chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Patrick W. ‘Pat’ O’Brien, Cook County State’s Attorney Republican nominee profile

Chief of General Criminal Bureau , Chief Deputy of all Criminal Prosecutions Education : 1968-72 University of Notre Dame – Bachelor of Arts with honors The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board sent the nominees for Cook County State ’ s Attorney a list of questions to find out their views on a range of important issues .
Patrick W. “ Pat ” O ’ Brien submitted the following responses : How should the street violence of the summer of 2020 reshape the state ’ s attorney ’ s office approach to crime ?
The summer of 2020 has brought significant challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Attorney as Chief Law Enforcement Officer .
The City saw a dramatic increase in the number of shootings and homicides in the first half of this year .
( Approximately 40 % according to the AP and Chicago Tribune ) The majority of that violence occurred in gang related circumstances .
There were lawful protests of perceived societal ills which happened alongside the criminal destruction of property and looting .
The protests required the protection of First Amendment Rights while the destruction of property and looting demanded criminal prosecution .
Addressing both violent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and looting , I would enact the following policies and programs for each .
I would form a new Rackets Unit to replace and expand the existing Gangs Unit .
Thirty prosecutors with experience in gang , gun , and drug prosecutions would coordinate with the gang officers in the City and suburbs with a mission to investigate specific gangs as criminal enterprises .
Using a special grand jury or juries , they would gather evidence to charge offenders , and prosecute those cases vertically to disposition .
Gang leadership would be targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ RICO ’ law which permits the charging of gang directed violence ordered by the leadership .
Due to the victim and witness intimidation by gangs , I would establish a comprehensive Witness and Children Security Program modeled on the U.S. Marshall ’ s Witness Security Program to provide assistance in relocation , housing , job placement , counselling , and school placement .
This would provide a safe environment to encourage and protect witnesses who come forward .
Funding would be requested from local government sources , and federal grants .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would institute a policy that recommends appropriate cash bonds based upon the circumstances of the crime and whether the defendant presents a safety or flight risk .
Under circumstances in which defendants charged with violent crime are out on bail , I would request that they have global positioning trackers , and monitor any violations which would be reported to the judge .
To reduce the time from charging to trial , I would advocate that Repeat Offender Courts ( ROC ) be re-established which would have a smaller number of cases on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuting violent crime , I would partner with community groups and violence interruptor groups to provide alternatives to street gangs and encourage resolution of disputes with dialogue not gunfire .
I would reorganize and enlarge the staff the Public Corruption Unit into an Official Misconduct Unit , which addresses training of police in the appropriate and lawful interaction with the public generally , and lawful protestors specifically .
This discrete Unit would investigate and prosecute police officers who engage in excessive force and other forms of misconduct .
It is necessary to set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of my term , and again when protests are anticipated , that all lawful activity will be protected , however any unlawful activity such as destruction of property and looting will be strictly prosecuted .
My policy for persons arrested during rioting , would be to recommend no bail for felony arrests for looting , mob action , battery to police with a short court date such as 2 or 3 days , to allow time for government officials to restore order .
I would not recommend the release of rioters into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be to have regular contact and communication with those individuals and groups promoting change , and advocating to address problems to see where the State ’ s Attorney ’ s Office may partner .
Please address the criticism of the office by police Supt .
David Brown , who has said there are “ zero consequences ” for those who are arrested on certain gun charges .
He says this has allowed the people behind gang gun violence to get back on the streets and commit more crime .
First , I agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result in “ zero consequences ” .
State ’ s Attorney Foxx has rejected more felony gun charges , and dismissed more felony gun cases than the prior State ’ s Attorney .
For those arrestees and defendants , there have been “ zero consequences ” .
Additionally , State ’ s Attorney Foxx has lost more gun case trials than she has won in each of her years in office .
For those defendants , there has been “ zero consequences ” .
There have been minimal consequences for those defendants who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun by a felon and aggravated possession of a gun which under the law have mandatory prison sentences .
For those defendants , her prosecutors have been silent when defendants are placed on electronic monitoring , a program that is poorly supervised , and counts as custodial time against the mandatory prison sentence .
A defendant can plead guilty to those gun charges to the minimum prison sentence , having spent six months , or one year on electronic monitoring depending on the charge , and never set foot in the Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I submit that they suffered minimal consequences .
Second , I agree that gang defendants arrested on gun charges which are rejected , or dismissed are back on the street .
I agree that defendants placed on electronic monitoring are in the community and only loosely monitored while they are awaiting trial .
Those arrestees and defendants have the opportunity to commit more crimes .
There are conflicting statistics on the number of gang defendants with pending cases who are re-arrested for new crimes .
The Chief Judge and State ’ s Attorney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 % .
There studies have been criticized in their methodology .
I have seen other studies which indicate the rate of recidivism is about 12 % .
I believe that the Chief Judge and State ’ s Attorney Foxx studies are flawed .
Further , I believe that the studies indicating that the recidivism rate is 12 % are probably too low because it can not measure the number of defendants who commit crime while released where no one is arrested .
Therefore , I agree with Superintendent Brown that a percentage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commit additional crimes after being arrested on gun offenses .
The number is probably greater than 12 % .
This number is unacceptable .
Patrick W. “ Pat ” O ’ Brien submitted the following responses before the March primary : On January 29 , 2019 , the actor Jussie Smollett reported to the Chicago Police that he had been attacked by two white men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs , poured bleach on him and tied a rope around his neck .
None of this proved to be true .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney ’ s office do right or wrong in this case ?
What would you have done differently ?
In handling the Jussie Smollett matter , State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx and her subordinates made the following mistakes : 1 ) At the request of a politically connected person , Ms. Foxx attempted to intervene in the Smollett investigation by asking Superintendent Johnson to transfer the matter to the FBI ; 2 ) Ms. Foxx mistakenly believed that the concocted story told by Smollett was truthful and that Smollett was a victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was recusing herself from overseeing the Smollett case alleging a conflict of interest and assigning her First Assistant as the ultimate decision-maker .
She failed to grasp that her recusal applied to the Office as a whole and that a procedure for selection of a Special State ’ s Attorney controlled as set out in 55 ILCS 5/3-9008 ; 4 ) Her Office overcharged Smollett by bringing a sixteen ( 16 ) count grand jury Indictment where a two ( 2 ) count indictment for lying to two different Chicago Police Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 ) Her Office filed a Motion to Advance the case instanter with the apparent intention of keeping the proceeding from public view ; 6 ) Her Office dismissed the case as if it was a deferred prosecution while ignoring the requirements of the deferred prosecution statute , and finally 7 ) Ms. Foxx gave multiple conflicting and unsatisfactory reasons for the actions she took .
I would have handled the matter as follows : 1 ) First , assign an experienced trial attorney to vertically handle the investigation and subsequent case updating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) When the investigation concluded , subpoena Smollett to testify before the grand jury .
If Smollett testified under oath consistent with his statements to police , then request a three-count indictment with one count for perjury and two counts for making false police reports .
If Smollett declined to testify before the grand jury , then request a two-count Indictment for making false police reports ; 3 ) After Smollett ’ s arrest , keep the case on its scheduled public court dates , and speedily tender discovery to defendant ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attorneys initiate a discussion about a disposition , then keep the Chicago Police Department informed of the discussions , and solicit their input .
If the discussion regarding a disposition is not satisfactory , then proceed to trial .
5 ) If there is no initiation by Defendant ’ s attorneys about a disposition , then proceed to trial .
When is it appropriate to recruit the FBI and United States attorney ’ s office for assistance in cases that usually fall under state jurisdiction ?
Generally , the State ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government for assistance where their investigative power is more extensive and/or their sentencing minimums higher .
The following situations are appropriate : 1 ) Possession of a gun by a felon with prior convictions where the federal code provides for greater sentences ; ( Note : there should be a number of Assistants cross-designated as Assistant United States Attorneys to co-prosecute these and other referred cases . )
and ; 2 ) Political corruption cases where the successful conclusion of the investigation requires an eavesdropping recording not permitted by State statute .
Federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago area officeholders , including aldermen and state legislators .
Why do you think these cases were not investigated and prosecuted by the state ’ s attorney ?
Kim Foxx is failing to investigate and prosecute political corruption in her jurisdiction because she is a part of the problem , and any persons with information would hesitate to come forward for fear of disclosure of their identity to the target , and reprisal .
I would point to the following facts : A ) Her political supporters and donors are some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases charged : Ed Burke - $ 5000 ( 09/02/2016 ) ; Friends of Martin Sandoval - $ 5000 ( 02/16/2016 ) ; Nikki Zollar ( CEO of Safespeed ) - total $ 9000 ( 10/15/2015 , 02/26/2016 , and 04/15/2016 ) B ) Toni Preckwinkle is Chairman of the Democratic Party to which the person charged or investigated belong .
Ms. Preckwinkle donated over $ 350,000 in cash and services to secure Ms. Foxx ’ s election .
In turn , Ed Burke , Martin Sandoval , Luis Arroyo , Jeff Tobolski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , have donated to Ms. Preckwinkle .
C ) Ms. Foxx has not made investigating public corruption a priority in her administration .
She has assigned fewer Assistants to the Public Corruption Unit then in past Administrations , and done little to promote its existence .
What should the office ’ s priorities be ?
The State ’ s Attorney Office should have the following priorities : 1 ) The Office should prioritize violent crime which focuses on gangs , guns , and drugs .
The following steps should take place : create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specialties , impanel a second grand jury which is devoted to investigating and building those cases , employ the existing RICO statute to attack gang management , set aside resources to protect , and if necessary relocate witnesses , and vertically and swiftly prosecute those cases .
2 ) The Office should prioritize investigating and prosecuting public corruption .
The following actions are necessary : reorganize and enlarge the Public Corruption Unit under new leadership in a location which is accessible , but discrete .
Publicize a phone number to solicit information regarding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build cases .
3 ) The Office needs to speed up the disposition of all cases .
First , require that all murder , sexual assault , and gun cases are tried within 18 months of charging , and all other cases proceed to disposition within two years .
4 ) Establish a Unit within Felony Review which monitors defendants on bond and/or electronic monitoring to ensure that they are in compliance with the conditions of their bonds until their cases are disposed of .
Where there are violations immediately bring those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Unit of Assistants , initially ten , to educate and reconnect with Law Enforcement and the Community .
This would require sending Assistants to police roll calls to update and answer questions about the Office and the evolving state of citizen interactions , and going to schools , both grade , and high schools , and public forums , to speak about the Office and listen to concerns .
How would you describe the relationship between the state ’ s attorney ’ s office , the Fraternal Order of Police and suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do , if anything , to improve these relationships ?
Your question implies what the FOP and suburban police chiefs have publicly stated .
Both have expressed their dissatisfaction with Kim Foxx .
I would agree that the relationship between Ms. Foxx and Chicago and suburban police departments is fractured .
It can and must be repaired .
I would do the following : 1 ) In the first month , I would personally visit the Superintendent and the leadership of the FOP and the North , West , and South Suburban Chiefs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , State , and Cook County Sheriffs commands .
I would clearly articulate my position that no one is above the law and that violators of the law will be prosecuted .
2 ) I would reorganize Felony Review to have suburban Assistants handle their districts and City Assistants respond to Chicago matters to shorten response time and promote familiarity with police personnel .
3 ) I would approve criminal charges on offenders where the accountability theory applies .
I would approve charges on financial crimes , including retail theft , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bail reform in Cook County has been praised for reducing the number of people held in jail while awaiting trial , but it has been criticized for making the public less safe .
Do you support these changes ?
Why or why not ?
What steps should be taken next ?
The Illinois Legislature has enacted the new Bail Statute .
As State ’ s Attorney , it would be my duty to comply with its provisions .
The Chief Law Enforcement Officer has to follow the law .
What Kim Foxx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the consequences of the changes made by the new Bail Statute , and her obligation to respond to those changes .
The new Bail Statute has placed thousands of defendants on I-bonds and electronic monitoring with inadequate supervision to ensure compliance with the conditions of their release .
Further , by increasing the number of defendants placed on bond , she has increased the number of defendants who have little incentive to resolve their cases where the evidence of guilt is great which increases the time on bond .
I would take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new Bail Statute : 1 ) Establish a Unit within Felony Review which monitors defendants on bond and electronic monitoring to timely notify the Court of violations , and increase conditions of bond or revoke bond where appropriate ; 2 ) Require that trial assistants compile a list of murder , sexual assault , and gun cases within their courtrooms which are older than 18 months , and mandate that those cases be disposed of as a priority .
Update the list of those cases every week .
Require the trial supervisors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The objective is to bring violent crimes to disposition no later than two years with a goal of reducing that time to 18 months or less .
What professional experience would you bring to the job of state ’ s attorney that would best qualify you to handle the office ’ s wide variety of criminal and civil cases ?
My professional experience is broad and deep .
I have experience as a prosecutor and a defense attorney in Cook and other counties and have served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State ’ s Attorney on two different occasions totaling thirteen ( 13 ) years which included assignments in Appeals , Misdemeanor Courts , Felony Review , Preliminary Hearing , and Felony Trial Courts .
On my return to the Office , I was appointed to supervisory positions as Deputy Supervisor in Felony Review , Trial Supervisor at 26th Street , Chief of the Criminal Bureau , and finally as Chief Deputy .
Between stints in the Office , I spent five ( 5 ) years as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General trying criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in private practice for thirteen ( 13 ) years handling primarily criminal cases both in state courts and federal court .
I served as attorney to the Police Board for two years .
I was elected Judge in 2006 and served until 2015 when I stepped down from the bench .
I had assignments in both criminal and civil courtrooms including Traffic , Misdemeanor , Preliminary Hearing , Municipal Court , and Collections .
Each candidate for state ’ s attorney has notable political supporters and donors .
What would you do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influence in your office ?
I was not recruited by any political figure or donor to run for State ’ s Attorney .
I am not seeking to use the State ’ s Attorney Office as a stepping stone to any other office .
The majority of the money raised has come from my self , family , and friends .
I am running because of my love for this Office , and seek to restore its reputation not tarnish it .
What would you do to shorten the delay between charge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I ask to incorporate my responses in my Answer to the prior question regarding Bail Reform .
Additionally , the delay in tendering discovery in the most serious cases is due to the months and year-long delays , in matters where defendants have been videotaped at police stations and/or where DNA testing is needed for evidence .
It is paramount that the Office devote more personnel to making videotapes of custody interrogations , and get the County , State and/or federal government to hire additional State crime lab analysts or pay for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the U.S. attorney ’ s office collects judgments that return to taxpayers three times more money than the budget of the office .
The Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s civil division recovers far less money .
Why is that ?
What would you do about it ?
According to the last available yearly figures in 2017 for the U.S. Attorney , the amount of money collected totaled appropriately $ 75 million .
The break down was as follows : $ 29.7 million in criminal actions , $ 28.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in asset forfeiture actions .
The phrasing of your question requires me to defend this State ’ s Attorney Office which I will not do .
However , even if the State ’ s Attorney Office were to perform at a higher level of efficiency , the greater geographic territory , investigative resources , and case selectivity of the Northern District of the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office would still result in it recovering more revenue .
However , the State ’ s Attorney could increase the monies collected for Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Focusing more on asset forfeiture cases which had in the past averaged about 10 millions collected yearly ; and 2 ) Filing and collecting on liens for medical treatment given to Plaintiffs who obtained settlements and/or judgments in personal injury cases where the Plaintiff was treated at Cook County Hospital and monies were owed for that treatment .
What historical figure from Illinois , other than Abraham Lincoln ( because everybody ’ s big on Abe ) , do you most admire or draw inspiration from ?
Please explain .
I take inspiration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County State ’ s Attorney as a Republican , and served from 1956 through 1960 .
I find his political situation and challenges have similarities to my own .
