chicagosun-times--2020-04-18--Rev. Jesse Jackson pens 2nd letter to Trump urging coronavirus testing for all incarcerated people

The Rev .
Jesse Jackson joined other black pastors and leaders as part of a national coalition Saturday to pen an open letter to President Donald Trump , urging him to test all 2.2 million people for COVID-19 that are incarcerated in the country during the pandemic , and saying the president to consider releasing people arrested on nonviolent offenses as they await trial .
“ In prison , there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in prison awaiting trial , ” Jackson wrote in the letter .
The coalition , led by the Rev .
Frederick D. Haynes II , senior pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dallas , said the actions were aimed at reducing the country ’ s prison population to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 .
“ They are a captive audience and should not be devoured by the virus should someone in prison have it and spread it , ” Jackson says in the letter .
Jackson said he was particularly concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenses , but continue to be held ahead of trial because they can ’ t afford to post bail , saying that staying in prison for those people could be a “ death sentence.
” While the president could order reforms at federal facilities , Trump could only offer guidance for local officials , over which he has no authority .
Jackson ’ s letter comes a month after he spoke with Trump over the phone to ask for COVID-19 testing and appropriate social distancing measures in prisons .
The call was spurred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , after which Trump said he ’ d take the advice “ under serious consideration , ” Jackson said after their call .
As you are increasingly making clear to the American people , the coronavirus is very serious and spreading quickly around the world and across our country .
As this pandemic spreads , you are giving us the proper cooperative and voluntary protocols : stay home , wash your hands often and practice social distancing .
Not everyone can do this .
Specifically , I want to raise a concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and can not practice social distancing—i.e.
, the prison population .
In prison there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested , but not convicted , who are languishing in prison awaiting trial .
My concern is specifically with those arrested for non-violent crimes .
If one visitor has already transmitted the virus to an inmate , that inmate may have transmitted it to another inmate and that pattern could put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population in jeopardy because “ social distancing ” is not an option for prisoners .
Jail could become an incubator and death sentence for those incarcerated .
I am urging you to consider immediately testing the 2.2 million persons currently incarcerated .
They are a captive audience and should not be devoured by the virus should someone in prison have it and spread it .
And please consider releasing those arrested for non-violent offenses who are still incarcerated , but not convicted , after they have been tested for the virus so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other inmates or the general public if they are released .
We can not leave those without healthcare to threaten the healthcare of all .
Non-violent offenders should be released , monitored and not put the public ’ s health in jeopardy .
We need government action in this regard and I ’ m counting on you to take it .
Feel free to contact me via my Chief of Staff John Mitchell at ( 773 ) 383-9589 if you have any questions .
Thank you for your consideration .

The Rev. Jesse Jackson joined other black pastors and leaders as part of a national coalition Saturday to pen an open letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to test all 2.2 million people for COVID-19 that are incarcerated in the country during the pandemic, and asking the president to consider releasing people arrested on nonviolent offenses as they await trial.
“In prison, there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested, but not convicted, who are languishing in prison awaiting trial,” Jackson wrote in the letter.
The coalition, led by the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes II, senior pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dallas, said the actions were aimed at reducing the country’s prison population to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“They are a captive audience and should not be devoured by the virus should someone in prison have it and spread it,” Jackson says in the letter.
Jackson said he was particularly concerned about people who were in custody on nonviolent offenses, but continue to be held ahead of trial because they can’t afford to post bail, saying that staying in prison for those people could be a “death sentence.”
While the president could order reforms at federal facilities, Trump could only offer guidance for local officials, over which he has no authority.
Jackson’s letter comes a month after he spoke with Trump over the phone to ask for COVID-19 testing and appropriate social distancing measures in prisons.
The call was spurred by a previous letter to the White House, after which Trump said he’d take the advice “under serious consideration,” Jackson said after their call.
Here’s Jackson’s latest letter to Trump:
Dear Mr. President,
As you are increasingly making clear to the American people, the coronavirus is very serious and spreading quickly around the world and across our country. As this pandemic spreads, you are giving us the proper cooperative and voluntary protocols: stay home, wash your hands often and practice social distancing.
Not everyone can do this. Specifically, I want to raise a concern with you about those who are incarcerated and cannot practice social distancing—i.e., the prison population. In prison there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested, but not convicted, who are languishing in prison awaiting trial. My concern is specifically with those arrested for non-violent crimes.
If one visitor has already transmitted the virus to an inmate, that inmate may have transmitted it to another inmate and that pattern could put many, if not the entire prison population in jeopardy because “social distancing” is not an option for prisoners. Jail could become an incubator and death sentence for those incarcerated.
I am urging you to consider immediately testing the 2.2 million persons currently incarcerated. They are a captive audience and should not be devoured by the virus should someone in prison have it and spread it. And please consider releasing those arrested for non-violent offenses who are still incarcerated, but not convicted, after they have been tested for the virus so that they do not endanger the health of other inmates or the general public if they are released. We cannot leave those without healthcare to threaten the healthcare of all. Non-violent offenders should be released, monitored and not put the public’s health in jeopardy. We need government action in this regard and I’m counting on you to take it.
Feel free to contact me via my Chief of Staff John Mitchell at (773) 383-9589 if you have any questions.
Thank you for your consideration.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-18--State lawmakers seek more than $41B in federal coronavirus aid — including $10B pension bailout  (LI

State lawmakers seek more than $41B in federal coronavirus aid — including $10B pension bailout  (LIVE UPDATES)

