chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--In memoriam — Kobe Bryant, Chadwick Boseman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg among the celebrities we lost in 20

In memoriam — Kobe Bryant, Chadwick Boseman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg among the celebrities we lost in 2020

Many of their names hold a prominent place in the collective consciousness — RBG , Kobe , Maradona , Eddie Van Halen , Little Richard , Sean Connery , Alex Trebek , Christo — but pandemic restrictions often limited the public ’ s ability to mourn their loss in a year that saw more than 1 million people die from the coronavirus .
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — known as the Notorious RBG to her many admirers — was one of the many internationally known figures who died in 2020 .
The world also said goodbye to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the civil rights movement who died in July .
Some of the year ’ s deaths struck down relatively young people , leaving mourners with the heartbreak of a life gone too soon .
Basketball great Kobe Bryant died along with several others in a January helicopter crash at age 41 .
And in a shock to fans , actor Chadwick Boseman , who inspired audiences with his portrayal of comic book superhero Black Panther , died of cancer in August at age 43 .
Here is a roll call of some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who passed away in 2020 : Nick Gordon , 30 .
He was found liable in the death of his ex-partner , Bobbi Kristina Brown , the daughter of singers Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown .
Jan. 1 .
Heroin overdose .
Neil Peart , 67 .
The renowned drummer and lyricist from the influential Canadian band Rush .
Jan. 7 .
Buck Henry , 89 .
“ The Graduate ” co-writer who as screenwriter , character actor , “ Saturday Night Live ” host and cherished talk-show and party guest became an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 70s .
Jan. 8 .
Terry Jones , 77 .
A founding member of the anarchic Monty Python troupe who was hailed by colleagues as “ the complete Renaissance comedian ” and “ a man of endless enthusiasms.
” Jan. 21 .
Jim Lehrer , 85 .
The longtime host of the nightly PBS “ NewsHour ” whose serious , sober demeanor made him the choice to moderate 11 presidential debates between 1988 and 2012 .
Jan. 23 .
Kobe Bryant , 41 .
The 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his generation during a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers .
Jan. 26 .
Helicopter crash .
Andy Gill , 64 .
The guitarist who supplied the scratching , seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four .
Feb. 1 .
Kirk Douglas , 103 .
The intense , muscular actor with the dimpled chin who starred in “ Spartacus , ” “ Lust for Life ” and dozens of other films , helped fatally weaken the blacklist against suspected communists and reigned for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Feb. 5 .
Roger Kahn , 92 .
The writer who wove memoir and baseball and touched millions of readers through his romantic account of the Brooklyn Dodgers in “ The Boys of Summer.
” Feb. 6 .
Orson Bean , 91 .
The witty actor and comedian who enlivened the game show “ To Tell the Truth ” and played a crotchety merchant on “ Dr .
Quinn , Medicine Woman.
” Feb. 7 .
Hit by a car .
Robert Conrad , 84 .
The rugged , contentious actor who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series “ Hawaiian Eye ” and “ The Wild Wild West.
” Feb. 8 .
Mirella Freni , 84 .
An Italian soprano whose uncommon elegance and intensity combined with a sumptuous voice and intelligence to enthrall audiences for a half-century .
Feb. 9 .
Joseph Shabalala , 78 .
The founder of the South African multi-Grammy-Award-winning music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo .
Feb. 11 .
Zoe Caldwell , 86 .
A four-time Tony Award winner who brought humanity to larger-than-life characters , whether it be the dotty schoolteacher Miss Jean Brodie , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the betrayed , murderous Medea .
Feb. 16 .
Charles Portis , 86 .
The novelist was a favorite among critics and writers for such shaggy dog stories as “ Norwood ” and “ Gringos ” and a bounty for Hollywood whose droll , bloody Western “ True Grit ” was a bestseller twice adapted into Oscar-nominated films .
Feb. 17 .
Barbara “ B.
” Smith , 70 .
She was one of the nation ’ s top Black models who went on to open restaurants , launch a successful home products @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Katherine Johnson , 101 .
A mathematician who calculated rocket trajectories and Earth orbits for NASA ’ s early space missions and was later portrayed in the 2016 hit film “ Hidden Figures , ” about pioneering Black female aerospace workers .
Feb. 24 .
Clive Cussler , 88 .
The million-selling adventure writer and real-life thrill-seeker who wove personal details and spectacular fantasies into his page-turning novels about underwater explorer Dirk Pitt .
Feb. 24 .
Max von Sydow , 90 .
The actor known to art house audiences through his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later to moviegoers everywhere when he played the priest in the horror classic “ The Exorcist.
” March 8 .
Lyle Waggoner , 84 .
He used his good looks to comic effect on “ The Carol Burnett Show , ” partnered with a superhero on “ Wonder Woman ” and was the first centerfold for Playgirl magazine .
March 17 .
Kenny Rogers , 81 .
The Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz , folk , country and pop with such hits as “ Lucille , ” “ Lady ” and “ Islands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persona as “ The Gambler ” on records and TV .
March 20 .
Terrence McNally , 81 .
He was one of America ’ s great playwrights whose prolific career included winning Tony Awards for the plays “ Love !
Valour !
Compassion !
” and “ Master Class ” and the musicals “ Ragtime ” and “ Kiss of the Spider Woman.
” March 24 .
Coronavirus .
Fred “ Curly ” Neal , 77 .
The dribbling wizard who entertained millions with the Harlem Globetrotters for parts of three decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61 .
A country singer who had a string of hits in the 1990s with chart-topping ballads and honky-tonk singles like “ Home ” and “ Pickup Man.
” March 29 .
Coronavirus .
Bill Withers , 81 .
He wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time , including “ Lean on Me , ” “ Lovely Day ” and “ Ain ’ t No Sunshine.
” March 30 .
Ellis Marsalis Jr. , 85 .
The jazz pianist , teacher and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
April 1 .
Coronavirus .
Honor Blackman , 94 .
The potent British actress who took James Bond ’ s breath away in “ Goldfinger ” and who starred as the leather-clad , judo-flipping Cathy Gale in “ The Avengers.
” April 5 .
John Prine , 73 .
The singer-songwriter who explored the heartbreaks , indignities and absurdities of everyday life in “ Angel from Montgomery , ” “ Sam Stone , ” “ Hello in There ” and scores of other songs .
April 7 .
Coronavirus .
Herbert Stempel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whistleblower of early television whose confession to deliberately losing on a 1950s quiz show helped drive a national scandal and join his name in history to winning contestant Charles Van Doren .
April 7 .
Mort Drucker , 91 .
The Mad magazine cartoonist who for decades lovingly spoofed politicians , celebrities and popular culture .
April 9 .
Brian Dennehy , 81 .
The burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for his stage work in plays by William Shakespeare , Anton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arthur Miller .
April 15 .
Irrfan Khan , 54 .
A veteran character actor in Bollywood movies and one of India ’ s best-known exports to Hollywood .
April 29 .
Rishi Kapoor , 67 .
A top Indian actor who was a scion of Bollywood ’ s most famous Kapoor family .
April 30 .
Roy Horn , 75 .
He was half of Siegfried & Roy , the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act ’ s famed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Little Richard , 87 .
He was one of the chief architects of rock ‘ n ’ roll whose piercing wail , pounding piano and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing Black R & B to white America .
May 9 .
Bone cancer .
Jerry Stiller , 92 .
For decades , he teamed with wife Anne Meara in a beloved comedy duo and then reached new heights in his senior years as the high-strung Frank Costanza on the classic sitcom “ Seinfeld ” and the basement-dwelling father-in-law on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 .
Astrid Kirchherr , 81 .
She was the German photographer who shot some of the earliest and most striking images of the Beatles and helped shape their trend-setting visual style .
May 12 .
Phyllis George , 70 .
The former Miss America who became a female sportscasting pioneer on CBS ’ “ The NFL Today ” and served as the first lady of Kentucky .
May 14 .
Fred Willard , 86 .
The comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Best In Show ” and “ Anchorman.
” May 15 .
Ken Osmond , 76 .
On TV ’ s “ Leave It to Beaver , ” he played two-faced teenage scoundrel Eddie Haskell , a role so memorable it left him typecast and led to a second career as a police officer .
May 18 .
Christo , 84 .
He was known for massive , ephemeral public arts projects that often involved wrapping large structures in fabric .
May 31 .
Bonnie Pointer , 69 .
She convinced three of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sisters , which would become one of the biggest acts of the 1970s and ’ 80s .
June 8 .
Cardiac arrest .
Vera Lynn , 103 .
The endearingly popular “ Forces ’ Sweetheart ” who serenaded British troops during World War II .
June 18 .
Ian Holm , 88 .
An acclaimed British actor whose long career included roles in “ Chariots of Fire ” and “ The Lord of the Rings.
” June 19 .
Joel Schumacher , 80 .
The eclectic and brazen filmmaker who shepherded the Brat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ St .
Elmo ’ s Fire ” and steered the Batman franchise into its most baroque territory in “ Batman Forever ” and “ Batman & Robin.
” June 22 .
Rudolfo Anaya , 82 .
A writer who helped launch the 1970s Chicano Literature Movement with his novel “ Bless Me , Ultima , ” a book celebrated by Latinos .
June 28 .
Carl Reiner , 98 .
The ingenious and versatile writer , actor and director who broke through as a “ second banana ” to Sid Caesar and rose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creator of “ The Dick Van Dyke Show ” and straight man to Mel Brooks ’ “ 2000 Year Old Man.
” June 29 .
Johnny Mandel , 94 .
The Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer , arranger and musician who worked on albums by Frank Sinatra and Natalie Cole and whose songwriting credits included “ The Shadow of Your Smile ” and the theme from the film and TV show “ MASH.
” June 29 .
Hugh Downs , 99 .
The genial , versatile broadcaster who became one of television ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 15,000 hours on news , game and talk shows .
July 1 .
Nick Cordero , 41 .
A Tony Award-nominated actor who specialized in playing tough guys on Broadway in such shows as “ Waitress , ” “ A Bronx Tale ” and “ Bullets Over Broadway.
” July 5 .
Coronavirus .
Ennio Morricone , 91 .
The Oscar-winning Italian composer who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic spaghetti Western “ The Good , the Bad and the Ugly ” and soundtracks for such classic Hollywood gangster movies as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Upon A Time In America.
” July 6 .
Complications of surgery after a fall .
Charlie Daniels , 83 .
Country music firebrand and fiddler who had a hit with “ Devil Went Down to Georgia.
” July 6 .
Stroke .
Naya Rivera , 33 .
A singer and actor who played a gay cheerleader on the hit TV musical comedy “ Glee.
” July 8 .
Drowning .
Kelly Preston , 57 .
She played dramatic and comic foil to actors ranging from Tom Cruise in “ Jerry Maguire ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was married to actor John Travolta .
July 12 .
Cancer .
John Lewis , 80 .
An icon of the civil rights movement whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation , and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress .
July 17 .
Regis Philbin , 88 .
The genial host who shared his life with television viewers over morning coffee for decades and helped himself and some fans strike it rich with the game show “ Who Wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
John Saxon , 83 .
A versatile actor with a lengthy and prolific career who starred with Bruce Lee in “ Enter the Dragon ” and appeared in several “ Nightmare on Elm Street ” movies .
July 25 .
Pneumonia .
Olivia de Havilland , 104 .
The doe-eyed actress beloved to millions as the sainted Melanie Wilkes of “ Gone With the Wind , ” but also a two-time Oscar winner and an off-screen fighter who challenged and unchained Hollywood ’ s contract system .
July 26 .
Alan Parker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprising filmmaker whose diverse output includes “ Bugsy Malone , ” “ Midnight Express ” and “ Evita.
” July 31 .
Wilford Brimley , 85 .
He worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm , and sometimes menace , to a range of films that included “ Cocoon , ” “ The Natural ” and “ The Firm.
” Aug. 1 .
Chadwick Boseman , 43 .
He played Black American icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown with searing intensity before inspiring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Marvel ’ s blockbuster movie franchise .
Aug. 28 .
Cancer .
Diana Rigg , 82 .
A commanding British actress whose career stretched from iconic 1960s spy series “ The Avengers ” to fantasy juggernaut “ Game of Thrones.
” Sept. 10 .
Toots Hibbert , 77 .
One of reggae ’ s founders and most beloved stars who gave the music its name and later helped make it an international movement through such classics as “ Pressure Drop , ” “ Monkey Man ” and “ Funky Kingston.
” Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The writer whose novel “ Forrest Gump ” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop culture phenomenon .
Sept. 17 .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg , 87 .
The U.S. Supreme Court justice developed a cult-like following over her more than 27 years on the bench , especially among young women who appreciated her lifelong , fierce defense of women ’ s rights .
Sept. 18 .
Gale Sayers , 77 .
The dazzling and elusive running back who entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far beyond the field for decades thanks to a friendship with a dying Chicago Bears teammate .
Sept. 23 .
Helen Reddy , 78 .
She shot to stardom in the 1970s with her rousing feminist anthem “ I Am Woman ” and recorded a string of other hits .
Sept. 29 .
Mac Davis , 78 .
A country music star who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits “ A Little Less Conversation ” and “ In the Ghetto , ” and whose own hits include “ Baby Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Eddie Van Halen , 65 .
The guitar virtuoso whose blinding speed , control and innovation propelled his band Van Halen into one of hard rock ’ s biggest groups and became elevated to the status of rock god .
Oct. 6 .
Cancer .
Johnny Nash , 80 .
A singer-songwriter , actor and producer who rose from pop crooner to early reggae star to the creator and performer of the million-selling anthem “ I Can See Clearly Now.
” Oct. 6 .
Rhonda Fleming , 97 .
The fiery redhead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Douglas , Charlton Heston , Ronald Reagan and other film stars of the 1940s and 1950s .
Oct. 14 .
Spencer Davis , 81 .
A British guitarist and bandleader whose eponymous rock group had 1960s hits including “ Gim me Some Lovin ’ ” and “ I ’ m a Man.
” Oct. 19 .
Billy Joe Shaver , 81 .
An outlaw country singer-songwriter who wrote songs like “ Honky Tonk Heroes , ” “ I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train ” and “ Old Five and Dimers Like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 90 .
The charismatic Scottish actor who rose to international superstardom as the suave secret agent James Bond and then abandoned the character to carve out an Oscar-winning career in other rugged roles .
Oct. 31 .
Norm Crosby , 93 .
The deadpan mangler of the English language who thrived in the 1960s , ’ 70s and ’ 80s as a television , nightclub and casino comedian .
Nov. 7 .
Alex Trebek , 80 .
He presided over the beloved quiz show “ Jeopardy !
” for more than 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of schoolmaster strictness .
Nov. 8 .
Soumitra Chatterjee , 85 .
The legendary Indian actor with more than 200 movies to his name and famed for his work with Oscar-winning director Satyajit Ray .
Nov. 15 .
Coronavirus .
Dave Prowse , 85 .
The British weightlifter-turned-actor who was the body , though not the voice , of archvillain Darth Vader in the original “ Star Wars ” trilogy .
Nov. 28 .
David L. Lander , 73 .
An actor who played the character of Squiggy on the popular ABC comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charles “ Chuck ” Yeager , 97 .
The World War II fighter pilot ace and quintessential test pilot who in 1947 became the first person to fly faster than sound .
Dec. 7 .
Charley Pride , 86 .
He was one of country music ’ s first Black superstars whose rich baritone on such hits as “ Kiss an Angel Good Morning ” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame .
Dec. 12 .
Coronavirus .
John le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elegant and intricate narratives defined the Cold War espionage thriller and brought acclaim to a genre critics had once ignored .
Dec. 12 .
Ann Reinking , 71 .
The Tony Award-winning choreographer , actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool , muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond .
Dec. 12 .
Jeremy Bulloch , 75 .
The English actor who first donned a helmet , cape and jetpack to play Boba Fett in the original “ Star Wars ” trilogy .
Dec. 17 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will forever be remembered for her role as the wholesome Mary Ann on the TV series “ Gilligan ’ s Island.
” Dec. 30 .

