chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--3 shot, 1 killed Wednesday in Chicago

3 shot, 1 killed Wednesday in Chicago

A man was killed and two teenage girls were wounded Wednesday in shootings across Chicago .
The day ’ s lone fatal attack happened on the South Side , where a 28-year-old man was gunned down near the border of Englewood and Park Manor .
The man was arguing with four males about 9:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of South State Street when one of them pulled out a gun and fired shots , striking him multiple times , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Wednesday afternoon , a 17-year-old girl was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Hare International Airport on the Northwest Side .
The teen was riding in a vehicle about 5:20 p.m. in the 6200 block of Mannheim Road when someone fired shots , Chicago police said .
The girl was struck in the thigh and taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in good condition .
Police said the shooting may have been a possible road rage incident .
Another 17-year-old girl was shot early Wednesday morning in Englewood on the South Side .
The girl was in a parked car about 1:50 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , when someone approached her and opened fire , Chicago police said .
She was struck in the leg but drove to the 1000 block of West 70th Street , where paramedics picked her up , police said .
They took her to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where she was listed in fair condition .
On Tuesday , five people were shot in Chicago , one of them fatally .

A man was killed and two teenage girls were wounded Wednesday in shootings across Chicago.
The day’s lone fatal attack happened on the South Side, where a 28-year-old man was gunned down near the border of Englewood and Park Manor.
The man was arguing with four males about 9:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of South State Street when one of them pulled out a gun and fired shots, striking him multiple times, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Wednesday afternoon, a 17-year-old girl was shot while riding in a vehicle near O’Hare International Airport on the Northwest Side.
The teen was riding in a vehicle about 5:20 p.m. in the 6200 block of Mannheim Road when someone fired shots, Chicago police said. The girl was struck in the thigh and taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge in good condition.
Police said the shooting may have been a possible road rage incident.
Another 17-year-old girl was shot early Wednesday morning in Englewood on the South Side.
The girl was in a parked car about 1:50 a.m. in the 6100 block of South Racine Avenue, when someone approached her and opened fire, Chicago police said.
She was struck in the leg but drove to the 1000 block of West 70th Street, where paramedics picked her up, police said. They took her to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was listed in fair condition.
On Tuesday, five people were shot in Chicago, one of them fatally.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Man fatally shot in Austin

Man fatally shot in Austin

A man was shot to death Thursday in Austin on the West Side .
Alante Hands , 27 , was @ @ @ @ @ chest and leg about 12:35 a.m. as he stood outside in the 5900 block of @ @ @ @ @ police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
He was taken @ @ @ @ @ in Maywood , where he was pronounced dead shortly after .
Police said witnesses to @ @ @ @ @ with officers , and further details about the shooting were not immediately known .
No @ @ @ @ @ Area Four detectives investigate .

A man was shot to death Thursday in Austin on the West Side.
Alante Hands, 27, was shot in the arm, chest and leg about 12:35 a.m. as he stood outside in the 5900 block of West Rice Street, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. He was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Police said witnesses to the shooting were not cooperating with officers, and further details about the shooting were not immediately known.
No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Woman dies days after Lawndale triple shooting

A 22-year-old woman died on Christmas Eve days after she was one of three women shot in Lawndale .
Sabrina @ @ @ @ @ and two other women were shot while sitting in a parked vehicle about 1:35 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ block of South Independence Boulevard , according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical @ @ @ @ @ Haralson was taken to Mt .
Sinai Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head @ @ @ @ @ , officials said .
An autopsy found she died of complications from her injuries , @ @ @ @ @ homicide .
Another woman , 25 , was taken to the same hospital in critical @ @ @ @ @ a 20-year-old woman , was in good condition with a graze wound , police said @

A 22-year-old woman died on Christmas Eve days after she was one of three women shot in Lawndale.
Sabrina Haralson, of Bolingbrook, and two other women were shot while sitting in a parked vehicle about 1:35 a.m. Dec. 20 in the 600 block of South Independence Boulevard, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Haralson was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital with a gunshot wound to the head and died four days later, officials said. An autopsy found she died of complications from her injuries, and ruled her death a homicide.
Another woman, 25, was taken to the same hospital in critical condition and the third, a 20-year-old woman, was in good condition with a graze wound, police said.
Area Four detectives are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--DePaul falls to UConn

DePaul falls to UConn

Tyrese Martin scored 22 points with 10 rebounds , James Bouknight added 20 points and UConn rolled past DePaul 82-61 @ @ @ @ @ Connecticut .
Josh Carlton added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench for UConn @ @ @ @ @ East ) .
R.J. Cole added six assists .
Darious Hall had 14 points and @ @ @ @ @ Demons ( 1-2 , 0-2 ) .
Nick Ongenda added 13 points and Pauly Paulicap @ @ @ @ @ game had been delayed a week by positive tests for COVID-19 in the UConn program @ @ @ @ @ early 16-3 run to open distance on DePaul and led by as many as 26 @ @ @ @ @

Tyrese Martin scored 22 points with 10 rebounds, James Bouknight added 20 points and UConn rolled past DePaul 82-61 on Wednesday in Storrs, Connecticut.
Josh Carlton added 11 points and nine rebounds off the bench for UConn (4-1, 1-1 Big East). R.J. Cole added six assists.
Darious Hall had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Blue Demons (1-2, 0-2).
Nick Ongenda added 13 points and Pauly Paulicap had three blocks.
The game had been delayed a week by positive tests for COVID-19 in the UConn program.
The Huskies used an early 16-3 run to open distance on DePaul and led by as many as 26 in the second half.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Horoscope forThursday, Dec. 31, 2020

Horoscope forThursday, Dec. 31, 2020

Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Chicago time .
After that , the moon moves from Cancer into Leo .
After the moon alert is over , it ’ s a favorable time for you !
You might want to make your pitch .
Anything to do with vacations , financial speculation , children and sports plus your creative talents will be blessed .
Your dealings with a female family member will be serious , especially after the moon alert is over .
You might be at odds with this person ?
They might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you might want to avoid them ?
It ’ s easy to fall into worry mode .
Basically , this is negative thinking .
What is negativity ?
Negativity is wanting things to be different than the way they are .
Make no important decisions during the moon alert .
Today you might be at odds with someone about finances , earnings , cash flow or a possession ?
It could involve rules , regulations or an authority figure .
( Is the posse after you ? )
Make no important decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moon alert is over at 1:15 p.m. Chicago time , then the moon moves into your sign , which gives you a slight edge of good fortune .
However , the moon in your sign will oppose Saturn , which could create difficulty dealing with partners and close friends .
Bummer .
Be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert this morning , especially for shopping or important decisions .
( It ’ s over by 1:15 p.m. Chicago time . )
Despite some restrictions at work , especially from a boss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day !
You might find yourself at odds with a female friend today or a member of a group , especially in the afternoon .
Meanwhile , with Mars opposite your sign , you are easily annoyed with others , especially those who are close to you .
Instead , focus on home and family for best results .
Today you might find yourself at odds with an authority figure .
This person might be at home , or in your family , or an authority figure somewhere else in your world .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ big deal about anything .
Let it pass .
You have many busy projects waiting .
Steer clear of sensitive subjects like politics and religion because today , you could encounter a brick wall .
Authority figures , especially connected with publishing , the media , the church and the law might stand against you .
But for the most part , it ’ s a poor day for a serious dispute .
You might encounter financial difficulties today .
Or they could be disagreements about how to divide or share something or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the restrictions of the moon alert today .
Avoid shopping or any important decisions until 1:15 p.m. Chicago time .
Today the moon is opposite your sign , which means you have to be prepared to compromise and go more than halfway when dealing with others .
Someone might raise objections or obstacles to what you want to do .
Be prepared for this .
Wait until after 1:15 p.m. Chicago time to act .
Anything connected to your work or your job might be stymied or blocked by rules , regulations or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this .
This might even deal with a pet .
( Noise control ? )
Avoid important decisions during the moon alert .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Anthony Hopkins ( 1937 ) shares your birthday .
You are goal oriented , responsible and organized .
You have a quirky sense of humor and you take care of loved ones This year will be a more easy-going year .
Your smart choice will be to cooperate with others because your relations with others will benefit you , even business and personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kindness and be helpful .