Mr. Adamowski was elected as a democrat to the State legislature .
Subsequently , he switched parties , and ran as a Republican for State ’ s Attorney in heavily democratic Cook County and won .
During his term in office , he exposed and prosecuted political corruption including Chicago police officers who burglarized homes in the Summerdale Scandal .
He ran an apolitical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not him personally .
I hope to accomplish the same .
What ’ s your favorite TV , streaming or web-based show of all time .
Why ?
If I had to choose one favorite TV show it would be M*A*S*H It resonated with me because the characters in the show were able to find a way to thrive and find humor in a violent and chaotic setting .
Though the historical setting for show was a field hospital during the Korean War , the conflicts and challenges of the characters mirrored the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the State ’ s Attorney Office .
Despite disagreements and personality differences amongst characters , they were able to work together and become a surrogate family , and do good for others .
The show gave me hope for our own situation then and now .

Candidate profile
Patrick W. “Pat” O’Brien
Running for:Cook County State’s Attorney
Political party affiliation: Republican
Political/civic background:1975 -81 Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney
Assignments: Criminal Appeals, Misdemeanors, Felony Review,
Preliminary Hearings, Felony Trial Division
1981-86 Assistant Illinois Attorney General
Assignment: Assist State’s Attorneys in outlying counties in criminal cases
1986 – 93 Assistant Cook County State’s Attorney
Assignments: Deputy Supervisor Felony Review, Trial Supervisor,
Chief of General Criminal Bureau, Chief Deputy of all Criminal Prosecutions
1993 – 2006 Private Practice
1998 – 2000 Attorney for Chicago Police Board
2006 – 2015 Cook County Circuit Court Judge
Assignments: Traffic Court, Misdemeanor Courts, Municipal Civic Court, Municipal Collections Court.
2015 – Present Private Practice
Occupation: Attorney
Education:1968-72 University of Notre Dame – Bachelor of Arts with honors
1972-75 University of DePaul School of Law – Juris Doctor
Campaign website: OBrienForCook.com
Facebook: @PatOBrienForCook
Twitter: @OBrienforSA
Instagram: @OBrienforSA
Election Guide - Full Guide 2020 Election Voting Guide This article is part of our Illinois 2020 election voting guide. Click here to see more.
The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board sent the nominees for Cook County State’s Attorney a list of questions to find out their views on a range of important issues. Patrick W. “Pat” O’Brien submitted the following responses:
How should the street violence of the summer of 2020 reshape the state’s attorney’s office approach to crime?
The summer of 2020 has brought significant challenges to the Cook County State’s Attorney as Chief Law Enforcement Officer. The City saw a dramatic increase in the number of shootings and homicides in the first half of this year. (Approximately 40% according to the AP and Chicago Tribune) The majority of that violence occurred in gang related circumstances. There were lawful protests of perceived societal ills which happened alongside the criminal destruction of property and looting. The protests required the protection of First Amendment Rights while the destruction of property and looting demanded criminal prosecution.
Addressing both violent crime, and the destruction of property and looting, I would enact the following policies and programs for each.
HOMICIDES AND SHOOTINGS:
I would form a new Rackets Unit to replace and expand the existing Gangs Unit. Thirty prosecutors with experience in gang, gun, and drug prosecutions would coordinate with the gang officers in the City and suburbs with a mission to investigate specific gangs as criminal enterprises. Using a special grand jury or juries, they would gather evidence to charge offenders, and prosecute those cases vertically to disposition. Gang leadership would be targeted through the use of the existing State ‘RICO’ law which permits the charging of gang directed violence ordered by the leadership.
Due to the victim and witness intimidation by gangs, I would establish a comprehensive Witness and Children Security Program modeled on the U.S. Marshall’s Witness Security Program to provide assistance in relocation, housing , job placement, counselling, and school placement. This would provide a safe environment to encourage and protect witnesses who come forward. Funding would be requested from local government sources, and federal grants.
After charges are placed on defendants, I would institute a policy that recommends appropriate cash bonds based upon the circumstances of the crime and whether the defendant presents a safety or flight risk. Under circumstances in which defendants charged with violent crime are out on bail, I would request that they have global positioning trackers, and monitor any violations which would be reported to the judge. To reduce the time from charging to trial, I would advocate that Repeat Offender Courts (ROC) be re-established which would have a smaller number of cases on the calls.
As a corollary to prosecuting violent crime, I would partner with community groups and violence interruptor groups to provide alternatives to street gangs and encourage resolution of disputes with dialogue not gunfire.
PROPERTY DESTRUCTION AND LOOTING
I would reorganize and enlarge the staff the Public Corruption Unit into an Official Misconduct Unit, which addresses training of police in the appropriate and lawful interaction with the public generally, and lawful protestors specifically. This discrete Unit would investigate and prosecute police officers who engage in excessive force and other forms of misconduct.
It is necessary to set expectations. I would announce at the beginning of my term, and again when protests are anticipated, that all lawful activity will be protected, however any unlawful activity such as destruction of property and looting will be strictly prosecuted.
My policy for persons arrested during rioting, would be to recommend no bail for felony arrests for looting, mob action, battery to police with a short court date such as 2 or 3 days, to allow time for government officials to restore order. I would not recommend the release of rioters into an ongoing situation.
My policy would be to have regular contact and communication with those individuals and groups promoting change, and advocating to address problems to see where the State’s Attorney’s Office may partner.
Please address the criticism of the office by police Supt. David Brown, who has said there are “zero consequences” for those who are arrested on certain gun charges. He says this has allowed the people behind gang gun violence to get back on the streets and commit more crime.
First, I agree with Superintendent Brown that some gun arrests result in “zero consequences”. State’s Attorney Foxx has rejected more felony gun charges, and dismissed more felony gun cases than the prior State’s Attorney. For those arrestees and defendants, there have been “zero consequences”. Additionally, State’s Attorney Foxx has lost more gun case trials than she has won in each of her years in office. For those defendants, there has been “zero consequences”.
There have been minimal consequences for those defendants who have been charged with possession of a gun by a felon and aggravated possession of a gun which under the law have mandatory prison sentences. For those defendants, her prosecutors have been silent when defendants are placed on electronic monitoring, a program that is poorly supervised, and counts as custodial time against the mandatory prison sentence. A defendant can plead guilty to those gun charges to the minimum prison sentence, having spent six months, or one year on electronic monitoring depending on the charge, and never set foot in the Illinois Department of Corrections. For those defendants, I submit that they suffered minimal consequences.
Second, I agree that gang defendants arrested on gun charges which are rejected, or dismissed are back on the street. I agree that defendants placed on electronic monitoring are in the community and only loosely monitored while they are awaiting trial. Those arrestees and defendants have the opportunity to commit more crimes. There are conflicting statistics on the number of gang defendants with pending cases who are re-arrested for new crimes. The Chief Judge and State’s Attorney Foxx place the recidivism rate at below 2%. There studies have been criticized in their methodology. I have seen other studies which indicate the rate of recidivism is about 12%. I believe that the Chief Judge and State’s Attorney Foxx studies are flawed. Further, I believe that the studies indicating that the recidivism rate is 12% are probably too low because it cannot measure the number of defendants who commit crime while released where no one is arrested.
Therefore, I agree with Superintendent Brown that a percentage of gang and/or gun arrestees and defendants commit additional crimes after being arrested on gun offenses. The number is probably greater than 12%. This number is unacceptable.
Patrick W. “Pat” O’Brien submitted the following responses before the March primary:
On January 29, 2019, the actor Jussie Smollett reported to the Chicago Police that he had been attacked by two white men who shouted racial and homophobic slurs, poured bleach on him and tied a rope around his neck. None of this proved to be true. What did the Cook County state’s attorney’s office do right or wrong in this case? What would you have done differently?