Many of their names hold a prominent place in the collective consciousness — RBG, Kobe, Maradona, Eddie Van Halen, Little Richard, Sean Connery, Alex Trebek, Christo — but pandemic restrictions often limited the public’s ability to mourn their loss in a year that saw more than 1 million people die from the coronavirus.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — known as the Notorious RBG to her many admirers — was one of the many internationally known figures who died in 2020.
The world also said goodbye to U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the civil rights movement who died in July.
Some of the year’s deaths struck down relatively young people, leaving mourners with the heartbreak of a life gone too soon. Basketball great Kobe Bryant died along with several others in a January helicopter crash at age 41. And in a shock to fans, actor Chadwick Boseman, who inspired audiences with his portrayal of comic book superhero Black Panther, died of cancer in August at age 43.
Here is a roll call of some influential figures in the entertainment/pop culture world who passed away in 2020:
JANUARY
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant points to a player behind him after making a basket in the closing seconds against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals in 2009. AP
Nick Gordon, 30. He was found liable in the death of his ex-partner, Bobbi Kristina Brown, the daughter of singers Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. Jan. 1. Heroin overdose.
Neil Peart, 67. The renowned drummer and lyricist from the influential Canadian band Rush. Jan. 7.
Buck Henry, 89. “The Graduate” co-writer who as screenwriter, character actor, “Saturday Night Live” host and cherished talk-show and party guest became an all-around cultural superstar of the 1960s and 70s. Jan. 8.
Terry Jones, 77. A founding member of the anarchic Monty Python troupe who was hailed by colleagues as “the complete Renaissance comedian” and “a man of endless enthusiasms.” Jan. 21.
Jim Lehrer, 85. The longtime host of the nightly PBS “NewsHour” whose serious, sober demeanor made him the choice to moderate 11 presidential debates between 1988 and 2012. Jan. 23.
Kobe Bryant, 41. The 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Lakers. Jan. 26. Helicopter crash.
FEBRUARY
Andy Gill, 64. The guitarist who supplied the scratching, seething sound that fueled the highly influential British punk band Gang of Four. Feb. 1.
Kirk Douglas, 103. The intense, muscular actor with the dimpled chin who starred in “Spartacus,” “Lust for Life” and dozens of other films, helped fatally weaken the blacklist against suspected communists and reigned for decades as a Hollywood maverick and patriarch. Feb. 5.
Kirk Douglas and Jean Simmons are shown in a scene from the 1960 film “Spartacus.” Universal
Roger Kahn,92. The writer who wove memoir and baseball and touched millions of readers through his romantic account of the Brooklyn Dodgers in “The Boys of Summer.” Feb. 6.
Orson Bean, 91. The witty actor and comedian who enlivened the game show “To Tell the Truth” and played a crotchety merchant on “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” Feb. 7. Hit by a car.
Robert Conrad, 84. The rugged, contentious actor who starred in the hugely popular 1960s television series “Hawaiian Eye” and “The Wild Wild West.” Feb. 8.
Mirella Freni, 84. An Italian soprano whose uncommon elegance and intensity combined with a sumptuous voice and intelligence to enthrall audiences for a half-century. Feb. 9.
Joseph Shabalala,78. The founder of the South African multi-Grammy-Award-winning music group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Feb. 11.
Zoe Caldwell, 86. A four-time Tony Award winner who brought humanity to larger-than-life characters, whether it be the dotty schoolteacher Miss Jean Brodie, an aging opera star Maria Callas or the betrayed, murderous Medea. Feb. 16.
Barbara Smith shows off some of the dishes at her Washington restaurant, B. Smith’s, in 2002. AP
Charles Portis, 86. The novelist was a favorite among critics and writers for such shaggy dog stories as “Norwood” and “Gringos” and a bounty for Hollywood whose droll, bloody Western “True Grit” was a bestseller twice adapted into Oscar-nominated films. Feb. 17.
Barbara “B.” Smith, 70. She was one of the nation’s top Black models who went on to open restaurants, launch a successful home products line and write cookbooks. Feb. 22.
Katherine Johnson, 101. A mathematician who calculated rocket trajectories and Earth orbits for NASA’s early space missions and was later portrayed in the 2016 hit film “Hidden Figures,” about pioneering Black female aerospace workers. Feb. 24.
Katherine G. Johnson is honored at the Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton, Virginia, in 2016. NASA
Clive Cussler, 88. The million-selling adventure writer and real-life thrill-seeker who wove personal details and spectacular fantasies into his page-turning novels about underwater explorer Dirk Pitt. Feb. 24.
MARCH
Max von Sydow, 90. The actor known to art house audiences through his work with Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and later to moviegoers everywhere when he played the priest in the horror classic “The Exorcist.” March 8.
Lyle Waggoner,84. He used his good looks to comic effect on “The Carol Burnett Show,” partnered with a superhero on “Wonder Woman” and was the first centerfold for Playgirl magazine. March 17.
Kenny Rogers, 81. The Grammy-winning balladeer who spanned jazz, folk, country and pop with such hits as “Lucille,” “Lady” and “Islands in the Stream” and embraced his persona as “The Gambler” on records and TV. March 20.
Terrence McNally, 81. He was one of America’s great playwrights whose prolific career included winning Tony Awards for the plays “Love! Valour! Compassion!” and “Master Class” and the musicals “Ragtime” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” March 24. Coronavirus.
Fred “Curly” Neal, 77. The dribbling wizard who entertained millions with the Harlem Globetrotters for parts of three decades. March 26.
Joe Diffie, 61. A country singer who had a string of hits in the 1990s with chart-topping ballads and honky-tonk singles like “Home” and “Pickup Man.” March 29. Coronavirus.
Bill Withers, 81. He wrote and sang a string of soulful songs in the 1970s that have stood the test of time, including “Lean on Me,” “Lovely Day” and “Ain’t No Sunshine.” March 30.
APRIL
Sean Connery and Honor Blackman are shown in a scene from the 1964 James Bond film “Goldfinger.” United Artists
Ellis Marsalis Jr., 85. The jazz pianist, teacher and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan. April 1. Coronavirus.
Honor Blackman, 94. The potent British actress who took James Bond’s breath away in “Goldfinger” and who starred as the leather-clad, judo-flipping Cathy Gale in “The Avengers.” April 5.
John Prine, 73. The singer-songwriter who explored the heartbreaks, indignities and absurdities of everyday life in “Angel from Montgomery,” “Sam Stone,” “Hello in There” and scores of other songs. April 7. Coronavirus.
This June 15, 2019 file photo shows John Prine performing at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tennesee. AP
Herbert Stempel, 93. A fall guy and whistleblower of early television whose confession to deliberately losing on a 1950s quiz show helped drive a national scandal and join his name in history to winning contestant Charles Van Doren. April 7.
Mort Drucker, 91. The Mad magazine cartoonist who for decades lovingly spoofed politicians, celebrities and popular culture. April 9.
Brian Dennehy, 81. The burly actor who started in films as a macho heavy and later in his career won plaudits for his stage work in plays by William Shakespeare, Anton Chekhov, Eugene O’Neill and Arthur Miller. April 15.
Irrfan Khan, 54. A veteran character actor in Bollywood movies and one of India’s best-known exports to Hollywood. April 29.
Rishi Kapoor, 67. A top Indian actor who was a scion of Bollywood’s most famous Kapoor family. April 30.
MAY
Little Richard performs during halftime at the Liberty Bowl in 2004 in Memphis, Tennessee. AP
Roy Horn, 75. He was half of Siegfried & Roy, the duo whose extraordinary magic tricks astonished millions until Horn was critically injured in 2003 by one of the act’s famed white tigers. May 8. Coronavirus.
Little Richard, 87. He was one of the chief architects of rock ‘n’ roll whose piercing wail, pounding piano and towering pompadour irrevocably altered popular music while introducing Black R&B to white America. May 9. Bone cancer.
Jerry Stiller, 92. For decades, he teamed with wife Anne Meara in a beloved comedy duo and then reached new heights in his senior years as the high-strung Frank Costanza on the classic sitcom “Seinfeld” and the basement-dwelling father-in-law on “The King of Queens.” May 11.
Astrid Kirchherr, 81. She was the German photographer who shot some of the earliest and most striking images of the Beatles and helped shape their trend-setting visual style. May 12.
Phyllis George, 70. The former Miss America who became a female sportscasting pioneer on CBS’ “The NFL Today” and served as the first lady of Kentucky. May 14.
British actor Ian Holm gestures during the photocall of French director Arnaud Desplechin’s film “Esther Khan” in Cannes in 2000. AFP via Getty Images
Fred Willard, 86. The comedic actor whose improv style kept him relevant for more than 50 years in films like “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Best In Show” and “Anchorman.” May 15.
Ken Osmond, 76. On TV’s “Leave It to Beaver,” he played two-faced teenage scoundrel Eddie Haskell, a role so memorable it left him typecast and led to a second career as a police officer. May 18.
Christo, 84. He was known for massive, ephemeral public arts projects that often involved wrapping large structures in fabric. May 31.
JUNE
Bonnie Pointer, 69. She convinced three of her church-singing siblings to form the Pointer Sisters, which would become one of the biggest acts of the 1970s and ’80s. June 8. Cardiac arrest.
Vera Lynn, 103. The endearingly popular “Forces’ Sweetheart” who serenaded British troops during World War II. June 18.
Ian Holm, 88. An acclaimed British actor whose long career included roles in “Chariots of Fire” and “The Lord of the Rings.” June 19.
Joel Schumacher, 80. The eclectic and brazen filmmaker who shepherded the Brat Pack to the big screen in “St. Elmo’s Fire” and steered the Batman franchise into its most baroque territory in “Batman Forever” and “Batman & Robin.” June 22.
Rudolfo Anaya, 82. A writer who helped launch the 1970s Chicano Literature Movement with his novel “Bless Me, Ultima,” a book celebrated by Latinos. June 28.
Master of Ceremonies Carl Reiner is photographed onstage at the 63rd Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards in 2011 in Hollywood, California.
Carl Reiner, 98. The ingenious and versatile writer, actor and director who broke through as a “second banana” to Sid Caesar and rose to comedy’s front ranks as creator of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and straight man to Mel Brooks’ “2000 Year Old Man.” June 29.
Johnny Mandel, 94. The Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer, arranger and musician who worked on albums by Frank Sinatra and Natalie Cole and whose songwriting credits included “The Shadow of Your Smile” and the theme from the film and TV show “MASH.” June 29.
JULY
Hugh Downs, 99. The genial, versatile broadcaster who became one of television’s most familiar and welcome faces with more than 15,000 hours on news, game and talk shows. July 1.
Nick Cordero, 41. A Tony Award-nominated actor who specialized in playing tough guys on Broadway in such shows as “Waitress,” “A Bronx Tale” and “Bullets Over Broadway.” July 5. Coronavirus.
Ennio Morricone, 91. The Oscar-winning Italian composer who created the coyote-howl theme for the iconic spaghetti Western “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and soundtracks for such classic Hollywood gangster movies as “The Untouchables” and “Once Upon A Time In America.” July 6. Complications of surgery after a fall.
Charlie Daniels, 83. Country music firebrand and fiddler who had a hit with “Devil Went Down to Georgia.” July 6. Stroke.
Naya Rivera, 33. A singer and actor who played a gay cheerleader on the hit TV musical comedy “Glee.” July 8. Drowning.
Kelly Preston, 57. She played dramatic and comic foil to actors ranging from Tom Cruise in “Jerry Maguire” to Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Twins” and was married to actor John Travolta. July 12. Cancer.
With the Capitol Dome in the background, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., poses in 2007 in Washington. AP
John Lewis, 80. An icon of the civil rights movement whose bloody beating by Alabama state troopers in 1965 helped galvanize opposition to racial segregation, and who went on to a long and celebrated career in Congress. July 17.
Regis Philbin, 88. The genial host who shared his life with television viewers over morning coffee for decades and helped himself and some fans strike it rich with the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” July 24.
John Saxon, 83. A versatile actor with a lengthy and prolific career who starred with Bruce Lee in “Enter the Dragon” and appeared in several “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies. July 25. Pneumonia.
Olivia de Havilland, 104. The doe-eyed actress beloved to millions as the sainted Melanie Wilkes of “Gone With the Wind,” but also a two-time Oscar winner and an off-screen fighter who challenged and unchained Hollywood’s contract system. July 26.
Alan Parker, 76. A successful and sometimes surprising filmmaker whose diverse output includes “Bugsy Malone,” “Midnight Express” and “Evita.” July 31.
AUGUST
Actor Chadwick Boseman poses for a portrait in 2018 in New York to promote his film, “Black Panther.” Victoria Will/Invision/AP
Wilford Brimley, 85. He worked his way up from movie stunt rider to an indelible character actor who brought gruff charm, and sometimes menace, to a range of films that included “Cocoon,” “The Natural” and “The Firm.” Aug. 1.
Chadwick Boseman, 43. He played Black American icons Jackie Robinson and James Brown with searing intensity before inspiring audiences worldwide as the regal Black Panther in Marvel’s blockbuster movie franchise. Aug. 28. Cancer.
SEPTEMBER
Diana Rigg, 82. A commanding British actress whose career stretched from iconic 1960s spy series “The Avengers” to fantasy juggernaut “Game of Thrones.” Sept. 10.
Toots Hibbert, 77. One of reggae’s founders and most beloved stars who gave the music its name and later helped make it an international movement through such classics as “Pressure Drop,” “Monkey Man” and “Funky Kingston.” Sept. 11.
Winston Groom, 77. The writer whose novel “Forrest Gump” was made into a six-Oscar winning 1994 movie that became a soaring pop culture phenomenon. Sept. 17.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 87. The U.S. Supreme Court justice developed a cult-like following over her more than 27 years on the bench, especially among young women who appreciated her lifelong, fierce defense of women’s rights. Sept. 18.
Gale Sayers, 77. The dazzling and elusive running back who entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame despite the briefest of careers and whose fame extended far beyond the field for decades thanks to a friendship with a dying Chicago Bears teammate. Sept. 23.
Helen Reddy, 78. She shot to stardom in the 1970s with her rousing feminist anthem “I Am Woman” and recorded a string of other hits. Sept. 29.
Mac Davis, 78. A country music star who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits “A Little Less Conversation” and “In the Ghetto,” and whose own hits include “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me.” Sept. 29.
OCTOBER
Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen performs in Phoenix, in 2004. AP
Eddie Van Halen, 65. The guitar virtuoso whose blinding speed, control and innovation propelled his band Van Halen into one of hard rock’s biggest groups and became elevated to the status of rock god. Oct. 6. Cancer.
Johnny Nash, 80. A singer-songwriter, actor and producer who rose from pop crooner to early reggae star to the creator and performer of the million-selling anthem “I Can See Clearly Now.” Oct. 6.
Rhonda Fleming, 97. The fiery redhead who appeared with Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Charlton Heston, Ronald Reagan and other film stars of the 1940s and 1950s. Oct. 14.
Spencer Davis, 81. A British guitarist and bandleader whose eponymous rock group had 1960s hits including “Gimme Some Lovin’” and “I’m a Man.” Oct. 19.
Billy Joe Shaver, 81. An outlaw country singer-songwriter who wrote songs like “Honky Tonk Heroes,” “I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train” and “Old Five and Dimers Like Me.” Oct. 28.
Actor Sean Connery holds a rose in his hand as he talks about his new movie “The Name of the Rose” at a news conference in London in 1987. AP
Sean Connery, 90. The charismatic Scottish actor who rose to international superstardom as the suave secret agent James Bond and then abandoned the character to carve out an Oscar-winning career in other rugged roles. Oct. 31.
NOVEMBER
Alex Trebek hosted “Jeopardy!” for more than 30 years. AP
Norm Crosby, 93. The deadpan mangler of the English language who thrived in the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s as a television, nightclub and casino comedian. Nov. 7.
Alex Trebek, 80. He presided over the beloved quiz show “Jeopardy!” for more than 30 years with dapper charm and a touch of schoolmaster strictness. Nov. 8.
Soumitra Chatterjee, 85. The legendary Indian actor with more than 200 movies to his name and famed for his work with Oscar-winning director Satyajit Ray. Nov. 15. Coronavirus.
Dave Prowse, 85. The British weightlifter-turned-actor who was the body, though not the voice, of archvillain Darth Vader in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. Nov. 28.
DECEMBER
Charley Pride performs during his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2000. AP
David L. Lander, 73. An actor who played the character of Squiggy on the popular ABC comedy “Laverne & Shirley.” Dec. 4.
Charles “Chuck” Yeager, 97. The World War II fighter pilot ace and quintessential test pilot who in 1947 became the first person to fly faster than sound. Dec. 7.
Charley Pride, 86. He was one of country music’s first Black superstars whose rich baritone on such hits as “Kiss an Angel Good Morning” helped sell millions of records and made him the first Black member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Dec. 12. Coronavirus.
John le Carre, 89. The spy-turned-novelist whose elegant and intricate narratives defined the Cold War espionage thriller and brought acclaim to a genre critics had once ignored. Dec. 12.
Actress, dancer and choreographer Ann Reinking has died at age 71. The Tony Award and Olivier Award winner was best known for her roles in “Chicago” on Broadway, “Annie”, “Micki & Maude”, “All That Jazz” and “Fosse.” Getty Images
Ann Reinking, 71. The Tony Award-winning choreographer, actress and Bob Fosse collaborator who helped spread a cool, muscular hybrid of jazz and burlesque movement to Broadway and beyond. Dec. 12.
Jeremy Bulloch, 75. The English actor who first donned a helmet, cape and jetpack to play Boba Fett in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. Dec. 17.
Dawn Wells, 82. The actress will forever be remembered for her role as the wholesome Mary Ann on the TV series “Gilligan’s Island.” Dec. 30.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Aaron Rodgers in a comfort zone vs. Bears