Moon Alert
Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 7:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Cancer into Leo.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
After the moon alert is over, it’s a favorable time for you! You might want to make your pitch. Anything to do with vacations, financial speculation, children and sports plus your creative talents will be blessed.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Your dealings with a female family member will be serious, especially after the moon alert is over. You might be at odds with this person? They might make demands on you or in turn, you might want to avoid them?
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
It’s easy to fall into worry mode. Basically, this is negative thinking. What is negativity? Negativity is wanting things to be different than the way they are. Make no important decisions during the moon alert.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today you might be at odds with someone about finances, earnings, cash flow or a possession? It could involve rules, regulations or an authority figure. (Is the posse after you?) Make no important decisions during the moon alert.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Once the moon alert is over at 1:15 p.m. Chicago time, then the moon moves into your sign, which gives you a slight edge of good fortune. However, the moon in your sign will oppose Saturn, which could create difficulty dealing with partners and close friends. Bummer.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert this morning, especially for shopping or important decisions. (It’s over by 1:15 p.m. Chicago time.) Despite some restrictions at work, especially from a boss, this is a playful, fun-loving day!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You might find yourself at odds with a female friend today or a member of a group, especially in the afternoon. Meanwhile, with Mars opposite your sign, you are easily annoyed with others, especially those who are close to you. Instead, focus on home and family for best results.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today you might find yourself at odds with an authority figure. This person might be at home, or in your family, or an authority figure somewhere else in your world. It’s not worth making a big deal about anything. Let it pass. You have many busy projects waiting.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Steer clear of sensitive subjects like politics and religion because today, you could encounter a brick wall. Authority figures, especially connected with publishing, the media, the church and the law might stand against you. But for the most part, it’s a poor day for a serious dispute.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You might encounter financial difficulties today. Or they could be disagreements about how to divide or share something or deal with debt. Be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert today. Avoid shopping or any important decisions until 1:15 p.m. Chicago time.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today the moon is opposite your sign, which means you have to be prepared to compromise and go more than halfway when dealing with others. Someone might raise objections or obstacles to what you want to do. Be prepared for this. Wait until after 1:15 p.m. Chicago time to act.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Anything connected to your work or your job might be stymied or blocked by rules, regulations or an authority figure today. Be aware of this. This might even deal with a pet. (Noise control?) Avoid important decisions during the moon alert.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Anthony Hopkins (1937) shares your birthday. You are goal oriented, responsible and organized. You have a quirky sense of humor and you take care of loved ones This year will be a more easy-going year. Your smart choice will be to cooperate with others because your relations with others will benefit you, even business and personal relationships. Grab every chance to practice kindness and be helpful.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Man fatally shot on South Side

Man fatally shot on South Side

A man was killed in a shooting Wednesday on the South Side near the border of Englewood and Park Manor @ @ @ @ @ Webb , 28 , was arguing with four males about 9:30 p.m. in the 6600 @ @ @ @ @ when one of them pulled out a gun and fired shots , striking him multiple @ @ @ @ @ the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
Webb was pronounced dead at @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the suspects were in a silver-colored SUV .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

A man was killed in a shooting Wednesday on the South Side near the border of Englewood and Park Manor, police said.
Kawanis Webb, 28, was arguing with four males about 9:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of South State Street when one of them pulled out a gun and fired shots, striking him multiple times, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Webb was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Police said the suspects were in a silver-colored SUV.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Notre Dame offense humming along with Rees lightnin’

SOUTH BEND , Ind .
— No matter how things go for Notre Dame on New Year ’ s Day against top-ranked Alabama , Tommy Rees probably won ’ t forget a single play .
“ His memory is unbelievable , ” Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book said recently of his offensive coordinator .
“ I ’ ll throw a certain throw , and he ’ ll say , ‘ Oh , yeah , it ’ s just like the throw in ’ 18 against Stanford — blah , blah , blah.
’ And , boom , it resonates with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forest star who preceded Book from 2010 to ’ 13 , has made quite a splash in his first year as a college play-caller .
After serving a three-year apprenticeship as quarterbacks coach under Chip Long , Rees has forged one of the most balanced attacks in the country .
Notre Dame averages 218 yards on the ground ( 20th nationally ) and 238 through the air while scoring 35.2 points per game ( 21st nationally ) .
While the Irish have had their issues inside their opponents ’ 20-yard line , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % .
At 28 , Rees is one of the youngest coordinators in major college football and the youngest coordinator in Notre Dame history .
It helps that he ’ s not only at his alma mater , where he earned a degree in management consulting , but that his boss is his former coach , Brian Kelly .
Bill Rees , Tommy ’ s father , has been Notre Dame ’ s director of scouting the last four seasons .
The elder Rees , the Bears ’ scouting director from 1997 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a Northwestern assistant coach during his 45-year career .
His son ’ s calming manner and eye for detail has helped Book go 30-4 as the starting quarterback , surpassing Rees in the school ’ s record books along the way .
“ He ’ s played in this position , he ’ s been in this position — the ups and downs of Notre Dame quarterback , ” Book said .
“ We ’ ll watch film , and he ’ ll say , ‘ Hey , I threw a pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Purdue , ’ and he can go find it on the computer immediately .
He doesn ’ t forget anything.
” That includes the BCS Championship Game in January 2013 , a 42-14 blowout loss to Alabama in which Rees backed up Everett Golson .
Rees didn ’ t get on the field that day in Miami Gardens , Florida , but he no doubt went through his mental Rolodex for clues about how Nick Saban defended the Irish in the last meeting between the programs .
“ That was a long time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I was there .
I remember it .
It wasn ’ t a fun night , obviously.
” With Alabama favored by 20 points in this College Football Playoff semifinal , most pundits are expecting another Notre Dame faceplant on the big stage .
A 34-10 loss in the ACC championship rematch with Clemson two weeks ago only feeds into that narrative , but Rees insists things can be different this time .
“ I think the program has come a long way under [ Kelly ’ s ] leadership , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve recruited , the way we ’ ve developed within our program has increased .
We ’ ve been in this situation multiple times now .
There ’ s a belief within the program [ that ] we ’ re consistently one of the best five teams in the country .
We handle ourselves that way , and we have that belief.
” That same quiet confidence filters down through the players under Rees ’ guidance .
He ’ s not much for bluster , but they appreciate the way he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ road map to success .
“ Anytime there ’ s some skepticism , you really prove yourself by your work ethic and the way you build relationships , ” Rees said .
“ That ’ s something I ’ ve always tried to put first and foremost : How can I make sure I ’ m doing everything I can to show that I ’ m here to work and make this program better ?
” Just a few years older than Book and fellow graduate students such as wide receivers Ben Skowronek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer , Rees has managed to build rapport while maintaining a coach ’ s platform of respect .
“ It ’ s really just being authentic , ” Rees said .
“ If you have some authenticity to yourself , if you ’ re true to your word and true to who you are , those things are easy.
” It ’ s not easy , of course .
Rees just makes it look that way .

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — No matter how things go for Notre Dame on New Year’s Day against top-ranked Alabama, Tommy Rees probably won’t forget a single play.
“His memory is unbelievable,” Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book said recently of his offensive coordinator. “I’ll throw a certain throw, and he’ll say, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s just like the throw in ’18 against Stanford — blah, blah, blah.’ And, boom, it resonates with me.”
Rees, the former Lake Forest star who preceded Book from 2010 to ’13, has made quite a splash in his first year as a college play-caller. After serving a three-year apprenticeship as quarterbacks coach under Chip Long, Rees has forged one of the most balanced attacks in the country.
Notre Dame averages 218 yards on the ground (20th nationally) and 238 through the air while scoring 35.2 points per game (21st nationally). While the Irish have had their issues inside their opponents’ 20-yard line, they rank ninth in third-down conversions at nearly 50%.
At 28, Rees is one of the youngest coordinators in major college football and the youngest coordinator in Notre Dame history. It helps that he’s not only at his alma mater, where he earned a degree in management consulting, but that his boss is his former coach, Brian Kelly.
Bill Rees, Tommy’s father, has been Notre Dame’s director of scouting the last four seasons. The elder Rees, the Bears’ scouting director from 1997 to 2001, also had multiple stints as a Northwestern assistant coach during his 45-year career.
His son’s calming manner and eye for detail has helped Book go 30-4 as the starting quarterback, surpassing Rees in the school’s record books along the way.
“He’s played in this position, he’s been in this position — the ups and downs of Notre Dame quarterback,” Book said. “We’ll watch film, and he’ll say, ‘Hey, I threw a pass just like this in whatever year at Purdue,’ and he can go find it on the computer immediately. He doesn’t forget anything.”
That includes the BCS Championship Game in January 2013, a 42-14 blowout loss to Alabama in which Rees backed up Everett Golson. Rees didn’t get on the field that day in Miami Gardens, Florida, but he no doubt went through his mental Rolodex for clues about how Nick Saban defended the Irish in the last meeting between the programs.
“That was a long time ago for us,” Rees said. “I was there. I remember it. It wasn’t a fun night, obviously.”
With Alabama favored by 20 points in this College Football Playoff semifinal, most pundits are expecting another Notre Dame faceplant on the big stage. A 34-10 loss in the ACC championship rematch with Clemson two weeks ago only feeds into that narrative, but Rees insists things can be different this time.
“I think the program has come a long way under [Kelly’s] leadership,” Rees said. “The way we’ve recruited, the way we’ve developed within our program has increased. We’ve been in this situation multiple times now. There’s a belief within the program [that] we’re consistently one of the best five teams in the country. We handle ourselves that way, and we have that belief.”
That same quiet confidence filters down through the players under Rees’ guidance. He’s not much for bluster, but they appreciate the way he streamlines tasks for them and provides a road map to success.
“Anytime there’s some skepticism, you really prove yourself by your work ethic and the way you build relationships,” Rees said. “That’s something I’ve always tried to put first and foremost: How can I make sure I’m doing everything I can to show that I’m here to work and make this program better?”
Just a few years older than Book and fellow graduate students such as wide receivers Ben Skowronek and Javon McKinley and offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer, Rees has managed to build rapport while maintaining a coach’s platform of respect.
“It’s really just being authentic,” Rees said. “If you have some authenticity to yourself, if you’re true to your word and true to who you are, those things are easy.”
It’s not easy, of course. Rees just makes it look that way.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Pritzker marks New Year’s Eve by expunging nearly half a million marijuana arrest records, pardoning

