chicagosun-times--2020-03-15--Fed slashes rates to near zero, eases bank lending rules

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday and slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero and announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak .
The central bank said the effects of the outbreak will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook .
The central bank said it will keep rates at nearly zero until it feels confident the economy has weathered recent events .
The Fed also said it will purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 200 billion of mortgage-backed securities to smooth over market disruptions that have made it hard for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries .
The disruptions bumped up the yield on the 10-year Treasury last week , an unusual move that threatens to push borrowing costs for mortgages and credit cards higher .
The Fed also said it has dropped its requirements that banks hold cash reserves in another move to encourage lending .
The Fed also announced that it has cut interest rates on dollar loans in a joint action that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overseas .
That is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies .
All told , the Fed ’ s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago .
By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate to near zero and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system , the Fed ’ s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Fed cut its key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years .
The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level .
Still , with the virus ’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States , the Fed faces a daunting task .
Its tools — intended to ease borrowing rates , facilitate lending and boost confidence — aren ’ t ideally suited to offset a fear-driven halt in spending and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Fed getting out in front of events , not to mention other central banks , pushes the economy in the right direction , ’ ’ said Adam Posen , president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics .
“ The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side .
That ’ s nature of this shock.
’ ’ “ It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down ... very sharply ’ ’ toward recession , Posen said .
Posen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave and pay for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak .
Earlier , Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy .
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession .
Most economists , however , believe a recession is already here , or will be soon.. JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink 2 % in the current quarter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t think so , ” Mnuchin said , when asked if the U.S. is in recession .
“ The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.
” On Saturday , President Donald Trump reiterated his frequent demand that the Fed “ get on board and do what they should do , ” reflecting his argument that benchmark U.S. rates should be as low as they are in Europe and Japan , where they ’ re now negative .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign of economic distress , and there ’ s little evidence that they help stimulate growth .
Fed officials have indicated that they ’ re unlikely to cut rates below zero .
With the virus depressing travel , spending , and corporate investment and forcing the cancellation of sports leagues , business conferences , music performances , and Broadway shows , economists increasingly expect the economy to shrink for at least one or two quarters .
A six-month contraction would meet an informal definition of a recession .
Two weeks ago , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offset the disease ’ s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by a half-percentage point — its first cut between policy meetings since the financial crisis .
Its benchmark rate is now in a range of 1 % to 1.25 % .
Some analysts have forecast that the Fed will reduce its rate by just one-half or three-quarters of a point on Wednesday , rather than by a full point .
But policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark rate approaches zero , it would produce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way to zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above .
That ’ s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy .
So if a recession threatens , quicker action is more effective .
Some of the attention Wednesday will likely be on what steps the Fed takes to further smooth the functioning of bond markets , a topic that can seem esoteric but that serves a fundamental role in the functioning of the economy .
The rate on the 10-year Treasury influences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and consumers , including mortgage and credit card rates .
If banks and investors can ’ t seamlessly trade those securities , borrowing rates might rise throughout the economy .
“ Even more important than the Fed ’ s rate-cutting function is the market-calming function , ” said David Wilcox , a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former head of research at the Fed .
The central bank took a huge step in that direction Thursday , when it said it would provide $ 1.5 trillion of short-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will provide the cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries .
The loans will be repaid after one or three months .
That program is a response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven ’ t found enough willing buyers .
That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges .
The Fed also said last week that it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase program , launched last fall , from just short-term bills to all maturities .
The Fed is already reinvesting $ 20 billion from its holdings of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations , thereby bringing its total purchases to $ 80 billion .
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell .
Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size .
Guy LeBas , chief fixed income strategist for Janney Capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its purchases to up to $ 1 trillion or more over the next year .
The goal wouldn ’ t be to directly stimulate the economy , as the Fed did with its bond purchases during and after the recession , LeBas said .
Those purchases were known as “ quantitative easing ” or QE .
Rather , the idea would be to take more Treasuries off banks ’ balance sheets .
That , in turn , would boost banks ’ cash reserves and enable them to lend more .
Still , most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as QE .
“ Shifting hundreds of billions of dollars of assets quickly doesn ’ t happen without central bank intervention , ” LeBas said .
Another option would be to relaunch a program that lets banks use corporate bonds and other securities as collateral to borrow from the Fed .
On Wednesday , the Fed ’ s policymakers will also update their forecasts for the economy and for interest rates .
Economists at Pimco predict that the Fed ’ s policymakers will collectively downgrade their estimate for growth this year from 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figure would be consistent with an economic contraction in the first half of the year , followed by a sharp rebound , Pimco said .