Aaron Rodgers has always been confident , but maybe never so comfortable as he is now .
At 37 , the Packers ’ quarterback is as good as he ever was — in the running for his third MVP award with an NFL-leading 44 touchdown passes and 119.2 passer rating .
In his 13th season as a starter , he has mastered football to a point where there ’ s nothing he hasn ’ t seen , no situation he can ’ t handle , no disappointment he can ’ t overcome .
He ’ s having fun chiding reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a zone .
Not even Tom Brady can match the Zen state of mind Rodgers seems to exist in these days .
At this stage of his career , Rodgers is relishing every moment , proud of his accomplishments and his standing as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time but still driven to add more and win another Super Bowl ring .
Sunday ’ s showdown with the Bears at Soldier Field is a perfect scenario for him .
The Packers can clinch the No .
1 seed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loves it that the Bears are good and have even more to play for .
“ I ’ ve always enjoyed the rivalry , ” Rodgers said .
“ I have a love and appreciation for the history of this game and know how important this rivalry is to both fan bases .
Couldn ’ t be any better matchup this week — with them playing for their playoff lives , us playing for the No .
1 seed — in that stadium , where we ’ ve had success , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” His biggest regret ?
“ It would be a lot more fun with fans there for sure , ” Rodgers said .
“ I have an appreciation for those fans .
It ’ s a great sports town .
I ’ ve really enjoyed playing there over the years.
” With a rejuvenated offense under second-year coach Matt LaFleur , Rodgers embraces the bar being raised .
He expects to face a better Bears defense presumably with Akiem Hicks than he did at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29 , when he threw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hicks-less Bears with four touchdown passes in a 41-25 rout .
“ Akiem is a difference-maker , ” Rodgers said .
“ He ’ s a big body inside , who does so many things .
He ’ s so stout against the run .
It ’ s hard to move him .
He ’ s such a solid player inside .
[ But ] it ’ s not just having him back .
The urgency of being in position to make the playoffs changes everything .
They ’ re already a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little extra motivation of getting to play us , [ it ] definitely makes them more dangerous.
” We ’ ll see about that .
When the Bears raise their level of play , Rodgers has a knack for raising his .
He ’ s 20-4 against the Bears in games in which he started and finished .
He ’ s 9-3 at Soldier Field , winning eight of the last nine games there .
Even at his best , Rodgers is not invulnerable or unbeatable .
He forces you to be totally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bears ’ defense at least has that capability .
Rodgers knows what he ’ s up against .
And he ’ s loving it .
“ It ’ s always gon na be a struggle in that stadium .
Everything from the grass being different to hearing their favorite son singing the national anthem so many times and the crowd just going absolutely nuts .
Those tingles over the years has made that place a really special environment .
And I do have a lot of respect for the organization , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m excited about the test this week.
” He won ’ t quite feel those tingles this time .
But you know what he means .
He ’ s juiced to face the Bears .
“ I don ’ t think you need to add any extra motivation to this game , ” Rodgers said .
“ There ’ s a lot at stake for both squads .
We got after ‘ em a few weeks ago .
They ’ ve been playing a lot better since then .
And we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gon na be .
”