In handling the Jussie Smollett matter, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and her subordinates made the following mistakes:
1) At the request of a politically connected person, Ms. Foxx attempted to intervene in the Smollett investigation by asking Superintendent Johnson to transfer the matter to the FBI;
2) Ms. Foxx mistakenly believed that the concocted story told by Smollett was truthful and that Smollett was a victim;
3) Ms. Foxx declared that she was recusing herself from overseeing the Smollett case alleging a conflict of interest and assigning her First Assistant as the ultimate decision-maker. She failed to grasp that her recusal applied to the Office as a whole and that a procedure for selection of a Special State’s Attorney controlled as set out in 55 ILCS 5/3-9008;
4) Her Office overcharged Smollett by bringing a sixteen (16) count grand jury Indictment where a two (2) count indictment for lying to two different Chicago Police Officers at separate times would have sufficed;
5) Her Office filed a Motion to Advance the case instanter with the apparent intention of keeping the proceeding from public view;
6) Her Office dismissed the case as if it was a deferred prosecution while ignoring the requirements of the deferred prosecution statute, and finally
7) Ms. Foxx gave multiple conflicting and unsatisfactory reasons for the actions she took.
I would have handled the matter as follows:
1) First, assign an experienced trial attorney to vertically handle the investigation and subsequent case updating his supervisors on the matter:
2) When the investigation concluded, subpoena Smollett to testify before the grand jury. If Smollett testified under oath consistent with his statements to police, then request a three-count indictment with one count for perjury and two counts for making false police reports. If Smollett declined to testify before the grand jury, then request a two-count Indictment for making false police reports;
3) After Smollett’s arrest, keep the case on its scheduled public court dates, and speedily tender discovery to defendant’s attorneys:
4) If the Defendant’s attorneys initiate a discussion about a disposition, then keep the Chicago Police Department informed of the discussions, and solicit their input. If the discussion regarding a disposition is not satisfactory, then proceed to trial.
5) If there is no initiation by Defendant’s attorneys about a disposition, then proceed to trial.
When is it appropriate to recruit the FBI and United States attorney’s office for assistance in cases that usually fall under state jurisdiction?
Generally, the State’s Attorney should consider contacting the federal government for assistance where their investigative power is more extensive and/or their sentencing minimums higher. The following situations are appropriate:
1) Possession of a gun by a felon with prior convictions where the federal code provides for greater sentences; (Note: there should be a number of Assistants cross-designated as Assistant United States Attorneys to co-prosecute these and other referred cases.) and;
2) Political corruption cases where the successful conclusion of the investigation requires an eavesdropping recording not permitted by State statute.
Federal investigators are conducting a wide-ranging probe of Chicago area officeholders, including aldermen and state legislators. Why do you think these cases were not investigated and prosecuted by the state’s attorney?
Kim Foxx is failing to investigate and prosecute political corruption in her jurisdiction because she is a part of the problem, and any persons with information would hesitate to come forward for fear of disclosure of their identity to the target, and reprisal. I would point to the following facts:
A) Her political supporters and donors are some of the very persons being investigated and in some cases charged: Ed Burke - $5000 (09/02/2016); Friends of Martin Sandoval - $5000 (02/16/2016); Nikki Zollar (CEO of Safespeed) - total $9000 (10/15/2015, 02/26/2016, and 04/15/2016)
B) Toni Preckwinkle is Chairman of the Democratic Party to which the person charged or investigated belong. Ms. Preckwinkle donated over $350,000 in cash and services to secure Ms. Foxx’s election. In turn, Ed Burke, Martin Sandoval, Luis Arroyo, Jeff Tobolski, and Anne Praggiore, among others, have donated to Ms. Preckwinkle.
C) Ms. Foxx has not made investigating public corruption a priority in her administration. She has assigned fewer Assistants to the Public Corruption Unit then in past Administrations, and done little to promote its existence.
What should the office’s priorities be?
The State’s Attorney Office should have the following priorities:
1) The Office should prioritize violent crime which focuses on gangs, guns, and drugs. The following steps should take place: create a Rackets Unit combining Assistants with those specialties, impanel a second grand jury which is devoted to investigating and building those cases, employ the existing RICO statute to attack gang management, set aside resources to protect, and if necessary relocate witnesses, and vertically and swiftly prosecute those cases.
2) The Office should prioritize investigating and prosecuting public corruption. The following actions are necessary: reorganize and enlarge the Public Corruption Unit under new leadership in a location which is accessible, but discrete. Publicize a phone number to solicit information regarding alleged wrongdoing. Utilize the grand jury to build cases.
3) The Office needs to speed up the disposition of all cases. First, require that all murder, sexual assault, and gun cases are tried within 18 months of charging, and all other cases proceed to disposition within two years.
4) Establish a Unit within Felony Review which monitors defendants on bond and/or electronic monitoring to ensure that they are in compliance with the conditions of their bonds until their cases are disposed of. Where there are violations immediately bring those defendants to court.
5) Dedicate a Unit of Assistants, initially ten, to educate and reconnect with Law Enforcement and the Community. This would require sending Assistants to police roll calls to update and answer questions about the Office and the evolving state of citizen interactions, and going to schools, both grade, and high schools, and public forums, to speak about the Office and listen to concerns.
How would you describe the relationship between the state’s attorney’s office, the Fraternal Order of Police and suburban police departments? What should the office do, if anything, to improve these relationships?
Your question implies what the FOP and suburban police chiefs have publicly stated. Both have expressed their dissatisfaction with Kim Foxx. I would agree that the relationship between Ms. Foxx and Chicago and suburban police departments is fractured. It can and must be repaired. I would do the following:
1) In the first month, I would personally visit the Superintendent and the leadership of the FOP and the North, West, and South Suburban Chiefs Organizations. I would additionally visit federal, State, and Cook County Sheriffs commands. I would clearly articulate my position that no one is above the law and that violators of the law will be prosecuted.
2) I would reorganize Felony Review to have suburban Assistants handle their districts and City Assistants respond to Chicago matters to shorten response time and promote familiarity with police personnel.
3) I would approve criminal charges on offenders where the accountability theory applies. I would approve charges on financial crimes, including retail theft, as the legislature has set out in the statutes.
Bail reform in Cook County has been praised for reducing the number of people held in jail while awaiting trial, but it has been criticized for making the public less safe. Do you support these changes? Why or why not? What steps should be taken next?
The Illinois Legislature has enacted the new Bail Statute. As State’s Attorney, it would be my duty to comply with its provisions. The Chief Law Enforcement Officer has to follow the law. What Kim Foxx has failed to understand and recognize are the consequences of the changes made by the new Bail Statute, and her obligation to respond to those changes.
The new Bail Statute has placed thousands of defendants on I-bonds and electronic monitoring with inadequate supervision to ensure compliance with the conditions of their release. Further, by increasing the number of defendants placed on bond, she has increased the number of defendants who have little incentive to resolve their cases where the evidence of guilt is great which increases the time on bond.
I would take the following steps to address the consequences of the new Bail Statute:
1) Establish a Unit within Felony Review which monitors defendants on bond and electronic monitoring to timely notify the Court of violations, and increase conditions of bond or revoke bond where appropriate;
2) Require that trial assistants compile a list of murder, sexual assault, and gun cases within their courtrooms which are older than 18 months, and mandate that those cases be disposed of as a priority. Update the list of those cases every week. Require the trial supervisors to try the oldest cases themselves. The objective is to bring violent crimes to disposition no later than two years with a goal of reducing that time to 18 months or less.
What professional experience would you bring to the job of state’s attorney that would best qualify you to handle the office’s wide variety of criminal and civil cases?
My professional experience is broad and deep. I have experience as a prosecutor and a defense attorney in Cook and other counties and have served as a Cook County Circuit Court Judge.
I was a Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney on two different occasions totaling thirteen (13) years which included assignments in Appeals, Misdemeanor Courts, Felony Review, Preliminary Hearing, and Felony Trial Courts. On my return to the Office, I was appointed to supervisory positions as Deputy Supervisor in Felony Review, Trial Supervisor at 26th Street, Chief of the Criminal Bureau, and finally as Chief Deputy. Between stints in the Office, I spent five (5) years as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General trying criminal cases in outlying counties.
