapped on long guns and went looking for violence in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
The irony is thick. In 2016, Donald Trump ran against what he called the “corrupt” Republican elites who had failed to stand up for the working man. In reality, the true dereliction by Republican elites has come after Trump’s triumph, with their cringing accommodation of his escalating offenses.
Only Republicans were in a position to affect Trump’s conduct. Any criticism by Democrats would be dismissed as partisan sniping. Only members of his own party could have upheld crucial standards of democratic governance, and they failed.
There have been one or two exceptions to this rule of Republican servility. When Republicans joined Democrats to criticize the president’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the border, Trump reversed the policy. And when the president floated the idea of postponing the election, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy both jumped to contradict him.
Trump never mentioned it again.
But those examples are not comforting. Quite the opposite. They reveal how sensitive Trump actually was to pressure. They show how very easy it would have been for Republicans to maintain a minimum of civic hygiene. Instead, they ignored the political equivalent of turnstile jumping, public urination and breaking windows. They permitted an atmosphere of disorder and lawlessness. And now Trump is openly inciting violence on the streets, fomenting distrust of the election results and welcoming insane conspiracists into honored positions in American public life.
When one broken window goes unrepaired, the rest are soon broken as well.
Mona Charen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--Daniel Prude’s daughter calls for murder charges in father’s death after encounter with cops; 7 offi

Daniel Prude’s daughter calls for murder charges in father’s death after encounter with cops; 7 officers suspended

The daughter of a South Side man killed by police in Rochester , New York , said the person seen on a video of the encounter is not an accurate depiction of who her father was .
“ Everybody sees my father now as somebody who was helpless and who was in a bad mental state at the time of his death , but I didn ’ t know him as that , ” said 18-year-old Tashyra Prude .
“ I knew him as a caring , energetic and happy-go lucky man who enjoyed making everybody smile and who loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was difficult and devastating to watch her normally strong-willed father , Daniel , in a “ state of helplessness ” while police officers placed a hood over his head and forcefully restrained him .
The situation was made worse , she said , because he appeared to be complying with officers .
“ It ’ s really taking a toll on me and my siblings because we ’ ve never seen our father in a situation that way at all , and all I have to say now is I want justice .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Tashyra Prude , who is also from Chicago but currently away at college .
Her comments Thursday followed the release of police body-camera video that shows her 41-year-old father ’ s fatal interaction with police back on March 23 .
They also came shortly before the mayor of Rochester announced the seven officers involved had been suspended .
Daniel Prude , a father of five children who had worked in a factory , was found by police walking through the streets of Rochester unarmed , naked and behaving erratically .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ health arrest and subdue him until he could receive emergency treatment .
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle , officers directed Daniel Prude to lie on the ground and place his hands behind his back .
He did so immediately , saying , “ sure thing , sure thing.
” Up until this point the video doesn ’ t show Daniel Prude giving officers any physical resistance , but at some point , he began shouting and spitting onto the street .
Once the spitting began officers placed a white “ spit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police from bodily fluids .
Shortly after , he began yelling at officers — while sitting down on the street and handcuffed — to give him their guns .
An officer then pushed him over and pressed his head against the pavement , while another used his knee on Daniel Prude ’ s torso to pin him down .
A third officer held his legs down .
Daniel Prude ’ s head was pushed down by the officer for 2 minutes and 15 seconds before he went silent .
He was taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later ; he died March 30 after being taken off life support .
The Monroe County Medical Examiner ruled Daniel Prude ’ s death a homicide caused by “ complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.
” The report lists excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine , or PCP , as contributing factors .
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced the suspension of the officers at a Thursday press conference .
“ Mr .
Daniel Prude was failed by the police department , our mental health care system , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Warren said .
Warren said she only became aware of the use of force on Aug. 4 , and that Police Chief La ’ Ron Singletary initially portrayed Prude ’ s death as a drug overdose , which is “ entirely different ” than what she witnessed in body camera video .
The mayor said she told the chief she was “ deeply , personally and professionally disappointed ” in his failure to accurately inform her what happened to Prude .
Warren said the seven officers would still be paid because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking the action against the advise of counsel — but doesn ’ t care if the city gets sued .
She didn ’ t announce action against Singletary .
An internal police investigation into the fatal event determined the officers ’ actions appeared to be “ appropriate and consistent with their training.