State lawmakers seek more than $ 41B in federal coronavirus aid — including $ 10B pension bailout Illinois Senate Democrats are asking the federal government for more than $ 41 billion in federal aid — about a quarter of it for a pension fund bailout — to keep the state financially afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash revenues across the board .
A letter from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon , addressed to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin , went out Tuesday to Illinois ’ entire congressional delegation — a day before Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2.7 billion revenue shortfall in the state ’ s current budget .
“ I realize I ’ ve asked for a lot , but this is an unprecedented situation , and we face the reality that there likely will be additional , unanticipated costs that could result in future requests for assistance , ” Harmon wrote on behalf of the state senate Democratic caucus .
Harmon ’ s federal wish list for the second phase of federal coronavirus relief includes $ 15 billion in block grant funding to shore up the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the next two .
6:19 p.m. More than 200 protested outside the state mansion of Gov .
Eric Holcomb over coronavirus restrictions on Indiana residents INDIANAPOLIS — More than 200 people upset over restrictions on Indiana residents because of the coronavirus protested Saturday outside the state mansion of Gov .
Eric Holcomb , urging him to back off and restart the economy .
People carrying signs and American flags stood close together along the street outside the home in Indianapolis .
Cars passing the scene honked in support , although the rally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar event Wednesday in Michigan .
Signs said , “ If Holcomb ’ s job is essential , everyone ’ s job is essential !
” and “ Open Indiana Now !
” Another said , “ Not here for Trump here for freedom !
” Holcomb , a Republican , said a stay-at-home order that expires Monday will be extended to May 1 while he works on a plan to reopen businesses .
Earlier in the week , ahead of the rally , he disagreed with critics who accused him of acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , then I ’ d be more than welcome to sit down with anyone that wants to go over the constitution or see where our authority is derived from , ” Holcomb said .
4:02 p.m. Downstate pockets spared by COVID-19 are shrinking — and pain is growing SPRINGFIELD — The barber shops and hair salons in Downstate McLeansboro are closed , but the liquor stores are open .
The southern Illinois town of 2,872 is one of the few places in the state without a single reported case of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another .
In the hospital that serves it from an adjoining county , the beds lie empty .
But while COVID-19 has yet to reach Edgar County or Hamilton County — where McLeansboro serves as the county seat — the fears , anxiety and economic hardship from the virus have .
As it has elsewhere , the coronavirus has spread across Illinois , prompting daily briefings from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and worries about running out of hospital beds in the Chicago area .
But a few corners of rural Illinois remain as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far seeing no reported cases .
Officials announced Saturday another 125 deaths due to COVID-19 in Illinois , matching the highest number of deaths attributed to the virus in a single day .
The state also recorded another 1,585 cases of the coronavirus , bringing the statewide total to 29,160 confirmed cases and 1,259 deaths since the outbreak hit the state .
The virus has spread across most of the state map , now confirmed in 93 of the state ’ s 102 counties .
Illinois also ran at least 7,241 COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer to Pritzker ’ s goal of administering at least 10,000 tests daily , which experts say is needed to get an accurate hold on the pandemic ’ s spread throughout Illinois .
Read the full story by story by Jacob Wittich .
For weeks , Chicago ’ s downtown federal high-rise jail appeared to be keeping the coronavirus at bay .
Only a handful of staff members at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on West Van Buren had tested positive for the coronavirus since the outbreak began , according to official numbers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus — until Tuesday .
Now , for the first time , the coronavirus appears to be spreading among the MCC ’ s more than 600 inmates .
Though the number of confirmed cases there remains low , the virus has been known to spread rapidly , and numbers tracked by the Chicago Sun-Times have risen quickly .
The numbers were gathered from court filings by prosecutors and local defense attorneys , as well as from an MCC union official .
Those on-the-ground sources have largely been in agreement , and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among inmates than the Federal Bureau of Prisons .
Read the full report from our federal courts reporter Jon Siedel here .
The Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County announced Friday another employee tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the number of cases in that office to 18 .
The employee works at the Adult Probation Department on the lower level at the Leighton Criminal Court Building and last reported for work on April 16 , Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County Spokesperson Pat Milhizer said .
The areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleaning and anyone who came into contact with them is being informed , Milhizer said .
On Tuesday , officials announced two detainees at the detention center had contracted the virus , bringing the tally of residents at the facility with positive tests to three .
1 p.m. First stop for navy recruits : An Illinois water park The U.S. Navy ’ s only boot camp will resume accepting recruits next week , but those recruits will have to spend two weeks in isolation at a hotel and indoor water park near the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training future sailors at Naval Station Great Lakes near the city of North Chicago comes after the Navy stopped sending recruits there late last month due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Sending the recruits to a water park is the latest unusual step that has been taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus , including the closing of schools , conversion of convention centers into temporary hospitals and shutting down of sports leagues .
Lt. Cmdr .
Frederick Martin , a Navy spokesman , said that although the recruits will spend two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gurnee , they won ’ t be on vacation and won ’ t have access to its “ resort-type amenities ” such as the water park , the Chicago Tribune reported .
12:30 p.m .
US , Canada to keep border closed 30 more days Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the U.S. and Canada have agreed to keep the border closed to nonessential travel for another 30 days .
Trudeau says it will keep people on both sides of the border safe amid the pandemic .
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first borders to open .
Nearly 200,000 people normally cross the border daily .
The U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any country in the world .
The U.S. and Canada agreed last month to limit border crossings to essential travel amid the pandemic .
The agreement was due to expire this week .
12:04 p.m. Illinois voter turnout not among the casualties of COVID-19 Despite calls to postpone the election and concerns that cramped polling places and long lines could keep people away , Illinois voters still cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a level that did not set any low-turnout records .
Illinois election officials are crediting mail-in balloting and early voting with keeping the numbers up .
In Illinois , 28.36 % of registered voters cast ballots in the March 17 primary , which is the third-lowest turnout for a presidential primary over the past 40 years , according to the official canvas released Friday .
But while the voter turnout was relatively low , it was comparable to recent presidential primaries .
Read the full report from Neal Earley here .
11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ R. Kelly keeps asking for release because of COVID-19 fears Singer R. Kelly is writing new lyrics these days via email .
The words are from three recent emails sent to Chicago attorney Steve Greenberg by Kelly , who petitioned the court last week to release him from incarceration at the Metropolitan Correctional Center during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Greenberg said the emails were sent by an “ emotional and despondent ” Kelly , who is not only awaiting trial on a myriad of sexual assault allegations — but in fear of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ According to Greenberg , the first email said : “ Please.
” It was prefaced by a phone call from Kelly “ expressing anger over being held in lockdown in his cell in a place where the noise is deafening ; people are coughing , complaining , sneezing and screaming out from anxiety over the coronavirus , ” said Greenberg .
Get the full scoop from Mike Sneed here .
10:42 a.m. FitzGerald ’ s takes weekly ‘ Stay-At-Home Concert Series ’ to the streets Chicago restaurant and club businessman Will Duncan had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longtime Berwyn music venue , for barely a month when Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ordered all Illinois bars and restaurants to closed through April 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ As a small business owner , you ’ ve got to be ready for anything and try to pivot and roll with the punches , so that ’ s what we ’ re trying to do over here , ” said Duncan .
“ We ’ ve used the expression around here : ‘ The club is closed , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Duncan ’ s wife , Jess King , a high school administrator , read an article about food trucks in warmer areas of the country going into neighborhoods to drum up business akin to how an ice cream truck does .
She suggested Duncan look into perhaps a similar approach to a business model for their shuttered venue .
Duncan , along with the club ’ s staff members , created the “ Stay-At-Home Concert Series ” through which a local musician — who is guaranteed compensation for their time — performs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck as Duncan drives through Berwyn and neighboring Oak Park .
The “ concerts ” take place at 4 p.m. every Saturday .
Find out how it works here .
10:17 a.m. Donor donates $ 210,00 to pay for water , sewer bills for Indianapolis suburb People in a small Indianapolis suburb don ’ t have to worry about paying a bill in April thanks to anonymous donors .
Fortville ’ s nearly 4,000 residents had their water and sewer bills paid for by anonymous businesses .
Residents were informed Friday through a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grateful comments .
“ The town has received a gracious donation with the stipulation that it be used to pay for April water/sewer bills .
If you have already paid your April bill , you will see a credit on the May billing , ” the post read .
Fortville town manager Joe Renner says the total donation was more than $ 210,000 .
Renner told The Indianapolis Star it was “ pretty great ” the town had “ such caring people.
” 9:24 a.m. Downstate Illinois counties spared by COVID-19 — so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The barber shops and hair salons in Downstate McLeansboro are closed , but the liquor stores are open .
The southern Illinois town of 2,872 is one of the few places in the state without a single reported case of the coronavirus .
Edgar County in eastern Illinois is another .
In the hospital that serves it from an adjoining county , the beds lie empty .
But while COVID-19 has yet to reach Edgar County or Hamilton County — where McLeansboro serves as the county seat — the fears , anxiety and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As it has elsewhere , the coronavirus has spread across Illinois , prompting daily briefings from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and worries about running out of hospital beds in the Chicago area .
But a few corners of rural Illinois remain as the final holdouts against the virus , so far seeing no reported cases .
Just ten of the state ’ s 102 counties reported no COVID-19 infections as of Friday , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
That does not mean the rural communities have been spared the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neal Earley here .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and Illinois education officials and have said students still should be promoted to the next grade level despite the unprecedented disruption to the school year caused by the coronavirus .
But what if parents disagree ?
Without regular , in-person schooling for 2.2 million students over the last three months of this academic year , parents are searching for answers to limit the long-term impact on their children .
Some have even suggested they might voluntarily hold back their own children from moving to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up for any lost instruction time this year .
Read the full story from the Sun-Times ’ education reporter Nader Issa here .
7:17 a.m. Former Ald .
Richard Mell cooks up happiness for his aging neighbors And he ’ s rattling up those pots and pans !
Former Ald .
Dick Mell , 82 , who was once a 33rd Ward political powerhouse known for his efficiency as well as his short fuse , is now battling the pandemic one pot at a time .
For the past month , Mell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meals to four elderly , single , neighborhood ladies since the coronavirus closed their doors a month ago : Betty , Lorraine , Dorothy and Guadalupe .
“ I make ‘ em , bake ‘ em , and deliver ‘ em in the back seat of my car three days a week , ” chirped Mell , who called Sneed a few days ago blasting a local grocery store for basically giving him the runaround .
• Illinois officials on Friday announced 62 more deaths due to the coronavirus and a record-high number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topsy-turvy week for the state that had shown signs of progress more than five weeks into the pandemic .
• During the 2020 WNBA draft , Sky center Stefanie Dolson revealed on ESPN that her family tested positive for the coronavirus last month .
• A man and three women who live at a Lincoln Park nursing home died this week after contracting the coronavirus , a spokesman for the facility said Friday .
• A third Chicago Police officer has died of COVID-19 , the department announced Friday .
• Another employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office has tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the overall total to 19 .
7:24 a.m .
Thank you , Chicago , for the light show that helped me through a tough time Two weeks ago , my wife , who is a nurse , became ill with coronavirus .
The first few days I did my best to take care of her , but she started having a harder time breathing and had no appetite .
I drove her to the emergency department .
She was placed on oxygen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where I was not allowed to visit .
We were told the next 48 hours would tell if the disease would improve or worsen .
That night , I came back to my quiet apartment in the South Loop .
We had moved in a few months ago from California , and there were few creature comforts .
The refrigerator was full of food I had tried to get my wife to eat , but I wasn ’ t hungry .
I felt lost .
There was no map .
There was nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise , I heard sudden cheering outside .
From my balcony , I noticed flashing , swirling , twinkling lights coming from apartments across the city .
People were singing and playing music .
I stood and cried .
It reminded me how resilient people can be .
A few days later , my wife turned the corner .
Each night now , we participate in the light show .
We hope our addition can comfort someone else .
Thank you , Chicago , for the light show and for helping me through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Letters to the Editor here .