I was in private practice for thirteen (13) years handling primarily criminal cases both in state courts and federal court. I served as attorney to the Police Board for two years.
I was elected Judge in 2006 and served until 2015 when I stepped down from the bench. I had assignments in both criminal and civil courtrooms including Traffic, Misdemeanor, Preliminary Hearing, Municipal Court, and Collections.
Each candidate for state’s attorney has notable political supporters and donors. What would you do to assure that they do not have undue influence in your office?
I was not recruited by any political figure or donor to run for State’s Attorney. I am not seeking to use the State’s Attorney Office as a stepping stone to any other office. The majority of the money raised has come from my self, family, and friends. I am running because of my love for this Office, and seek to restore its reputation not tarnish it.
What would you do to shorten the delay between charge and trial for defendants in Cook County Jail?
I ask to incorporate my responses in my Answer to the prior question regarding Bail Reform. Additionally, the delay in tendering discovery in the most serious cases is due to the months and year-long delays, in matters where defendants have been videotaped at police stations and/or where DNA testing is needed for evidence. It is paramount that the Office devote more personnel to making videotapes of custody interrogations, and get the County, State and/or federal government to hire additional State crime lab analysts or pay for private DNA testing.
The civil division of the U.S. attorney’s office collects judgments that return to taxpayers three times more money than the budget of the office. The Cook County state’s attorney’s civil division recovers far less money. Why is that? What would you do about it?
According to the last available yearly figures in 2017 for the U.S. Attorney, the amount of money collected totaled appropriately $75 million. The break down was as follows: $29.7 million in criminal actions, $28.7 million in civil actions, and $16.07 million in asset forfeiture actions.
The phrasing of your question requires me to defend this State’s Attorney Office which I will not do. However, even if the State’s Attorney Office were to perform at a higher level of efficiency, the greater geographic territory, investigative resources, and case selectivity of the Northern District of the U.S. Attorney’s Office would still result in it recovering more revenue.
However, the State’s Attorney could increase the monies collected for Cook County in the following areas:
1) Focusing more on asset forfeiture cases which had in the past averaged about 10 millions collected yearly; and
2) Filing and collecting on liens for medical treatment given to Plaintiffs who obtained settlements and/or judgments in personal injury cases where the Plaintiff was treated at Cook County Hospital and monies were owed for that treatment.
What historical figure from Illinois, other than Abraham Lincoln (because everybody’s big on Abe), do you most admire or draw inspiration from? Please explain.
I take inspiration from Ben Adamowski who was elected Cook County State’s Attorney as a Republican, and served from 1956 through 1960.
I find his political situation and challenges have similarities to my own. Mr. Adamowski was elected as a democrat to the State legislature. Subsequently, he switched parties, and ran as a Republican for State’s Attorney in heavily democratic Cook County and won. During his term in office, he exposed and prosecuted political corruption including Chicago police officers who burglarized homes in the Summerdale Scandal. He ran an apolitical office which benefited the citizens, and not him personally. I hope to accomplish the same.
What’s your favorite TV, streaming or web-based show of all time. Why?
If I had to choose one favorite TV show it would be M*A*S*H
It resonated with me because the characters in the show were able to find a way to thrive and find humor in a violent and chaotic setting. Though the historical setting for show was a field hospital during the Korean War, the conflicts and challenges of the characters mirrored the 1970’s when I was first in the State’s Attorney Office. Despite disagreements and personality differences amongst characters, they were able to work together and become a surrogate family, and do good for others.
The show gave me hope for our own situation then and now.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--The White Sox keep getting better. Is manager Rick Renteria getting better, too?

You might ’ ve heard , but the White Sox have gotten better .
And not just a little bit better , either .
They ’ ve gone from doormats to dominators , from background noise to must-see TV .
The Cubs are on Marquee , but it ’ s the Sox who deserve top billing in this town nearly three-quarters of the way through the season .
But what about their fourth-year manager , Rick Renteria ?
Has he gotten better , too ?
“ I won ’ t answer that , ” he said Tuesday before the opener @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ ll leave that all up to you guys , what you guys think you see or don ’ t see.
” We see a guy who was 201-284 over his first three seasons with the rebuilding Sox in what was — and almost certainly would ’ ve been for any manager on the planet — an unwinnable battle .
We see a guy who lost big in 2014 with a rebuilding Cubs team that probably would ’ ve lost big even if Joe Maddon had arrived a year early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lauded more for how he connects with players than for how he uses them on the field .
But we see an American League Manager of the Year award coming his way , too .
It surely will be his if — and it ’ s a big “ if ” — the Sox , a best-in-baseball 16-4 over their last 20 games as they arrived in Pittsburgh , keep bashing at the plate and hanging in there on the mound until they ’ ve won a division title .
Rookie manager Rocco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely because the Twins were the team that made the most dramatic jump in the standings , from 78 in 2018 to 101 .
The outstanding Bob Melvin won it in 2018 as the A ’ s jumped from 75 wins a year before to 97 .
Along with the Padres in the National League , the Sox are baseball ’ s 2020 jumpers .
Even though it has never been clear how good Renteria is — mostly because he never had a team with a pulse before now — an award that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach .
The Sox are the best road team in the AL .
They ’ ve beaten the daylights out of the teams they ’ re supposed to beat .
They ’ re undefeated — 13-0 — against lefty starters .
They roll out of bed tearing the cover off the ball .
They ’ ve pitched better than expected in light of some key injuries .
They ’ re vibing off one another and having truckloads of fun .
“ You can give all those guys that are on the field , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players that are performing , all the credit in the world because they ’ re the ones that are doing the job , ” Renteria said .
The manager must deserve a good-sized share of credit , too .
But has Renteria — who is signed through 2021 — erased any doubt that he ’ s a vital piece of the puzzle going forward as the Sox aim to maximize a giant opportunity to win for a while ?
“ This is the first year , in this , his fifth year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a chance to show what he can do as a manager , ” TV analyst Steve Stone said .
“ The jury is still out .
I think the best thing that he does is communicate with his players [ and ] get his team to play hard every day.
” Sox pitcher Gio Gonzalez had seven big-league managers before Renteria , a group that includes Melvin , Davey Johnson , Dusty Baker and Craig Counsell and has done a ton of winning .
Gonzalez was asked what about Renteria is unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hell of a lineup , ” he said .
It wasn ’ t intended as a backhanded compliment .
Let ’ s all be crystal clear on that .
Considering praise of Renteria has always been less than voluminous , though , it didn ’ t make it any easier to be sure about what we see .
Tell us how you really feel , Leonard Fournette .
“ For the first time in my life , I really have a quarterback , ” the new Buccaneers running back said Tuesday on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s an eye-opener for me.
” You ’ re welcome , former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles .
You , too , Gardner Minshew and — what ’ s his name again ?
— Nick Foles .
Yes , Foles .
It seems he ’ s no Tom Brady .
Who knew ?
As Fournette apparently sees it , Foles , who enters the season as the backup to Mitch Trubisky , isn ’ t even a real quarterback .
So the Bears have that going for them .
• The strangest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been the quiet of ( mostly ) empty stands .
It has been the only-in-these-abnormal-times scores .
Army was favored by about a field goal against Middle Tennessee State and won 42-0 .
Navy was favored by about a field goal against BYU and lost 55-3 .
Southern Miss was favored by about two touchdowns against South Alabama , lost 32-21 and the very next day ?
Coach Jay Hopson resigned .
If I were the Big Ten , I ’ d lie low for a while too .
Please , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Jose Martinez era vs. the Steven Souza Jr. era .
Feel free to throw in the Hernan Perez era or any number of other here-today-gone-tomorrow eras .
• Speaking of the Cubs , lots of luck to newly acquired outfielder Billy Hamilton , a real speedster .
May he last longer around here than it takes for him to race home from first base on a gapper .

You might’ve heard, but the White Sox have gotten better. And not just a little bit better, either. They’ve gone from doormats to dominators, from background noise to must-see TV. The Cubs are on Marquee, but it’s the Sox who deserve top billing in this town nearly three-quarters of the way through the season.