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers always has been confident, but maybe never as comfortable as he is now.
At 37, he is as good as he has ever been — in the running for his third MVP award with an NFL-leading 44 touchdown passes and 119.2 passer rating. In his 13th season as a starter, he has mastered football to a point where there’s nothing he hasn’t seen, no situation he can’t handle, no disappointment he can’t overcome. He’s having fun chiding reporters for picking against the Packers. Just in a zone. Not even Tom Brady can match the zen state of mind Rodgers seems to exist in these days.
At this stage of his career, Rodgers is relishing every moment, proud of his accomplishments and his standing as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time but still driven to add more and win another Super Bowl ring. The showdown Sunday against the Bears at Soldier Field is a perfect scenario for him. The Packers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a victory. And he loves it that the Bears are good and have even more to play for.
“I’ve always enjoyed the rivalry,” he said. “I have a love and appreciation for the history of this game and know how important this rivalry is to both fan bases. Couldn’t be any better matchup this week — with them playing for their playoff lives, us playing for the No. 1 seed — in that stadium, where we’ve had success, but it’s a tough place to play.”
His biggest regret?
“It would be a lot more fun, candidly, with fans there, for sure,” Rodgers said. “I have an appreciation for those fans. It’s a great sports town. And I’ve really enjoyed playing there over the years.’’
With a rejuvenated offense under second-year coach Matt LaFleur, Rodgers embraces the bar being raised. He expects to face a better Bears defense presumably with Akiem Hicks than he did at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29, when he threw for only 211 yards but still torched the Hicks-less Bears with four touchdown passes in a 41-25 rout.
“Akiem is a difference-maker,” Rodgers said. “He’s a big body inside who does so many things. He’s so stout against the run. It’s hard to move him. He’s such a solid player inside.
‘‘[But] it’s not just having him back. The urgency of being in position to make the playoffs changes everything. They’re already a very solid football team. And a little extra motivation of getting to play us, [it] definitely makes them more dangerous.”
We’ll see about that. When the Bears raise their level of play, Rodgers has a knack for raising his. He’s 20-4 against the Bears in games in which he started and finished. He’s 9-3 at Soldier Field, winning eight of the last nine games there.
Even at his best, Rodgers is not invulnerable or unbeatable. He forces you to be totally disciplined to have a chance — and the Bears’ defense at least has that capability. Rodgers knows what he’s up against. And he’s loving it.
“It’s always gonna be a struggle in that stadium,’’ Rodgers said. ‘‘Everything from the grass being different to hearing their favorite son singing the national anthem so many times and the crowd just going absolutely nuts. Those tingles over the years have made that place a really special environment. And I do have a lot of respect for the organization, the fan base, their team. And I’m excited about the test this week.”
He won’t quite feel those tingles this time. But you know what he means.
“I don’t think you need to add any extra motivation to this game,’’ he said. ‘‘There’s a lot at stake for both squads. We got after ’em a few weeks ago. They’ve been playing a lot better since then. And we know what kind of game it’s gonna be.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Democratic lawmakers from Illinois, Michigan push rivals for top EPA job in Chicago