” “ Training at police departments has to always put the safety of the citizens first , and we ’ ve seen the training that police officers are provided teaches them unsafe tactics , ” said Nicolette Ward , an attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be trained that this is an incredibly risky procedure , and they should not be taking any actions that increase the risk of asphyxia.
” Daniel Prude ’ s case raises many concerns regarding police tactics that can prove lethal and has many parallels to the police killing of George Floyd that sparked months-long protests that continue today .
“ It ’ s a terrifying example of the way in which police treat mentally ill individuals in America and the way police treat Black men in America , ” Ward said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , and we ’ re here to stand today to say that asking for help should never be a death sentence.
” The city of Rochester and the Rochester Police Department did not respond to requests for comment .

The daughter of a South Side man killed by police in Rochester, New York, said the person seen on a video of the encounter is not an accurate depiction of who her father was.
“Everybody sees my father now as somebody who was helpless and who was in a bad mental state at the time of his death, but I didn’t know him as that,” said 18-year-old Tashyra Prude. “I knew him as a caring, energetic and happy-go lucky man who enjoyed making everybody smile and who loved his kids.”
Tashyra Prude said it was difficult and devastating to watch her normally strong-willed father, Daniel, in a “state of helplessness” while police officers placed a hood over his head and forcefully restrained him. The situation was made worse, she said, because he appeared to be complying with officers.
“It’s really taking a toll on me and my siblings because we’ve never seen our father in a situation that way at all, and all I have to say now is I want justice. I want these officers charged with murder,” said Tashyra Prude, who is also from Chicago but currently away at college.
Her comments Thursday followed the release of police body-camera video that shows her 41-year-old father’s fatal interaction with police back on March 23. They also came shortly before the mayor of Rochester announced the seven officers involved had been suspended.
Tashyra Prude, daughter of Daniel Prude, called for the police involved with her fathers death be charged during an interview via Zoom Thursday. Zoom Screenshot.
Daniel Prude, a father of five children who had worked in a factory, was found by police walking through the streets of Rochester unarmed, naked and behaving erratically. The officers planned to make a mental health arrest and subdue him until he could receive emergency treatment.
According to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, officers directed Daniel Prude to lie on the ground and place his hands behind his back. He did so immediately, saying, “sure thing, sure thing.” Up until this point the video doesn’t show Daniel Prude giving officers any physical resistance, but at some point, he began shouting and spitting onto the street.
Once the spitting began officers placed a white “spit hood” over his head to protect police from bodily fluids. Shortly after, he began yelling at officers — while sitting down on the street and handcuffed — to give him their guns.
An officer then pushed him over and pressed his head against the pavement, while another used his knee on Daniel Prude’s torso to pin him down. A third officer held his legs down.
Daniel Prude’s head was pushed down by the officer for 2 minutes and 15 seconds before he went silent. He was taken to a hospital and declared brain dead seven days later; he died March 30 after being taken off life support.
The Monroe County Medical Examiner ruled Daniel Prude’s death a homicide caused by “complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint.” The report lists excited delirium and acute intoxication by phencyclidine, or PCP, as contributing factors.
Daniel Prude AP
Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren announced the suspension of the officers at a Thursday press conference.
“Mr. Daniel Prude was failed by the police department, our mental health care system, our society and he was failed by me,” Warren said.
Warren said she only became aware of the use of force on Aug. 4, and that Police Chief La’Ron Singletary initially portrayed Prude’s death as a drug overdose, which is “entirely different” than what she witnessed in body camera video. The mayor said she told the chief she was “deeply, personally and professionally disappointed” in his failure to accurately inform her what happened to Prude.
Warren said the seven officers would still be paid because of contract rules and that she was taking the action against the advise of counsel — but doesn’t care if the city gets sued. She didn’t announce action against Singletary.
An internal police investigation into the fatal event determined the officers’ actions appeared to be “appropriate and consistent with their training.”
“Training at police departments has to always put the safety of the citizens first, and we’ve seen the training that police officers are provided teaches them unsafe tactics,” said Nicolette Ward, an attorney representing Tashyra Prude. “Police have to be trained that this is an incredibly risky procedure, and they should not be taking any actions that increase the risk of asphyxia.”
Daniel Prude’s case raises many concerns regarding police tactics that can prove lethal and has many parallels to the police killing of George Floyd that sparked months-long protests that continue today.