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve took emergency action Sunday and slashed its benchmark interest rate by a full percentage point to nearly zero and announced it would purchase more Treasury securities to encourage lending to try to offset the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. The central bank said the effects of the outbreak will weigh on economic activity in the near term and pose risks to the economic outlook. The central bank said it will keep rates at nearly zero until it feels confident the economy has weathered recent events.
The Fed also said it will purchase $500 billion of Treasury securities and $200 billion of mortgage-backed securities to smooth over market disruptions that have made it hard for banks and large investors to sell Treasuries.
The disruptions bumped up the yield on the 10-year Treasury last week, an unusual move that threatens to push borrowing costs for mortgages and credit cards higher. The Fed also said it has dropped its requirements that banks hold cash reserves in another move to encourage lending.
The Fed also announced that it has cut interest rates on dollar loans in a joint action that it has taken with five central banks overseas. That is intended to ensure that foreign banks continue to have access to dollars that they lend to overseas companies.
All told, the Fed’s actions amount to a recognition that the U.S. economy faces its most perilous juncture since the recession ended more than a decade ago.
By aggressively slashing its benchmark short-term rate to near zero and pumping hundreds of billions of dollars into the financial system, the Fed’s moves Sunday recalled the emergency action it took at the height of the financial crisis. Starting in 2008, the Fed cut its key rate to near zero and kept it there for seven years. The central bank has now returned that rate — which influences many consumer and business loans — to its record-low level.
Still, with the virus’ spread causing a broad shutdown of economic activity in the United States, the Fed faces a daunting task. Its tools — intended to ease borrowing rates, facilitate lending and boost confidence — aren’t ideally suited to offset a fear-driven halt in spending and traveling.
“We have to hope that the Fed getting out in front of events, not to mention other central banks, pushes the economy in the right direction,’’ said Adam Posen, president of the Peterson Institute for International Economics. “The heavy lifting for stimulus and for preventing lasting economic damage has to be done on the fiscal side. That’s nature of this shock.’’
“It confirms that the Fed sees the economy going down ... very sharply’’ toward recession, Posen said.
Posen advocates fiscal steps such as providing sick leave and pay for quarantined workers and rolling over bank loans to small and medium sized businesses hit hard by the outbreak.
Earlier, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that both the central bank and the federal government have tools at their disposal to support the economy.
Mnuchin also said he did not think the economy is yet in recession. Most economists, however, believe a recession is already here, or will be soon.. JPMorgan Chase predicts the economy will shrink 2% in the current quarter and 3% in the April-June quarter.
“I don’t think so,” Mnuchin said, when asked if the U.S. is in recession. “The real issue is what economic tools are we going to use to make sure we get through this.”
On Saturday, President Donald Trump reiterated his frequent demand that the Fed “get on board and do what they should do,” reflecting his argument that benchmark U.S. rates should be as low as they are in Europe and Japan, where they’re now negative. Negative rates are generally seen as a sign of economic distress, and there’s little evidence that they help stimulate growth. Fed officials have indicated that they’re unlikely to cut rates below zero.
With the virus depressing travel, spending, and corporate investment and forcing the cancellation of sports leagues, business conferences, music performances, and Broadway shows, economists increasingly expect the economy to shrink for at least one or two quarters. A six-month contraction would meet an informal definition of a recession.
Two weeks ago, in a surprise move, the Fed sought to offset the disease’s drags on the economy by cutting its short-term rate by a half-percentage point — its first cut between policy meetings since the financial crisis. Its benchmark rate is now in a range of 1% to 1.25%. Some analysts have forecast that the Fed will reduce its rate by just one-half or three-quarters of a point on Wednesday, rather than by a full point.
But policymakers have largely accepted research that says once its benchmark rate approaches zero, it would produce a greater economic benefit to cut all the way to zero rather than just to a quarter- or half-point above. That’s because it takes time for rate cuts to work their way through the economy. So if a recession threatens, quicker action is more effective.
Some of the attention Wednesday will likely be on what steps the Fed takes to further smooth the functioning of bond markets, a topic that can seem esoteric but that serves a fundamental role in the functioning of the economy. The rate on the 10-year Treasury influences a range of borrowing costs for businesses and consumers, including mortgage and credit card rates. If banks and investors can’t seamlessly trade those securities, borrowing rates might rise throughout the economy.
“Even more important than the Fed’s rate-cutting function is the market-calming function,” said David Wilcox, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics and former head of research at the Fed.
The central bank took a huge step in that direction Thursday, when it said it would provide $1.5 trillion of short-term loans to banks. The central bank will provide the cash to interested banks in return for Treasuries. The loans will be repaid after one or three months.
That program is a response to signs that the bond market has been disrupted in recent days as many traders and banks have sought to unload large sums of Treasurys but haven’t found enough willing buyers. That logjam reduced bond prices and raised their yields — the opposite of what typically happens when the stock market plunges.
The Fed also said last week that it would broaden its $60 billion monthly Treasury purchase program, launched last fall, from just short-term bills to all maturities. The Fed is already reinvesting $20 billion from its holdings of mortgage-backed securities into Treasuries of all durations, thereby bringing its total purchases to $80 billion.
Those purchases would help relieve banks of the Treasuries they want to sell. Some analysts expect the Fed to extend those purchases past their current end-date of the second quarter and even vastly increase the size.
Guy LeBas, chief fixed income strategist for Janney Capital Management, said the Fed could boost its purchases to up to $1 trillion or more over the next year. The goal wouldn’t be to directly stimulate the economy, as the Fed did with its bond purchases during and after the recession, LeBas said. Those purchases were known as “quantitative easing” or QE.
Rather, the idea would be to take more Treasuries off banks’ balance sheets. That, in turn, would boost banks’ cash reserves and enable them to lend more. Still, most economists would likely refer to the purchases as QE.
“Shifting hundreds of billions of dollars of assets quickly doesn’t happen without central bank intervention,” LeBas said.
Another option would be to relaunch a program that lets banks use corporate bonds and other securities as collateral to borrow from the Fed.
On Wednesday, the Fed’s policymakers will also update their forecasts for the economy and for interest rates. Economists at Pimco predict that the Fed’s policymakers will collectively downgrade their estimate for growth this year from 2% to below 1.5%. That figure would be consistent with an economic contraction in the first half of the year, followed by a sharp rebound, Pimco said.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-15--New York City schools to close to limit coronavirus

NEW YORK — New York City will close the nation ’ s largest public school system as early as Tuesday , sending over 1.1 million children home in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus .
Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced the decision on Sunday , following a growing number of school closures in communities and entire states around the country and mounting pressure in New York from residents , City Council members and others .
The shutdown affects the city ’ s nearly 1,900 public schools .
Many private schools already have closed .
New York City Mayor Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school system because of the consequences for students and families .
Just Saturday , the Democratic mayor said keeping schools running was critical .
He worried that health care workers , first responders and other needed workers would have to stay home to care for children , and that hundreds of thousands of poor students could go hungry without their free or reduced-price school meals .
Multiple states had already announced they were closing schools .
So have cities including Los Angeles , Houston , San Francisco , Seattle and Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem inevitable Sunday as de Blasio lost key support to keep schools open and Cuomo called for all downstate schools to be closed .
“ For New York City , I want to close the New York City public schools , ” the Democratic governor had said earlier in the day , adding he thought it prudent to do so as soon as a plan was in place to ensure that children of health care workers would be cared for .
Cuomo spoke shortly after county officials shut schools in Long Island and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Erie County , including Buffalo .
Earlier , George Gresham , president of the healthcare workers union SIEU 1199 , had called on de Blasio to close city schools , a step the mayor still seemed reluctant to take when he cited the union ’ s support for keeping the schools open as he spoke on WABC-TV earlier Sunday .
The union had previously warned that hospitals , now bracing for a flood of virus patients , could face a manpower crisis if schools closed suddenly and health care workers had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though , said in a statement that he was now confident that a plan could be reached to provide childcare for healthcare workers through school resource centers .
He also called on the city and state to provide more funding for childcare for health care workers .
“ With these critical processes moving , I am now calling on Mayor de Blasio to close New York City ’ s public schools to help protect public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19 , ” he said in a statement .
On Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Curran announced that schools throughout the county adjacent to New York City would be closed for at least the next two weeks .
Nassau County has more than 1.3 million residents .
Later in the day , the Suffolk County executive announced that schools there would be closed as well for the next two weeks .