As the total number of total coronavirus cases nears 30,000 in Illinois, lawmakers seek $41 billion in aid from the federal government. The Rev. Jesse Jackson is urging President Trump to test all those in federal prisons. And finally a multitude of celebrities appeared on a virtual event to thank those who have helped out during the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s what happened in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago and around the state.
News
Lady Gaga performs during “One World: Together At Home” presented by Global Citizen on April, 18, 2020. The global broadcast and digital special was held to support frontline healthcare workers and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization, powered by the UN Foundation. Getty Images
NEW YORK — Lady Gaga urged people weathering the coronavirus pandemic to find a way to smile through the pain, while Stevie Wonder encouraged viewers to lean on one another as the superstars kicked off Saturday’s all-star event aimed at fighting the coronavirus and celebrating health care workers on the front lines.
The two-hour TV special “One World: Together At Home,” curated by Gaga, was the second part of an eight-hour event supporting the World Health Organization alongside advocacy organization Global Citizen.
“I care so much about the medical workers that are putting their lives at risk for us,” said Gaga, who performed Nat King Cole’s version of the song “Smile.”
Wonder performed “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers — who died on March 30 — while playing piano. He told viewers: “During hardships like this we have to lean on each other for help.”
Paul McCartney sang the Beatles’ “Lady Madonna” and talked about the work his mother did as a nurse, while photos of health care workers were shown on the screen.
Read the full story by The Associated Press.
7:34 p.m. Rev. Jesse Jackson pens 2nd letter to Trump urging coronavirus testing for all incarcerated people
The Rev. Jesse Jackson joined other black pastors and leaders as part of a national coalition Saturday to pen an open letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to test all 2.2 million people for COVID-19 that are incarcerated in the country during the pandemic, and saying the president to consider releasing people arrested on nonviolent offenses as they await trial.
“In prison, there are too many people in proximity to each other who do not have the option of social distancing and there are literally millions of persons incarcerated who were arrested, but not convicted, who are languishing in prison awaiting trial,” Jackson wrote in the letter.
The coalition, led by the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes II, senior pastor of the Friendship Baptist Church in Dallas, said the actions were aimed at reducing the country’s prison population to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“They are a captive audience and should not be devoured by the virus should someone in prison have it and spread it,” Jackson says in the letter.
Read the full story by Jake Wittich.
6:19 p.m. More than 200 protested outside the state mansion of Gov. Eric Holcomb over coronavirus restrictions on Indiana residents
INDIANAPOLIS — More than 200 people upset over restrictions on Indiana residents because of the coronavirus protested Saturday outside the state mansion of Gov. Eric Holcomb, urging him to back off and restart the economy.
People carrying signs and American flags stood close together along the street outside the home in Indianapolis. Cars passing the scene honked in support, although the rally wasn’t as large as a similar event Wednesday in Michigan.
Signs said, “If Holcomb’s job is essential, everyone’s job is essential!” and “Open Indiana Now!” Another said, “Not here for Trump here for freedom!”
Holcomb, a Republican, said a stay-at-home order that expires Monday will be extended to May 1 while he works on a plan to reopen businesses.
Earlier in the week, ahead of the rally, he disagreed with critics who accused him of acting illegally.
“If we disagree about that, then I’d be more than welcome to sit down with anyone that wants to go over the constitution or see where our authority is derived from,” Holcomb said.
— The Associated Press
5:55 p.m. State lawmakers seek more than $41B in federal coronavirus aid — including $10B pension bailout
Illinois Senate Democrats are asking the federal government for more than $41 billion in federal aid — about a quarter of it for a pension fund bailout — to keep the state financially afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash revenues across the board.
A letter from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, addressed to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, went out Tuesday to Illinois’ entire congressional delegation — a day before Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the economic shutdown would result in an estimated $2.7 billion revenue shortfall in the state’s current budget.
“I realize I’ve asked for a lot, but this is an unprecedented situation, and we face the reality that there likely will be additional, unanticipated costs that could result in future requests for assistance,” Harmon wrote on behalf of the state senate Democratic caucus.
Harmon’s federal wish list for the second phase of federal coronavirus relief includes $15 billion in block grant funding to shore up the state’s spending plans for this fiscal year and the next two.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout.
4:02 p.m. Downstate pockets spared by COVID-19 are shrinking — and pain is growing
SPRINGFIELD — The barber shops and hair salons in Downstate McLeansboro are closed, but the liquor stores are open.
The southern Illinois town of 2,872 is one of the few places in the state without a single reported case of the coronavirus.
Edgar County in eastern Illinois is another. In the hospital that serves it from an adjoining county, the beds lie empty.
But while COVID-19 has yet to reach Edgar County or Hamilton County — where McLeansboro serves as the county seat — the fears, anxiety and economic hardship from the virus have.
As it has elsewhere, the coronavirus has spread across Illinois, prompting daily briefings from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and worries about running out of hospital beds in the Chicago area.
But a few corners of rural Illinois remain as the final holdouts against the virus, so far seeing no reported cases.
Read the full story by Neal Earley.
2:35 p.m. Illinois sees 125 more coronavirus deaths as case total nears 30K
Officials announced Saturday another 125 deaths due to COVID-19 in Illinois, matching the highest number of deaths attributed to the virus in a single day.
The state also recorded another 1,585 cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 29,160 confirmed cases and 1,259 deaths since the outbreak hit the state.
The virus has spread across most of the state map, now confirmed in 93 of the state’s 102 counties.
Illinois also ran at least 7,241 COVID-19 tests on Friday. That’s closer to Pritzker’s goal of administering at least 10,000 tests daily, which experts say is needed to get an accurate hold on the pandemic’s spread throughout Illinois.
Read the full story by story by Jacob Wittich.
2:16 p.m. Coronavirus cases rising at Chicago’s federal high-rise jail
For weeks, Chicago’s downtown federal high-rise jail appeared to be keeping the coronavirus at bay.
Only a handful of staff members at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on West Van Buren had tested positive for the coronavirus since the outbreak began, according to official numbers. And no reports emerged of detainees with the virus — until Tuesday.
Now, for the first time, the coronavirus appears to be spreading among the MCC’s more than 600 inmates. Though the number of confirmed cases there remains low, the virus has been known to spread rapidly, and numbers tracked by the Chicago Sun-Times have risen quickly.
The numbers were gathered from court filings by prosecutors and local defense attorneys, as well as from an MCC union official. Those on-the-ground sources have largely been in agreement, and they have reported higher numbers of positive cases among inmates than the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Read the full report from our federal courts reporter Jon Siedel here.
2:04 p.m. 18th Cook County chief judge’s office employee tests positive for COVID-19
The Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County announced Friday another employee tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in that office to 18.
The employee works at the Adult Probation Department on the lower level at the Leighton Criminal Court Building and last reported for work on April 16, Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County Spokesperson Pat Milhizer said.
The areas where the employee worked received a deep cleaning and anyone who came into contact with them is being informed, Milhizer said.
On Tuesday, officials announced two detainees at the detention center had contracted the virus, bringing the tally of residents at the facility with positive tests to three.
Read the full report here.
1 p.m. First stop for navy recruits: An Illinois water park
The U.S. Navy’s only boot camp will resume accepting recruits next week, but those recruits will have to spend two weeks in isolation at a hotel and indoor water park near the northern Illinois base.
The resumption of training future sailors at Naval Station Great Lakes near the city of North Chicago comes after the Navy stopped sending recruits there late last month due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sending the recruits to a water park is the latest unusual step that has been taken to slow the spread of the coronavirus, including the closing of schools, conversion of convention centers into temporary hospitals and shutting down of sports leagues.
Lt. Cmdr. Frederick Martin, a Navy spokesman, said that although the recruits will spend two weeks at Great Wolf Lodge in nearby Gurnee, they won’t be on vacation and won’t have access to its “resort-type amenities” such as the water park, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Read the full report here.
12:30 p.m. US, Canada to keep border closed 30 more days
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the U.S. and Canada have agreed to keep the border closed to nonessential travel for another 30 days.
Trudeau says it will keep people on both sides of the border safe amid the pandemic. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday the U.S.-Canada border will be among the first borders to open. Nearly 200,000 people normally cross the border daily.
The U.S. has more confirmed cases and deaths from COVID-19 than any country in the world. The U.S. and Canada agreed last month to limit border crossings to essential travel amid the pandemic. The agreement was due to expire this week.
— Associated Press
12:04 p.m. Illinois voter turnout not among the casualties of COVID-19
Despite calls to postpone the election and concerns that cramped polling places and long lines could keep people away, Illinois voters still cast ballots in last month’s primary at a level that did not set any low-turnout records.
Illinois election officials are crediting mail-in balloting and early voting with keeping the numbers up.
In Illinois, 28.36% of registered voters cast ballots in the March 17 primary, which is the third-lowest turnout for a presidential primary over the past 40 years, according to the official canvas released Friday.
But while the voter turnout was relatively low, it was comparable to recent presidential primaries.
Read the full report from Neal Earley here.
11 a.m. ‘Please. Please. Please.’ R. Kelly keeps asking for release because of COVID-19 fears
Singer R. Kelly is writing new lyrics these days via email.
The lyrics?
“Please. Please. Please.”
The words are from three recent emails sent to Chicago attorney Steve Greenberg by Kelly, who petitioned the court last week to release him from incarceration at the Metropolitan Correctional Center during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Greenberg said the emails were sent by an “emotional and despondent” Kelly, who is not only awaiting trial on a myriad of sexual assault allegations — but in fear of becoming a victim of the virus.
According to Greenberg, the first email said: “Please.”
It was prefaced by a phone call from Kelly “expressing anger over being held in lockdown in his cell in a place where the noise is deafening; people are coughing, complaining, sneezing and screaming out from anxiety over the coronavirus,” said Greenberg.
Get the full scoop from Mike Sneed here.
10:42 a.m. FitzGerald’s takes weekly ‘Stay-At-Home Concert Series’ to the streets
Chicago restaurant and club businessman Will Duncan had owned FitzGerald’s Nightclub, the longtime Berwyn music venue, for barely a month when Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all Illinois bars and restaurants to closed through April 30 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As a small business owner, you’ve got to be ready for anything and try to pivot and roll with the punches, so that’s what we’re trying to do over here,” said Duncan. “We’ve used the expression around here: ‘The club is closed, but we’re still open for business.’”
Duncan’s wife, Jess King, a high school administrator, read an article about food trucks in warmer areas of the country going into neighborhoods to drum up business akin to how an ice cream truck does. She suggested Duncan look into perhaps a similar approach to a business model for their shuttered venue.
Duncan, along with the club’s staff members, created the “Stay-At-Home Concert Series” through which a local musician — who is guaranteed compensation for their time — performs live from the flatbed of a pickup truck as Duncan drives through Berwyn and neighboring Oak Park. The “concerts” take place at 4 p.m. every Saturday.
Find out how it works here.
10:17 a.m. Donor donates $210,00 to pay for water, sewer bills for Indianapolis suburb
People in a small Indianapolis suburb don’t have to worry about paying a bill in April thanks to anonymous donors.
Fortville’s nearly 4,000 residents had their water and sewer bills paid for by anonymous businesses.
Residents were informed Friday through a Facebook post, generating a string of grateful comments.
“The town has received a gracious donation with the stipulation that it be used to pay for April water/sewer bills. If you have already paid your April bill, you will see a credit on the May billing,” the post read.
Fortville town manager Joe Renner says the total donation was more than $210,000. Renner told The Indianapolis Star it was “pretty great” the town had “such caring people.”
— Associated Press
9:24 a.m. Downstate Illinois counties spared by COVID-19 — so far — are still ailing
SPRINGFIELD — The barber shops and hair salons in Downstate McLeansboro are closed, but the liquor stores are open.
The southern Illinois town of 2,872 is one of the few places in the state without a single reported case of the coronavirus.
Edgar County in eastern Illinois is another. In the hospital that serves it from an adjoining county, the beds lie empty.
But while COVID-19 has yet to reach Edgar County or Hamilton County — where McLeansboro serves as the county seat — the fears, anxiety and economic hardship from the virus have.
As it has elsewhere, the coronavirus has spread across Illinois, prompting daily briefings from Gov. J.B. Pritzker and worries about running out of hospital beds in the Chicago area.
But a few corners of rural Illinois remain as the final holdouts against the virus, so far seeing no reported cases.
Just ten of the state’s 102 counties reported no COVID-19 infections as of Friday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
That does not mean the rural communities have been spared the pain.
Read the full report from Neal Earley here.
8:30 a.m. Parents ponder holding kids back a grade after coronavirus school closings
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois education officials and have said students still should be promoted to the next grade level despite the unprecedented disruption to the school year caused by the coronavirus.
But what if parents disagree?
Without regular, in-person schooling for 2.2 million students over the last three months of this academic year, parents are searching for answers to limit the long-term impact on their children. Some have even suggested they might voluntarily hold back their own children from moving to the next grade level, in order to make up for any lost instruction time this year.
Read the full story from the Sun-Times’ education reporter Nader Issa here.
7:17 a.m. Former Ald. Richard Mell cooks up happiness for his aging neighbors
Richard’s in the kitchen!
And he’s rattling up those pots and pans!
Former Ald. Dick Mell, 82, who was once a 33rd Ward political powerhouse known for his efficiency as well as his short fuse, is now battling the pandemic one pot at a time.
For the past month, Mell has been cooking up and delivering homemade meals to four elderly, single, neighborhood ladies since the coronavirus closed their doors a month ago: Betty, Lorraine, Dorothy and Guadalupe.
“I make ‘em, bake ‘em, and deliver ‘em in the back seat of my car three days a week,” chirped Mell, who called Sneed a few days ago blasting a local grocery store for basically giving him the runaround.
Mike Sneed has the story.
New Cases
Analysis & Commentary
7:24 a.m. Thank you, Chicago, for the light show that helped me through a tough time
Two weeks ago, my wife, who is a nurse, became ill with coronavirus. The first few days I did my best to take care of her, but she started having a harder time breathing and had no appetite.
I drove her to the emergency department. She was placed on oxygen and taken to a sterile coronavirus ward, where I was not allowed to visit. We were told the next 48 hours would tell if the disease would improve or worsen.
That night, I came back to my quiet apartment in the South Loop. We had moved in a few months ago from California, and there were few creature comforts. The refrigerator was full of food I had tried to get my wife to eat, but I wasn’t hungry. I felt lost. There was no map. There was nothing else I could do.
To my surprise, I heard sudden cheering outside. From my balcony, I noticed flashing, swirling, twinkling lights coming from apartments across the city. People were singing and playing music. I stood and cried. It reminded me how resilient people can be.
A few days later, my wife turned the corner. Each night now, we participate in the light show. We hope our addition can comfort someone else.
Thank you, Chicago, for the light show and for helping me through a hard time.
Read today’s Letters to the Editor here.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-18--State lawmakers seek more than $41B in federal coronavirus aid — including $10B pension bailout