Pritzker marks New Year’s Eve by expunging nearly half a million marijuana arrest records, pardoning thousands more

Thousands of pardons have been issued for low-level cannabis convictions and nearly half a million non-felony cannabis-related arrest records have been expunged , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday .
Pritzker ’ s office said the governor had issued pardons for 9,129 low-level cannabis conviction records ; the arrest records have been expunged by the Illinois State Police .
“ Statewide , Illinoisans hold hundreds of thousands low-level cannabis-related records , a burden disproportionately shouldered by communities of color , ” Pritzker said in a statement .
“ We will never be able to fully remedy the depth of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the courage to admit the mistakes of our past — and the decency to set a better path forward.
” The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act , which Pritzker signed on May 31 , 2019 , mandates that 47,000 cannabis-related arrest records between 2013 and 2019 be expunged by Jan. 1 , 2021 , which is Friday .
Over 20,000 cannabis convictions have also been pardoned under that law .
The expungement of all 492,192 cannabis arrest records on New Year ’ s Eve means ISP has completed its automatic expungement process four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 1 , 2025 .
Expungement has been completed at the state level , but the process continues in most of the state ’ s 102 counties .
Only DuPage , Kane , Knox , McHenry , McLean , Peoria , Rock Island , Will and Winnebago counties have completed expungements at the local level .
The remaining counties have until Jan. 1 , 2025 , to complete expungement of their non-felony cannabis related arrest records .
“ As we near the end of the first year of Illinois ’ new legal cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress we have made towards undoing the harms dealt by the failed war on drugs , ” Toi Hutchinson , senior advisor to the governor for cannabis control , said in a statement .
“ We are one year into what will be an ongoing effort to correct historic wrongdoings .
The administration remains committed to working with legislators to address any challenges to equity and on building an industry that re-invests in our state ’ s communities.
” Hutchinson added that none of the other 11 states that have legalized recreational cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by removing low-level and non-violent cannabis-related arrest records .
State Sen .
Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford , D-Maywood , applauded the expungement and pardons , but said it was only a small step forward .
“ Dismantling decades ’ worth of criminal justice atrocities will take years .
That ’ s evidenced by how this country handles cannabis , ” Lightford said .
“ We must never stop chipping away at that painful history .
I ’ m proud of these critical first steps .
”

Thousands of pardons have been issued for low-level cannabis convictions and nearly half a million non-felony cannabis-related arrest records have been expunged, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday.
Pritzker’s office said the governor had issued pardons for 9,129 low-level cannabis conviction records; the arrest records have been expunged by the Illinois State Police.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
“Statewide, Illinoisans hold hundreds of thousands low-level cannabis-related records, a burden disproportionately shouldered by communities of color,” Pritzker said in a statement. “We will never be able to fully remedy the depth of that damage. But we can govern with the courage to admit the mistakes of our past — and the decency to set a better path forward.”
The Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which Pritzker signed on May 31, 2019, mandates that 47,000 cannabis-related arrest records between 2013 and 2019 be expunged by Jan. 1, 2021, which is Friday.
Over 20,000 cannabis convictions have also been pardoned under that law.
The expungement of all 492,192 cannabis arrest records on New Year’s Eve means ISP has completed its automatic expungement process four years early; its statutory deadline is Jan. 1, 2025.
Expungement has been completed at the state level, but the process continues in most of the state’s 102 counties. Only DuPage, Kane, Knox, McHenry, McLean, Peoria, Rock Island, Will and Winnebago counties have completed expungements at the local level.
The remaining counties have until Jan. 1, 2025, to complete expungement of their non-felony cannabis related arrest records.
“As we near the end of the first year of Illinois’ new legal cannabis industry, I am heartened by the progress we have made towards undoing the harms dealt by the failed war on drugs,” Toi Hutchinson, senior advisor to the governor for cannabis control, said in a statement.
“We are one year into what will be an ongoing effort to correct historic wrongdoings. The administration remains committed to working with legislators to address any challenges to equity and on building an industry that re-invests in our state’s communities.”
Hutchinson added that none of the other 11 states that have legalized recreational cannabis have taken the step Illinois has taken, by removing low-level and non-violent cannabis-related arrest records.
State Sen. Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Maywood, applauded the expungement and pardons, but said it was only a small step forward.
“Dismantling decades’ worth of criminal justice atrocities will take years. That’s evidenced by how this country handles cannabis,” Lightford said. “We must never stop chipping away at that painful history. I’m proud of these critical first steps.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Boy, 15, shot in Bronzeville

Boy, 15, shot in Bronzeville

A 15-year-old boy was shot Thursday in Bronzeville on the South Side .
He was in a vehicle about 1:30 @ @ @ @ @ of East Pershing Road when someone opened fire , striking him in the arm , @ @ @ @ @ teen took himself to Rush University Medical Center , where he was in good condition @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 15-year-old boy was shot Thursday in Bronzeville on the South Side.
He was in a vehicle about 1:30 p.m. in the 300 block of East Pershing Road when someone opened fire, striking him in the arm, Chicago police said.
The teen took himself to Rush University Medical Center, where he was in good condition, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Halas Intrigue Episode 149: Who wins Bears-Packers?

It ’ s the biggest game of the year !
Sun-Times reporters Patrick Finley , Jason Lieser and Mark Potash @ @ @ @ @ Bears-Packers rivalry game and debate whether the playoffs are in the future .
New episodes @ @ @ @ @ will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast ’ s hub page @ @ @ @ @ to “ Halas Intrigue ” wherever you get your podcasts , including Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , and Stitcher .

It’s the biggest game of the year! Sun-Times reporters Patrick Finley, Jason Lieser and Mark Potash pick the winner of the Bears-Packers rivalry game and debate whether the playoffs are in the future.
New episodes of “Halas Intrigue” will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast’s hub page. You can also listen to “Halas Intrigue” wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Luminary, Spotify, and Stitcher.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--MF Doom, the masked rapper, died in October, family announces on Instagram

Rapper MF Doom , known for his masked “ super villain ” persona , died back on Oct. 31 , his wife Jasmine Dumile revealed on social media Thursday .
He was 49 .
Dumile posted an Instagram message to her husband , real name Daniel Dumile , with the New Year ’ s Eve revelation stating that the elusive rapper had “ transitioned October 31 , 2020.
” The influential rapper was the force behind beloved hip-hop albums “ Mm..Food ” and his collaboration with Madlib , “ Madvillainy.
” “ The greatest husband , father , teacher , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend I could ever ask for .
Thank you for all the things you have shown , taught and given to me , our children and our family .
Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance , not to be so quick to judge and write off , ” Jasmine Dumile wrote .
“ Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be .
My world will never be the same without you.
” Rolling Stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MF Doom ’ s representative Richie Abbott .
No further information on the cause of death was available .
USA TODAY has reached out to his representatives for comment .
His wife ’ s Instagram post also addressed the tragic death of the couple ’ s son Malachi in 2017 .
“ Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me , ” Jasmine wrote .
“ I love both and adore you always.
” The hip-hop world reacted in shock to the news .
Rapper QTIP tweeted Thursday , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s MC .. MF DOOM !
!
crushing news ... ” The private rapper Dumile ( pronounced doom-ee-lay ) wore a mask — onstage and in public — modeled after the Marvel comic book villain Doctor Doom , which he unveiled with the 1999 album “ Operation : Doomsday.
” “ I wanted to get onstage and orate , without people thinking about the normal things people think about , ” he told Ta-Nehisi Coates in a 2009 profile titled “ The Mask of Metal Face Doom ” for the The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ‘ Oh , he ’ s sexy , ’ or ‘ I don ’ t want him , he ’ s ugly , ’ and then other dudes sizing you up .
A visual always brings a first impression .
But if there ’ s going to be a first impression I might as well use it to control the story .
So why not do something like throw a mask on ?
” In March , MF Doom tweeted a message letting fans knowing to take COVID-19 precautions seriously .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an Instagram post .