“It’s a terrifying example of the way in which police treat mentally ill individuals in America and the way police treat Black men in America,” Ward said. “Daniel Prude died because he needed help, and we’re here to stand today to say that asking for help should never be a death sentence.”
The city of Rochester and the Rochester Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--Trump ‘October surprise’ coronavirus vaccine will be a hard sell with a wary public

For months , scientists have predicted that a vaccine against COVID-19 could be available , in a best-case scenario , sometime early next year .
Now the Trump administration is signaling that a vaccine will be ready months before that .
But no matter how weary Americans surely are of this pandemic , we don ’ t expect many folks to breathe a sigh of relief and make plans to get a shot .
Instead , what we ’ re seeing is a lot of raised eyebrows about the news that Robert Redfield , head of the Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all governors asking them to fast-track plans to distribute a vaccine by Nov. 1 .
An “ October surprise ” vaccine ?
Ready to distribute two days before Election Day ?
The timing is just too perfect , coming as it does from a Trump administration that has badly botched its handling of this deadly pandemic from the start .
And , more telling yet , coming from a president who ’ s trailing in the polls just 61 days before the Nov. 3 election .
Now more than ever , Americans must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of , independent scientists .
We must get the data and scientific findings directly from them — not politicians or political appointees — to have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of any vaccine .
With this latest development , it ’ s almost as though the Trump administration were trying to confirm the worst fears of millions of Americans .
Seventy-eight percent of us , according to a new Harris poll , already believe the COVID-19 vaccine approval process is being driven by politics instead of science .
There ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just not stupid .
All blame goes to a president who has been dismissive , dishonest and incompetent in fighting COVID-19 all year long , even as our nation has paid a steep price , with 183,000 dead and 6 million people infected .
As Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday , stating the obvious : “ Why do we think , God willing , when we get a vaccine — that is good , works — why do we think the public is gon na line up to be willing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to say Nine vaccines are now in large-scale Phase 3 clinical trials , and any one of them could prove to be safe and effective sooner than scientists have so far predicted .
As Dr. Anthony Fauci has explained , the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board , which periodically reviews the data from clinical trials , could decide to end the trials early — perhaps at year ’ s end — if the preliminary findings for a vaccine are overwhelmingly positive .
But “ the earlier you stop it , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It should reassure us that the monitoring board is made up of independent scientists who also have the ability to , if nothing else , publicly challenge any move by the administration to release a vaccine too soon .
Still , scientists already are expressing skepticism about the CDC ’ s Nov. 1 timeline and raising concerns that the Food and Drug Administration , under political pressure , might give an insufficiently vetted vaccine emergency approval .
“ It gives the appearance of a stunt rather than an expression of public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dean at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston , said .
“ November feels awfully early , ” said Ashish Jha , dean of Brown University ’ s public health school .
American health experts already were facing an uphill battle to educate the public about a vaccine against the coronavirus .
One survey after another — taken well before the Trump administration hinted at a suspiciously early vaccine release — has found that anywhere from a third to nearly 50 % of Americans said they wouldn ’ t take a COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-vaxxers , who reject the decades of science proving the value and safety of any vaccine , against any disease , even those vaccines with long track records , such as for polio .
Hospitals and universities are having a hard time recruiting Blacks and Latinos for COVID-19 vaccine trials .
That ’ s undoubtedly the result , in part , to this country ’ s shameful past , during which African Americans were subjected , without their knowledge , to medical experimentation .
It ’ s essential that the current COVID-19 vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ color , given that the virus has had a particularly devastating impact on African Americans and Latinos .
The Trump administration would like you to believe — before you cast your vote — that the global struggle to develop a sure-fire vaccine against COVID-19 has been all but won .
How wonderful that would be .
If true .
But we ’ ll wait to celebrate until our nation ’ s best medical experts , not our worst president , gives us the green light .

For months, scientists have predicted that a vaccine against COVID-19 could be available, in a best-case scenario, sometime early next year.
Now the Trump administration is signaling that a vaccine will be ready months before that. But no matter how weary Americans surely are of this pandemic, we don’t expect many folks to breathe a sigh of relief and make plans to get a shot.
Instead, what we’re seeing is a lot of raised eyebrows about the news that Robert Redfield, head of the Centers for Disease Control, has sent a letter to all governors asking them to fast-track plans to distribute a vaccine by Nov. 1.