NEW YORK — New York City will close the nation’s largest public school system as early as Tuesday, sending over 1.1 million children home in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the decision on Sunday, following a growing number of school closures in communities and entire states around the country and mounting pressure in New York from residents, City Council members and others.
The shutdown affects the city’s nearly 1,900 public schools. Many private schools already have closed.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had been reluctant to close the school system because of the consequences for students and families. Just Saturday, the Democratic mayor said keeping schools running was critical. He worried that health care workers, first responders and other needed workers would have to stay home to care for children, and that hundreds of thousands of poor students could go hungry without their free or reduced-price school meals.
Multiple states had already announced they were closing schools. So have cities including Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The shutdown had started to seem inevitable Sunday as de Blasio lost key support to keep schools open and Cuomo called for all downstate schools to be closed.
“For New York City, I want to close the New York City public schools,” the Democratic governor had said earlier in the day, adding he thought it prudent to do so as soon as a plan was in place to ensure that children of health care workers would be cared for.
Cuomo spoke shortly after county officials shut schools in Long Island and, across the state, in all of Erie County, including Buffalo.
Earlier, George Gresham, president of the healthcare workers union SIEU 1199, had called on de Blasio to close city schools, a step the mayor still seemed reluctant to take when he cited the union’s support for keeping the schools open as he spoke on WABC-TV earlier Sunday.
The union had previously warned that hospitals, now bracing for a flood of virus patients, could face a manpower crisis if schools closed suddenly and health care workers had to stay home with their children.
Gresham, though, said in a statement that he was now confident that a plan could be reached to provide childcare for healthcare workers through school resource centers. He also called on the city and state to provide more funding for childcare for health care workers.
“With these critical processes moving, I am now calling on Mayor de Blasio to close New York City’s public schools to help protect public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he said in a statement.
On Sunday morning, Nassau County County Executive Laura Curran announced that schools throughout the county adjacent to New York City would be closed for at least the next two weeks. Nassau County has more than 1.3 million residents.
Later in the day, the Suffolk County executive announced that schools there would be closed as well for the next two weeks.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-15--Pritzker orders all bars and restaurants to close to dine-in customers by end of day Monday

Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker will order all Illinois bars and restaurants to close their dine-in operations at the end of the business day on Monday .
“ We are working with restaurant owners and food delivery services across the state to see if restaurants can safely keep their kitchens open , so the restaurants can continue food delivery to people at their homes , ” Pritzker said at a news conference Sunday at the Thompson Center in the Loop .
“ The time for persuasion and public appeals is over .
The time for action is here .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is immune to this , and you have an obligation to act in the best interests of all the people of this state.
” Pritzker also urged people not to hoard food .
Earlier Sunday , Pritzker had said on NBC ’ s “ Meet the Press ” that he had been considering such a step .
Joining Pritzker at the Thompson Center was Mayor Lori Lightfoot , who acknowledged what the closure would mean for a city that typically revels in its St. Patrick ’ s Day celebrations .
The holiday falls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be closed .
This year , Lightfoot said , “ it must be different , to save lives .
I do not want to see hordes of people out in the streets .
The bars will be shut .
So please , stay home and be safe.
” Pritzker also was asked about travel snafus , and said he was “ yelled ” at by a White House staffer over a tweet criticizing a lack of staffing at O ’ Hare Airport that led to huge bottlenecks on Saturday .
Pritzker on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow employees to work from home for two weeks .
On Friday , mandates became more severe as he announced all Illinois schools would be shut down to try to stop the spread of coronavirus .
The state had 66 confirmed cases as of Saturday , with numbers expected to climb .
The governor on Saturday tweeted that the crowds and lines at O ’ Hare were “ unacceptable & need to be addressed immediately.
” He tagged @ realDonaldTrump and Vice President Mike Pence , “ since this is the only communication @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to do something NOW.
” Pritzker said he received an angry phone call from a White House staffer at about 11 p.m. on Saturday , who “ yelled ” at him about the tweet .
He said there were no assurances from the federal government that there would be more staffing to deal with a huge number of American citizens trying to get home from abroad , amid a European travel ban that went into place on Friday .
The ban bars most foreign visitors from coming to the U.S. from continental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve been talking to customs and border patrol officials directly on the ground at O ’ Hare , ” Pritzker said .
“ I ’ ve been working with the mayor and our senators to make sure that we are getting the federal government to pay attention to this problem because we can ’ t have it happen all day today .
Pritzker said the administration should have increased the customs and border patrol numbers , as well as the number of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention personnel on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those .
So last night as people were flooding into O ’ Hare Airport , they were stuck in a small area , hundreds and hundreds of people , and that ’ s exactly what you don ’ t want in this pandemic , ” Pritzker said .
“ So we have that problem .
And then today , it ’ s going to be even worse .
There are a larger number of flights with more people coming and they seem completely unprepared.
” In a tweet following Pritzker ’ s appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are doing very precise Medical Screenings at our airports .
Pardon the interruptions and delays , we are moving as quickly as possible , but it is very important that we be vigilant and careful .
We must get it right .
Safety first !
” The governor was upset that Chicagoans still went out on Saturday , a day when St. Patrick ’ s Day parades were canceled , as was the dyeing of the Chicago River green .
Pritzker on Saturday afternoon warned in a daily briefing that young people could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as people continued to flood bars .
“ Yesterday what we saw was many young people who think they ’ re impervious to this went out and celebrated , ” Pritzker said .
“ People aren ’ t understanding that , even if you ’ re healthy , even if you ’ re young , that you may be a carrier .
And you ’ re going to hand it over to somebody else .
COVID-19 is spreading because even healthy people can be walking around , giving it to other people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pritzker , who has criticized the Trump administration response to coronavirus for weeks , said governors are on their own .
“ We are the ones who had to provide the leadership because the federal government just has fallen down on this , ” Pritzker said .
“ So they didn ’ t advise us to shutdown major events , sporting events , parades .
We made those decisions on our own .
They are not the ones that advised us to close schools .
We made those decisions on our own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on our own out here .
I wish we had leadership from Washington .
We are not getting it .
”