Contenders from suburban Chicago and Flint , Michigan — Debra Shore and Micah Ragland — are competing to lead the Environmental Protection Agency in the Midwest , an office with low morale after President Donald Trump pulled back on pollution oversight .
Both Shore , 68 , a commissioner with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District from Evanston , and Ragland , 43 , a Flint native now an electric and gas utility executive in Detroit , tout their experience as they mount campaigns for the EPA job based in Chicago .
Ragland is a former EPA official who was part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water crisis under former President Barack Obama .
Shore ’ s campaign is bolstered by almost all the Illinois Democratic lawmakers in Congress , Rep. Jan Schakowsky , D-Ill , said .
Ragland has the backing of almost every Democrat in the Michigan delegation , Rep. Debbie Dingell , D-Mich. , said .
The competition between two environmentalists with strong records also has a diversity element .
Ragland would be the first appointed Black EPA regional chief in Chicago , and Shore is openly gay .
Shore has advocated for clean water and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also promising to focus on issues important to the Great Lakes .
While Trump called climate change a hoax , rolled back environmental protections and broadly gave polluters a break , President-elect Joe Biden is assembling a national team of advisers who are expected to focus on environmental justice , clean energy and climate and stronger pollution control .
At the regional level , the Region 5 EPA chief based in Chicago oversees environmental protection in six Midwest states : Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , Minnesota , Ohio and Wisconsin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overruled on several fronts , including clean air rules and climate change warnings .
The priorities for Shore and Ragland are similar .
In interviews , Shore and Ragland promised to focus on environmental justice — helping low-income communities of color exposed to a disproportionate amount of pollution .
Shore called environmental justice “ the bedrock ” of the EPA , and said it was one of several major focuses , along with restoring the important role of science at the agency .
“ Whoever serves will have the task of restoration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and expertise , ” Shore said .
Ragland , who is endorsed for the Chicago job by the EPA employees ’ union in the Midwest — the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704 — also promised to support the agency ’ s scientists , engineers and other experts .
“ They dealt with a number of hardships under the Trump Administration , ” Ragland said .
“ I understand the bureaucracy of the agency .
I have a good working relationship with career staff.
” Ragland also vowed to focus on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also made under Trump that fell short .
In Flint , Ragland served as a liaison between the environmental agency and community organizations , said Brian Kelly , a spokesman for the union and the EPA specialist who led the Flint water crisis response under Obama .
“ He was EPA ’ s lead person rebuilding bridges with the community , which was critical to getting EPA into homes to collect drinking water samples , ” Kelly said .
“ His record in Flint is something we all recognize , ” said Dingell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delegation .
Ragland said he ’ s had conversations with seven members of Biden ’ s transition team , discussing his priorities , experience and the need for diversity in the position .
Many of the regional appointments at EPA have gone to white men or women , he said .
Reps. Schakowsky and Mike Quigley , who are leading the support for Shore , say almost all of Illinois Democratic representatives are behind her , as well as Sen. Dick Durbin .
“ She really gets the policy and the politics , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s a huge environmentalist who also understands the balance .
.
.
You can be pro-business and pro-environment .
The two are not incompatible.
” Shore said Quigley and Schakowsky recruited her to apply .
According to the two representatives , only Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush and Sen. Tammy Duckworth so far have not agreed to sign a letter of support for Shore .
A draft of the letter says Shore is “ the right choice to restore morale ” at the Midwest regional office .
In their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ragland is the “ leader we need.
” Davis said he ’ s supporting another candidate , Eileen Furey , deputy director of the EPA ’ s Air and Radiation Division in Chicago .
While her interest in the job was not publicly known , Furey said she has the most inside knowledge of the Chicago regional office as a lawyer and as a program manager .
Furey , 65 , is the sister-in-law of former Gov .
Pat Quinn .
In addition to the backing from Illinois politicians , Shore said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus who also support her potential ascension to the job .
Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

Contenders from suburban Chicago and Flint, Michigan — Debra Shore and Micah Ragland — are competing to lead the Environmental Protection Agency in the Midwest, an office with low morale after President Donald Trump pulled back on pollution oversight.
Both Shore, 68, a commissioner with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District from Evanston, and Ragland, 43, a Flint native now an electric and gas utility executive in Detroit, tout their experience as they mount campaigns for the EPA job based in Chicago.
Ragland is a former EPA official who was part of a team responding to the Flint water crisis under former President Barack Obama.
Shore’s campaign is bolstered by almost all the Illinois Democratic lawmakers in Congress, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill, said.
Ragland has the backing of almost every Democrat in the Michigan delegation, Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., said.
The competition between two environmentalists with strong records also has a diversity element. Ragland would be the first appointed Black EPA regional chief in Chicago, and Shore is openly gay.
Shore has advocated for clean water and stormwater management at the MWRD. She’s also promising to focus on issues important to the Great Lakes.
While Trump called climate change a hoax, rolled back environmental protections and broadly gave polluters a break, President-elect Joe Biden is assembling a national team of advisers who are expected to focus on environmental justice, clean energy and climate and stronger pollution control.
At the regional level, the Region 5 EPA chief based in Chicago oversees environmental protection in six Midwest states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Under Trump, agency scientists were overruled on several fronts, including clean air rules and climate change warnings.
Rich Hein/Sun-Times
Debra Shore and Micah Ragland both want to be the top EPA official for the Midwest based in Chicago. Provided
The priorities for Shore and Ragland are similar. In interviews, Shore and Ragland promised to focus on environmental justice — helping low-income communities of color exposed to a disproportionate amount of pollution.
Shore called environmental justice “the bedrock” of the EPA, and said it was one of several major focuses, along with restoring the important role of science at the agency.
“Whoever serves will have the task of restoration, restoring morale, restoring the commitment to science and expertise,” Shore said.
Ragland, who is endorsed for the Chicago job by the EPA employees’ union in the Midwest — the American Federation of Government Employees Local 704 — also promised to support the agency’s scientists, engineers and other experts.
“They dealt with a number of hardships under the Trump Administration,” Ragland said. “I understand the bureaucracy of the agency. I have a good working relationship with career staff.”
Ragland also vowed to focus on abandoned toxic waste sites, a promise also made under Trump that fell short.
In Flint, Ragland served as a liaison between the environmental agency and community organizations, said Brian Kelly, a spokesman for the union and the EPA specialist who led the Flint water crisis response under Obama.
“He was EPA’s lead person rebuilding bridges with the community, which was critical to getting EPA into homes to collect drinking water samples,” Kelly said.
“His record in Flint is something we all recognize,” said Dingell, referring to the Michigan Democratic congressional delegation.
Ragland said he’s had conversations with seven members of Biden’s transition team, discussing his priorities, experience and the need for diversity in the position. Many of the regional appointments at EPA have gone to white men or women, he said.
Reps. Schakowsky and Mike Quigley, who are leading the support for Shore, say almost all of Illinois Democratic representatives are behind her, as well as Sen. Dick Durbin.
“She really gets the policy and the politics,” Quigley said of Shore. “She’s a huge environmentalist who also understands the balance . . . You can be pro-business and pro-environment. The two are not incompatible.”
Shore said Quigley and Schakowsky recruited her to apply. According to the two representatives, only Reps. Danny Davis and Bobby Rush and Sen. Tammy Duckworth so far have not agreed to sign a letter of support for Shore.
A draft of the letter says Shore is “the right choice to restore morale” at the Midwest regional office. In their own statement, union members said this month Ragland is the “leader we need.”
Davis said he’s supporting another candidate, Eileen Furey, deputy director of the EPA’s Air and Radiation Division in Chicago. While her interest in the job was not publicly known, Furey said she has the most inside knowledge of the Chicago regional office as a lawyer and as a program manager. Furey, 65, is the sister-in-law of former Gov. Pat Quinn.
In addition to the backing from Illinois politicians, Shore said she has talked to some members of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus who also support her potential ascension to the job.
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Transgender woman murdered Christmas Day on South Side was ‘trying to better herself’

The Christmas Day murder of a transgender woman has “ shaken ” the city ’ s transgender community , the head of a South Side , Black-led LGBTQ center said Wednesday .
Courtney Eshay Key was trying to make several changes in her life before her fatal shooting in Chatham , said LaSaia Wade , director of Brave Space Alliance .
“ She was trying to better herself in particular ways — and then this happened , ” Wade said .
Key was shot in the head in the 900 block of East 82nd Street around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office .
Officers found Key in the street where she was pronounced dead , police said .
She was one of eight people killed in holiday weekend gun violence .
Wade said she was disappointed that the Chicago Police Department and health professionals listed Key as a male , even though Key identified as a woman .
She said it was an example of how transgender people are “ shamed by society.
” “ Police and medical people are refusing to recognize people ’ s authentic life and how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We become disposable because there ’ s a lot of us are in need of help .
[ We ] think you ’ re telling us we ’ re worthless , that we ’ re not worthy of living life , because of the way we ’ re misgendered .
This is a continual thing.
” Key ’ s family supported her and accepted that she was trans .
But the family has no health insurance and is struggling to pay for her burial , Wade said , adding that Brave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s an endless cycle of people lacking resources , lacking insurance , ” Wade said .
“ It ’ s an endless cycle of perpetual violence and people without universal healthcare.
” No arrests has been announced in Key ’ s murder .
At least 42 other transgender or gender non-conforming people have been murdered in the U.S. in 2020 , according to the Human Rights Campaign .
That ’ s the highest number of yearly murders the group has counted since it began tracking such crimes in 2013 @

The Christmas Day murder of a transgender woman has “shaken” the city’s transgender community, the head of a South Side, Black-led LGBTQ center said Wednesday.
Courtney Eshay Key was trying to make several changes in her life before her fatal shooting in Chatham, said LaSaia Wade, director of Brave Space Alliance.
“She was trying to better herself in particular ways — and then this happened,” Wade said.
Key was shot in the head in the 900 block of East 82nd Street around 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 25, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Officers found Key in the street where she was pronounced dead, police said. She was one of eight people killed in holiday weekend gun violence.
Wade said she was disappointed that the Chicago Police Department and health professionals listed Key as a male, even though Key identified as a woman.
She said it was an example of how transgender people are “shamed by society.”
“Police and medical people are refusing to recognize people’s authentic life and how they recognize themselves,” Wade said.
“We become disposable because there’s a lot of us are in need of help. [We] think you’re telling us we’re worthless, that we’re not worthy of living life, because of the way we’re misgendered. This is a continual thing.”
Key’s family supported her and accepted that she was trans. But the family has no health insurance and is struggling to pay for her burial, Wade said, adding that Brave Space Alliance is helping with funeral costs.
“It’s an endless cycle of people lacking resources, lacking insurance,” Wade said. “It’s an endless cycle of perpetual violence and people without universal healthcare.”
Attempts to reach Key’s family were unsuccessful.
No arrest has been announced in Key’s murder.
At least 42 other transgender or gender non-conforming people have been murdered in the U.S. in 2020, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
That’s the highest number of yearly murders the group has counted since it began tracking such crimes in 2013.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Dave Chappelle plans to convert Ohio fire station into comedy club

YELLOW SPRINGS , Ohio— Comedian Dave Chappelle is set to buy a former fire station with plans to turn it into a comedy club not far from his home .
The Miami Twp .
Fire Station in Yellow Springs , near Dayton , will be sold to the 47-year-old actor ’ s company and turned into a club that will seat 140 people , the Dayton Daily News reported .
A member of the development corporation board who headed up the subcommittee on selling the fire station said the group wanted someone who would breathe life into the station .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ new class of jobs to town , ” Corrie Van Ausdal said .
“ We also considered that ( Chappelle ) is a minority business owner , he has a history of employing minorities and he is a person who has a clear commitment to amplifying voices of color.
” The closing date for the sale is set for early 2021 , said Lisa Abel , president of the Yellow Springs Development Corp. who is carrying out the sale .
Chappelle ’ s ties to Ohio go back to his father , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Springs , and later was a professor there .
Chappelle lives with his family outside the village and also owns homes in nearby Xenia .
In June , Chappelle held a private , outdoor stand-up and social commentary performance to a socially distant and masked audience in Yellow Springs .
It was released on Netflix and titled “ 8:46 , ” in reference to the amount of time that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the neck of George Floyd , a Black man , before Floyd died .