Rapper MF Doom, known for his masked “super villain” persona, died on Oct. 31, his wife Jasmine Dumile revealed on social media Thursday. He was 49.
Dumile posted an Instagram message to her husband, real name Daniel Dumile, with the New Year’s Eve revelation stating the elusive rapper had “transitioned October 31, 2020.” The influential rapper was the force behind beloved hip-hop albums “Mm..Food” and his collaboration with Madlib, “Madvillainy.”
“The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for. Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off,” Jasmine Dumile wrote. “Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be. My world will never be the same without you.”
Rolling Stone confirmed the rapper’s death with MF Doom’s representative Richie Abbott. No further information on the cause of death was available.
USA TODAY has reached out to his representatives for comment.
His wife’s Instagram post also addressed the tragic death of the couple’s son Malachi in 2017.
“Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me,” Jasmine wrote. “I love both and adore you always.”
The hip-hop world reacted in shock to the news. Rapper QTIP tweeted Thursday, “RIP to another Giant your favorite MC’s MC .. MF DOOM!! crushing news ...”
Rapper El-P tweeted, “MF DOOM FOREVER.”
Rapper ScHoolboy Q tweeted, ”Damn. NOT DOOM HOMIE.”
The private rapper Dumile (pronounced doom-ee-lay) wore a mask — onstage and in public — modeled after the Marvel comic book villain Doctor Doom, which he unveiled with the 1999 album “Operation: Doomsday.”
“I wanted to get onstage and orate, without people thinking about the normal things people think about,” he told Ta-Nehisi Coates in a 2009 profile titled “The Mask of Metal Face Doom” for the The New Yorker. ”Like girls being like, ‘Oh, he’s sexy,’ or ‘I don’t want him, he’s ugly,’ and then other dudes sizing you up. A visual always brings a first impression. But if there’s going to be a first impression, I might as well use it to control the story. So why not do something like throw a mask on?”
In March, MF Doom tweeted a message letting fans knowing to take COVID-19 precautions seriously. ”DOOM STAY IN QUARANTINE” he wrote in an Instagram post.
Read more at usatoday.com


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Britain ends long Brexit journey with economic break from EU

LONDON — Britain ’ s long and sometimes acrimonious divorce from the European Union ended Thursday with an economic split that leaves the EU smaller and the U.K. freer but more isolated in a turbulent world .
Britain left the European bloc ’ s vast single market for people , goods and services at 11 p.m. London time , midnight in Brussels , completing the biggest single economic change the country has experienced since World War II .
A new U.K.-EU trade deal will bring its own restrictions and red tape , but for British Brexit supporters , it means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its web of rules .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson , whose support for Brexit helped push the country out of the EU , said it was “ an amazing moment for this country.
” “ We have our freedom in our hands , and it is up to us to make the most of it , ” he said in a New Year ’ s video message .
The break comes 11 months after a political Brexit that left the two sides in the limbo of a “ transition period ” — like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrangling and wondering whether they can remain friends .
Now the U.K. has finally moved out .
It was a day some had been longing for and others had been dreading since Britain voted in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU , but it turned out to be something of an anticlimax .
U.K. lockdown measures to curb the coronavirus curtailed mass gatherings to celebrate or mourn the moment , though Parliament ’ s huge Big Ben bell sounded 11 times on the hour as it prepared to ring in the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement sealed on Christmas Eve after months of tense negotiations ensures that Britain and the 27-nation EU can continue to buy and sell goods without tariffs or quotas .
That should help protect the 660 billion pounds ( $ 894 billion ) in annual trade between the two sides , and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on it .
But companies face sheaves of new costs and paperwork , including customs declarations and border checks .
Traders are struggling to digest the new rules imposed by a 1,200-page trade deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ split .
The English Channel port of Dover and the Eurotunnel passenger and freight route braced for delays as the new measures were introduced , though the coronavirus pandemic and a holiday weekend meant cross-Channel traffic was light , with only a trickle of trucks arriving at French border posts in Calais as 2020 ended .
The vital supply route was snarled for days after France closed its border to U.K. truckers for 48 hours last week in response to a fast-spreading variant of the virus identified in England .
The British government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure we need are in place , and we are ready for the U.K. ’ s new start.
” But freight companies were holding their breath .
Youngs Transportation in the U.K. suspended services to the EU until Jan. 11 “ to let things settle.
” “ We figure it gives the country a week or so to get used to all of these new systems in and out , and we can have a look and hopefully resolve any issues in advance of actually sending our trucks , ” said the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The services sector , which makes up 80 % of Britain ’ s economy , does not even know what the rules will be for business with the EU in 2021 — many of the details have yet to be hammered out .
Months and years of further discussion and argument over everything from fair competition to fish quotas lie ahead as Britain and the EU settle into their new relationship as friends , neighbors and rivals .
Hundreds of millions of individuals in Britain and the bloc also face changes to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost the automatic right to live and work in the other ’ s territory .
From now on , they will have to follow immigration rules and obtain work visas .
Tourists will not need visas for short trips , but new headaches — from travel insurance to pet paperwork — still loom for Britons visiting the continent .
For some in Britain , including the prime minister , it ’ s a moment of pride and a chance for the U.K. to set new diplomatic and economic priorities .
Johnson said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do trade deals around the world , and free to turbocharge our ambition to be a science superpower.
” Conservative lawmaker Bill Cash , who has campaigned for Brexit for decades , said it was a “ victory for democracy and sovereignty.
” That ’ s not a view widely shared across the Channel .
In the French president ’ s traditional New Year ’ s address , Emmanuel Macron expressed regret .
“ The United Kingdom remains our neighbor but also our friend and ally , ” he said .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was the child of European malaise and lots of lies and false promises.
” France ’ s European affairs minister , Clément Beaune , said the promises made by Brexiteers — “ a sort of total freedom , a lack of restrictions , of influence — I think will not happen.
” Many in Britain felt apprehension about a leap into the unknown that is taking place during a pandemic that has upended life around the world .
“ I feel very sad that we ’ re leaving , ” said Jen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I think that COVID has overshadowed everything that is going on .
But I think the other thing that has happened is that people feel a bigger sense of community , and I think that makes it even sadder that we ’ re breaking up our community a bit , by leaving our neighbours in Europe .
“ I ’ m hopeful that we find other ways to rebuild ties , ” she said .
Associated Press writers Renee Graham in London and John Leicester in Le Pecq , France , contributed @ @ @ @

LONDON — Britain’s long and sometimes acrimonious divorce from the European Union ended Thursday with an economic split that leaves the EU smaller and the U.K. freer but more isolated in a turbulent world.
Britain left the European bloc’s vast single market for people, goods and services at 11 p.m. London time, midnight in Brussels, completing the biggest single economic change the country has experienced since World War II. A new U.K.-EU trade deal will bring its own restrictions and red tape, but for British Brexit supporters, it means reclaiming national independence from the EU and its web of rules.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose support for Brexit helped push the country out of the EU, said it was “an amazing moment for this country.”
“We have our freedom in our hands, and it is up to us to make the most of it,” he said in a New Year’s video message.
The break comes 11 months after a political Brexit that left the two sides in the limbo of a “transition period” — like a separated couple still living together, wrangling and wondering whether they can remain friends. Now the U.K. has finally moved out.
It was a day some had been longing for and others had been dreading since Britain voted in a 2016 referendum to leave the EU, but it turned out to be something of an anticlimax. U.K. lockdown measures to curb the coronavirus curtailed mass gatherings to celebrate or mourn the moment, though Parliament’s huge Big Ben bell sounded 11 times on the hour as it prepared to ring in the new year at midnight.
A free trade agreement sealed on Christmas Eve after months of tense negotiations ensures that Britain and the 27-nation EU can continue to buy and sell goods without tariffs or quotas. That should help protect the 660 billion pounds ($894 billion) in annual trade between the two sides, and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that rely on it.
But companies face sheaves of new costs and paperwork, including customs declarations and border checks. Traders are struggling to digest the new rules imposed by a 1,200-page trade deal that was agreed just a week before split.
The English Channel port of Dover and the Eurotunnel passenger and freight route braced for delays as the new measures were introduced, though the coronavirus pandemic and a holiday weekend meant cross-Channel traffic was light, with only a trickle of trucks arriving at French border posts in Calais as 2020 ended. The vital supply route was snarled for days after France closed its border to U.K. truckers for 48 hours last week in response to a fast-spreading variant of the virus identified in England.
The British government insisted that “the border systems and infrastructure we need are in place, and we are ready for the U.K.’s new start.”
But freight companies were holding their breath. Youngs Transportation in the U.K. suspended services to the EU until Jan. 11 “to let things settle.”
“We figure it gives the country a week or so to get used to all of these new systems in and out, and we can have a look and hopefully resolve any issues in advance of actually sending our trucks,” said the company’s director, Rob Hollyman.
The services sector, which makes up 80% of Britain’s economy, does not even know what the rules will be for business with the EU in 2021 — many of the details have yet to be hammered out. Months and years of further discussion and argument over everything from fair competition to fish quotas lie ahead as Britain and the EU settle into their new relationship as friends, neighbors and rivals.
Hundreds of millions of individuals in Britain and the bloc also face changes to their daily lives. Britons and EU citizens have lost the automatic right to live and work in the other’s territory. From now on, they will have to follow immigration rules and obtain work visas. Tourists will not need visas for short trips, but new headaches — from travel insurance to pet paperwork — still loom for Britons visiting the continent.
For some in Britain, including the prime minister, it’s a moment of pride and a chance for the U.K. to set new diplomatic and economic priorities. Johnson said the U.K. was now “free to do trade deals around the world, and free to turbocharge our ambition to be a science superpower.”
Conservative lawmaker Bill Cash, who has campaigned for Brexit for decades, said it was a “victory for democracy and sovereignty.”
That’s not a view widely shared across the Channel. In the French president’s traditional New Year’s address, Emmanuel Macron expressed regret.
“The United Kingdom remains our neighbor but also our friend and ally,” he said. “This choice of leaving Europe, this Brexit, was the child of European malaise and lots of lies and false promises.”
France’s European affairs minister, Clément Beaune, said the promises made by Brexiteers — “a sort of total freedom, a lack of restrictions, of influence — I think will not happen.”
Many in Britain felt apprehension about a leap into the unknown that is taking place during a pandemic that has upended life around the world.
“I feel very sad that we’re leaving,” said Jen Pearcy-Edwards, a filmmaker in London. “I think that COVID has overshadowed everything that is going on. But I think the other thing that has happened is that people feel a bigger sense of community, and I think that makes it even sadder that we’re breaking up our community a bit, by leaving our neighbours in Europe.
“I’m hopeful that we find other ways to rebuild ties,” she said.
___
Associated Press writers Renee Graham in London and John Leicester in Le Pecq, France, contributed to this report.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Please review the terms and conditions you must accept if you want to update to 2021