As the number of coronavirus cases in Illinois nears triple digits, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sunday ordered all Illinois bars and restaurants to close their dine-in operations at the end of the business day on Monday.
The Democratic governor two days ago announced his decision to close all schools in Illinois, starting Tuesday. But after an especially deadly weekend — 368 deaths in a 24-hour span in Italy — and after witnessing droves of St. Patrick’s Day revelers Saturday in Chicago, the governor decided to take more drastic steps.
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The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 29 new cases of coronavirus in Illinois, bringing the total to 93 cases in 13 counties.
“There are no easy decisions left to make as we address this unprecedented crisis. Every choice that we face, every choice now is hard. And it comes with real consequences for our residents,” Pritzker said. “But as your governor, I cannot let the gravity of these choices prevent us from taking the actions that the science and the experts say will keep people safe.”
Pritzker is ordering all bars and restaurants to close to the public at end of business day on Monday through March 30.
“We are working with restaurant owners and food delivery services across the state to see if restaurants can safely keep their kitchens open, so the restaurants can continue food delivery to people at their homes,” Pritzker said at a news conference.
The governor said drive-thru and curbside pickup for restaurants will still be allowed.
Pritzker acknowledged the toll the closings will have on the restaurant and bar industry, and for workers who may be laid off in the process.
“I know how difficult this will be on small businesses around the state,” Pritzker said. “But we must do everything that we can to safeguard the health and safety of our citizens of the state of Illinois. And that requires urgent action.”
Pritzker admonished the throngs of people who packed bars Saturday in Chicago, saying “it’s unfortunate that many people didn’t take that seriously.”
“The time for persuasion and public appeals is over. The time for action is here. This is not a joke. No one is immune to this, and you have an obligation to act in the best interests of all the people of this state.”
Joining Pritzker at the news conference was Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. The city earlier on Sunday had capped occupancy of bars and restaurants cut at 100 people; now, that will be in effect only on Monday.
Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said the group was informed on Sunday afternoon about Pritzker’s decision. Toia said public safety is the No. 1 concern for the association, but it is working around the clock to address concerns from employees and employers affected by the shutdown.
“It is the No. 1 concern of the restauranteur to make sure his or her team members get their paycheck. That is very, very important,” Toia said.
Pritzker also urged people not to hoard food. He said his administration has talked to grocers of all sizes throughout the state and asked for advice on what would make it easier for them to get products back on their shelves. Both Pritzker and Lightfoot have asked for a prohibition on overnight grocery deliveries. And Pritzker has asked the federal government to change regulations to free up the flow of merchandise from warehouses to stores.
“We need the people of Illinois to help us here. So please, do not hoard food. Buy what you need, but please be reasonable. Think of your friends and your neighbors,” Pritzker said. “There is enough food to go around, but we need people to not be selfish.”
In light of Pritzker’s order, Chicago police will boost their presence at grocery stores across the city, according to police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
“We expect heavy crowds and heavy traffic and we want to make sure officers are on hand to deal with any issues that may arise,” Guglielmi said. “It’s not because anything is wrong … but it’s an abundance of caution in case anyone needs some help.”
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Cherl Sagil, a server at White Palace Grill, a 24-hour diner in the South Loop, said she worries the ban on dine-in service will take a toll.
“This will put a financial strain on us. We depend daily on our tip money in the server lifestyle,” Sagil said. “We need to know for our own mental well-being and economic stability that these wages will be compensated.”
Sagil said leading up to Pritzker’s unprecedented mandate, business at the White Palace Grill had already suffered amid coronavirus fears. Servers have lost about two-thirds of their business as people worried about catching the virus have avoided public spaces and large gatherings, she said, adding that her weekly tips already are down $200 to $250.
“I get they’re trying to prevent this virus from spreading, but without appropriate compensation, we could still be putting people in jeopardy,” Sagil said.
A manager at another South Loop restaurant, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid reprimand, said her entire staff was freaking out. They could probably offer carry-out, she said, but everyone will take a hit.
“I get that it’s a national disaster, but my servers depend on tips to survive,” she said. “As the state shuts everything down, what about their bills?”
She appreciated the measures Pritzker has taken to ensure financial relief, but she and her staff are still “very anxious about their livelihoods.”
A Boystown restaurant manager said the restaurant already had been considering closing temporarily amid the pandemic. It was packed Saturday as St. Patrick’s Day partiers came out in droves to Boystown, as they did in River North and Wrigleyville.
The manager favored shutting down “because the virus could spread so easily in places like restaurants. I’m glad we’re not waiting until an employee tests positive and it’s too late.”
The Illinois Board of Education has received federal waivers to distribute two meals a day to children who qualify for free and reduced lunch statewide starting on Tuesday. Pritzker said all Chicago Public Schools schools will distribute breakfast and lunch to any child under 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“You don’t have to go to your own school. And you don’t have to be qualified for free and reduced lunch,” Pritzker said. “CPS is giving food to any child who needs it. No questions asked.”
Lightfoot acknowledged what the closure would mean for a city that typically revels in its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. This year, Lightfoot said, “it must be different, to save lives. I do not want to see hordes of people out in the streets. The bars will be shut. So please, stay home and be safe.”
Contributing: Sam Kelly


chicagosun-times--2020-03-15--Coronavirus cases in Illinois reach 93

Coronavirus cases in Illinois reach 93

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois has reached 93 , state health officials announced Sunday .
That includes new cases in five additional counties .
In all , residents in 13 counties have been confirmed testing positive for the COVID-19 virus .
The counties with their first confirmed cases are : Champaign , Clinton , Sangamon , Whiteside , and Winnebago .
Other locations with cases include Chicago and Cook , Cumberland , DuPage , Kane , Lake , McHenry , St. Clair , and Woodford counties .
“ We are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois , ” Dr. Ngozi Ezike , director of Illinois Department of Public Health , was quoted as saying in a news release .
“ At this point , it is best to assume that the coronavirus is circulating in your community and you should take the same precautions when interacting with other people that you would when interacting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 .
This may seem like an extreme step , but this is how we reduce the number of new cases and prevent the health care system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in all age ranges , according to the department , and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing .
“ This virus does not discriminate .
It is an equal opportunity virus that can affect anyone of any age of any race from any zip code , ” Ezike said Sunday at a news conference , where she was joined by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other officials .
“ It is important that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the community.
” Check back for updates on this developing story .

The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois has reached 93, state health officials announced Sunday.
That includes new cases in five additional counties. In all, residents in 13 counties have been confirmed testing positive for the COVID-19 virus.
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The counties with their first confirmed cases are: Champaign, Clinton, Sangamon, Whiteside, and Winnebago. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, and Woodford counties.
“We are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases increase exponentially and in more locations across Illinois,” Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of Illinois Department of Public Health, was quoted as saying in a news release. “At this point, it is best to assume that the coronavirus is circulating in your community and you should take the same precautions when interacting with other people that you would when interacting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This may seem like an extreme step, but this is how we reduce the number of new cases and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed.”
Cases have occurred in all age ranges, according to the department, and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing.
“This virus does not discriminate. It is an equal opportunity virus that can affect anyone of any age of any race from any zip code,” Ezike said Sunday at a news conference, where she was joined by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other officials.
“It is important that we reduce the amount of virus circulating in the community.”
Check back for updates on this developing story.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-15--Coronavirus: Movie ticket sales fall to a 20-year low

Ticket sales plunged to their lowest levels in almost 20 years at North American movie theaters as the coronavirus pandemic led to one of Hollywood ’ s worst weekends at the box office .
Receipts totaled about $ 56 million in U.S. and Canada theaters , according to studio estimates Sunday .
Not since September 2000 has weekend box office revenue been so low , according to data firm Comscore , when $ 54.5 million in tickets were sold on a quiet weekend .
More people went to the movies the weekend after Sept. 11 , 2001 .
Disney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Onward , ” remained the top film , earning $ 10.5 million in its second weekend .
The Christian romance “ I Still Believe ” from Lionsgate brought in $ 9.5 million .
Sony ’ s comic-book adaptation “ Bloodshot , ” with Vin Diesel , grossed an estimated $ 9.3 million .
All of those totals were notably below expectations .
Most of Europe ’ s cinemas have shuttered in recent days , along with closures in China , India , Lebanon and Kuwait .
Those closures have already slashed international grosses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American theaters remained open for business over the weekend .
The continent ’ s two largest chains , AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas , said they wouldn ’ t fill theaters to more than 50 % capacity to facilitate social distancing .
Others asked moviegoers to leave empty seats around them .
All pledged to clean theaters in between screenings .
Other theaters opted to close , including many cinemas in New York .
Of the roughly 5,800 theaters in the United States , about 100 were closed over the weekend .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic theater chains to go to reduced seating and many international territories to either completely or partially close all theaters , as well as creating uncertainty about going to crowded spaces , all titles have seen larger than expected drops , ” Disney said in a statement .
Health officials urged people to stay home and minimize social interaction , especially in states that have instituted bans on larger gatherings .
California put a limit on gatherings of 250 people ; New York set its ban at 500 people ; Ohio banned gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the entertainment world has shut down .
Broadway theaters , major museums and theme parks have closed their doors .
Concerts have been called off .
Festivals including South by Southwest in Austin , Texas , and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York have been canceled or delayed .
Most live-action film production has been put on hiatus .
Hollywood also has postponed most of its upcoming releases .
Next week ’ s most anticipated movie , “ A Quiet Place Part 2 , ” has been removed from the schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s “ Mulan ” and the James Bond film “ Die Another Day ” have been put off .
That means that even if movie theaters remain open in the coming weeks , they will have little to play .