YELLOW SPRINGS, Ohio— Comedian Dave Chappelle is set to buy a former fire station with plans to turn it into a comedy club not far from his home.
The Miami Townshipowshi Fire Station in Yellow Springs, near Dayton, will be sold to the 47-year-old actor’s company and turned into a club that will seat 140 people, the Dayton Daily News reported.
A member of the development corporation board who headed up the subcommittee on selling the fire station said the group wanted someone who would breathe life into the station.
“We think this will bring a new class of jobs to town,” Corrie Van Ausdal said. “We also considered that (Chappelle) is a minority business owner, he has a history of employing minorities, and he is a person who has a clear commitment to amplifying voices of color.”
The closing date for the sale is set for early 2021, said Lisa Abel, president of the Yellow Springs Development Corp. who is carrying out the sale.
Chappelle’s ties to Ohio go back to his father, who graduated from Antioch College, in Yellow Springs, and later was a professor there. Chappelle lives with his family outside the village and also owns homes in nearby Xenia.
In June, Chappelle held a private, outdoor stand-up and social commentary performance before a socially distant and masked audience in Yellow Springs. It was released on Netflix and titled “8:46,” in reference to the amount of time that Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on the neck of George Floyd, a Black man, before Floyd died.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--What’s next for departing U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski

WASHINGTON — Sunday marks the end of a 37-year era when a Lipinski — either Dan or his father Bill — represented Illinois in Congress .
“ I didn ’ t fit neatly into the Democratic Party , ” Rep. Dan Lipinski said in an exit interview with the Sun-Times .
We discussed his career and what is ahead for him .
When the 117th Congress kicks off at noon , Marie Newman , who beat Lipinski in the March Democratic primary , will represent Illinois ’ 3rd Congressional District , which sweeps in some of the western suburbs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago , the original Lipinski family power base .
Lipinski was sworn in for his first term on Jan. 4 , 2005 .
He is known for his work on transportation and science issues , advocating for anti-abortion legislation and his membership in the Problem Solvers Caucus , a group seeking common ground in the highly polarized House .
Lipinski was the co-chair of the House Pro-Life caucus .
He has been a strong champion of federal funding for local rail and public transportation projects as well as for O ’ Hare and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his district .
In Lipinski ’ s farewell address on the House floor on Dec. 8 , he deplored how the top leadership of the party controlling the chamber — not committee chairs or members — controls whether legislation gets a vote .
Instead of compromise , “ the process runs through the speaker ’ s office , ” Lipinski said , “ where the content of the legislation is shaped to get enough votes — just out of the majority — to pass something that pleases various partisans.
” Not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current speaker or any former speaker .
This is a problem of our institution.
” What ’ s next : Lipinski , 54 , who lives in Western Springs , will work for a human rights organization , which he declined to name .
He is putting together a book proposal .
After COVID restrictions are lifted , he said he may want to teach again .
I asked about lobbying , and he said “ possibly.
” Lipinski holds a Ph.D. in political science from Duke University ; he had switched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bachelor ’ s degree from Northwestern and a master ’ s from Stanford .
His doctoral research focused on communication strategies used by House members .
He was teaching about American government at the University of Tennessee when his father arranged , in 2004 , to hand his seat off to his son , using political sleight-of-hand .
Rep. Bill Lipinski served in Congress from Jan. 3 , 1983 through 2005 , when he passed the baton .
Dan Lipinski said he will donate his congressional papers to the Carl Albert Congressional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Oklahoma .
On being a “ Catholic first ” : Lipinski said his book will be the story of a Catholic in public office , continuing a conversation he started in a 2019 commencement address at Ave Maria University , a Catholic school in Florida .
“ My message to students was , to be a Catholic first .
Do not think that you have to choose in this very polarized world , that you have to choose one of these two sides .
“ …In public life , I didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and you know a large part of that is because of a lot of my belief , shaped by my Catholic faith.
” That does not mean , he said , that Catholic and working-class Democrats should “ jump into the Republican Party.
” I asked him to explain more on what it means to be a “ Catholic first ” and he said , “ my Catholic faith informs [ all ] the decisions that I make .
“ And I think Catholic social teaching ” is “ very rich and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of every , every individual.
” Why Lipinski is a Democrat : Through the years , a rap on Lipinski , with his right-of-center record , is that he has more in common with Republicans .
As a practical matter , his political viability depended on precincts in the old Chicago Democratic machine wards .
The district was tailored for him by House Speaker Mike Madigan , D-Chicago .
The politics aside , Lipinski said he remained a Democrat because , in contrast to small-government Republicans , “ As a Democrat I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play in helping people who need help , or unable to help themselves… .
“ I ’ m a Democrat because I think there are things that government needs to do that individuals can not do.
” On President-elect Joe Biden : Biden , who supports abortion rights , will be the second Catholic president of the U.S. John F. Kennedy was the first .
While they disagree on abortion , Lipinski said Biden “ is in many ways ” viewed “ as a sort of traditional old-style Democrat , which I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ hopeful ” Biden can help make the party more “ centered ” on issues “ that bring us together as Democrats , especially the working-class issues .
”

WASHINGTON — Sunday marks the end of a 37-year era when a Lipinski — either Dan or his father Bill — represented Illinois in Congress.
“I didn’t fit neatly into the Democratic Party,” Rep. Dan Lipinski said in an exit interview with the Sun-Times. We discussed his career and what is ahead for him.
When the 117th Congress kicks off at noon, Marie Newman, who beat Lipinski in the March Democratic primary, will represent Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District, which sweeps in some of the western suburbs and a patchwork of Southwest Side precincts in Chicago, the original Lipinski family power base.
Opinion bug Opinion
Lipinski was sworn in for his first term on Jan. 4, 2005.
He is known for his work on transportation and science issues, advocating for anti-abortion legislation and his membership in the Problem Solvers Caucus, a group seeking common ground in the highly polarized House. Lipinski was the co-chair of the House Pro-Life caucus.
He has been a strong champion of federal funding for local rail and public transportation projects as well as for O’Hare and Midway, with the Southwest Side airport in his district.
In Lipinski’s farewell address on the House floor on Dec. 8, he deplored how the top leadership of the party controlling the chamber — not committee chairs or members — controls whether legislation gets a vote.
Instead of compromise, “the process runs through the speaker’s office,” Lipinski said, “where the content of the legislation is shaped to get enough votes — just out of the majority — to pass something that pleases various partisans.”
Not a criticism, he added, “of the current speaker or any former speaker. This is a problem of our institution.”
What’s next: Lipinski, 54, who lives in Western Springs, will work for a human rights organization, which he declined to name. He is putting together a book proposal.
After COVID restrictions are lifted, he said he may want to teach again. I asked about lobbying, and he said “possibly.”
Lipinski holds a Ph.D. in political science from Duke University; he had switched from engineering, in which he earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern and a master’s from Stanford.
His doctoral research focused on communication strategies used by House members. He was teaching about American government at the University of Tennessee when his father arranged, in 2004, to hand his seat off to his son, using political sleight-of-hand. Rep. Bill Lipinski served in Congress from Jan. 3, 1983 through 2005, when he passed the baton.
Dan Lipinski said he will donate his congressional papers to the Carl Albert Congressional Research and Study Center at the University of Oklahoma.
On being a “Catholic first”: Lipinski said his book will be the story of a Catholic in public office, continuing a conversation he started in a 2019 commencement address at Ave Maria University, a Catholic school in Florida.
“My message to students was, to be a Catholic first. Do not think that you have to choose in this very polarized world, that you have to choose one of these two sides.
“…In public life, I didn’t fit neatly into the Democratic Party, and you know a large part of that is because of a lot of my belief, shaped by my Catholic faith.”
That does not mean, he said, that Catholic and working-class Democrats should “jump into the Republican Party.”
I asked him to explain more on what it means to be a “Catholic first” and he said, “my Catholic faith informs [all] the decisions that I make.
“And I think Catholic social teaching” is “very rich and well thought-out. It emphasizes the dignity of every, every individual.”
Why Lipinski is a Democrat: Through the years, a rap on Lipinski, with his right-of-center record, is that he has more in common with Republicans. As a practical matter, his political viability depended on precincts in the old Chicago Democratic machine wards. The district was tailored for him by House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago.
The politics aside, Lipinski said he remained a Democrat because, in contrast to small-government Republicans, “As a Democrat I think that government has an important role to play in helping people who need help, or unable to help themselves….
“I’m a Democrat because I think there are things that government needs to do that individuals cannot do.”
On President-elect Joe Biden: Biden, who supports abortion rights, will be the second Catholic president of the U.S.
John F. Kennedy was the first.
While they disagree on abortion, Lipinski said Biden “is in many ways” viewed “as a sort of traditional old-style Democrat, which I’m very happy to see.” Lipinski is “hopeful” Biden can help make the party more “centered” on issues “that bring us together as Democrats, especially the working-class issues.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Behind the grim numbers on Chicago gun violence in 2020