Illinois Senate Democrats are asking the federal government for more than $ 41 billion in federal aid — about a quarter of it for a pension fund bailout — to keep the state financially afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash revenues across the board .
A letter from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon , addressed to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin , went out Tuesday to Illinois ’ entire congressional delegation — a day before Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced the economic shutdown would result in an estimated $ 2.7 billion revenue shortfall in the state ’ s current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve asked for a lot , but this is an unprecedented situation , and we face the reality that there likely will be additional , unanticipated costs that could result in future requests for assistance , ” Harmon wrote on behalf of the state senate Democratic caucus .
Harmon ’ s federal wish list for the second phase of federal coronavirus relief includes $ 15 billion in block grant funding to shore up the state ’ s spending plans for this fiscal year and the next two .
The Oak Park Democrat also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state ’ s desperately underfunded pension plans .
The Illinois Republican Party slammed that request on Twitter , accusing Democrats of “ brazenly using a global pandemic as an excuse to ask the [ federal government ] to bail them out of the fiscal disaster they manufactured over the last two decades.
” Harmon also wants $ 9.6 billion for local governments , $ 6 billion for Illinois ’ overloaded unemployment insurance system and $ 1 billion in public health support for “ historically underserved communities , ” apparently referring to African American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the state ’ s COVID-19 deaths and cases overall .
Illinois received about $ 2.7 billion in federal aid for costs related to the pandemic as part of the initial Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act , which also sent about $ 2.2 billion to local municipalities .
“ So far , the federal relief targeted costs directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak , ” Harmon said through a spokesman Saturday .
“ The massive negative effects to state and local economies across this country have not been addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for are based on the work staff and senators have done , past budgets , budget requests , conversations with local officials and university research , according to Harmon ’ s office .
Harmon ’ s spokesman said the letter was shared with Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan , though they weren ’ t directly involved in drafting it .
At the governor ’ s daily coronavirus briefing Saturday , Pritzker distanced himself from Harmon ’ s requests , saying he “ was not aware of the content of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s no reason why a senate president in Illinois can ’ t send a letter to the delegation .
I don ’ t object to people communicating with our federal representatives .
I do it all the time , ” Pritzker said .
“ It ’ s different than what I have been talking to the federal representatives about , ” he continued .
“ I really believe the state ’ s need to have some unencumbered dollars that come in that will help us will the coming year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem.
” In a statement , Pritzker ’ s office said : “ We ’ re working with our congressional delegation , as well as [ House Speaker Nancy ] Pelosi and [ Senate Minority Leader Chuck ] Schumer , to ensure another aid package includes funds for the state of Illinois and the flexibility to use them in our budget .
”