Ticket sales plunged to their lowest levels in almost 20 years at North American movie theaters as the coronavirus pandemic led to one of Hollywood’s worst weekends at the box office.
Receipts totaled about $56 million in U.S. and Canada theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. Not since September 2000 has weekend box office revenue been so low, according to data firm Comscore, when $54.5 million in tickets were sold on a quiet weekend. More people went to the movies the weekend after Sept. 11, 2001.
Disney’s latest release from Pixar, “Onward,” remained the top film, earning $10.5 million in its second weekend. The Christian romance “I Still Believe” from Lionsgate brought in $9.5 million. Sony’s comic-book adaptation “Bloodshot,” with Vin Diesel, grossed an estimated $9.3 million.
All of those totals were notably below expectations.
Most of Europe’s cinemas have shuttered in recent days, along with closures in China, India, Lebanon and Kuwait. Those closures have already slashed international grosses.
But the wide majority of North American theaters remained open for business over the weekend. The continent’s two largest chains, AMC Theaters and Regal Cinemas, said they wouldn’t fill theaters to more than 50% capacity to facilitate social distancing. Others asked moviegoers to leave empty seats around them. All pledged to clean theaters in between screenings.
Other theaters opted to close, including many cinemas in New York. Of the roughly 5,800 theaters in the United States, about 100 were closed over the weekend.
“With the worldwide coronavirus epidemic causing many domestic theater chains to go to reduced seating and many international territories to either completely or partially close all theaters, as well as creating uncertainty about going to crowded spaces, all titles have seen larger than expected drops,” Disney said in a statement.
Health officials urged people to stay home and minimize social interaction, especially in states that have instituted bans on larger gatherings. California put a limit on gatherings of 250 people; New York set its ban at 500 people; Ohio banned gatherings of 100 people or more.
Most of the entertainment world has shut down. Broadway theaters, major museums and theme parks have closed their doors. Concerts have been called off. Festivals including South by Southwest in Austin, Texas, and the Tribeca Film Festival in New York have been canceled or delayed. Most live-action film production has been put on hiatus.
Hollywood also has postponed most of its upcoming releases. Next week’s most anticipated movie, “A Quiet Place Part 2,” has been removed from the schedule. Other major releases, including Disney’s “Mulan” and the James Bond film “Die Another Day” have been put off.
That means that even if movie theaters remain open in the coming weeks, they will have little to play.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-15--Better laugh now, before tragedy sets in

You want to hear something strange and a little scary ?
I felt great Saturday morning .
Walking the dog , breathing the frosty air , taking big strides — well , what constitutes big strides for me .
An unexpected surge of energy .
I had no idea why .
I hope it wasn ’ t the snow day , society ’ s canceled , End of Times drama of the United States collectively ducking into a crouch , readying itself to start receiving full body punches from the coronavirus .
But with journalists , you never know .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ahh at the big fire for a moment or two before catching ourselves and remembering the people leaping out the windows .
Maybe I was just well-rested .
Social media fixated for some ungodly reason on people buying lots of toilet paper and others condemning them for buying lots of toilet paper .
I took to Twitter to try to offer up a silver lining in all this before , you know , thousands of Americans start to die and nothing seems funny anymore , which I distinctly remember as being the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9/11 .
I tweeted out a series , beginning with “ Look on the Bright Side # 1 : No sign of Rudy Giuliani.
” Because this was Twitter , people reacted instantly , pointing out this was wrong : Trump ’ s unhinged consigliere was on Fox News , flapping his gums about the crisis .
That ’ s what I get for never watching Fox , and for being an optimist .
I keep thinking , with life or death hanging in the balance , the presidential clown show must come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it doesn ’ t .
It just gets worse .
“ Look on the Bright Side # 2 : Trump not crowing about the stock market.
” Wrong again .
Of course he was .
Ignoring Thursday ’ s historic 10 % plunge , he fixed his attention on Friday ’ s rebound and howled with joy : “ BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY !
” So if a million Americans die from this , we can expect the president to exude , “ 326 MILLION AMERICANS NOT DEAD !
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s try something that isn ’ t demonstrably wrong : “ Look on the Bright Side # 3 : President probably doesn ’ t know enough about mechanics of governance to consider invoking martial law.
” No one can argue that .
I was on a roll .
A little mean , yes .
But turnabout is fair play .
“ # 7 : Bulls suddenly have as good a shot at making the playoffs as any other NBA team.
” “ # 8 : A chance to really get a jump on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wife mobilized and began issuing orders .
Soon I was Windexing mirrors , dusting corners , going over doorknobs with Lysol wipes .
“ But we ’ re the only ones here , ” I protested .
“ The only germs we ’ re killing are our own.
” That didn ’ t work .
“ # 9 : A chance to pare down your Facebook friends by silently dumping those who make a spectacle of their not understanding why calling it ‘ Wuhan Virus ’ is racist.
” I ’ ve pitched @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
Most for posting untrue memes about keeping the virus at bay by gargling with salt water .
I ’ d try to correct them , but they don ’ t seem to care .
True , untrue — that ’ s such a 2010 concern .
“ # 10 : Americans who can happily ignore Trump caging children , slashing taxes for the rich along with environmental standards and the Constitution might conceivably snap to the fact he ’ s bungling a pandemic in a way that might kill them.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are far less concerned about the coronavirus , far less apt to take steps to keep themselves and their families safe .
I could say something unkind here , but it would only reflect poorly on me .
So let ’ s hope that works out for them .
“ # 11 : Get to smirk at puffed up pooh-bah David Brooks claiming in the NYT that Daniel Defoe ‘ reports ’ something in ‘ A Journal of London in the Plague Year.
’ It ’ s a novel .
Defoe was 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting anything .
Nor is Brooks , except his ignorance.
” I wish I could fit in more — go on Twitter if you ’ re curious — but space dwindles .
My point , to the degree I have a point , is this : Strap in , this is going to take a while .
Let ’ s try to keep our spirits up .