As 2020 draws to a close , Chicago has reached a grim milestone of 766 homicides , the highest number since 778 murders in 2016 .
Chicago is not the only American city to experience a dramatic and sobering uptick in gun violence this year , fueled by the social and economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
In New York City , homicides have soared 39 % since last year .
In Los Angeles , 30 % .
In St. Louis , 35 % .
The list goes on , adding up to a 34 % increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice shows .
Other numbers in Chicago also are markedly higher than a year ago : 4,115 people shot .
11,280 illegal guns seized .
7,236 gun arrests .
But this is not an editorial about the grim numbers on gun violence .
This is about the story behind the numbers .
Which is that many , if not most , of those crimes were probably committed by someone who was desperate , depressed , unemployed , undereducated , addicted to drugs and alcohol , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the above .
Let ’ s be clear here : Nobody ’ s offering excuses for those who murder or engage in other forms of violence .
Those who commit violent crimes must pay a just price for the harm they have caused .
Public safety must be our first priority .
Some of the increase in murders , too , likely stems from mundane reasons related to the pandemic — tempers rising between roommates who ’ ve been cooped up in close quarters too long during lockdowns , or an escalation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long term — over years , decades and generations —Chicago will quell the violence only if it does far more to address the root causes of violence , made so glaringly obvious in this year of the pandemic .
“ There ’ s always been an urgent need to address root causes , ” as Jens Ludwig of the University of Chicago Crime Lab told us .
“ But when you have a once-in-a-hundred-year public health and economic crisis , it highlights the need for a root cause push of a sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young adults ages 18 to 24 — the very group most likely to become involved in gun violence — the pandemic has taken a steep toll , Ludwig pointed out .
Take mental health .
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey from June found that 41 % of adults reported experiencing anxiety , depression , substance abuse or other mental health issues since the pandemic .
The percentage rose to 50 % or above among young adults ages 18 to 24 , African Americans , Latinos , those with less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One in four young adults had considered suicide within the past 30 days .
“ Who can be surprised that we have a gun violence epidemic , in the presence of a mental health epidemic like this ?
” Ludwig said .
Job loss , too , has been far higher among young people since COVID-19 .
“ I don ’ t think we fully appreciate the magnitude of the economic crisis we ’ re in the midst of right now , especially for young people , ” Ludwig says .
Post-pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — starting at the federal level with another major stimulus package — to knit together a social safety net that ensures adequate mental health care , quality education , jobs and other resources for every American .
America has done it before , with the New Deal that got us out of the Great Depression .
We can do it again — and lay a foundation for curbing violence in the process .
Meanwhile , for all the talk of “ defunding the police , ” traditional crime-fighting strategies remain essential , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Police Supt .
David Brown has vowed to make policing more effective by emphasizing community policing efforts , such as getting officers involved in food pantry giveaways , youth activities and other neighborhood projects .
We favor that approach .
Good policing depends on good relationships between officers and the communities they serve .
We hope to see the effort ramp up significantly post-COVID .
The same goes for anti-violence street outreach work , another vital tool that ’ s been hampered by the pandemic .
But as the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approaches alone won ’ t work .
“ Put simply , without addressing the root causes of disinvestment , poverty , and inequitable social policies , ” the plan reads , “ Chicago ’ s violence reduction efforts will fail.
” The proof is in the pandemic , in big cities across the country , where homicide rates are way up for one reason above all : More people are struggling , hurting , alienated and lost .

As 2020 draws to a close, Chicago has reached a grim milestone of 766 homicides, the highest number since 778 murders in 2016.
Chicago is not the only American city to experience a dramatic and sobering uptick in gun violence this year, fueled by the social and economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
In New York City, homicides have soared 39% since last year. In Los Angeles, 30%. In St. Louis, 35%. The list goes on, adding up to a 34% increase in murders nationwide since last year, data from the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice shows.
Other numbers in Chicago also are markedly higher than a year ago: 4,115 people shot. 11,280 illegal guns seized. 7,236 gun arrests.
But this is not an editorial about the grim numbers on gun violence. This is about the story behind the numbers. Which is that many, if not most, of those crimes were probably committed by someone who was desperate, depressed, unemployed, undereducated, addicted to drugs and alcohol, poorly raised — or maybe all of the above.
Editorials bug Editorials
Let’s be clear here: Nobody’s offering excuses for those who murder or engage in other forms of violence. Those who commit violent crimes must pay a just price for the harm they have caused. Public safety must be our first priority.
Some of the increase in murders, too, likely stems from mundane reasons related to the pandemic — tempers rising between roommates who’ve been cooped up in close quarters too long during lockdowns, or an escalation of a domestic violence incident.
Opinion Newsletter
But over the long term — over years, decades and generations —Chicago will quell the violence only if it does far more to address the root causes of violence, made so glaringly obvious in this year of the pandemic.
An unprecedented crisis
“There’s always been an urgent need to address root causes,” as Jens Ludwig of the University of Chicago Crime Lab told us. “But when you have a once-in-a-hundred-year public health and economic crisis, it highlights the need for a root cause push of a sort that nobody has seen before.”
Among young adults ages 18 to 24 — the very group most likely to become involved in gun violence — the pandemic has taken a steep toll, Ludwig pointed out.
Take mental health. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey from June found that 41% of adults reported experiencing anxiety, depression, substance abuse or other mental health issues since the pandemic.
The percentage rose to 50% or above among young adults ages 18 to 24, African Americans, Latinos, those with less than a high school diploma and essential workers. One in four young adults had considered suicide within the past 30 days.
“Who can be surprised that we have a gun violence epidemic, in the presence of a mental health epidemic like this?” Ludwig said.
Job loss, too, has been far higher among young people since COVID-19.
“I don’t think we fully appreciate the magnitude of the economic crisis we’re in the midst of right now, especially for young people,” Ludwig says.
Opinion Newsletter
A foundation for anti-violence work
Post-pandemic, it will take a massive effort — starting at the federal level with another major stimulus package — to knit together a social safety net that ensures adequate mental health care, quality education, jobs and other resources for every American.
America has done it before, with the New Deal that got us out of the Great Depression. We can do it again — and lay a foundation for curbing violence in the process.
Meanwhile, for all the talk of “defunding the police,” traditional crime-fighting strategies remain essential, though with a more socially responsive emphasis.
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown has vowed to make policing more effective by emphasizing community policing efforts, such as getting officers involved in food pantry giveaways, youth activities and other neighborhood projects.
We favor that approach. Good policing depends on good relationships between officers and the communities they serve. We hope to see the effort ramp up significantly post-COVID.
The same goes for anti-violence street outreach work, another vital tool that’s been hampered by the pandemic.
But as the city’s sweeping anti-violence plan makes clear, those approaches alone won’t work.
“Put simply, without addressing the root causes of disinvestment, poverty, and inequitable social policies,” the plan reads, “Chicago’s violence reduction efforts will fail.”
The proof is in the pandemic, in big cities across the country, where homicide rates are way up for one reason above all: More people are struggling, hurting, alienated and lost.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--DCFS resident raped 13-year-old boy after pair ran away from group home: prosecutor

An 18-year-old resident of a state-run group home in Ravenswood ran away with a 13-year-old boy who lived at the same facility and raped him by a nearby park last month , Cook County prosecutors said Wednesday .
Richard Carter and the boy left Lawrence Hall , a group home run by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services , before the attacks by a bridge near River Park on Nov. 28 , Assistant State ’ s Attorney James Murphy said .
It was Carter ’ s idea that the two leave the home , at 4833 N. Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Murphy said .
That ’ s where Carter raped the boy twice , Murphy said .
When the pair returned to the home the next day , the victim allegedly told a supervisor about the sexual assaults and that “ he didn ’ t want to do it.
” The minor was taken to a hospital where a criminal sex assault kit was administered .
Soon after , Carter was reported missing from the home , Murphy said .
Carter eventually came back to the home where he was arrested Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to the park with the boy twice but said he only raped him once .
The results of a DNA buccal swab test are pending , Murphy said .
Carter was ordered held on $ 10,000 bail for one count of criminal sexual assault .
If he is able to post bail , Carter can not have contact with anyone under the age of 18 , Judge David Navarro said .
Carter told Navarro that he has no place to live besides a DCFS home .
The judge responded by telling Carter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine the logistics of his housing .
DCFS officials did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday .

An 18-year-old resident of a state-run group home in Ravenswood ran away with a 13-year-old boy who lived at the same facility and raped him by a nearby park last month, Cook County prosecutors said Wednesday.
Richard Carter and the boy left Lawrence Hall, a group home run by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, before the attacks by a bridge near River Park on Nov. 28, Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said.
It was Carter’s idea that the two leave the home, at 4833 N. Francisco Ave., and wander around the bridge, Murphy said.
That’s where Carter raped the boy twice, Murphy said.
When the pair returned to the home the next day, the victim allegedly told a supervisor about the sexual assaults and that “he didn’t want to do it.”
Richard Carter Chicago police arrest photo
The minor was taken to a hospital where a criminal sex assault kit was administered. Soon after, Carter was reported missing from the home, Murphy said.
Carter eventually came back to the home where he was arrested Tuesday, Murphy said. Carter allegedly admitted to going to the park with the boy twice but said he only raped him once.
The results of a DNA buccal swab test are pending, Murphy said.
Carter was ordered held on $10,000 bail for one count of criminal sexual assault. If he is able to post bail, Carter cannot have contact with anyone under the age of 18, Judge David Navarro said.
Carter told Navarro that he has no place to live besides a DCFS home. The judge responded by telling Carter that the state agency would have to determine the logistics of his housing.
DCFS officials did not immediately return a request for comment Wednesday.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Illinois House to convene next month

Illinois House to convene next month

The Illinois House will reconvene next month for the first time since late May , officials said Wednesday .
In an email to House members , both newly elected and returning , as well as staff , Speaker Michael Madigan ’ s chief of staff said the House plans to convene for session on Jan. 8 through at least Jan. 13 , when the next General Assembly is slated to be sworn in .
The session will occur at the Bank of Springfield Center “ under substantially the same protocols as were followed in May 2020 .
Additional details will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jessica Basham , Madigan ’ s chief of staff , wrote in her email .
The January session will be the first time in a little more than seven months that members of the House will meet .
A bill that would allow legislators to meet virtually failed to pass in May , though two state lawmakers have revived hope for that plan with legislation they introduced earlier this month .
Lawmakers were scheduled to meet last month but , due to concerns over a spike in coronavirus cases , they scrapped those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next month ahead of the swearing in date .