An “October surprise” vaccine? Ready to distribute two days before Election Day?
The timing is just too perfect, coming as it does from a Trump administration that has badly botched its handling of this deadly pandemic from the start. And, more telling yet, coming from a president who’s trailing in the polls just 61 days before the Nov. 3 election.
Editorials bug Editorials
Now more than ever, Americans must hear from, and follow the guidance of, independent scientists. We must get the data and scientific findings directly from them — not politicians or political appointees — to have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of any vaccine.
With this latest development, it’s almost as though the Trump administration were trying to confirm the worst fears of millions of Americans. Seventy-eight percent of us, according to a new Harris poll, already believe the COVID-19 vaccine approval process is being driven by politics instead of science.
There’s no blaming the skeptics. They’re just not stupid. All blame goes to a president who has been dismissive, dishonest and incompetent in fighting COVID-19 all year long, even as our nation has paid a steep price, with 183,000 dead and 6 million people infected.
As Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said Wednesday, stating the obvious: “Why do we think, God willing, when we get a vaccine — that is good, works — why do we think the public is gonna line up to be willing to take the injection?”
What scientists have to say
Nine vaccines are now in large-scale Phase 3 clinical trials, and any one of them could prove to be safe and effective sooner than scientists have so far predicted.
As Dr. Anthony Fauci has explained, the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board, which periodically reviews the data from clinical trials, could decide to end the trials early — perhaps at year’s end — if the preliminary findings for a vaccine are overwhelmingly positive.
But “the earlier you stop it, the higher the bar,” Fauci cautioned.
It should reassure us that the monitoring board is made up of independent scientists who also have the ability to, if nothing else, publicly challenge any move by the administration to release a vaccine too soon.
Still, scientists already are expressing skepticism about the CDC’s Nov. 1 timeline and raising concerns that the Food and Drug Administration, under political pressure, might give an insufficiently vetted vaccine emergency approval.
“It gives the appearance of a stunt rather than an expression of public health concern,” Dr. Peter Hotez, a dean at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said.
“November feels awfully early,” said Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s public health school.
Fighting uphill
American health experts already were facing an uphill battle to educate the public about a vaccine against the coronavirus. One survey after another — taken well before the Trump administration hinted at a suspiciously early vaccine release — has found that anywhere from a third to nearly 50% of Americans said they wouldn’t take a COVID-19 vaccine.
And then there are the anti-vaxxers, who reject the decades of science proving the value and safety of any vaccine, against any disease, even those vaccines with long track records, such as for polio.
Hospitals and universities are having a hard time recruiting Blacks and Latinos for COVID-19 vaccine trials. That’s undoubtedly the result, in part, to this country’s shameful past, during which African Americans were subjected, without their knowledge, to medical experimentation.
It’s essential that the current COVID-19 vaccine trials include large numbers of people of color, given that the virus has had a particularly devastating impact on African Americans and Latinos.
The Trump administration would like you to believe — before you cast your vote — that the global struggle to develop a sure-fire vaccine against COVID-19 has been all but won.
How wonderful that would be. If true.
But we’ll wait to celebrate until our nation’s best medical experts, not our worst president, gives us the green light.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--White Sox’ Yoan Moncada dealing with fatigue as well as leg issues

Yoan Moncada has dealt with soreness in his legs this season but the White Sox third baseman revealed Thursday he is also dealing with fatigue issues , which may be related to testing positive for the coronavirus before summer camp got underway .
“ My body hasn ’ t felt the same after the virus , ” Moncada said through a translator before the Sox opened a four-game series against the Royals in Kansas City .
“ I feel a lack of energy and strength .
It ’ s a weird feeling .
It ’ s different .
When I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong and with energy .
Now it ’ s a daily battle to find that energy to go through the day.
” Moncada is batting .248/.338/.421 with five homers and six doubles in 31 games .
He was third in the American League with a .315 batting average and 11th in slugging ( .548 ) with 25 homers last season .
After a good start , Moncada is batting .202 with three homers in his last 22 games .
“ I hope he can play to the excellent level he has in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But we are aware of the things he ’ s going through on a daily basis.
” Moncada missed three games with soreness in the left hamstring before returning Wednesday to play against the Twins .
He said he feels it when he runs .
“ There is discomfort in my leg but it ’ s not something that won ’ t let me play , ” Moncada said .