You want to hear something strange and a little scary? I felt great Saturday morning. Walking the dog, breathing the frosty air, taking big strides — well, what constitutes big strides for me. An unexpected surge of energy.
I had no idea why. I hope it wasn’t the snow day, society’s canceled, End of Times drama of the United States collectively ducking into a crouch, readying itself to start receiving full body punches from the coronavirus. But with journalists, you never know. We can’t help but ooo and ahh at the big fire for a moment or two before catching ourselves and remembering the people leaping out the windows.
Opinion bug Opinion
Maybe I was just well-rested.
Social media fixated for some ungodly reason on people buying lots of toilet paper and others condemning them for buying lots of toilet paper. I took to Twitter to try to offer up a silver lining in all this before, you know, thousands of Americans start to die and nothing seems funny anymore, which I distinctly remember as being the bitter icing on the tragedy cake of 9/11.
I tweeted out a series, beginning with “Look on the Bright Side #1: No sign of Rudy Giuliani.”
Because this was Twitter, people reacted instantly, pointing out this was wrong: Trump’s unhinged consigliere was on Fox News, flapping his gums about the crisis. That’s what I get for never watching Fox, and for being an optimist. I keep thinking, with life or death hanging in the balance, the presidential clown show must come to an end.
But of course it doesn’t. It just gets worse.
I tried again.
“Look on the Bright Side #2: Trump not crowing about the stock market.”
Wrong again. Of course he was. Ignoring Thursday’s historic 10% plunge, he fixed his attention on Friday’s rebound and howled with joy: “BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY!” So if a million Americans die from this, we can expect the president to exude, “326 MILLION AMERICANS NOT DEAD!”
OK, I thought, let’s try something that isn’t demonstrably wrong:
“Look on the Bright Side #3: President probably doesn’t know enough about mechanics of governance to consider invoking martial law.”
No one can argue that. I was on a roll.
“#4: Everybody’s March Madness brackets are blown.”
“#5: Trump rallies might continue unabated.”
A little mean, yes. But turnabout is fair play.
“#6: Chronic pessimists suddenly indistinguishable from regular people.”
“#7: Bulls suddenly have as good a shot at making the playoffs as any other NBA team.”
“#8: A chance to really get a jump on spring cleaning.”
This was before my wife mobilized and began issuing orders. Soon I was Windexing mirrors, dusting corners, going over doorknobs with Lysol wipes. “But we’re the only ones here,” I protested. “The only germs we’re killing are our own.” That didn’t work.
“#9: A chance to pare down your Facebook friends by silently dumping those who make a spectacle of their not understanding why calling it ‘Wuhan Virus’ is racist.”
I’ve pitched at least a dozen people over the weekend. Most for posting untrue memes about keeping the virus at bay by gargling with salt water. I’d try to correct them, but they don’t seem to care. True, untrue — that’s such a 2010 concern.
“#10: Americans who can happily ignore Trump caging children, slashing taxes for the rich along with environmental standards and the Constitution might conceivably snap to the fact he’s bungling a pandemic in a way that might kill them.”
Another blunder. A poll shows Republicans are far less concerned about the coronavirus, far less apt to take steps to keep themselves and their families safe. I could say something unkind here, but it would only reflect poorly on me. So let’s hope that works out for them.
“#11: Get to smirk at puffed up pooh-bah David Brooks claiming in the NYT that Daniel Defoe ‘reports’ something in ‘A Journal of London in the Plague Year.’ It’s a novel. Defoe was 5 in 1665. He isn’t reporting anything. Nor is Brooks, except his ignorance.”
I wish I could fit in more — go on Twitter if you’re curious — but space dwindles. My point, to the degree I have a point, is this: Strap in, this is going to take a while. Let’s try to keep our spirits up.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Man, woman hurt in South Side high-rise fire

A man and a woman were injured in a fire Monday at a high-rise apartment building on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ 3:09 a.m. to the multi-unit building in the 3400 block of South Rhodes Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ A man and a woman suffered smoke inhalation , police said .
The man was @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Medical Center while the woman was taken to Mercy Hospital , both in good @ @ @ @ @ displaced as a result of the blaze , police said .
A warming bus was @ @ @ @ @ assist them .

A man and a woman were injured in a fire Monday at a high-rise apartment building on the South Side.
Authorities were called at 3:09 a.m. to the multi-unit building in the 3400 block of South Rhodes Avenue, according to Chicago police.
A man and a woman suffered smoke inhalation, police said. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center while the woman was taken to Mercy Hospital, both in good condition.
Multiple residents were displaced as a result of the blaze, police said. A warming bus was called to the scene to assist them.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Coronavirus takes away the ideal movie experience: seeing it with a crowd

What ’ s your favorite memory of going to the movies ?
Maybe it was the summer of 1975 , when you were a teenager , and “ Jaws ” was playing at the local theater , and you had enough in your pocket to cover the $ 2.10 ticket price .
You scored seats for the last screening of the night , at 10pm .
By the time the movie started , the theater was jam-packed .
Opening minutes .
We ’ re underwater , hearing the soon-to-be-famous opening theme , and then cut to teenagers partying on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s eye , and vice versa .
Guy stumbles after the girl , asking , “ What ’ s your name again ?
” and she replies , “ Chrissy !
” Moments later , Chrissy had taken her last swim , and the theater was rocking with screams and scary-movie laughter .
You ’ ll never forget seeing that movie with your friends .
Our favorite moviegoing memories are all about the shared experience .
Even in this streaming age , I ’ m not sure even a world-class misanthrope would say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stayed in bed and ate Cheetos and watched “ The Irishman ” on his iPad without taking a single bathroom break .
So many genres — from comedies to horror films to superhero epics — are made for the communal viewing experience .
Half the fun of the rollercoaster ride is hearing the laughs and screams of others .
Unless it ’ s a national emergency , and a movie-like pandemic is spreading at an alarming rate , and we ’ re being advised to isolate ourselves , to self-quarantine if necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice “ social distancing ” and stay out of crowded venues .
On Saturday , we saw the first coronavirus-caused movie theater closings in the United States .
By the next day , Chicago ’ s Gene Siskel Film Center had decided to go dark through April 10 , and the mayors of New York and Los Angeles had ordered the temporary shutdown of all their cities ’ cinemas .
Meanwhile , highly anticipated movies from “ No Time to Die ” to “ Mulan ” to “ A Quiet Place , Part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quiet Place II ” writer-director John Krasinski issued a statement : “ One of the things I ’ m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see … together .
… [ N ] ow clearly is not the time to do that .
… I ’ m gon na wait to release the film till we CAN all see it together !
So here ’ s to our group movie date !
” I get questions like this all the time : “ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
At home ?
Or is there a special theater ?
Do you see them with other people ?
” Yes .
Yes .
Sometimes .
Many a daytime screening is held at the legendary Lake Street Screening Room , where Roger Ebert always sat in the back row on the far left and Gene Siskel was down the small aisle , on the right .
Sometimes the room is packed with a couple dozen critics ; occasionally it ’ s just a handful .
Once in a while it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ watch some movies at home .
Mid-range and smaller ( in terms of budget ) films ; documentaries and indies ; feature-length movies from the premium streaming services .
For virtually every “ event ” film — superhero movies , action franchises , mainstream comedies , horror stories , Oscar-bait dramas , animated adventures — the studios hold advance screenings at commercial venues such as the AMC River East or the Showplace ICON or the ArcLight Cinemas .
A couple of rows are reserved for members of the press , and the rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passes , and I have nothing to do with that process so it ’ s fruitless to ask me for tickets to advance screenings because I don ’ t have any J .
Most of the time , every seat in the house is taken .
We all settle in for the shared experience of watching “ Get Out ” or “ Crazy Rich Asians ” or “ Once Upon a Time in Hollywood ” or “ Parasite ” or “ Knives Out ” or “ The Invisible Man ” or… Well .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hitting the Pause button on that next great shared moviegoing experience .
I still have a few outside-of-home screenings on my Google Calendar .
And I ’ ll still have plenty of material for the Sun-Times in the weeks to come , as I ’ ll continue my practice of reviewing streaming and cable TV series and writing the occasional column and weighing in on whatever theatrical releases aren ’ t delayed .
But we have to be smart and diligent .
We should adhere to the experts ’ advice on social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the movies — eventually .
Here ’ s hoping it ’ s sooner rather than later .