The Illinois House will reconvene next month for the first time since late May, officials said Wednesday.
In an email to House members, both newly elected and returning, as well as staff, Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff said the House plans to convene for session on Jan. 8 through at least Jan. 13, when the next General Assembly is slated to be sworn in.
The session will occur at the Bank of Springfield Center “under substantially the same protocols as were followed in May 2020. Additional details will follow in the coming days,” Jessica Basham, Madigan’s chief of staff, wrote in her email.
The January session will be the first time in a little more than seven months that members of the House will meet. A bill that would allow legislators to meet virtually failed to pass in May, though two state lawmakers have revived hope for that plan with legislation they introduced earlier this month.
Lawmakers were scheduled to meet last month but, due to concerns over a spike in coronavirus cases, they scrapped those plans and said they’d meet next month ahead of the swearing in date.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--Dear Abby: I found my biological siblings, and they don’t like me or America

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m an American man who was adopted as an infant .
Several years ago , I found my birth parents .
They are not from America .
My mother came here to give birth and left .
Sometime later she married my father and had more children .
I ’ m in touch with the entire family , but mainly my birth parents .
My biological siblings are jealous of my success in life and make it plain they don ’ t approve of much that I do .
They also make sure I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the family because we didn ’ t grow up together ( although we are , by blood , 100 % siblings ) .
I deal with this the best I can , but now I ’ m getting flak from them because of my political views .
( They saw a photo of me at a political fundraiser . )
When my sister turned 40 this year , I sent her a card , a Facebook post and a text message .
I turned 50 at the same time and heard not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not Americans , they feel the need to trash our country , our government and our way of life .
I ’ m tempted to cut ties with them .
There is little respect coming my way , and I think I ’ ve had enough .
I value your opinion , which is why I am writing to you now .
BTW : I had an amazing set of ( now deceased ) parents and wonderful siblings growing up .
I just wish I had a better relationship with my biological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DISAPPOINTED : Your family is the family that raised and nurtured you .
I , too , am sorry you don ’ t have a better relationship with these jealous , judgmental people .
You are related by blood — nothing more .
They do not have the right to criticize your political views or your lifestyle , any more than you have the right to criticize theirs .
( And I doubt you would . )
Because you are neither respected nor included , you have every right to back off and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direction .
Frankly , I suspect you will feel better as soon as you do .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m a 26-year-old male in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend , who is 18 .
I love her to the moon and back , but I feel like she only stays with me because I can buy her things .
She gets upset with me when I don ’ t get them for her .
She says I value my mother and others before her .
I love her so much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m a minister at a church .
She thinks she should take priority before my bills and taking care of my mother , who can barely walk .
What do I do ?
— UNEASY IN NEW JERSEY DEAR UNEASY : From what you have written , it appears you are involved with an 18-year-old self-involved gold digger who does seem to be with you only because of what you give her .
She hasn ’ t yet learned ( 1 ) That a gift should be voluntary and appreciated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 ) the way a man treats his mother is the way he will treat his wife .
Since you asked my advice , here it is : Close your wallet and ditch this “ girl.
” DEAR READERS : Well , 2020 , a year like no other in recent memory , has drawn to a close !
I join you tonight in toasting a 2021 that will be less challenging for all of us .
If you ’ re celebrating this evening , please take measures to protect your health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ABBY 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 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I’m an American man who was adopted as an infant. Several years ago, I found my birth parents. They are not from America. My mother came here to give birth and left. Sometime later she married my father and had more children. I’m in touch with the entire family, but mainly my birth parents.
My biological siblings are jealous of my success in life and make it plain they don’t approve of much that I do. They also make sure I know I’m not REALLY part of the family because we didn’t grow up together (although we are, by blood, 100% siblings).
I deal with this the best I can, but now I’m getting flak from them because of my political views. (They saw a photo of me at a political fundraiser.) When my sister turned 40 this year, I sent her a card, a Facebook post and a text message. I turned 50 at the same time and heard not a word from her.
Although my siblings are not Americans, they feel the need to trash our country, our government and our way of life. I’m tempted to cut ties with them. There is little respect coming my way, and I think I’ve had enough. I value your opinion, which is why I am writing to you now.
BTW: I had an amazing set of (now deceased) parents and wonderful siblings growing up. I just wish I had a better relationship with my biological family. — DISAPPOINTED AND EXCLUDED
DEAR DISAPPOINTED: Your family is the family that raised and nurtured you. I, too, am sorry you don’t have a better relationship with these jealous, judgmental people. You are related by blood — nothing more. They do not have the right to criticize your political views or your lifestyle, any more than you have the right to criticize theirs. (And I doubt you would.) Because you are neither respected nor included, you have every right to back off and head in a different, more positive direction. Frankly, I suspect you will feel better as soon as you do.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 26-year-old male in a long-distance relationship with my girlfriend, who is 18. I love her to the moon and back, but I feel like she only stays with me because I can buy her things. She gets upset with me when I don’t get them for her. She says I value my mother and others before her.
I love her so much, and I want to marry her. I’m a minister at a church. She thinks she should take priority before my bills and taking care of my mother, who can barely walk. What do I do? — UNEASY IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR UNEASY: From what you have written, it appears you are involved with an 18-year-old self-involved gold digger who does seem to be with you only because of what you give her. She hasn’t yet learned (1) That a gift should be voluntary and appreciated, rather than extorted, and (2) the way a man treats his mother is the way he will treat his wife.
Since you asked my advice, here it is: Close your wallet and ditch this “girl.”
DEAR READERS: Well, 2020, a year like no other in recent memory, has drawn to a close! I join you tonight in toasting a 2021 that will be less challenging for all of us. If you’re celebrating this evening, please take measures to protect your health and the safety of others. — LOVE, ABBY
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.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-31--‘Shadow in the Cloud’: Flight officer fights off boors and beasties in a wonderfully bonkers B-movie

One of the most famous episodes of “ The Twilight Zone ” was the 1963 classic titled “ Nightmare at 20,000 Feet , ” with a pre- “ Star Trek ” William Shatner playing an airline passenger returning home after a six-month stay at sanitarium who swears he has seen a gremlin on the wing of the plane , trying to disable one of the engines .
( The episode was reprised in the 1983 “ Twilight Zone ” movie , with John Lithgow playing the role of the agitated passenger . )
Although the entertainingly bonkers feature “ Shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story , it ’ s basically “ Nightmare at 20,000 Feet ” in a World War II setting , with Chloe Grace Moretz playing the part of the ostensibly hysterical passenger who swears there ’ s a gremlin ( maybe more than one ) lurking in the skies , hell-bent on attacking the aircraft and killing everyone onboard .
It ’ s the first killer B-movie of 2021 .
The year is 1943 , and Moretz ’ s Flight Officer Maude Garrett is an unwelcome guest of the all-male crew on a B-17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Errand ” ( and oh is that name a harbinger of things to come ) taking off from New Zealand .
Maude has been tasked with transporting a Top Secret package that must not be opened under any circumstances because it ’ s the MacGuffin of this movie — but there ’ s not enough room in the Sperry turret for both Maude and package , so Taylor John Smith ’ s Quaid tells Maude he ’ ll safeguard the valuable cargo while she ’ s wedged into the tiny enclosure .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shadow in the Cloud ” director Roseanne Liang keeps the camera focused solely on Maude in that cramped turret as Maude hears the boorish male crew members making lewd jokes about her ( they forgot she has a headset , but it doesn ’ t really matter to them when they ’ re busted ) and laughing off her reports of some mysterious creature — maybe even an actual gremlin — hovering about the plane .
It ’ s a wondrous performance by Moretz , who establishes Maude as a resourceful badass who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her life and refuses to let her tormentors define her .
Moretz also looks every part the 1940s movie star , even as Maude springs into action a la Ripley in “ Aliens ” and performs increasingly implausible feats of strength and heroism , whether she ’ s improvising ways to stay alive , shooting down Japanese fighter planes — or doing battle with a veritable army of truly terrifying CGI creatures that resemble giant flying rabid bat-rats .
At times it ’ s difficult to distinguish one male flight crew member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as voices on the radio for much of the film , but Nick Robinson distinguishes himself as the sexist lout Stu Beckell , who ’ s a million miles away from the usual modern and likable and sensitive characters Robinson has played in films such as “ Love , Simon ” and the recent series “ A Teacher.
” The deeper “ Shadow in the Cloud ” dives into sci-fi fantasy territory , the more we ’ re asked to just go with it and enjoy the spectacularly choreographed action sequences — but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s ferociously effective work , we ’ re all too happy to take that zany ride .

One of the most famous episodes of “The Twilight Zone” was the 1963 classic titled “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,” with a pre-“Star Trek” William Shatner playing an airline passenger returning home after a six-month stay at sanitarium who swears he has seen a gremlin on the wing of the plane, trying to disable one of the engines. (The episode was reprised in the 1983 “Twilight Zone” movie, with John Lithgow playing the role of the agitated passenger.)
‘Shadow in the Cloud’
Untitled Vertical Entertainment and Redbox Entertainment present a film directed by Roseanne Liang and written by Liang and Max Landis. Rated R (for language throughout, sexual references and violence). Running time: 83 minutes. Available Friday at facets.org and on demand.
Although the entertainingly bonkers feature “Shadow in the Cloud” is an original story, it’s basically “Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” in a World War II setting, with Chloe Grace Moretz playing the part of the ostensibly hysterical passenger who swears there’s a gremlin (maybe more than one) lurking in the skies, hell-bent on attacking the aircraft and killing everyone onboard. It’s the first killer B-movie of 2021.
The year is 1943, and Moretz’s Flight Officer Maude Garrett is an unwelcome guest of the all-male crew on a B-17 Flying Fortress named “The Fool’s Errand” (and oh is that name a harbinger of things to come) taking off from New Zealand. Maude has been tasked with transporting a Top Secret package that must not be opened under any circumstances because it’s the MacGuffin of this movie — but there’s not enough room in the Sperry turret for both Maude and package, so Taylor John Smith’s Quaid tells Maude he’ll safeguard the valuable cargo while she’s wedged into the tiny enclosure.
For about half the film, “Shadow in the Cloud” director Roseanne Liang keeps the camera focused solely on Maude in that cramped turret as Maude hears the boorish male crew members making lewd jokes about her (they forgot she has a headset, but it doesn’t really matter to them when they’re busted) and laughing off her reports of some mysterious creature — maybe even an actual gremlin — hovering about the plane. It’s a wondrous performance by Moretz, who establishes Maude as a resourceful badass who has endured sexism and abuse for much of her life and refuses to let her tormentors define her.
Moretz also looks every part the 1940s movie star, even as Maude springs into action a la Ripley in “Aliens” and performs increasingly implausible feats of strength and heroism, whether she’s improvising ways to stay alive, shooting down Japanese fighter planes — or doing battle with a veritable army of truly terrifying CGI creatures that resemble giant flying rabid bat-rats. At times it’s difficult to distinguish one male flight crew member from another, as they exist only as voices on the radio for much of the film, but Nick Robinson distinguishes himself as the sexist lout Stu Beckell, who’s a million miles away from the usual modern and likable and sensitive characters Robinson has played in films such as “Love, Simon” and the recent series “A Teacher.”
The deeper “Shadow in the Cloud” dives into sci-fi fantasy territory, the more we’re asked to just go with it and enjoy the spectacularly choreographed action sequences — but thanks in large part to Moretz’s ferociously effective work, we’re all too happy to take that zany ride.