But what about their fourth-year manager, Rick Renteria? Has he gotten better, too?
“I won’t answer that,” he said Tuesday before the opener of a two-game series against the Pirates. “I’ll leave that all up to you guys — what you guys think you see or don’t see.”
Well, that’s complicated.
We see a guy who was 201-284 over his first three seasons with the rebuilding Sox, fighting what was — and almost certainly would have been for any manager on the planet — an unwinnable battle. We see a guy who lost big in 2014 with a rebuilding Cubs team that probably would have lost big even if Joe Maddon had arrived a year early.
We see a skipper who is lauded more for how he connects with players than for how he uses them on the field.
But we see an American League Manager of the Year Award coming his way, too. It surely will be his if — and it’s a big if — the Sox, a best-in-baseball 16-4 over their last 20 games as they arrived in Pittsburgh, keep bashing at the plate and hanging in there on the mound until they’ve won a division title.
Rookie manager Rocco Baldelli won the AL award in 2019 largely because the Twins made the most dramatic jump in the standings, from 78 wins in 2018 to 101. The outstanding Bob Melvin won it in 2018 as the Athletics jumped to 97 wins from 75 the year before. Along with the Padres in the National League, the Sox are baseball’s 2020 jumpers.
Even though it has never been clear how good Renteria is — mostly because he never had a team with a pulse before now — an award that would raise his profile significantly is within reach.
The Sox are the best road team in the AL. They’ve beaten the daylights out of the teams they’re supposed to beat. They’re undefeated — 13-0 — against lefty starters. They roll out of bed tearing the cover off the ball. They’ve pitched better than expected in spite of some key injuries. They’re vibing off one another and having truckloads of fun.
“You can give all those guys that are on the field, all those coaches [and] the players that are performing, all the credit in the world because they’re the ones that are doing the job,” Renteria said.
The manager must deserve a good-sized share of credit, too. But has Renteria — who’s signed through 2021 — erased any doubt that he’s a vital piece of the puzzle going forward as the Sox aim to maximize a giant opportunity to win for a while?
“This is the first year — in this, his fifth year in the major leagues — that Ricky has had a chance to show what he can do as a manager,” TV analyst Steve Stone said. “The jury is still out. I think the best thing that he does is communicate with his players [and] get his team to play hard every day.”
Sox pitcher Gio Gonzalez had seven big-league managers before Renteria, a group that includes Melvin, Davey Johnson, Dusty Baker and Craig Counsell, and he has done a ton of winning. He was asked what about Renteria is unique.
“Ricky’s got a hell of a lineup,” he said.
It wasn’t intended as a backhanded compliment. Let’s all be crystal clear on that. But considering that praise of Renteria has always been less than voluminous, it doesn’t make us any surer about what we see.
JUST SAYIN’
Tell us how you really feel, Leonard Fournette.
“For the first time in my life, I really have a quarterback,” the new Buccaneers running back said Tuesday on a video conference with reporters. “So that’s an eye-opener for me.”
You’re welcome, former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles. You, too, Gardner Minshew and — what’s his name again? — Nick Foles.
Yes, Foles. It seems he’s no Tom Brady. Who knew? As Fournette apparently sees it, Foles, who enters the season as the backup to Bears starter Mitch Trubisky, isn’t even a real quarterback.
So the Bears have that going for them.
• The strangest thing about college football so far hasn’t been the quiet of (mostly) empty stadiums. It has been the only-in-these-abnormal-times scores.
Army was favored by about a field goal against Middle Tennessee State and won 42-0. Navy was favored by about a field goal against BYU and lost 55-3.
Southern Miss was favored by about two touchdowns against South Alabama and lost 32-21. The very next day, coach Jay Hopson resigned.
If I were the Big Ten, I’d lie low for a while, too.
• Bears 20, Lions 17.
Please, no need to thank me.
• The Jose Martinez era vs. the Steven Souza Jr. era.
Feel free to throw in the Hernan Perez era or any number of other here-today-gone-tomorrow eras.
Either way, Cubs fans: Discuss.
• Speaking of the Cubs, lots of luck to newly acquired outfielder Billy Hamilton, a real speedster. May he last longer around here than it takes for him to race home from first base on a gapper.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Javy Baez sounds off on MLB restrictions on in-game video: “To be honest, it sucks”

When MLB mandated that there would be no video access for teams in an attempt to cut down on in-game sign-stealing following the Astros ’ cheating scandal , chances are the league didn ’ t expect some of the fallout from the decision .
Sure .
Who wasn ’ t in favor of combating teams stealing signs via video feeds during games after the Astros debacle ?
But the effects of hitters not having those feeds to look at previous at-bats or get a glimpse of a new pitcher entering a game have been felt around the game , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already struggling to find their rhythm at the plate .
“ To be honest , it sucks because I like to make my adjustments during the game , ” shortstop Javy Baez said .
I watch swing .
I watch where the ball was , where the contact was .
And I ’ m mad .
I ’ m really mad that we don ’ t have it , because to be honest , with all due respect , we didn ’ t cheat .
We ’ re not cheating and we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s tough.
” “ It ’ s a short season and it ’ s all this crap that we don ’ t like , but I know a lot of players are struggling .
A lot of stars are struggling and I ’ m just one more , but the way that it is , that ’ s not the way we play baseball.
” Baez has yet to find his normal level of production this season .
The Cubs ’ shortstop has a .205/.246/.365 with six homers and 32.9 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most vocal on the matter this season , he isn ’ t the only one seeing the effects it ’ s had on baseball this season .
“ I definitely think that ’ s something that ’ s a little bit overlooked in the game , is not being able to have the video in our game right now , ” left fielder Kyle Schwarber said .
Because that ’ s key for some guys to be able to go back and look at where their swing is and look at any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at to be able to take into their next at-bat .
“ I think now , we ’ re going by feel and we ’ re trying to be able to pinpoint it without obviously the video and just go out there and compete.
” MLB hasn ’ t said whether the mandate on in-game video would carry into next season , but as players continue to voice their frustrations against the recent changes , it will be something players continue to fight for heading into the 2021 season .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front of you guys and make excuses , ” manager David Ross said .
“ I don ’ t think a lot of guys want to do that , so they ’ re trying to just take ownership of at-bats .
But you know , [ Javy ] is frustrated and I don ’ t think he ’ s using it as an excuse .
I ’ m not trying to say that .
I just feel like there ’ s elements to a season and a baseball game that we all use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of those off that you feel are a big part of your success , it ’ s frustrating.
” “ I need video , ” Baez said .
“ I needed to make adjustments during the game .
It doesn ’ t even matter who ’ s there to watch us .
It doesn ’ t matter if we have all the police that MLB wants to send over here .
We need video back and I ’ m one of the guys .
I ’ m going to keep trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it and I ’ ll make adjustment with it .
”

When Major League Baseball restricted in-game video access for teams in an attempt to cut down on sign-stealing after the Astros cheating scandal, chances are it didn’t expect some of the fallout from the decision. Who wasn’t in favor of stopping opponents from stealing signs during games?
But hitters around the majors are feeling the effects of not having those video feeds to look at their previous at-bats or get a glimpse of a new pitcher entering a game — especially in a shortened season when players already are struggling to find their rhythm at the plate.
“To be honest, it sucks because I like to make my adjustments during the game,” Cubs shortstop Javy Baez said Monday. “I watch my swing. I watch where the ball was, where the contact was. And I’m mad. I’m really mad that we don’t have it because, to be honest, with all due respect, we didn’t cheat. We’re not cheating, and we have to pay for all of this. It’s tough.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
“It’s a short season, and it’s all this crap that we don’t like, but I know a lot of players are struggling. A lot of stars are struggling, and I’m just one more. But the way that it is, that’s not the way we play baseball.”
Baez has yet to find his normal level of production this season. He has a .205/.246/.365 slash line with six homers and a 32.9 percent strikeout rate.
While he has been the most vocal Cub with regard to the video feeds, he isn’t the only one unhappy about it.