What’s your favorite memory of going to the movies?
Maybe it was the summer of 1975, when you were a teenager, and “Jaws” was playing at the local theater, and you had enough in your pocket to cover the $2.10 ticket price.
You scored seats for the last screening of the night, at 10pm. By the time the movie started, the theater was jam-packed.
Opening minutes. We’re underwater, hearing the soon-to-be-famous opening theme, and then cut to teenagers partying on the beach.
Girl catches a guy’s eye, and vice versa. Guy stumbles after the girl, asking, “What’s your name again?” and she replies, “Chrissy!”
Moments later, Chrissy had taken her last swim, and the theater was rocking with screams and scary-movie laughter. You’ll never forget seeing that movie with your friends.
Or maybe your most treasured moviegoing memory is when a parent took you to see “The Empire Strikes Back” in 1980, when you were JUST old enough to handle it. Or when you and your friends almost passed out laughing at Eddie Murphy’s antics in “Beverly Hills Cop” in 1984, or you took a date to “Titanic” in 1997, or you and your geek buds cheered “Iron Man” in 2008, or you took your little one to see “Frozen” in 2013 and spent nearly as much time watching her face light up as you did watching the movie …
Our favorite moviegoing memories are all about the shared experience. Even in this streaming age, I’m not sure even a world-class misanthrope would say his favorite movie-watching memory is that time he stayed in bed and ate Cheetos and watched “The Irishman” on his iPad without taking a single bathroom break.
So many genres — from comedies to horror films to superhero epics — are made for the communal viewing experience. Half the fun of the rollercoaster ride is hearing the laughs and screams of others.
Unless it’s a national emergency, and a movie-like pandemic is spreading at an alarming rate, and we’re being advised to isolate ourselves, to self-quarantine if necessary — or at the very least to practice “social distancing” and stay out of crowded venues.
AMC and Regal Cinemas in the U.S. and Cineplex in Canada announced they were cutting seating capacity in half at all locations, in an effort to create that social distancing.
On Saturday, we saw the first coronavirus-caused movie theater closings in the United States. By the next day, Chicago’s Gene Siskel Film Center had decided to go dark through April 10, and the mayors of New York and Los Angeles had ordered the temporary shutdown of all their cities’ cinemas.
Meanwhile, highly anticipated movies from “No Time to Die” to “Mulan” to “A Quiet Place, Part II” have been postponed.
John Krasinski directs his wife, Emily Blunt, during the making of “A Quiet Place, Part II.” He chose to delay the film’s release “till we CAN all see it together!” Paramount Pictures
“Quiet Place II” writer-director John Krasinski issued a statement: “One of the things I’m most proud of is that people have said our movie is one you have to see … together. … [N]ow clearly is not the time to do that. … I’m gonna wait to release the film till we CAN all see it together! So here’s to our group movie date!”
Cheers to that.
• • •
I get questions like this all the time: “So how do you see all those movies? At home? Or is there a special theater? Do you see them with other people?”
Yes. Yes. Sometimes.
Many a daytime screening is held at the legendary Lake Street Screening Room, where Roger Ebert always sat in the back row on the far left and Gene Siskel was down the small aisle, on the right. Sometimes the room is packed with a couple dozen critics; occasionally it’s just a handful. Once in a while it’s just me.
I also receive links to watch some movies at home. Mid-range and smaller (in terms of budget) films; documentaries and indies; feature-length movies from the premium streaming services. There are times when I laugh out loud, or I’m jolted by a scare moment, or I choke up at a genuinely moving development — but a small part of me wishes that singular instant memory hadn’t occurred in my comfortable isolation tank.
For virtually every “event” film — superhero movies, action franchises, mainstream comedies, horror stories, Oscar-bait dramas, animated adventures — the studios hold advance screenings at commercial venues such as the AMC River East or the Showplace ICON or the ArcLight Cinemas. A couple of rows are reserved for members of the press, and the rest of the seats go to fans with passes, and I have nothing to do with that process so it’s fruitless to ask me for tickets to advance screenings because I don’t have any.
Most of the time, every seat in the house is taken. We all settle in for the shared experience of watching “Get Out” or “Crazy Rich Asians” or “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” or “Parasite” or “Knives Out” or “The Invisible Man” or…
Well. We’ve come very close to hitting the Pause button on that next great shared moviegoing experience.
I still have a few outside-of-home screenings on my Google Calendar. And I’ll still have plenty of material for the Sun-Times in the weeks to come, as I’ll continue my practice of reviewing streaming and cable TV series and writing the occasional column and weighing in on whatever theatrical releases aren’t delayed.
But we have to be smart and diligent. We should adhere to the experts’ advice on social distancing.
I’ll see you at the movies — eventually. Here’s hoping it’s sooner rather than later.
Be well.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Dear Abby: After a birth control failure, woman anxious about future intimacy