“ It ’ s not full strength like I ’ m used to , but I ’ m managing it.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t been a huge hindrance to the Sox ( 22-15 ) , who have won 12 of their last 16 games , because power surges have come from so many different players .
All things considered , Moncada isn ’ t beating himself up over his performance .
“ It hasn ’ t been a bad season , even though all the struggles , I don ’ t think it ’ s been a bad season , ” Moncada said .
“ Especially considering how I started playing the season — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two weeks or so and then I just started playing .
I would say so far , so good.
” Moncada was asymptomatic when he tested positive during the team ’ s intake period in July .

White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada has dealt with soreness in his legs this season, but he revealed Thursday that he is also dealing with fatigue issues related to testing positive for the coronavirus before summer camp got underway.
“My body hasn’t felt the same after the virus,” Moncada said before the Sox opened a four-game series against the Royals with an 11-6 victory in Kansas City. “I feel a lack of energy and strength. It’s a weird feeling. It’s different. When I got to Chicago, I was feeling strong and with energy. Now it’s a daily battle to find that energy to go through the day.”
Offensive energy flowed freely throughout the Sox’ lineup at Kauffman Stadium a night after the team dropped its second straight game, this one in ugly fashion, to the Twins. Fueled by homers from Edwin Encarnacion, Tim Anderson and Luis Robert, the Sox (23-15) got the needed bounce-back and closed to a half-game of the idle first-place Indians in the American League Central.
“It was definitely a priority to jump on them,” Anderson said. “We saw how bad we can be [making four errors in the 8-1 loss Wednesday to the Twins]. We wanted to see how good we can be.
“Last night was so bad, we were ready to get out there and produce good results.”
After Hunter Dozier homered against right-hander Dylan Cease to put the Sox in a 1-0 hole in the first, a five-run second provided a comfy cushion. Encarnacion’s 446-foot homer to left, his seventh of the season, got it started, and Jose Abreu’s two-run double with the bases full capped it off.
Anderson homered in the fourth to make it 6-1, and after the Royals closed to 6-4, Robert’s 458-foot three-run homer against right-hander Jake Newberry highlighted a five-run Sox seventh. It was Robert’s 11th and longest homer of his rookie season.
Asked what teammates said to him after the home run, Robert said, “Wow, you’re strong.”
“Big win, today’s game was important,” Robert said. “But just as important is tomorrow’s game, as every game is at this point of the season.”
Moncada lifted a sacrifice fly one batter before Robert’s bomb. His 2020 numbers pale next to 2019, when he was third in the AL with a .315 batting average and 11th in slugging (.548) with 25 homers.
After a good start, Moncada (.242 average) is batting .195 with three homers in his last 23 games. He was asymptomatic when he tested positive during the team’s intake period in July.
“I hope he can play to the excellent level he has in the past,” manager Rick Renteria said. “But we are aware of the things he’s going through on a daily basis.”
Moncada missed three games with soreness in his left hamstring before returning to play Wednesday in Minnesota.
The Sox improved to 6-1 against the Royals and to 12-0 against left-handed starters. They own the second-longest season-opening streak against lefties in major-league history behind the 1963 Orioles (16-0), according to STATS.
Cease (5-2, 3.29 ERA) allowed three runs, four hits and two walks. He struck out only one and got seven swings and misses in five-plus innings.
“I have to do a better job filling the strike zone,” Cease said.
The Royals put the tying run in the on-deck circle with one out after loading the bases against Steve Cishek in the ninth. Bubba Starling struck out, and Danny Mendick made a slick play to retire Edward Olivares on a groundout to end the game.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--Teen killed in Skokie motorcycle crash

Teen killed in Skokie motorcycle crash

A 17-year-old boy was killed when his motorcycle crashed into a sedan Thursday in suburban Skokie .
Authorities responded about @ @ @ @ @ a collision between two vehicles in the 3500 block of Howard Street , Skokie police @ @ @ @ @ According to preliminary information , a 17-year-old boy was eastbound on Howard on a motorcycle @ @ @ @ @ of a parking lot and into his path , police said .
The teen was @ @ @ @ @ in Evanston , where he was later pronounced dead , police said .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ 65-year-old man , was taken to Skokie Hospital with non-life threatening injuries , police said @ @ @ @ @ North Regional Task Force Major Crash Assistance Team are investigating .

A 17-year-old boy was killed when his motorcycle crashed into a sedan Thursday in suburban Skokie.