“I definitely think that’s something that’s a little bit overlooked, is not being able to have the video in our game right now,” left fielder Kyle Schwarber said. “Because that’s key for some guys to be able to go back and look at where their swing is and look at any kind of key that they want to look at, to be able to take into their next at-bat. I think now we’re going by feel, and we’re trying to be able to pinpoint it without, obviously, the video and just go out there and compete.”
MLB hasn’t said whether the mandate will carry into next season, but expect players to fight against it.
“It’s hard to get up in front of [reporters] and make excuses,” manager David Ross said. “I don’t think a lot of guys want to do that, so they’re trying to just take ownership of their at-bats. [Javy] is frustrated. . . . I just feel like there’s elements to a season and a baseball game that we all use as tools, and when [you] start taking some of those [away] that you feel are a big part of your success, it’s frustrating.”
Baez was more adamant.
“I need video,” he said. “I needed to make adjustments during the game. It doesn’t even matter who’s there to watch us. It doesn’t matter if we have all the police that MLB wants to send over here. We need video back, and I’m one of the guys. I’m going to keep trying to bring it back because we need it and I’ll make adjustments with it.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Illinois’ new COVID-19 infections number 1,392, marking third straight day of lower caseloads

After Illinois closed out last week with a staggering crush of new coronavirus cases , the state on Tuesday tallied a third straight day of relatively low numbers as health officials announced 1,392 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 .
That happens to be the average caseload reported by the state since Sunday , over the long Labor Day holiday weekend .
But Illinois has averaged more than 2,000 new cases per day over the last two weeks , thanks to record figures of 5,368 reported Friday — the inflated result of a two-day data processing backlog — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaged around 2,300 new cases per day over the worst two-week stretch of the pandemic in mid-May , but that was before the state bolstered its testing operations .
Illinois is now testing residents at well over double its rate during the initial COVID-19 peak .
The latest cases were confirmed among 31,363 tests , lowering the state ’ s testing positivity rate over the last week to 4 % .
That number , which indicates how quickly the virus is spreading , hovered around 15 % in May .
The Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus has killed seven more residents , including a Cook County man in his 30s .
As of Monday night , 1,504 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized , with 343 in intensive care units and 133 on ventilators .
Almost 4.5 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Illinois since March .
More than 252,000 have received positive results , and 8,186 have died .
Daily caseloads shrank through June , but they ’ ve surged throughout the summer since Gov .
J.B. Pritzker allowed most businesses to reopen toward the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have pointed to downstate outbreaks and wider transmission among young people .
The Democratic governor ’ s office is tracking testing positivity rates across 11 regions of the state , including two where indoor dining has been banned in an effort to contain COVID-19 flareups .
The downstate Metro East region is still at 9.8 % positivity more than three weeks after Pritzker ’ s health team imposed “ mitigations , ” but the Will-Kankakee county region in Chicago ’ s far southwest suburbs has dipped below the state ’ s 8 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks after the state intervened there .
Chicago has held steady at 5.2 % positivity .
Suburban Cook County is at 6.1 % .
The Chicago Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 travel quarantine list to include Kentucky , meaning visitors or residents returning from the Bluegrass State are required to hunker down for two weeks upon arrival in Chicago .
California and Puerto Rico were removed from the mandatory quarantine list as that state and territory fell below the city ’ s coronavirus “ hot spot ” threshold infection rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a weekly rolling average .
But the quarantine order still applies to 21 states — more than a third of the nation — including Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia , Iowa , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri , North Dakota , Oklahoma , South Carolina , South Dakota and Tennessee .
The remaining six states on the list have improved to the point they could be removed next week : Idaho , Nebraska , Nevada , Texas , North Carolina and Hawaii .
Never mind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own criteria for a quarantine order , with a statewide infection rate of 17 new cases per 100,000 residents .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said the order is more “ about educating people to understand the risk factors ” than it is about handing out fines of up to $ 500 per day .

After Illinois closed out last week with a staggering crush of new coronavirus cases, the state on Tuesday tallied a third straight day of relatively low numbers as health officials announced 1,392 more people have tested positive for COVID-19.
That happens to be the average caseload reported by the state since Sunday, over the long Labor Day holiday weekend.
But Illinois has averaged more than 2,000 new cases per day over the last two weeks, thanks to record figures of 5,368 reported Friday — the inflated result of a two-day data processing backlog — and 2,806 cases on Saturday.
The state averaged around 2,300 new cases per day over the worst two-week stretch of the pandemic in mid-May, but that was before the state bolstered its testing operations. Illinois is now testing residents at well over double its rate during the initial COVID-19 peak.
The latest cases were confirmed among 31,363 tests, lowering the state’s testing positivity rate over the last week to 4%. That number, which indicates how quickly the virus is spreading, hovered around 15% in May.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday also announced the virus has killed seven more residents, including a Cook County man in his 30s.
As of Monday night, 1,504 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized, with 343 in intensive care units and 133 on ventilators.
Almost 4.5 million coronavirus tests have been administered in Illinois since March. More than 252,000 have received positive results, and 8,186 have died.
Daily caseloads shrank through June, but they’ve surged throughout the summer since Gov. J.B. Pritzker allowed most businesses to reopen toward the end of that month. Public health officials have pointed to downstate outbreaks and wider transmission among young people.
The Democratic governor’s office is tracking testing positivity rates across 11 regions of the state, including two where indoor dining has been banned in an effort to contain COVID-19 flareups. The downstate Metro East region is still at 9.8% positivity more than three weeks after Pritzker’s health team imposed “mitigations,” but the Will-Kankakee county region in Chicago’s far southwest suburbs has dipped below the state’s 8% threshold to 7.4% less than two weeks after the state intervened there.
Chicago has held steady at 5.2% positivity. Suburban Cook County is at 6.1%.
The Chicago Department of Public Health updated its COVID-19 travel quarantine list to include Kentucky, meaning visitors or residents returning from the Bluegrass State are required to hunker down for two weeks upon arrival in Chicago.
California and Puerto Rico were removed from the mandatory quarantine list as that state and territory fell below the city’s coronavirus “hot spot” threshold infection rate of 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents on a weekly rolling average.
But the quarantine order still applies to 21 states — more than a third of the nation — including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.
The remaining six states on the list have improved to the point they could be removed next week: Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, Texas, North Carolina and Hawaii.
Never mind the fact Illinois meets the city’s own criteria for a quarantine order, with a statewide infection rate of 17 new cases per 100,000 residents. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said the order is more “about educating people to understand the risk factors” than it is about handing out fines of up to $500 per day.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Industrial polluters would face new hurdles to open under zoning changes proposed by Lightfoot

Industrial polluters would face more hurdles to set up near homes , schools and parks under Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s proposed change to the city ’ s zoning law .
The measure follows a promise made by Lightfoot in July to reduce air pollution in the city ’ s Black and Latino communities and is expected to be introduced at the City Council meeting Wednesday .
An amendment to the city ’ s zoning ordinance would require heavy industrial sources of pollution , like asphalt plants , to undergo more scrutiny , including required public hearings , before they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturing areas of the city .
Specifically , industrial operators would be required to seek what ’ s called special use permits , which mandate more procedural requirements and approvals and allows for public hearings before city approval .
Community and environmental groups , citing several industrial developments on the South and West Sides , have been pressing Lightfoot to stop sources of air pollution from moving into areas of the city that already suffer from poor air quality .
Southeast Side residents are fighting industrial metal shredder General Iron ’ s move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Village activists want the city to halt the development of a Target distribution center that would bring hundreds of diesel trucks to their neighborhood each day .
McKinley Park organizers have said the MAT Asphalt plant across from their park should not have been built .
It ’ s unclear whether city approvals for any of the controversial developments would have turned out differently under the proposed changes .
Lightfoot ’ s top environmental adviser said the asphalt plant , opened in 2018 , is an example of a project that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s zoning ordinance .
MAT Asphalt is “ exactly the type of development we had in mind when we put this ordinance together , ” said Angela Tovar , Lighftoot ’ s chief sustainability officer .