Illinois Senate Democrats are asking the federal government for more than $41 billion in federal aid — about a quarter of it for a pension fund bailout — to keep the state financially afloat as the coronavirus pandemic continues to slash revenues across the board.
A letter from Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, addressed to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, went out Tuesday to Illinois’ entire congressional delegation — a day before Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the economic shutdown would result in an estimated $2.7 billion revenue shortfall in the state’s current budget.
“I realize I’ve asked for a lot, but this is an unprecedented situation, and we face the reality that there likely will be additional, unanticipated costs that could result in future requests for assistance,” Harmon wrote on behalf of the state senate Democratic caucus.
Harmon’s federal wish list for the second phase of federal coronavirus relief includes $15 billion in block grant funding to shore up the state’s spending plans for this fiscal year and the next two.
The Oak Park Democrat also asked for $10 billion for the state’s desperately underfunded pension plans.
The Illinois Republican Party slammed that request on Twitter, accusing Democrats of “brazenly using a global pandemic as an excuse to ask the [federal government] to bail them out of the fiscal disaster they manufactured over the last two decades.”
Harmon also wants $9.6 billion for local governments, $6 billion for Illinois’ overloaded unemployment insurance system and $1 billion in public health support for “historically underserved communities,” apparently referring to African American communities that have suffered a disproportionate brunt of the state’s COVID-19 deaths and cases overall.
Illinois received about $2.7 billion in federal aid for costs related to the pandemic as part of the initial Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which also sent about $2.2 billion to local municipalities.
“So far, the federal relief targeted costs directly related to the COVID-19 outbreak,” Harmon said through a spokesman Saturday. “The massive negative effects to state and local economies across this country have not been addressed and need to be.”
The amounts asked for are based on the work staff and senators have done, past budgets, budget requests, conversations with local officials and university research, according to Harmon’s office.
Harmon’s spokesman said the letter was shared with Pritzker and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, though they weren’t directly involved in drafting it.
At the governor’s daily coronavirus briefing Saturday, Pritzker distanced himself from Harmon’s requests, saying he “was not aware of the content of the letter” before it was sent.
“There’s no reason why a senate president in Illinois can’t send a letter to the delegation. I don’t object to people communicating with our federal representatives. I do it all the time,” Pritzker said.
“It’s different than what I have been talking to the federal representatives about,” he continued. “I really believe the state’s need to have some unencumbered dollars that come in that will help us with the coming year’s budget — every state has this problem.”
In a statement, Pritzker’s office said: “We’re working with our congressional delegation, as well as [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer, to ensure another aid package includes funds for the state of Illinois and the flexibility to use them in our budget.”
Read Harmon’s letter:


chicagosun-times--2020-04-18--Illinois sees 125 more coronavirus deaths for 2nd time in days as case total nears 30K

Officials on Saturday announced another 125 deaths due to COVID-19 in Illinois , matching the highest number of deaths attributed to the virus in a single day .
The state also recorded another 1,585 cases of the coronavirus , bringing the statewide total to 29,160 confirmed cases and 1,259 deaths since the outbreak hit the state .
The daily death spike was tied for the largest yet , as Illinois tallied 125 deaths two days prior .
The virus has spread across most of the state map and is now confirmed in 93 of the state ’ s 102 counties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 tests Friday .
That ’ s closer to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s goal of administering at least 10,000 tests daily , which experts say is needed to get an accurate accounting of the pandemic ’ s spread throughout the state .
More than 137,000 people have been tested overall in Illinois , according to Dr. Ngozi Ezike , head of the state ’ s Department of Public Health .
“ With more access to testing , we will learn of many more positive cases , ” Ezike warned .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will help us make the adjustments we need to provide the available resources and support wherever needed across the state.
” Pritzker also announced that the state ’ s telehealth program for patients with less severe cases of COVID-19 now covers northern Illinois through a partnership with Advocate Aurora Health Care .
The program — which launched last week in southern and central Illinois through partnerships with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and OSF HealthCare — provides patients recovering at home with daily virtual health visits and wellness kits stocked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuffs and alcohol wipes .
People in northern Illinois can contact the program ’ s new hotline at ( 866 ) 443-2584 .
Ezike continued to express a “ guarded cautious optimism ” that the state is bending the curve to avoid overloading its health care system — but warned the state has not yet hit its peak .
“ We must continue to be strong and hold the line .
I know people are tired of hearing the same message , but let ’ s keep up the progress we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You don ’ t know until you ’ re past the peak that you ’ ve hit the peak , ” Pritzker later added , explaining that scientists are still examining the outbreak ’ s trends to advise on whether his sweeping stay-at-home order should be extended and for how long .
The governor also recognized the mental and emotional toll the pandemic has taken on people , and again encouraged people to share their feelings with friends , family members or a confidant .
“ But it ’ s equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk outside and look at all the hopeful signs , because those signs are all around us , ” Pritzker said .
He highlighted nonprofit organizations like Urban Autism Solutions in Chicago , which launched digital meet-ups for young adults with autism to make friends and have fun , and W & W Towing in south suburban Dixmoor , which started delivering care packages to seniors on Chicago ’ s South Side and suburbs .
“ Everywhere you look , there are people stepping in to fill the gaps in other peoples ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re being neighborly and the kind of friend we want our kids to grow up to be .
”

Officials on Saturday announced another 125 deaths due to COVID-19 in Illinois, matching the highest number of deaths attributed to the virus in a single day.
The state also recorded another 1,585 cases of the coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 29,160 confirmed cases and 1,259 deaths since the outbreak hit the state.
The daily death spike was tied for the largest yet, as Illinois tallied 125 deaths two days prior.
The virus has spread across most of the state map and is now confirmed in 93 of the state’s 102 counties.
Illinois also ran at least 7,241 COVID-19 tests Friday. That’s closer to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s goal of administering at least 10,000 tests daily, which experts say is needed to get an accurate accounting of the pandemic’s spread throughout the state.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
More than 137,000 people have been tested overall in Illinois, according to Dr. Ngozi Ezike, head of the state’s Department of Public Health.
“With more access to testing, we will learn of many more positive cases,” Ezike warned. “But that information is necessary, and it will help us make the adjustments we need to provide the available resources and support wherever needed across the state.”
Pritzker also announced that the state’s telehealth program for patients with less severe cases of COVID-19 now covers northern Illinois through a partnership with Advocate Aurora Health Care.
The program — which launched last week in southern and central Illinois through partnerships with Southern Illinois University School of Medicine and OSF HealthCare — provides patients recovering at home with daily virtual health visits and wellness kits stocked with thermometers, pulse oximeters, blood pressure cuffs and alcohol wipes.
People in northern Illinois can contact the program’s new hotline at (866) 443-2584.
Ezike continued to express a “guarded cautious optimism” that the state is bending the curve to avoid overloading its health care system — but warned the state has not yet hit its peak.
“We must continue to be strong and hold the line. I know people are tired of hearing the same message, but let’s keep up the progress we’ve made thus far,” she said.
“You don’t know until you’re past the peak that you’ve hit the peak,” Pritzker later added, explaining that scientists are still examining the outbreak’s trends to advise on whether his sweeping stay-at-home order should be extended and for how long.
The governor also recognized the mental and emotional toll the pandemic has taken on people, and again encouraged people to share their feelings with friends, family members or a confidant.
“But it’s equally important to look out the window, walk outside and look at all the hopeful signs, because those signs are all around us,” Pritzker said.
He highlighted nonprofit organizations like Urban Autism Solutions in Chicago, which launched digital meet-ups for young adults with autism to make friends and have fun, and W&W Towing in south suburban Dixmoor, which started delivering care packages to seniors on Chicago’s South Side and suburbs.
“Everywhere you look, there are people stepping in to fill the gaps in other peoples’ lives,” Pritzker said. “They’re being neighborly and the kind of friend we want our kids to grow up to be.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Dear Abby: I can’t stand dining with couple who let their kids run wild