Your digital calendar app is upgrading from the 2020 version to the 2021 version .
By entering the year “ 2021 ” after midnight on Dec. 31 , you agree to the following terms and conditions : You agree the New Year is not responsible for your failure to follow any of your resolutions .
You agree not to hold a grudge against anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine shot before you do , unless that person is a prominent politician who denied the severity of the pandemic .
You agree to walk your pandemic-purchased puppy even when it gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take seriously efforts to protect our environment , beginning with support for the United Nation ’ s ocean-saving Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development agenda , which begins at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1 .
You agree not to argue that you don ’ t care because you can always buy cans of tuna at the store .
You agree that if you have not been sufficiently grateful for all the front-line workers in 2020 , you will make up for it in 2021 .
You agree to organize your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ha , just kidding !
Take your pandemic puppy for a walk instead .
You agree to take warnings about the risk of future pandemics and superbugs seriously and not think that the remarkably fast development of vaccines for COVID-19 means you can ignore such warnings .
You agree not to mock science while counting on scientists to take care of everything .
You agree that everything you pulled out of closets and drawers to reorganize in 2020 , while stuck day and night at home , will not be shoved back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get your second vaccination .
You agree to spend the entire 1 hour and 53 minutes necessary to read the terms and conditions for the free mobile game Candy Crush .
You agree to patronize locally owned businesses to keep them afloat , even those you were not particularly excited about before the pandemic .
You agree to post these terms and conditions on your refrigerator .
You agree to wear masks and take other necessary precautions until the coronavirus risk has passed .
You agree that on a cold and windy Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice .
You agree to post these terms and conditions on your refrigerator .
You agree that you have used up your allotted number of pandemic meltdowns .
You agree that the next time you feel frustrated with family , friends or work you will spend three minutes studying your breathing or watching cute animal videos on TikTok .
You agree to stop second-guessing your online grocery orders and forgive yourself for accidentally buying huge quantities of feta cheese , tiny bunches of broccoli rabe and twice as many bananas as you could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And you agree that even after the quarantine is lifted , you will continue to bake your own bread .
All the yeast you wasted learning how to bake bread should really count for something .
You acknowledge that in 2020 you learned more about the Constitution , separation of powers and the original intent of the so-called Founding Fathers than you did for the Constitution test in high school .
And you hope in 2021 things will settle down and you can forget all of it .
You agree 2021 is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save the planet from climate change and insist that politicians do so as well , even if you secretly think warmer Chicago winters would be nice .
You agree that if a Netflix series kept you entertained for two episodes back-to-back , you should watch the entire first season before going to bed .
You agree not to click on anything that promises to help you amass 5,000 more Instagram followers .
If the pandemic has forced you to stay home , you agree that you won ’ t make your dog @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-COVID life .
You agree that you ’ re not sure you will ever shake anyone ’ s hand again , and you agree that you ’ re OK with that .
There was too much touching going on anyway .
You agree not to tell anyone who suffered during the pandemic that it ’ s OK because your 401 ( k ) is fine .
You agree to support genuine campaign finance reform , at all levels , even if your favored candidates just outspent the opposition .
You agree not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t like how you look on Zoom .
You agree that if you bought a gun out of fear that society would break down during the pandemic , you will not sell or dispose of it in a way that it can wind up on the illegal gun market .
If you ’ ve been driving a car to work instead of riding during the pandemic , you agree to get back to riding the train as soon as it feels safe to do so , unless your car is electric .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pages of these terms and conditions .
You agree that any disputes will be settled by an arbitration process stacked against you .

Your digital calendar app is upgrading from the 2020 version to the 2021 version. By entering the year “2021” after midnight on Dec. 31, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
You agree the New Year is not responsible for your failure to follow any of your resolutions.
You agree not to hold a grudge against anyone who gets a COVID-19 vaccine shot before you do, unless that person is a prominent politician who denied the severity of the pandemic.
You agree to walk your pandemic-purchased puppy even when it gets really cold outside.
You agree to take seriously efforts to protect our environment, beginning with support for the United Nation’s ocean-saving Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development agenda, which begins at the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1. You agree not to argue that you don’t care because you can always buy cans of tuna at the store.
Editorials bug Editorials
You agree that if you have not been sufficiently grateful for all the front-line workers in 2020, you will make up for it in 2021.
You agree to organize your social media to get rid of clutter. Ha, just kidding! Take your pandemic puppy for a walk instead.
You agree to take warnings about the risk of future pandemics and superbugs seriously and not think that the remarkably fast development of vaccines for COVID-19 means you can ignore such warnings. You agree not to mock science while counting on scientists to take care of everything.
You agree that everything you pulled out of closets and drawers to reorganize in 2020, while stuck day and night at home, will not be shoved back into the closet in 2021 once you get your second vaccination.
You agree to spend the entire 1 hour and 53 minutes necessary to read the terms and conditions for the free mobile game Candy Crush.
You agree to patronize locally owned businesses to keep them afloat, even those you were not particularly excited about before the pandemic.
You agree to post these terms and conditions on your refrigerator.
You agree to wear masks and take other necessary precautions until the coronavirus risk has passed. You agree that on a cold and windy Chicago day, face masks are kind of nice.
You agree to post these terms and conditions on your refrigerator.
You agree that you have used up your allotted number of pandemic meltdowns. You agree that the next time you feel frustrated with family, friends or work you will spend three minutes studying your breathing or watching cute animal videos on TikTok.
You agree to stop second-guessing your online grocery orders and forgive yourself for accidentally buying huge quantities of feta cheese, tiny bunches of broccoli rabe and twice as many bananas as you could possibly eat before they go brown. And you agree that even after the quarantine is lifted, you will continue to bake your own bread. All the yeast you wasted learning how to bake bread should really count for something.
You acknowledge that in 2020 you learned more about the Constitution, separation of powers and the original intent of the so-called Founding Fathers than you did for the Constitution test in high school. And you hope in 2021 things will settle down and you can forget all of it.
You agree 2021 is the year you will do all you can to save the planet from climate change and insist that politicians do so as well, even if you secretly think warmer Chicago winters would be nice.
You agree that if a Netflix series kept you entertained for two episodes back-to-back, you should watch the entire first season before going to bed.
You agree not to click on anything that promises to help you amass 5,000 more Instagram followers.
If the pandemic has forced you to stay home, you agree that you won’t make your dog or cat go back to its lonely pre-COVID life.
You agree that you’re not sure you will ever shake anyone’s hand again, and you agree that you’re OK with that. There was too much touching going on anyway.
You agree not to tell anyone who suffered during the pandemic that it’s OK because your 401(k) is fine.
You agree to support genuine campaign finance reform, at all levels, even if your favored candidates just outspent the opposition.
You agree not to get plastic surgery just because you don’t like how you look on Zoom.
You agree that if you bought a gun out of fear that society would break down during the pandemic, you will not sell or dispose of it in a way that it can wind up on the illegal gun market.
If you’ve been driving a car to work instead of riding during the pandemic, you agree to get back to riding the train as soon as it feels safe to do so, unless your car is electric.
You agree to read the remaining 18,000 pages of these terms and conditions. You agree that any disputes will be settled by an arbitration process stacked against you.
□ Accept
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Coronavirus variant found on West Coast as Fauci warns of more cases (LIVE UPDATES)