“ We can no longer rely on these zoning measures to guide where these businesses go.
” The law would also require certain entities , such as daycares and schools , to go through a rigorous review before they ’ re allowed to locate close to industrial sites , a requirement that provides “ better , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harm , ” Tovar said .
Additionally , no new landfills , incinerators or mining operations would be allowed in the city , though Tovar said there are no current applications to the city for such sites .
Lightfoot announced she would back zoning changes in July , saying the city had to address the issue of polluted communities .
Her office also released a report linking poor health in low-income communities of color to the impacts of air pollution .
Chicago ’ s “ history of segregation and disinvestment in Black and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the report said .
Community groups say the Lightfoot measure doesn ’ t go far enough .
“ Instead of actually fixing what their air report is telling them , they are just trying to do the bare minimum , ” said Kim Wasserman , executive director of Little Village Environmental Justice Organization Tovar said the proposed ordinance is a first step and promised to work with environmental groups on additional laws , such as one recognizing cumulative burdens of neighborhoods already inundated with pollution .
“ The changes to the zoning ordinance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step and more changes are needed , ” said Nancy Loeb , director of the Environmental Advocacy Center at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law who is representing residents opposed to General Iron ’ s move to the Southeast Side .
The same type of zoning rules Lighfoot proposes , she said , is allowing General Iron to “ move from the affluent , mostly white Lincoln Park neighborhood to the heavily burdened , low-income community of color on the Southeast Side.
” Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Chicago Community Trust .

Industrial polluters would face more hurdles to set up near homes, schools and parks under Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed change to the city’s zoning law.
The measure follows a promise made by Lightfoot in July to reduce air pollution in the city’s Black and Latino communities and is expected to be introduced at the City Council meeting Wednesday. An amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance would require heavy industrial sources of pollution, like asphalt plants, to undergo more scrutiny, including required public hearings, before they are allowed to open even in designated manufacturing areas of the city.
Specifically, industrial operators would be required to seek what’s called special use permits, which mandate more procedural requirements and approvals and allows for public hearings before city approval.
Community and environmental groups, citing several industrial developments on the South and West Sides, have been pressing Lightfoot to stop sources of air pollution from moving into areas of the city that already suffer from poor air quality.
Southeast Side residents are fighting industrial metal shredder General Iron’s move from Lincoln Park to their community. Little Village activists want the city to halt the development of a Target distribution center that would bring hundreds of diesel trucks to their neighborhood each day. McKinley Park organizers have said the MAT Asphalt plant across from their park should not have been built.
It’s unclear whether city approvals for any of the controversial developments would have turned out differently under the proposed changes. Lightfoot’s top environmental adviser said the asphalt plant, opened in 2018, is an example of a project that would have received more scrutiny under the mayor’s zoning ordinance.
MAT Asphalt is “exactly the type of development we had in mind when we put this ordinance together,” said Angela Tovar, Lighftoot’s chief sustainability officer. “We can no longer rely on these zoning measures to guide where these businesses go.”
The law would also require certain entities, such as daycares and schools, to go through a rigorous review before they’re allowed to locate close to industrial sites, a requirement that provides “better, more proactive planning to mitigate more environmental harm,” Tovar said.
Additionally, no new landfills, incinerators or mining operations would be allowed in the city, though Tovar said there are no current applications to the city for such sites.
Lightfoot announced she would back zoning changes in July, saying the city had to address the issue of polluted communities. Her office also released a report linking poor health in low-income communities of color to the impacts of air pollution. Chicago’s “history of segregation and disinvestment in Black and Latinx communities” was to blame, the report said.
Community groups say the Lightfoot measure doesn’t go far enough.
“Instead of actually fixing what their air report is telling them, they are just trying to do the bare minimum,” said Kim Wasserman, executive director of Little Village Environmental Justice Organization
Tovar said the proposed ordinance is a first step and promised to work with environmental groups on additional laws, such as one recognizing cumulative burdens of neighborhoods already inundated with pollution.
“The changes to the zoning ordinance are a step forward but just a step and more changes are needed,” said Nancy Loeb, director of the Environmental Advocacy Center at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law who is representing residents opposed to General Iron’s move to the Southeast Side.
The same type of zoning rules Lighfoot proposes, she said, is allowing General Iron to “move from the affluent, mostly white Lincoln Park neighborhood to the heavily burdened, low-income community of color on the Southeast Side.”
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--CPS students won’t get marked absent for missing class because of tech issues at start of year, scho

CPS students won’t get marked absent for missing class because of tech issues at start of year, schools chief says

Students who have computer or internet problems won ’ t be penalized if they have trouble connecting to a virtual class at the start of the school year , Chicago ’ s schools chief said Tuesday .
Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson , speaking at a news conference with Mayor Lori Lightfoot on the first day of school , said the district would be lenient as technology woes are sorted out .
“ Absolutely not , ” Jackson answered when asked if students would be counted absent because of connectivity or technical issues .
“ We ’ re working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working extremely hard to get our kids connected .
And we ’ re going to make every effort to ensure that they ’ re not only counted in attendance , but that they have access to their teachers so that they can learn.
” The first day didn ’ t come without headaches for parents and teachers , with many posting on social media about their internet cutting out , or their kids accidentally leaving a video meeting and not being able to get back in .
Some others said their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Families who are having technical problems can call CPS ’ support hotline , open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday , at ( 773 ) 417-1060 .
Jackson and Lightfoot were also asked about the extensive amount of screen time required by the district ’ s remote learning plan , which has drawn the ire of some parents and teachers .
“ When those teachers are engaging their students , and we saw that over and over again today , they ’ re going to be engaged , ” the mayor said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , a mission and a path to go , the students are going to be connected and they ’ re going to learn.
” Jackson said CPS ’ remote school plan allows for time away from the screen so students can work independently .
“ We know the guidance is grade-level appropriate , ” she said .
“ Obviously we ’ re going to learn a lot in this environment , but we feel strongly that the guidance that we put out is in alignment with the best practices and the research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers and even a school board member have said hourslong live online learning each day isn ’ t ideal for younger kids because research shows they need an adult with them for their online experience to be productive .
It also puts a burden on working-class families when parents are asked to shoulder the huge responsibility of continuously checking on their kids when they have their own jobs to worry about .

Students who have computer or internet problems won’t be penalized if they have trouble connecting to a virtual class at the start of the school year, Chicago’s schools chief said Tuesday.
Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson, speaking at a news conference with Mayor Lori Lightfoot on the first day of school, said the district would be lenient as technology woes are sorted out.
“Absolutely not,” Jackson answered when asked if students would be counted absent because of connectivity or technical issues.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
“We’re working directly with our families. ... People are working extremely hard to get our kids connected. And we’re going to make every effort to ensure that they’re not only counted in attendance, but that they have access to their teachers so that they can learn.”
The first day didn’t come without headaches for parents and teachers, with many posting on social media about their internet cutting out, or their kids accidentally leaving a video meeting and not being able to get back in. Some others said their first day experience went smoother than expected. Families who are having technical problems can call CPS’ support hotline, open 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (773) 417-1060.
Jackson and Lightfoot were also asked about the extensive amount of screen time required by the district’s remote learning plan, which has drawn the ire of some parents and teachers.
“When those teachers are engaging their students, and we saw that over and over again today, they’re going to be engaged,” the mayor said. “If the teachers have a lesson plan, a mission and a path to go, the students are going to be connected and they’re going to learn.”
Jackson said CPS’ remote school plan allows for time away from the screen so students can work independently.
“We know the guidance is grade-level appropriate,” she said. “Obviously we’re going to learn a lot in this environment, but we feel strongly that the guidance that we put out is in alignment with the best practices and the research on screen time.”
Many parents, teachers and even a school board member have said hourslong live online learning each day isn’t ideal for younger kids because research shows they need an adult with them for their online experience to be productive. It also puts a burden on working-class families when parents are asked to shoulder the huge responsibility of continuously checking on their kids when they have their own jobs to worry about.