DEAR ABBY : I met a young couple about a year ago .
They invite me out for lunch every few months .
They have several children they allow to run all over the place , climb over and under the table , cry and whine , and they make no effort to teach them proper behavior in restaurants .
It ’ s so annoying and embarrassing that I no longer want to go out with them .
I can not believe that they turn their children loose in restaurants without acknowledging that they are creating a not-so-nice experience for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why , should I make up an excuse or tell them how I feel about their lack of parenting ?
I suspect they will be hypersensitive to any remarks I make , but I can ’ t enjoy my meal while their children run wild .
Those children need to learn some manners .
I would rather eat out by myself than experience another episode .
— ALONE BUT NOT LONELY DEAR ALONE : Rather than let these parents have it with both barrels , the next time you are invited to lunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included .
When they tell you the kids are coming — which they will — respond that you would prefer “ adult time.
” It would get your message across without it appearing you are criticizing their parental abilities .
DEAR ABBY : I am 49 .
I have never married or had kids , and I am having a hard time finding the right woman for me .
I have tried dating sites , dances , etc.
, and it seems like women are not interested in a gentleman anymore .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because I don ’ t know what else to do .
They like the bad-boy type , and I ’ m not one of them .
I should mention that 25 years ago I thought I had found the right one , but I caught her cheating on me .
Now women reject me .
They always have an excuse .
They say either , “ You are not my type ” or , “ I just want to be friends.
” Can you help me ?
— LONELY IN ARIZONA DEAR LONELY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a woman tells you you ’ re not her type or she just wants to be friends , what she ’ s trying to politely convey is that the romantic chemistry is wrong .
Having never met you , I can ’ t guess why that might be .
Perhaps some of your close friends or family members could tell you if you need an image makeover .
I will , however , offer this : Younger women are usually the ones who are attracted to the “ excitement ” ( stress ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Older ones would welcome a man with more traditional values and who treats them well .
In other words , you may be fishing in the wrong pond .
DEAR ABBY : My wife and I disagree about what a comforter is for .
She says a comforter is decorative and should not be used as a blanket ; I say it ’ s OK to use it as a blanket .
She says I was never taught that it ’ s for decoration only .
Is she right ?
— DECORATION OR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife is mistaken .
Many people use their bedspreads and comforters as blankets .
The main difference between them is a comforter is more insulated and offers more warmth .
According to a leading online retailer , a bedspread is defined as “ a lightweight , decorative bed covering that can be used in warm weather or as a decorative addition to a comforter in cold weather.
” Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I met a young couple about a year ago. They invite me out for lunch every few months. They have several children they allow to run all over the place, climb over and under the table, cry and whine, and they make no effort to teach them proper behavior in restaurants. It’s so annoying and embarrassing that I no longer want to go out with them. I cannot believe that they turn their children loose in restaurants without acknowledging that they are creating a not-so-nice experience for other diners.
If they ask me why, should I make up an excuse or tell them how I feel about their lack of parenting? I suspect they will be hypersensitive to any remarks I make, but I can’t enjoy my meal while their children run wild. Those children need to learn some manners. I would rather eat out by myself than experience another episode. — ALONE BUT NOT LONELY
DEAR ALONE: Rather than let these parents have it with both barrels, the next time you are invited to lunch, ask if the children will be included. When they tell you the kids are coming — which they will — respond that you would prefer “adult time.” It would get your message across without it appearing you are criticizing their parental abilities.
DEAR ABBY: I am 49. I have never married or had kids, and I am having a hard time finding the right woman for me. I have tried dating sites, dances, etc., and it seems like women are not interested in a gentleman anymore. I am about to give up on women because I don’t know what else to do. They like the bad-boy type, and I’m not one of them.
I should mention that 25 years ago I thought I had found the right one, but I caught her cheating on me. Now women reject me. They always have an excuse. They say either, “You are not my type” or, “I just want to be friends.” Can you help me? — LONELY IN ARIZONA
DEAR LONELY: I’ll try. When a woman tells you you’re not her type or she just wants to be friends, what she’s trying to politely convey is that the romantic chemistry is wrong. Having never met you, I can’t guess why that might be. Perhaps some of your close friends or family members could tell you if you need an image makeover.
I will, however, offer this: Younger women are usually the ones who are attracted to the “excitement” (stress) that bad boys provide in abundance. Older ones would welcome a man with more traditional values and who treats them well. In other words, you may be fishing in the wrong pond.
DEAR ABBY: My wife and I disagree about what a comforter is for. She says a comforter is decorative and should not be used as a blanket; I say it’s OK to use it as a blanket. She says I was never taught that it’s for decoration only. Is she right? — DECORATION OR COMFORT
DEAR D OR C: Your wife is mistaken. Many people use their bedspreads and comforters as blankets. The main difference between them is a comforter is more insulated and offers more warmth. According to a leading online retailer, a bedspread is defined as “a lightweight, decorative bed covering that can be used in warm weather or as a decorative addition to a comforter in cold weather.”
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Burglars hit apartment building laundry rooms in Hyde Park, Bronzeville

Multiple burglaries have been reported this month to apartment building laundry rooms in Hyde Park and Bronzeville on the South Side .
In each case , someone forced entry to the basement of a building and damaged washing machines and dryers to remove coins , according to a community alert from Chicago police .
• About 2 a.m. April 14 in the 5300 block of South Ingleside Avenue ; • About 5 p.m. April 13 in the 5300 block of South Harper Avenue ; • About 10 p.m. April 9 in the 5400 block of South Woodlawn Avenue ; • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5300 block of South Woodlawn ; • About 1 a.m. April 8 in the 5100 block of South Ingleside ; • About 11 p.m. April 7 in the 5200 block of South Dorchester Avenue ; • About 9:30 a.m. April 4 in the 5400 block of South Dorchester ; and • Between 8 and 9 p.m. April 3 in the 500 block of East Oakwood Boulevard .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Multiple burglaries have been reported this month to apartment building laundry rooms in Hyde Park and Bronzeville on the South Side.
In each case, someone forced entry to the basement of a building and damaged washing machines and dryers to remove coins, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The break-ins occurred:
About 2 a.m. April 14 in the 5300 block of South Ingleside Avenue;
About 5 p.m. April 13 in the 5300 block of South Harper Avenue;
About 10 p.m. April 9 in the 5400 block of South Woodlawn Avenue;
About 10 p.m. April 9 in the 5300 block of South Woodlawn;
About 1 a.m. April 8 in the 5100 block of South Ingleside;
About 11 p.m. April 7 in the 5200 block of South Dorchester Avenue;
About 9:30 a.m. April 4 in the 5400 block of South Dorchester; and
Between 8 and 9 p.m. April 3 in the 500 block of East Oakwood Boulevard.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Armed robberies reported in Bronzeville

Armed robberies reported in Bronzeville

Police are warning residents about a series of armed robberies reported since last month in Bronzeville on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ a male suspect approached a lone victim and stole a cellphone at gunpoint , according @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
• At 12:45 p.m. April 17 in the 3800 block of South @ @ @ @ @ 12:40 p.m. April 17 in the 3800 block of South King ; and • At @ @ @ @ @ the 3900 block of South King .
The suspect is described as a male with @ @ @ @ @ 24 years old , standing 5-foot-8 to 6 feet tall and weighing 150 to 160 @ @ @ @ @ Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning residents about a series of armed robberies reported since last month in Bronzeville on the South Side.
In each case, a male suspect approached a lone victim and stole a cellphone at gunpoint, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The hold-ups occurred:
At 12:45 p.m. April 17 in the 3800 block of South King Drive;
At 12:40 p.m. April 17 in the 3800 block of South King; and
At 5 p.m. March 30 in the 3900 block of South King.
The suspect is described as a male with short hair between 16 and 24 years old, standing 5-foot-8 to 6 feet tall and weighing 150 to 160 pounds, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Nurses are our lifeline, and they must get the equipment to stay safe from coronavirus

During this very difficult period , it is so very important to properly equip and protect our health care professionals who are in the vanguard of our struggle against the coronavirus .
Nurses are putting their lives on the line to save lives .
But alarmingly , they do not all have adequate protective equipment .
They are getting exposed , getting sick and being quarantined .
Many nurses have died .
More than 200 doctors and nurses across the globe have been lost to this pandemic .
We are losing our health care workers at the worst possible time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses to work without the proper equipment in a job that is already stressful because of understaffing , high rates of workplace injury and other occupational hazards .
The situation in long-term care and correctional facilities is especially grave .
Some of our Illinois Nurses Association members work in correctional settings , where the disease can spread quickly among thousands of inmates .
They are being given masks that look like dryer sheets and provide no protection against the spread of droplets that carry the virus .
We have already seen an outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If outbreaks occur in more prisons , there are not enough intensive care unit beds , ICU nurses and ventilators to care for patients .
This is a potential humanitarian crisis .
Our health care workers are ready and willing to battle the coronavirus .
It is imperative that we provide them with the proper tools .
All of us are wondering whether we will get COVID-19 and if we do , whether we ’ ll survive .
A commentator recently wondered if the only retailers to survive the pandemic will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , they would then have monopoly power to jack up prices and pay low wages , with poor or even dangerous working conditions .
It is now so easy for us to order most anything we want online .
Yet if we continue down this path , we will lose our local and small businesses and , thereby , some of our freedom .
History tells us that monopolies tend to increase prices once they realize they can do so without penalty .
Who would stop them ?
Americans should buy local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote with our dollars to help keep America free .
A recent article misstates several basic facts about loans , including those offered by installment lenders .
First , the article falsely implies that lenders can simply snatch money from borrowers ’ bank accounts .
This has never been true .
ACH authorization allows lenders to automatically debit payments for borrowers , on a schedule that they ’ ve agreed to .
This is a convenient way to ensure they don ’ t miss payments and accrue penalties .
The system is used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , credit unions , and alternative financial services providers .
Debits can be cancelled at any time , and borrowers can make payments via a different method .
The article also assumes that borrowers have no money in their bank accounts other than their $ 1,200 economic stimulus checks .
Many consumers are facing difficulties due to unforeseen medical expenses or decreased income , but not everyone is facing financial hardship .
Many consumers with non-prime credit scores rely on alternative financial services to make ends meet during this difficult time .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and would remove important options that provide a lifeline to these consumers .
Finally , many lenders are already taking actions to help borrowers , by suspending late fees and offering flexibility like waived fees , interest freezes , payment plans , and the ability to skip payments .
Gov .
Pritzker should encourage lenders to work with borrowers impacted by the pandemic instead of issuing a blanket ban on ACH debits .
Borrowers can then continue accessing the products they need .