COVID-19 variant found in California ; Dr. Fauci says more states ‘ likely ’ SAN DIEGO – California has reported its first case of a more contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom – the second confirmed case in the U.S. Gov .
Gavin Newsom , speaking in an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s leading infectious disease expert , said the case was confirmed in Southern California Wednesday afternoon .
During a Wednesday afternoon briefing , San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said a 30-year-old man in the county with no travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Tuesday .
“ Because there is no travel history , we believe this is not an isolated case in San Diego County , ” Fletcher said .
He urged residents to stay at home for New Year ’ s celebrations , citing the region ’ s already strained healthcare system .
Colorado reported the first known case of the variant in the U.S. on Tuesday and was investigating a second possible case Wednesday .
Both of the cases are National Guard soldiers who were deployed to support staffing at a nursing home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state health officials said .
MADISON , Wis. — Authorities arrested a suburban Milwaukee pharmacist Thursday suspected of deliberately ruining hundreds of doses of coronavirus vaccine by removing it from refrigeration for two nights .
The Grafton Police Department said the former Advocate Aurora Health pharmacist was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment , adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property .
The department said in a news release that he was in jail .
Police did not identify the pharmacist , saying he has not yet been formally charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that detectives believe he knew the spoiled doses would be useless and people who received them would mistakenly think they ’ d been vaccinated when they hadn ’ t .
Advocate Aurora Health Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr told reporters during a teleconference Thursday afternoon that the pharmacist deliberately removed 57 vials that held hundreds of doses of the Moderna vaccine from refrigeration at a Grafton medical center overnight on Dec. 24 into Dec. 25 , returned them , then left them out again on the night of Dec. 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doses to inoculate 570 people .
2:59 p.m. One Illinois county allows indoor dining , to governor ’ s chagrin SPRINGFIELD — As the numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to climb in Illinois , health officials in the county that includes the state ’ s capital city say enough progress has been made to again allow limited indoor service in bars and restaurants — to the chagrin of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office .
According to the Sangamon County Department of Public Health , bars and restaurants can reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 % capacity .
“ It ’ s time to try , ” said health department director Gail O ’ Neill , according to The ( Springfield ) State Journal-Register .
“ There ’ s always a risk , but our risk level is down enough that the risk of not reopening a little bit and getting the economy back and the people who work in the food industry is great as well , ” said O ’ Neill .
The move comes as the seven-day rolling positivity rate that peaked at 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 % .
1:30 p.m. 133 more Illinois coronavirus deaths with positivity rate trending upward into new year Illinois closed out 2020 with 8,009 new cases of COVID-19 and 133 more deaths attributed to it , keeping the state ’ s pandemic numbers slowly creeping upward as the battered state heads into the new year .
With one year elapsed since the first reports of a novel new respiratory disease began circulating out of China — and about 11 months after it first surfaced in Illinois — the coronavirus has infected at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 16,490 of them .
The roller-coaster pandemic has been marked in Illinois by a mid-May peak that gave way to a summertime lull , followed by an exponential , record-breaking November resurgence that has eased up only slightly while the virus continues claiming lives at a dizzying rate .
Now , after a gradual , month-long decline , some of the state ’ s key metrics are inching back upward , while Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s health team pleads with families to cancel holiday gatherings to stave off another spike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pass 25,000 coronavirus deaths LOS ANGELES — Health officials say California has surpassed 25,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic .
The grim milestone recorded Friday comes as the nation ’ s most populated state faces a surge of COVID-19 infections that has hospitals stretched to capacity and forced nurses and doctors to treat more patients than usual .
The state Department of Public Health says hospitals in Southern California and the agricultural San Joaquin Valley , which together account for a large majority of the state ’ s 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients .
Hospitals are housing patients in hallways , conference rooms , a cafeteria and gift shops .
Makeshift hospitals are being set up in tents , arenas and schools .
Alice Brunner ’ s dog , Frankie , hops onto her lap as if the small canine holds the deed to the property .
Brunner doesn ’ t even attempt to feign disapproval .
She loves the pup : “ She ’ s certainly made my life happier and dispels a lot of gloom on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stockbroker , who lives by herself in Old Town and adopted the shelter pup from PAWS Chicago .
The need for cuddly , loving moments is helping to drive a boom in people seeking to foster or adopt a pet during the pandemic .
“ A lot of single people working from home wanted a companion , ” said Katie Sershon , a volunteer with PAWS .
“ It provides structure and purpose to take care of something else , you ’ ve got to get up and keep a routine.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area .
The stacked rows of cages that line the picture windows of the Anti-Cruelty Society ’ s Near North Side headquarters were nearly empty for the first time in a long time .
Cuteness alone doesn ’ t account for the increased interest .
Foster applications skyrocketed in the spring when shelters sounded alarms over social media requesting help in freeing up kennel space to allow for an expected rush to care for pets whose owners were hospitalized or otherwise struggling because of the coronavirus .
People stepped up .
Applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Anti-Cruelty Society placed 1,256 pets in foster care from March through November , a 35 % increase from the 928 pets placed a year earlier .
11:35 a.m. Illinois driver facilities to reopen Tuesday after pandemic-related closure Driver facilities are set to reopen statewide Jan. 5 after being shuttered for weeks as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed in Illinois .
Facilities were closed for a second time in November after Secretary of State Jesse White determined it was best to protect the “ health and safety of employees and the public.
” Currently , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but only to new drivers : White also extended expiration dates for driver ’ s licenses and IDs to June 1 .
Read the full story from David Struett here .
10:49 a.m. North American movie ticket sales down 80 % in 2020 from last year When the sun sets on the 2020 film box office , it ’ ll be difficult to look at the numbers as anything but disastrous .
After five consecutive years of North American revenues exceeding $ 11 billion , this year they ’ re expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of around $ 2.3 billion .
That ’ ll be down 80 % from last year according to data firm Comscore .
Globally , where markets have been able to recover more fully , ticket sales will likely end up somewhere between $ 11 and $ 12 billion .
Last year , that total hit $ 42.5 billion .
But of course , 2020 is a year with a big asterisk .
“ It ’ s a year like no other , ” said Jim Orr , president of domestic theatrical distribution for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never seen this little business in this industry.
” Outside of January and February , it ’ s impossible to judge the year ’ s box office by pre-pandemic standards .
Box office , in aggregate , is fairly predictable in a normal year .
But when the theaters shut down March 20 , that “ all went out the window , ” said Paul Dergarabedian , a senior media analyst with Comscore .
“ The unpredictability became the constant.
” 7:26 a.m. With 2020 almost in our rearview mirrors , we asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year in the future ?
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
“ My husband and I grew closer in quarantine , even though we couldn ’ t do a lot of the things we wanted to .
Having each other is more important than any missed activities.
” — Betty Mantell “ It was the year I saw another side of some of the people in my life , and how they handled themselves during a crisis .
Some did it with amazing grace , some did it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A nightmare , but grateful for what I have and my health.
” — Myrna Kar “ Exhausting , surreal and a bit like war — long stretches of boredom interrupted by a few moments of sheer terror.
” — Christopher B. Alexandrov “ The year my wife and I were blessed with so much quality time with our now 2 and 4-year-old children.
” — Ryan Elliott “ I am 72 .
Seen a lot , but this has been the strangest.
” — John Green Keep reading what Chicagoans said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 testing positivity rate inched upward for a fourth straight day Wednesday as state public health officials announced the virus has killed 178 additional residents and spread to 7,374 more .
• The new cases were confirmed among 66,786 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health , raising the state ’ s average positivity rate over the last week to 7.4 % .
That ’ s increased from 6.8 % over the weekend but is still down from over 10 % this time last month .
• ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ semifinal between Ohio State and Clemson at home after testing positive for the coronavirus .
7:17 a.m .
Early numbers on Chicago ’ s vaccine rollout show extra effort is a must on South and West sides On Dec. 15 , health care workers across Chicago began receiving the city ’ s first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine .
Quickly , a potentially troubling pattern emerged .
Within days , doctors and other health care workers from high-income , largely white communities near downtown and on the North Side showed up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals where they work .
By Dec. 26 , the greatest number of vaccinations citywide were of doctors and other health care workers from the Near North Side and in Lake View , Lincoln Park , South Loop and Wicker Park , an analysis by the Sun-Times ’ Brett Chase and Elvia Malagón found .
But for workers living in lower income and working class neighborhoods of color on the South and West sides , the picture looked much different .
From Dec. 15 through 26 , the fewest vaccinations in the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly Black Far South Side ; and from West Lawn , Chicago Lawn and Belmont Cragin , neighborhoods with large Latino populations .
Both areas have among the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the city .
The analysis is a stark reminder of the extra effort that will be needed to ensure high rates of vaccination for communities of color .
Chicago and Illinois can not beat back COVID-19 and end the pandemic unless vaccination becomes the rule , not the exception , in every part of our city .
Keep reading this @ @ @