Authorities responded about 9:45 a.m. for reports of a collision between two vehicles in the 3500 block of Howard Street, Skokie police said in a statement.
According to preliminary information, a 17-year-old boy was eastbound on Howard on a motorcycle when a sedan pulled out of a parking lot and into his path, police said.
The teen was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.
The driver of the sedan, a 65-year-old man, was taken to Skokie Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, police said.
Skokie police and the North Regional Task Force Major Crash Assistance Team are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-03--Illinois reports 1,360 new COVID-19 cases (LIVE UPDATES)

Illinois sees fewest new coronavirus cases in three weeks , slight dip in testing positivity rate Public health officials on Thursday announced 1,360 more people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois , marking the smallest daily caseload in more than three weeks amid a summertime resurgence statewide .
Illinois last dipped below 1,400 daily cases Aug. 10 and has averaged 1,859 new cases per day since then — almost triple the state ’ s running rate in early July .
The newest cases were confirmed among 40,795 tests reported , lowering the state ’ s testing positivity rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That number indicates how quickly the virus is spreading — and it has ticked up almost 2 full percentage points over the last two months .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday pointed to other states such as Florida and Texas that “ thought that their increasing infection rates were unimportant , and then , in no time at all , their hospitals were overrun .
When that happens , a lot more people die .
I won ’ t let that happen here.
” That ’ s why the Democratic governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Will-Kankakee county region and downstate Metro East , which are both floating around 9 % positivity .
4:55 p.m .
Some experts worry that Nov. 1 vaccine date could mean a rush through clinical trials The federal government has told states to prepare for a coronavirus vaccine to be ready to distribute by Nov. 1 .
The timeline raised concern among public health experts about an “ October surprise ” — a vaccine approval driven by political considerations ahead of a presidential election , rather than science .
In a letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said states “ in the near future ” will receive permit applications from McKesson Corp. , which has contracted with CDC to distribute vaccines to places including state and local health departments and hospitals .
Several vaccine and public health experts pointed out that final stage trials of experimental vaccines are still recruiting , and are at best halfway through that process .
The vaccines are two doses , and each is given a month apart .
Several experts told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be adequate data on whether the vaccines work and are safe before Nov. 1 .
2:08 p.m. City ’ s proposed 2021 budget will erase $ 1.2 billion shortfall — and without more federal help , top mayoral aides say Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s 2021 budget will erase a $ 1.2 billion shortfall without assuming any replacement revenue from Washington — but with hundreds of millions of dollars in tax increases and budget cuts that include a mix of layoffs , furlough days and pay cuts , top mayoral aides said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bennett and Budget Director Susie Park said a property tax increase is “ last on our list ” as homeowners and business owners struggle to pay their mortgages and stave off foreclosure .
But it must remain on the table , they said , because it is the most broad-based and reliable source of revenue to help erase a shortfall of historic proportions .
For the same reason , a sales tax increase also is possible but would require authorization by state lawmakers .
“ Increasing taxes in this difficult economic environment does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we also have to balance that with the fact that we have to make revenues match expenses and have a balanced budget , ” the CFO said Thursday .
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here .
10:03 a.m .
Critics : Eviction ban may only delay wave of homelessness Housing advocates say the Trump administration ’ s surprise national moratorium on evictions only delays a wave of crushing debt and homelessness , and an attorney representing landlords questions whether the measure is aimed at voters ahead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would act under its broad powers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
The measure would forbid landlords from evicting anyone for failure to pay rent , providing the renter meets four criteria .
Critics call it everything from an empty stall tactic to an outright political ploy .
“ My first reaction was , ‘ Thank God , ’ ” said Matthew Hill , an attorney with the Public Justice Center in Baltimore .
But he noted that tenants will be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expires on Jan. 1 , and without some kind of rental assistance , “ we are just going to be kicking the can down the road.
” 8:22 a.m. ‘ Dangerous and irresponsible ’ behavior at UIUC could lead to end of in-person semester after COVID-19 cases spike , officials warn Students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign could be suspended for not following the school ’ s quarantine guidelines , officials said after a spike in COVID-19 cases since the semester began .
More than 400 people have tested positive at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aug. 24 , and about 800 people are currently quarantining , according to a Wednesday press release .
If the current trends continue , the school will have double the number of COVID-19 cases every week , per the release , leading to as many as 8,000 cases fall semester .