During this very difficult period, it is so very important to properly equip and protect our health care professionals who are in the vanguard of our struggle against the coronavirus.
Nurses are putting their lives on the line to save lives. But alarmingly, they do not all have adequate protective equipment. They are getting exposed, getting sick and being quarantined. Many nurses have died.
More than 200 doctors and nurses across the globe have been lost to this pandemic.
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.
We are losing our health care workers at the worst possible time. We can’t expect our nurses to work without the proper equipment in a job that is already stressful because of understaffing, high rates of workplace injury and other occupational hazards.
The situation in long-term care and correctional facilities is especially grave. Some of our Illinois Nurses Association members work in correctional settings, where the disease can spread quickly among thousands of inmates. They are being given masks that look like dryer sheets and provide no protection against the spread of droplets that carry the virus.
We have already seen an outbreak at Stateville Prison that affected nearby hospitals. If outbreaks occur in more prisons, there are not enough intensive care unit beds, ICU nurses and ventilators to care for patients. This is a potential humanitarian crisis.
Our health care workers are ready and willing to battle the coronavirus. It is imperative that we provide them with the proper tools.
Avery Gerstein, board of directors, Illinois Nurses Association
Shop local to help small businesses survive
All of us are wondering whether we will get COVID-19, and if we do, whether we’ll survive.
A commentator recently wondered if the only retailers to survive the pandemic will be Walmart, Amazon and Costco. If so, they would then have monopoly power to jack up prices and pay low wages, with poor or even dangerous working conditions.
It is now so easy for us to order most anything we want online. Yet if we continue down this path, we will lose our local and small businesses and, thereby, some of our freedom. History tells us that monopolies tend to increase prices once they realize they can do so without penalty. Who would stop them?
Americans should buy local and from small businesses. We should vote with our dollars to help keep America free.
Dan Bailey, Wheaton
Online lenders are not hurting consumers
A recent article misstates several basic facts about loans, including those offered by installment lenders.
First, the article falsely implies that lenders can simply snatch money from borrowers’ bank accounts. This has never been true. ACH authorization allows lenders to automatically debit payments for borrowers, on a schedule that they’ve agreed to. This is a convenient way to ensure they don’t miss payments and accrue penalties.
The system is used by virtually all lenders, including banks, credit unions and alternative financial services providers. Debits can be cancelled at any time, and borrowers can make payments via a different method.
The article also assumes that borrowers have no money in their bank accounts other than their $1,200 economic stimulus checks. Many consumers are facing difficulties due to unforeseen medical expenses or decreased income, but not everyone is facing financial hardship.
Many consumers with non-prime credit scores rely on alternative financial services to make ends meet during this difficult time. The policies suggested by consumer advocates are misleading and would remove important options that provide a lifeline to these consumers.
Finally, many lenders are already taking actions to help borrowers by suspending late fees and offering flexibility like waived fees, interest freezes, payment plans and the ability to skip payments.
Gov. Pritzker should encourage lenders to work with borrowers impacted by the pandemic instead of issuing a blanket ban on ACH debits. Borrowers can then continue accessing the products they need.
Mary Jackson, CEO, Online Lenders Alliance


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--3 hurt in Lawndale shooting

3 hurt in Lawndale shooting

Two men and a woman were shot Sunday in Lawndale on the West Side .
They were in a northbound @ @ @ @ @ someone fired at them from a blue Infiniti in the 1100 block of South Laramie @ @ @ @ @ police .
A 26-year-old man was shot in the left foot , a 35-year-old man @ @ @ @ @ knee and the 33-year-old woman was hit in the left buttock , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in Oak Park on their own and were all listed in good condition @ @ @ @ @ No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate .

Two men and a woman were shot Sunday in Lawndale on the West Side.
They were in a northbound vehicle at 1:16 a.m. when someone fired at them from a blue Infiniti in the 1100 block of South Laramie Avenue, according to Chicago police.
A 26-year-old man was shot in the left foot, a 35-year-old man was shot in the left knee and the 33-year-old woman was hit in the left buttock, police said.
They went to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park on their own and were all listed in good condition, according to police.
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Driver seriously injured in crash with CTA train in Albany Park while trying to evade police, author

Driver seriously injured in crash with CTA train in Albany Park while trying to evade police, authorities say

A car collided with a Brown Line train during a police pursuit Saturday night in Albany Park , leading to @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver of the car , a 38-year-old man , sped away from a @ @ @ @ @ and drove through a gate crossing in the 4600 block of North Albany Avenue and @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The driver was seriously injured in the crash and taken by paramedics @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago fire officials said , and a passenger in the car was taken to @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said the train ’ s conductor was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ , but no passengers on the train were hurt .
The driver was expected to @ @ @ @ @ .
The crash caused significant delays on the Brown Line and shuttle buses were provided @ @ @ @ @ stations , according to the CTA .
Normal service resumed with residual delays about 2 @ @ @

A car collided with a Brown Line train during a police pursuit Saturday night in Albany Park, leading to serious injuries for the driver.
The driver of the car, a 38-year-old man, sped away from a traffic stop about 8:20 p.m. and drove through a gate crossing in the 4600 block of North Albany Avenue and into the train, Chicago police said.
The driver was seriously injured in the crash and taken by paramedics to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago fire officials said, and a passenger in the car was taken to Swedish Hospital in good condition.
Police said the train’s conductor was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment, as well, but no passengers on the train were hurt.
The driver was expected to face charges, police said.
The crash caused significant delays on the Brown Line and shuttle buses were provided to riders between the impacted stations, according to the CTA. Normal service resumed with residual delays about 2 a.m. Sunday.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Girl, 17, shot in Ashburn

Girl, 17, shot in Ashburn

A teenage girl was wounded in a shooting Saturday in Ashburn on the Southwest Side .
The 17-year-old was a @ @ @ @ @ a stop sign at 11:01 p.m. when a white Ford Taurus with dark tinted windows @ @ @ @ @ , according to Chicago police .
Two males got out of the Taurus and fired @ @ @ @ @ girl in the leg .
The girl flagged down officers in Marquette Park and was @ @ @ @ @ in good condition , police said .
No one is in custody as Area Central @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage girl was wounded in a shooting Saturday in Ashburn on the Southwest Side.
The 17-year-old was a passenger in a vehicle at a stop sign at 11:01 p.m. when a white Ford Taurus with dark tinted windows pulled up on 79th Place, according to Chicago police. Two males got out of the Taurus and fired multiple shots, hitting the girl in the leg.
The girl flagged down officers in Marquette Park and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Central detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Driver in custody after crash with squad car on West Side

A person was arrested Saturday after allegedly crashing a vehicle into a squad car while fleeing police in Fifth City @ @ @ @ @ Officers witnessed a drug deal and saw the white Chevrolet Impala drive off at 10:54 @ @ @ @ @ of South Kedzie Avenue , according to Chicago police .
The Impala hit a marked @ @ @ @ @ sedan and another Chevrolet before crashing into a light pole , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ custody .
No injuries were reported , according to police .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

A person was arrested Saturday after allegedly crashing a vehicle into a squad car while fleeing police in Fifth City on the West Side.
Officers witnessed a drug deal and saw the white Chevrolet Impala drive off at 10:54 p.m. in the 200 block of South Kedzie Avenue, according to Chicago police.
The Impala hit a marked squad car, a Mazda sedan and another Chevrolet before crashing into a light pole, police said. The male driver was taken into custody.
No injuries were reported, according to police.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-18--Pregnant woman among 3 seriously injured in Dan Ryan crash

Three people , including a pregnant woman , were seriously injured Saturday in a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway @ @ @ @ @ 8:20 p.m. when their vehicle hit a wall near 64th Street , Illinois State Police @ @ @ @ @ and a man who was ejected from the vehicle in the crash were taken to @ @ @ @ @ Center in serious-to-critical condition , Chicago fire officials said .
Another woman was taken to @ @ @ @ @ .

Three people, including a pregnant woman, were seriously injured Saturday in a crash on the Dan Ryan Expressway.
The crash happened about 8:20 p.m. when their vehicle hit a wall near 64th Street, Illinois State Police said.
A pregnant woman and a man who was ejected from the vehicle in the crash were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious-to-critical condition, Chicago fire officials said. Another woman was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious-to-critical condition.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Protesters in Springfield demand end to stay-at-home order

SPRINGFIELD — For some people , Illinois ’ stay-at-home order has gone on long enough .
On Sunday , about two dozen red , white and blue-clad protesters carrying Trump banners gathered near the steps of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield calling for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to end his stay-at-home order , set to last until at least April 30 .
The protesters said the lockdown to slow the coronavirus pandemic is hurting local economies .
“ We ’ re protesting against the injustice of them closing down all the businesses , trying to tell us what to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protester from Springfield .
While Illinois had 30,357 reported cases of COVID-19 with 1,290 deaths as of Sunday , many of the protesters said they aren ’ t worried about coronavirus and compared it to seasonal influenza .
With the vast majority of the state ’ s cases concentrated in Chicago and Cook County , one protester said the strict social distancing measures should be limited to Cook County .
“ You know , what I would do with Chicago is just take Cook County and just build a wall right there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tracy , a commercial painter from Joliet .
“ I know it sounds silly , but I think the rest of the state could function without Cook County.
” Similar protests have taken place in Michigan , Texas and Maryland with protesters urging their state officials to immediately end social distancing restrictions .
Across from the rally , about a half-dozen of counterprotesters gathered .
Among them was Allissa Hall , a social services worker from Springfield , holding a sign that said : “ People are dying — go home !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic , ” said Hall , who as wearing a face mask and gloves .
“ We ’ re sick , people are dying all over the world , not just here .
People are making do — they make do.
” But Ashley McLemore , the organizer of Sunday ’ s protest against the order , said the music school she owns in Dixon has been closed since the governor ’ s stay-at-home order went into effect , and now she ’ s struggling to pay bills .
“ I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have three kids , I ’ ve got dogs and a cat and a mortgage , ” McLemore said .