It’s the last day of 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic isn’t stopping for 2021.
Here’s what else happened on the final day of the year as the coronavirus pandemic raged on.
News
8:55 p.m. COVID-19 variant found in California; Dr. Fauci says more states ‘likely’
Memorial Hospital registered nurse Delaney Russom, left, and respiratory therapist Jamie Lovelady consult on a patient in the COVID-19 intensive care unit on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, in Bakersfield, Calif. Alex Horvath/The Bakersfield Californian via AP
SAN DIEGO – California has reported its first case of a more contagious COVID-19 variant first identified in the United Kingdom – the second confirmed case in the U.S.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking in an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said the case was confirmed in Southern California Wednesday afternoon.
During a Wednesday afternoon briefing, San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said a 30-year-old man in the county with no travel history tested positive for the new strain on Tuesday.
“Because there is no travel history, we believe this is not an isolated case in San Diego County,” Fletcher said. He urged residents to stay at home for New Year’s celebrations, citing the region’s already strained healthcare system.
On Tuesday, California reported Southern California’s Intensive Care Unit availability is 0%.
Colorado reported the first known case of the variant in the U.S. on Tuesday and was investigating a second possible case Wednesday. Both of the cases are National Guard soldiers who were deployed to support staffing at a nursing home in Simla, Colorado, outside Denver, state health officials said.
Read the full story here.
5:02 p.m. Wisconsin hospital worker arrested for spoiled vaccine doses
MADISON, Wis. — Authorities arrested a suburban Milwaukee pharmacist Thursday suspected of deliberately ruining hundreds of doses of coronavirus vaccine by removing it from refrigeration for two nights.
The Grafton Police Department said the former Advocate Aurora Health pharmacist was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment, adulterating a prescription drug and criminal damage to property. The department said in a news release that he was in jail. Police did not identify the pharmacist, saying he has not yet been formally charged.
His motive remains unclear. Police said that detectives believe he knew the spoiled doses would be useless and people who received them would mistakenly think they’d been vaccinated when they hadn’t.
Advocate Aurora Health Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr told reporters during a teleconference Thursday afternoon that the pharmacist deliberately removed 57 vials that held hundreds of doses of the Moderna vaccine from refrigeration at a Grafton medical center overnight on Dec. 24 into Dec. 25, returned them, then left them out again on the night of Dec. 25 into Saturday. The vials contained enough doses to inoculate 570 people.
Read the full report here.
2:59 p.m. One Illinois county allows indoor dining, to governor’s chagrin
SPRINGFIELD — As the numbers of coronavirus cases and deaths continue to climb in Illinois, health officials in the county that includes the state’s capital city say enough progress has been made to again allow limited indoor service in bars and restaurants — to the chagrin of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office.
According to the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, bars and restaurants can reopen as of Sunday for indoor service at 25% capacity.
“It’s time to try,” said health department director Gail O’Neill, according to The (Springfield) State Journal-Register.
“There’s always a risk, but our risk level is down enough that the risk of not reopening a little bit and getting the economy back and the people who work in the food industry is great as well,” said O’Neill.
The move comes as the seven-day rolling positivity rate that peaked at 17% on Nov. 15 has dropped to 6%.
Read the full story here.
1:30 p.m. 133 more Illinois coronavirus deaths with positivity rate trending upward into new year
Illinois closed out 2020 with 8,009 new cases of COVID-19 and 133 more deaths attributed to it, keeping the state’s pandemic numbers slowly creeping upward as the battered state heads into the new year.
With one year elapsed since the first reports of a novel new respiratory disease began circulating out of China — and about 11 months after it first surfaced in Illinois — the coronavirus has infected at least 963,389 people across the state, and killed 16,490 of them.
The roller-coaster pandemic has been marked in Illinois by a mid-May peak that gave way to a summertime lull, followed by an exponential, record-breaking November resurgence that has eased up only slightly while the virus continues claiming lives at a dizzying rate.
Now, after a gradual, month-long decline, some of the state’s key metrics are inching back upward, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s health team pleads with families to cancel holiday gatherings to stave off another spike.
Read the full story here.
1:18 p.m. California is third state to pass 25,000 coronavirus deaths
LOS ANGELES — Health officials say California has surpassed 25,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic.
The grim milestone recorded Friday comes as the nation’s most populated state faces a surge of COVID-19 infections that has hospitals stretched to capacity and forced nurses and doctors to treat more patients than usual.
The state Department of Public Health says hospitals in Southern California and the agricultural San Joaquin Valley, which together account for a large majority of the state’s 40 million residents, have no capacity left in intensive care units to treat COVID-19 patients.
Hospitals are housing patients in hallways, conference rooms, a cafeteria and gift shops. Makeshift hospitals are being set up in tents, arenas and schools.
Read the full story here.
12:45 p.m. Pet adoptions, fostering boomed during coronavirus pandemic
Alice Brunner’s dog, Frankie, hops onto her lap as if the small canine holds the deed to the property.
Brunner doesn’t even attempt to feign disapproval. She loves the pup: “She’s certainly made my life happier and dispels a lot of gloom on gloomy days,” said the retired stockbroker, who lives by herself in Old Town and adopted the shelter pup from PAWS Chicago.
The need for cuddly, loving moments is helping to drive a boom in people seeking to foster or adopt a pet during the pandemic.
“A lot of single people working from home wanted a companion,” said Katie Sershon, a volunteer with PAWS. “It provides structure and purpose to take care of something else, you’ve got to get up and keep a routine.”
But demand outpaced supply at many shelters in the area. The stacked rows of cages that line the picture windows of the Anti-Cruelty Society’s Near North Side headquarters were nearly empty for the first time in a long time.
Cuteness alone doesn’t account for the increased interest. Foster applications skyrocketed in the spring when shelters sounded alarms over social media requesting help in freeing up kennel space to allow for an expected rush to care for pets whose owners were hospitalized or otherwise struggling because of the coronavirus.
People stepped up. Applications increased exponentially at many area shelters. The Anti-Cruelty Society placed 1,256 pets in foster care from March through November, a 35% increase from the 928 pets placed a year earlier.
Read Mitch Dudek’s full story here.
11:35 a.m. Illinois driver facilities to reopen Tuesday after pandemic-related closure
Driver facilities are set to reopen statewide Jan. 5 after being shuttered for weeks as COVID-19 cases skyrocketed in Illinois.
Facilities were closed for a second time in November after Secretary of State Jesse White determined it was best to protect the “health and safety of employees and the public.”
Currently, only two facilities are open in Chicago, but only to new drivers:
Chicago North, at 5401 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago South, at 9901 S. King Dr.
White also extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses and IDs to June 1.
Read the full story from David Struett here.
10:49 a.m. North American movie ticket sales down 80% in 2020 from last year
When the sun sets on the 2020 film box office, it’ll be difficult to look at the numbers as anything but disastrous.
After five consecutive years of North American revenues exceeding $11 billion, this year they’re expected to cap out at an almost 40-year low of around $2.3 billion. That’ll be down 80% from last year according to data firm Comscore. Globally, where markets have been able to recover more fully, ticket sales will likely end up somewhere between $11 and $12 billion. Last year, that total hit $42.5 billion. But of course, 2020 is a year with a big asterisk.
“It’s a year like no other,” said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution for Universal Pictures. “We’ve never seen this little business in this industry.”
Outside of January and February, it’s impossible to judge the year’s box office by pre-pandemic standards. Box office, in aggregate, is fairly predictable in a normal year. But when the theaters shut down March 20, that “all went out the window,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst with Comscore. “The unpredictability became the constant.”
Read the full story here.
7:26 a.m. With 2020 almost in our rearview mirrors, we asked Chicagoans: How will you describe this year in the future?
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“My husband and I grew closer in quarantine, even though we couldn’t do a lot of the things we wanted to. Having each other is more important than any missed activities.” — Betty Mantell
“It was the year I saw another side of some of the people in my life, and how they handled themselves during a crisis. Some did it with amazing grace, some did it with amazing stupidity.” — Denise Fricano
“A nightmare, but grateful for what I have and my health.” — Myrna Kar
“Exhausting, surreal and a bit like war — long stretches of boredom interrupted by a few moments of sheer terror.” — Christopher B. Alexandrov
“The year my wife and I were blessed with so much quality time with our now 2 and 4-year-old children.” — Ryan Elliott
“I am 72. Seen a lot, but this has been the strangest.” — John Green
Keep reading what Chicagoans said about 2020 here.
New cases
Illinois’ COVID-19 testing positivity rate inched upward for a fourth straight day Wednesday as state public health officials announced the virus has killed 178 additional residents and spread to 7,374 more.
The new cases were confirmed among 66,786 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, raising the state’s average positivity rate over the last week to 7.4%. That’s increased from 6.8% over the weekend but is still down from over 10% this time last month.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit will call the upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal between Ohio State and Clemson at home after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Analysis and commentary
7:17 a.m. Early numbers on Chicago’s vaccine rollout show extra effort is a must on South and West sides
On Dec. 15, health care workers across Chicago began receiving the city’s first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. Quickly, a potentially troubling pattern emerged.
Within days, doctors and other health care workers from high-income, largely white communities near downtown and on the North Side showed up in large numbers to get shots at the hospitals where they work. By Dec. 26, the greatest number of vaccinations citywide were of doctors and other health care workers from the Near North Side and in Lake View, Lincoln Park, South Loop and Wicker Park, an analysis by the Sun-Times’ Brett Chase and Elvia Malagón found.
But for workers living in lower income and working class neighborhoods of color on the South and West sides, the picture looked much different. From Dec. 15 through 26, the fewest vaccinations in the city were of health care workers from the mostly Black Far South Side; and from West Lawn, Chicago Lawn and Belmont Cragin, neighborhoods with large Latino populations. Both areas have among the highest COVID-19 infection rates in the city.
The analysis is a stark reminder of the extra effort that will be needed to ensure high rates of vaccination for communities of color.
Chicago and Illinois cannot beat back COVID-19 and end the pandemic unless vaccination becomes the rule, not the exception, in every part of our city.
Keep reading this editorial here.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--How Bears will stop scoreboard-watching: take score down

The best way for the Bears to prevent scoreboard-watching on Sunday , coach Matt Nagy figures , is to take the score off the board .
Nagy said the Bears will “ probably ” tell the Soldier Field scoreboard operator not to post updates on the Rams-Cardinals game on Sunday .
If the Rams beat the Cardinals , the Bears will make the playoffs regardless of how they fare against the Packers .
If the Bears and Cardinals both win , the Bears would be the sixth seed in the playoff draw .
“ We got ta worry about us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do everything we can to win this game , ” Nagy said Thursday .
“ We ’ ll discuss [ taking the Rams-Cardinals score down ] , go through all that — but if I had to lean one way or the other , I ’ m sure that most of us would want it that way .
And I think that ’ s the right thing to do.
” The Colts are doing the same .
Head coach Frank Reich , whose team needs outside help to make the playoffs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not be up on the scoreboard ” Sunday because “ it ’ s a potential distraction .
”