School administration says parties and other large gatherings over the weekend are to blame for the high number of students testing positive for the virus , as well as disregarding guidance to self-isolate after testing positive or being exposed to someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended , and 100 more are facing school discipline .
Read the full story by Clare Proctor here .
• Tom Seaver , the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the Miracle Mets team , has died at 75 of lewy body dementia and COVID-19 .
• Dwayne “ The Rock ” Johnson , wife and two daughters tested positive for COVID-19 .
• The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced another 2,128 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 27 have died from the virus .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rosemary Callahan of Uptown writes ...
When it came to suppressing COVID-19 , the United States really , to put it lightly , botched Memorial Day .
While most of the blame falls on to state and federal officials , many individuals could have taken extra precaution and followed simple guidelines .
Hundreds , if not thousands , of people were seen at pool parties and barbeques .
People crowded into bars and entertainment venues .
And beaches were cramped .
A couple of weeks after these Memorial Day gatherings , states started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the cases spun out of control .
Many , if not all , Americans are experiencing pandemic fatigue and burnout , but we can not afford another surge anywhere in this country .
Let ’ s use the lessons we learned from Memorial Day and apply them to Labor Day .
Wear your mask .
Wash your hands .
Social distance .
Read this and more letters to the Sun-Times editors here .

Housing advocates say the Trump administration’s surprise national moratorium on evictions only delays a wave of crushing debt and homelessness, and an attorney representing landlords questions whether the measure is aimed at voters ahead of the November election.
Here’s what happened in Chicago and around the state as the coronavirus pandemic continued.
News
8:59 p.m. Illinois sees fewest new coronavirus cases in three weeks, slight dip in testing positivity rate
Faculty members from Washington State University Health Sciences Spokane administer COVID-19 tests to students. Geoff Crimmins/The Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP (file photo)
Public health officials on Thursday announced 1,360 more people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois, marking the smallest daily caseload in more than three weeks amid a summertime resurgence statewide.
Illinois last dipped below 1,400 daily cases Aug. 10 and has averaged 1,859 new cases per day since then — almost triple the state’s running rate in early July.
The newest cases were confirmed among 40,795 tests reported, lowering the state’s testing positivity rate over the last week to 4.4%. That number indicates how quickly the virus is spreading — and it has ticked up almost 2 full percentage points over the last two months.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday pointed to other states such as Florida and Texas that “thought that their increasing infection rates were unimportant, and then, in no time at all, their hospitals were overrun. When that happens, a lot more people die. I won’t let that happen here.”
That’s why the Democratic governor said he has banned indoor dining in the Will-Kankakee county region and downstate Metro East, which are both floating around 9% positivity.
Read the full story here.
8:06 p.m. Stephanie Izard’s Girl & the Goat, other restaurants to lay off hundreds
Celebrity chef Stephanie Izard’s four Chicago restaurants intend to lay off hundreds of workers later this month, according to filings with the state of Illinois.
The layoff notices, required by state law, say 55 people will lose their jobs permanently at Izard’s flagship Girl & the Goat, with another 96 layoffs at spinoff diner/bakery Little Goat.
The Chinese restaurant Duck Duck Goat will shed 42 workers, and another 85 will be laid off by the company running her Cabra cevicheria as well as two other restaurants in the Hoxton hotel.
Darel Jevens has the full report.
4:55 p.m. Some experts worry that Nov. 1 vaccine date could mean a rush through clinical trials
The federal government has told states to prepare for a coronavirus vaccine to be ready to distribute by Nov. 1.
The timeline raised concern among public health experts about an “October surprise” — a vaccine approval driven by political considerations ahead of a presidential election, rather than science.
In a letter to governors dated Aug. 27, Robert Redfield, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said states “in the near future” will receive permit applications from McKesson Corp., which has contracted with CDC to distribute vaccines to places including state and local health departments and hospitals.
Several vaccine and public health experts pointed out that final stage trials of experimental vaccines are still recruiting, and are at best halfway through that process. The vaccines are two doses, and each is given a month apart. Several experts told the AP they did not understand how there could be adequate data on whether the vaccines work and are safe before Nov. 1.
Read the full story here.
2:08 p.m. City’s proposed 2021 budget will erase $1.2 billion shortfall — and without more federal help, top mayoral aides say
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s 2021 budget will erase a $1.2 billion shortfall without assuming any replacement revenue from Washington — but with hundreds of millions of dollars in tax increases and budget cuts that include a mix of layoffs, furlough days and pay cuts, top mayoral aides said Thursday.
Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett and Budget Director Susie Park said a property tax increase is “last on our list” as homeowners and business owners struggle to pay their mortgages and stave off foreclosure.
But it must remain on the table, they said, because it is the most broad-based and reliable source of revenue to help erase a shortfall of historic proportions. For the same reason, a sales tax increase also is possible but would require authorization by state lawmakers.
“Increasing taxes in this difficult economic environment does not create a stimulative environment. But we also have to balance that with the fact that we have to make revenues match expenses and have a balanced budget,” the CFO said Thursday.
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here.
10:03 a.m. Critics: Eviction ban may only delay wave of homelessness
Housing advocates say the Trump administration’s surprise national moratorium on evictions only delays a wave of crushing debt and homelessness, and an attorney representing landlords questions whether the measure is aimed at voters ahead of the November election.
The White House announced Tuesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would act under its broad powers to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The measure would forbid landlords from evicting anyone for failure to pay rent, providing the renter meets four criteria.
Critics call it everything from an empty stall tactic to an outright political ploy.
“My first reaction was, ‘Thank God,’” said Matthew Hill, an attorney with the Public Justice Center in Baltimore. But he noted that tenants will be expected to repay their rent when the moratorium expires on Jan. 1, and without some kind of rental assistance, “we are just going to be kicking the can down the road.”
8:22 a.m. ‘Dangerous and irresponsible’ behavior at UIUC could lead to end of in-person semester after COVID-19 cases spike, officials warn
Students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign could be suspended for not following the school’s quarantine guidelines, officials said after a spike in COVID-19 cases since the semester began.
More than 400 people have tested positive at UIUC since the first day of classes Aug. 24, and about 800 people are currently quarantining, according to a Wednesday press release. If the current trends continue, the school will have double the number of COVID-19 cases every week, per the release, leading to as many as 8,000 cases fall semester.
School administration says parties and other large gatherings over the weekend are to blame for the high number of students testing positive for the virus, as well as disregarding guidance to self-isolate after testing positive or being exposed to someone who tests positive. Two students have been suspended, and 100 more are facing school discipline.
Read the full story by Clare Proctor here.
New Cases
Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the Miracle Mets team, has died at 75 of lewy body dementia and COVID-19.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, wife and two daughters tested positive for COVID-19.
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Wednesday announced another 2,128 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and 27 have died from the virus.
Analysis & Commentary
7:55 p.m. EDITORIAL: Trump ‘October surprise’ coronavirus vaccine will be a hard sell with a wary public
For months, scientists have predicted that a vaccine against COVID-19 could be available, in a best-case scenario, sometime early next year.
Now the Trump administration is signaling that a vaccine will be ready months before that. But no matter how weary Americans surely are of this pandemic, we don’t expect many folks to breathe a sigh of relief and make plans to get a shot.
Instead, what we’re seeing is a lot of raised eyebrows about the news that Robert Redfield, head of the Centers for Disease Control, has sent a letter to all governors asking them to fast-track plans to distribute a vaccine by Nov. 1.
An “October surprise” vaccine? Ready to distribute two days before Election Day?
The timing is just too perfect, coming as it does from a Trump administration that has badly botched its handling of this deadly pandemic from the start. And, more telling yet, coming from a president who’s trailing in the polls just 61 days before the Nov. 3 election.
Read the full opinion from the CST Editorial Board.
8:18 a.m. Fearing a Labor Day coronavirus surge
In a letter to the Sun-Times editors, Rosemary Callahan of Uptown writes...
When it came to suppressing COVID-19, the United States really, to put it lightly, botched Memorial Day. While most of the blame falls on to state and federal officials, many individuals could have taken extra precaution and followed simple guidelines. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people were seen at pool parties and barbeques. People crowded into bars and entertainment venues. And beaches were cramped. A couple of weeks after these Memorial Day gatherings, states started to see spikes in COVID-19, and then the cases spun out of control.
Many, if not all, Americans are experiencing pandemic fatigue and burnout, but we cannot afford another surge anywhere in this country. Let’s use the lessons we learned from Memorial Day and apply them to Labor Day. Wear your mask. Wash your hands. Social distance.
Read this and more letters to the Sun-Times editors here.