SPRINGFIELD — For some people, Illinois’ stay-at-home order has gone on long enough.
On Sunday, about two dozen red, white and blue-clad protesters carrying Trump banners gathered near the steps of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to end his stay-at-home order, set to last until at least April 30.
The protesters said the lockdown to slow the coronavirus pandemic is hurting local economies.
“We’re protesting against the injustice of them closing down all the businesses, trying to tell us what to do,” said Tom, a protester from Springfield.
Pritzker’s order banning large gatherings and closing “nonessential” businesses began March 21.
While Illinois had 30,357 reported cases of COVID-19 with 1,290 deaths as of Sunday, many of the protesters said they aren’t worried about coronavirus and compared it to seasonal influenza.
With the vast majority of the state’s cases concentrated in Chicago and Cook County, one protester said the strict social distancing measures should be limited to Cook County.
“You know, what I would do with Chicago is just take Cook County and just build a wall right there and leave everybody inside,” said Robert Tracy, a commercial painter from Joliet. “I know it sounds silly, but I think the rest of the state could function without Cook County.”
Similar protests have taken place in Michigan, Texas and Maryland with protesters urging their state officials to immediately end social distancing restrictions.
Across from the rally, about a half-dozen of counterprotesters gathered. Among them was Allissa Hall, a social services worker from Springfield, holding a sign that said: “People are dying — go home!”
“We are in the middle of a pandemic,” said Hall, who as wearing a face mask and gloves. “We’re sick, people are dying all over the world, not just here. People are making do — they make do.”
But Ashley McLemore, the organizer of Sunday’s protest against the order, said the music school she owns in Dixon has been closed since the governor’s stay-at-home order went into effect, and now she’s struggling to pay bills.
“I have zero money coming into my house, and I have three kids, I’ve got dogs and a cat and a mortgage,” McLemore said.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-19--Fiona Apple’s new album: Every listen uncovers new wisdom in the densely emotional masterpiece

There ’ s something enormously comforting about a new Fiona Apple album .
Every seven or eight years , the reclusive , media-shy singer reemerges with a new body of work more idiosyncratic and adventurous than the last as she hums and howls and huffs over a maelstrom of instruments fighting for attention .
Apple ’ s music is controlled chaos anchored by her familiar staccato , which pretzels from a gentle whisper to an exasperated drawl in a matter of seconds .
Her vocal acrobatics are vividly on display from the aching opening minutes of “ Fetch the Bolt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple ’ s fifth album and her first since 2012 ’ s “ The Idler Wheel ... ” As she sings gravelly over a warm piano on the first track , “ I Want You to Love Me , ” Apple ’ s words trip over each other and spill out like word soup as she struggles to articulate her feelings .
And I know none of this will matter in the long run But I know a sound is still a sound around no one .
And while I ’ m in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I want what I want and I want you .
The song culminates in what can only be described as Apple making dolphin noises for 15 amusingly jarring seconds .
It ’ s not the last time she taps into her animal instincts : The percussive title track ends with a cacophony of dog barks and heavy panting as actress-turned-backup vocalist Cara Delevingne softly “ meows.
” There ’ s no discernible reason or logic behind these sonic diversions , but there doesn ’ t need to be .
Apple is simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cutters ” simmers with defiance , dark wit and quiet rage , most notably on the title track .
Here , Apple discerningly looks back on her younger self : a naive , less-confident woman still finding her voice and living in the shadow of a powerful , temperamental man .
( The song seems vaguely inspired by Apple ’ s ex-boyfriend of three years , “ There Will Be Blood ” director Paul Thomas Anderson , whom she started dating in 1997 and described in a New Yorker profile as “ coldly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the VIPs , PYTs and wannabes , afraid of not being your friend .
And I ’ ve always been too smart for that , but you know what ?
My heart was not .
I took it like a kid , you see .
...
I ’ m ashamed of what it did to me – what I let get done .
Apple , 42 , has been bracingly confessional ever since her 1996 debut , “ Tidal.
” In rare interviews , she ’ s spoken openly about when she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old outside her mom ’ s Manhattan apartment .
On this album ’ s haunting , heartbreaking standout “ Newspaper , ” she speaks directly to a fellow victim of sexual assault , sharing her complicated feelings about an unspecified abuser and how she ’ s “ trying not to let my light go out.
” It ’ s a shame that you and I didn ’ t get a witness We ’ re the only ones who know .
We were cursed the moment that he kissed us From then on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broaches the subject again on “ For Her , ” which Apple says was inspired by the anger she felt when Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in to the Supreme Court in 2018 after professor Christine Blasey Ford testified that he sexually assaulted her in high school .
The cathartic , disarmingly cheery track interpolates “ Good Morning , ” made famous by 1952 movie musical “ Singin ’ in the Rain.
” ” Well , good morning !
Good morning !
” Apple wails against a backdrop of ominous drums and gospel harmonies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same bed your daughter was born in.
” These are the kinds of razor-sharp statements and evocative lyrics that reveal themselves in every new listen of “ Fetch the Bolt Cutters , ” a dense and richly poetic masterpiece from one of music ’ s best modern storytellers .

There’s something enormously comforting about a new Fiona Apple album.
Every seven or eight years, the reclusive, media-shy singer reemerges with a new body of work more idiosyncratic and adventurous than the last as she hums and howls and huffs over a maelstrom of instruments fighting for attention. Apple’s music is controlled chaos anchored by her familiar staccato, which pretzels from a gentle whisper to an exasperated drawl in a matter of seconds.
Her vocal acrobatics are vividly on display from the aching opening minutes of “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” out last week, Apple’s fifth album and her first since 2012’s “The Idler Wheel...” As she sings gravelly over a warm piano on the first track, “I Want You to Love Me,” Apple’s words trip over each other and spill out like word soup as she struggles to articulate her feelings.
And I know none of this will matter in the long run
But I know a sound is still a sound around no one.
And while I’m in this body
I want somebody to want
And I want what I want and I want you.
The song culminates in what can only be described as Apple making dolphin noises for 15 amusingly jarring seconds. It’s not the last time she taps into her animal instincts: The percussive title track ends with a cacophony of dog barks and heavy panting as actress-turned-backup vocalist Cara Delevingne softly “meows.” There’s no discernible reason or logic behind these sonic diversions, but there doesn’t need to be. Apple is simply having fun.
Cover of Fiona Apple’s album “Fetch the Bolt Cutters.” Epic Records
”Fetch the Bolt Cutters” simmers with defiance, dark wit and quiet rage, most notably on the title track. Here, Apple discerningly looks back on her younger self: a naive, less-confident woman still finding her voice and living in the shadow of a powerful, temperamental man. (The song seems vaguely inspired by Apple’s ex-boyfriend of three years, “There Will Be Blood” director Paul Thomas Anderson, whom she started dating in 1997 and described in a New Yorker profile as “coldly critical” of her.)
All the VIPs, PYTs and wannabes, afraid of not being your friend.
And I’ve always been too smart for that, but you know what?
My heart was not. I took it like a kid, you see. ...
I’m ashamed of what it did to me – what I let get done.
Apple, 42, has been bracingly confessional ever since her 1996 debut, “Tidal.” In rare interviews, she’s spoken openly about when she was raped by a stranger at 12 years old outside her mom’s Manhattan apartment. On this album’s haunting, heartbreaking standout “Newspaper,” she speaks directly to a fellow victim of sexual assault, sharing her complicated feelings about an unspecified abuser and how she’s “trying not to let my light go out.”
It’s a shame that you and I didn’t get a witness
We’re the only ones who know.
We were cursed the moment that he kissed us
From then on, it was his big show.
She broaches the subject again on “For Her,” which Apple says was inspired by the anger she felt when Brett Kavanaugh was sworn in to the Supreme Court in 2018 after professor Christine Blasey Ford testified that he sexually assaulted her in high school. The cathartic, disarmingly cheery track interpolates “Good Morning,” made famous by 1952 movie musical “Singin’ in the Rain.”
”Well, good morning! Good morning!” Apple wails against a backdrop of ominous drums and gospel harmonies. “You raped me in the same bed your daughter was born in.”
These are the kinds of razor-sharp statements and evocative lyrics that reveal themselves in every new listen of “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” a dense and richly poetic masterpiece from one of music’s best modern storytellers.
Read more at usatoday.com.