The best way for the Bears to prevent scoreboard-watching Sunday, coach Matt Nagy figures, is to take the score off the board.
Nagy said the Bears will “probably” tell the Soldier Field scoreboard operator not to post updates on the Cardinals-Rams game. If the Rams beat the Cardinals, the Bears will make the playoffs regardless of how they fare against the Packers. If the Bears and Cardinals win, the Bears would be the sixth seed in the playoff draw.
“We gotta worry about us, and we gotta make sure that we do everything we can to win this game,” Nagy said. “We’ll discuss [taking the Cardinals-Rams score down], go through all that. But if I had to lean one way or the other, I’m sure that most of us would want it that way. And I think that’s the right thing to do.”
The Colts are doing the same. Coach Frank Reich, whose team needs outside help to make the playoffs, told reporters that the “relevant scores will not be up on the scoreboard” because “it’s a potential distraction.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Injury report: Bears CB Jaylon Johnson still not practicing

It seems likely the Bears will face the Packers with the same depleted defensive backfield they used last week .
Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson still hasn ’ t practiced since hurting his right shoulder against the Texans , while slot corner Buster Skrine is still in concussion protocol after missing three starts .
“ I would say they ’ re day-to-day , and as long as they ’ re not out there practicing , that ’ s just how our mindset is with who is out there .
… ” Bears coach Matt Nagy said Thursday .
“ If we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys back and get out there and play , it ’ s gon na do nothing but help us .
But you have to approach it like they ’ re not , and then it ’ s not a surprise if they don ’ t play.
” Receiver Allen Robinson didn ’ t practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury .
He missed the team ’ s Thursday practice last week with the same malady for what Nagy called precautionary reasons .
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks practiced after missing Wednesday ’ s walk-through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bush remains out with a foot injury .
Only two Packers players missed practice : tight end Marcedes Lewis ( knee ) and defensive end Kingsley Keke ( concussion ) .
The Bears returned right tackle Bobby Massie to practice this week as the first step toward taking him off injured reserve .
But don ’ t expect Massie , who has missed the last eight games with a knee injury , to play Sunday .
“ I don ’ t know if I would go as far as to say that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this weekend , ” Nagy said .
“ But he ’ s just trying right now to see what it ’ s like to get out there .
He hasn ’ t done it for a while .
But it was definitely good to see him out there.
” It ’ s conceivable Massie could appear in the playoffs , though it ’ s fair to wonder if the Bears would want to change their offensive line personnel while the unit is playing so well .

It seems likely the Bears will face the Packers with the same depleted defensive backfield they used last week. Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson hasn’t practiced since hurting his right shoulder against the Texans, and slot corner Buster Skrine is still in the concussion protocol after missing three starts.
“I would say they’re day-to-day, and as long as they’re not out there practicing, that’s just how our mindset is with who is out there,” coach Matt Nagy said. “If we’re able to get those other guys back and get out there and play, it’s gonna do nothing but help us. But you have to approach it like they’re not, and then it’s not a surprise if they don’t play.”
Wide receiver Allen Robinson didn’t practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury. He missed the Thursday practice last week with the same issue for what Nagy deemed precautionary reasons.
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks practiced after missing Wednesday’s walkthrough with an illness. Backup safety Deon Bush remains out with a foot injury.
The Packers had a much more eventful injury report. According to NFL Network, left tackle David Bakhtiari will miss the rest of the season after hurting his knee in practice. The team believes he tore his ACL.
Right tackle Bobby Massie returned to practice this week as a first step toward being taken off injured reserve. But don’t expect Massie, who has missed the last eight games with a knee injury, to play Sunday.
“I don’t know if I would go as far as to say that he’s going to get in there this weekend,” Nagy said. “But he’s just trying right now to see what it’s like to get out there. He hasn’t done it for a while. But it was definitely good to see him out there.”
It’s conceivable Massie could appear in the playoffs, though it’s fair to wonder if the Bears would want to change their offensive- line personnel now that the unit is playing so well.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Horoscope for Friday, Jan. 1, 2021

Horoscope for Friday, Jan. 1, 2021

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Leo .
Today your idealism is aroused !
And rightly so because this new year is going to be so much better than last year !
Glory hallelujah !
People from other cultures and different countries will appeal to you .
Travel will also appeal but perhaps not be possible .
Today your appreciation of beauty is heightened .
This extends to an appreciation of beautiful ideas and philosophies , which is why stimulating discussions will please you .
At one level , you feel ideologically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The wealth and resources of your partner or perhaps someone else might assist you in some way ?
You might use your influence to help someone who is less fortunate ?
You certainly want to do something that will expand your horizons this year — and you will .
You will enjoy talking to partners and close friends because you will share a kind of idealism about what to expect for the future .
Small wonder that you do feel idealistic because without question , the coming year ahead will be so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving .
A major relief !
You begin this new year with the moon in your sign .
You are entering a new year that will have a strong focus on partnerships , friendships and new relationships .
Some will end ; some will begin .
This is one of the best years in over a decade for Leos to get married .
This is the first day of your new year !
One thing you can look forward to this year is an improved health situation .
Many of you will also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job .
Nevertheless , you will be working hard to attain your goals .
In this new year , you might have increased responsibilities with children .
Nevertheless , this year , children will be a source of joy for you .
In many ways , this will be a fun-loving , social , uplifting year for you where you can explore your creative talents .
This year , you will make changes on the home front .
You might move to a better home or improve your existing home .
You will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determined to establish a solid home base for yourself and loved ones .
This year is the beginning of a two-year window where you might have a residential move or a job change or both .
One thing is certain , you will feel more optimistic and realistic about your future this year .
You are finally in control .
Last year was so difficult .
This year will be so much better .
It will be better because the stresses of last year will be lifted from you .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get richer this year !
( Money is so handy when you want to buy things . )
This is a powerful time in your life because you are setting off on a new journey to reinvent yourself .
This will also be a fabulous year ahead because lucky Jupiter is in your sign for the first time in 12 years !
Yay me !
You are entering a two-year window where you will begin to downsize and let go of much of what you have established since 2008 .
You want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re lighter and ready to enter a new world about two to three years from now .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Morris Chestnut ( 1969 ) shares your birthday .
You are independent , strong willed and sometimes intimidating .
Your strong willpower means you are in control .
It ’ s a time of learning and perhaps teaching .
Explore any discipline that helps you get a better understanding of who you are .
Invest in your future self .
This year will set you in a new direction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next year .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Leo.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today your idealism is aroused! And rightly so because this new year is going to be so much better than last year! Glory hallelujah! People from other cultures and different countries will appeal to you. Travel will also appeal but perhaps not be possible.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today your appreciation of beauty is heightened. This extends to an appreciation of beautiful ideas and philosophies, which is why stimulating discussions will please you. At one level, you feel ideologically blessed. Something special has touched you.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The wealth and resources of your partner or perhaps someone else might assist you in some way? You might use your influence to help someone who is less fortunate? You certainly want to do something that will expand your horizons this year — and you will.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You will enjoy talking to partners and close friends because you will share a kind of idealism about what to expect for the future. Small wonder that you do feel idealistic because without question, the coming year ahead will be so much better than the year you are leaving. A major relief!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You begin this new year with the moon in your sign. You are entering a new year that will have a strong focus on partnerships, friendships and new relationships. Some will end; some will begin. This is one of the best years in over a decade for Leos to get married.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is the first day of your new year! One thing you can look forward to this year is an improved health situation. Many of you will also improve your job or get a better job. Nevertheless, you will be working hard to attain your goals.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
In this new year, you might have increased responsibilities with children. Nevertheless, this year, children will be a source of joy for you. In many ways, this will be a fun-loving, social, uplifting year for you where you can explore your creative talents.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
This year, you will make changes on the home front. You might move to a better home or improve your existing home. You will do home repairs because you’re determined to establish a solid home base for yourself and loved ones.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This year is the beginning of a two-year window where you might have a residential move or a job change or both. One thing is certain, you will feel more optimistic and realistic about your future this year. You are finally in control.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Last year was so difficult. This year will be so much better. It will be better because the stresses of last year will be lifted from you. In addition, it will be better because you will get richer this year! (Money is so handy when you want to buy things.)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
This is a powerful time in your life because you are setting off on a new journey to reinvent yourself. This will also be a fabulous year ahead because lucky Jupiter is in your sign for the first time in 12 years! Yay me!
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You are entering a two-year window where you will begin to downsize and let go of much of what you have established since 2008. You want to streamline your life so that you’re lighter and ready to enter a new world about two to three years from now.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Morris Chestnut (1969) shares your birthday. You are independent, strong willed and sometimes intimidating. Your strong willpower means you are in control. It’s a time of learning and perhaps teaching. Explore any discipline that helps you get a better understanding of who you are. Invest in your future self. This year will set you in a new direction, which could be crucial for your success next year.