DEAR ABBY : Two years ago , I had a miscarriage .
The guy was nothing more than a fling .
We were careful and never did anything without protection , but it happened anyway .
I have now been in a relationship with a really great guy for four months .
I said I wanted to take it slow , and he has been very supportive , but we are both getting antsy to move to the next step of intimacy .
My problem is , I can ’ t seem to stop having anxiety attacks when I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even using two forms of birth control .
Neither of us wants kids now or in the future .
How do I get past this fear ?
— WORRIED IN WYOMING DEAR WORRIED : A way to do that would be to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what your options would be for using a long-term form of birth control such as a slow-release implant or an IUD .
If your state had a Planned Parenthood clinic nearby , I would normally recommend going there .
However , when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discover there is no longer a clinic in your entire state , which means you may have to go as far as Colorado to find one .
DEAR ABBY : I am increasingly frustrated with a colleague ’ s daily demeanor .
She ’ s a supervisor in my department , although I no longer report directly to her .
But my office is adjacent to hers , and I see her frequently .
Every day when she arrives , I greet her with my standard , “ Good morning , how are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heavy sigh and some vague remark about how tired she is or some other general complaint .
Even if I don ’ t ask about her welfare , she will still offer the same negative remarks .
She does this with other co-workers as well .
Is there an effective response I can offer that would help her to reframe , or at least stop with the heavy martyrdom ?
— TIRED OF HEARING IT DEAR TIRED : Because she constantly volunteers ( with a heavy sigh ) that she ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she has been saying this same thing for a long time and suggest she consult a doctor about it .
The one thing you should definitely stop doing is personalizing it the way it appears you do .
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 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, I had a miscarriage. The guy was nothing more than a fling. We were careful and never did anything without protection, but it happened anyway.
I have now been in a relationship with a really great guy for four months. I said I wanted to take it slow, and he has been very supportive, but we are both getting antsy to move to the next step of intimacy. My problem is, I can’t seem to stop having anxiety attacks when I think about the possibility of getting pregnant again, even using two forms of birth control.
Neither of us wants kids now or in the future. How do I get past this fear? — WORRIED IN WYOMING
DEAR WORRIED: A way to do that would be to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what your options would be for using a long-term form of birth control such as a slow-release implant or an IUD.
If your state had a Planned Parenthood clinic nearby, I would normally recommend going there. However, when I checked online, I was shocked to discover there is no longer a clinic in your entire state, which means you may have to go as far as Colorado to find one.
DEAR ABBY: I am increasingly frustrated with a colleague’s daily demeanor. She’s a supervisor in my department, although I no longer report directly to her. But my office is adjacent to hers, and I see her frequently.
Every day when she arrives, I greet her with my standard, “Good morning, how are you?” and she replies with a heavy sigh and some vague remark about how tired she is or some other general complaint. Even if I don’t ask about her welfare, she will still offer the same negative remarks. She does this with other co-workers as well. Is there an effective response I can offer that would help her to reframe, or at least stop with the heavy martyrdom? — TIRED OF HEARING IT
DEAR TIRED: Because she constantly volunteers (with a heavy sigh) that she’s “tired,” consider pointing out that she has been saying this same thing for a long time and suggest she consult a doctor about it. The one thing you should definitely stop doing is personalizing it the way it appears you do.
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.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--1 killed, 17 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings

A man was killed and 17 other people were injured by gunfire over the weekend across Chicago .
A 21-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday in Galewood on the Northwest Side .
He was outside about 2:35 p.m. when someone walked up and shot him in the side in the 1800 block of North Mobile Avenue , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not released details about the death .
Early that morning , three people were hurt when someone opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the South Side .
A gunman walked up to the front of the house about 2:40 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Normal Avenue and started shooting , according to police .
Two men and a woman inside were hit .
A 20-year-old man was shot in the back , a 23-year-old man was hit in the leg and an 18-year-old woman was grazed on her face , police said .
They were all taken in good condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn .
The weekend ’ s latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the South Side .
The boy was walking about 5:30 p.m. Sunday on South Winchester Avenue when a male in a dark jacket fired shots at him , police said .
He was shot twice in the arm and once in the thigh , and taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in good condition .
Another teen was hurt in a double shooting less than two hours before that in Calumet Heights on the South Side .
The 16 year-old boy and a 36-year-old man were on the sidewalk about 3:45 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people walked up and fired shots at them , police said .
The boy was shot in the back and arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
The man was struck in the forearm and taken to the same hospital in good condition .
Earlier Sunday afternoon , a 22-year-old man was shot in an attempted robbery in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side .
He was inside an apartment about 12:40 p.m. in the 4000 block of South Talman Avenue when two men walked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rob him at knifepoint , and the 22-year-old was shot in the back during a struggle .
He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
The two suspects are in custody .
Two men were shot early Sunday morning in West Town .
They were walking about 2:15 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Erie Street when several males shot at them , police said .
A 30-year-old man was struck in the back and chest while a 27-year-old was shot multiple times .
They were both taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning , a 48-year-old man was shot during a robbery in Belmont Central on the North Side .
He was in the 5800 block of West Belmont Avenue about 11:20 a.m. Saturday when two men , one armed with a gun , got out of a white Nissan SUV , according to police .
The 48-year-old was shot in the calf during a struggle .
The two suspects then jumped back in the SUV and drove off with the man ’ s bag and money , police said .
Responding officers applied a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stop the bleeding and he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition .
The weekend ’ s first shooting injured a 36-year-old man Friday night in Lake View on the North Side .
He was driving about 11:30 p.m. in the 800 block of West Sheridan Road when someone in a black sedan shot him , police said .
The man was struck in the leg and kept driving before hitting two parked cars at Broadway and Dakin Street .
He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot throughout Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
Last weekend , gun violence left one person dead and 21 others wounded across the city .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man was killed and 17 other people were injured by gunfire over the weekend across Chicago.
A 21-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday in Galewood on the Northwest Side.
He was outside about 2:35 p.m. when someone walked up and shot him in the side in the 1800 block of North Mobile Avenue, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not released details about the death.
Early that morning, three people were hurt when someone opened fire into a house party in Brainerd on the South Side.
A gunman walked up to the front of the house about 2:40 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Normal Avenue and started shooting, according to police. Two men and a woman inside were hit.
A 20-year-old man was shot in the back, a 23-year-old man was hit in the leg and an 18-year-old woman was grazed on her face, police said. They were all taken in good condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
The weekend’s latest shooting injured a 15-year-old boy in Englewood on the South Side.
The boy was walking about 5:30 p.m. Sunday on South Winchester Avenue when a male in a dark jacket fired shots at him, police said. He was shot twice in the arm and once in the thigh, and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition.
Another teen was hurt in a double shooting less than two hours before that in Calumet Heights on the South Side.
The 16 year-old boy and a 36-year-old man were on the sidewalk about 3:45 p.m. on South Cregier Avenue when two people walked up and fired shots at them, police said. The boy was shot in the back and arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. The man was struck in the forearm and taken to the same hospital in good condition.
Earlier Sunday afternoon, a 22-year-old man was shot in an attempted robbery in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side.
He was inside an apartment about 12:40 p.m. in the 4000 block of South Talman Avenue when two men walked in, police said. One tried to rob him at knifepoint, and the 22-year-old was shot in the back during a struggle. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition. The two suspects are in custody.
Two men were shot early Sunday morning in West Town.
They were walking about 2:15 a.m. in the 1700 block of West Erie Street when several males shot at them, police said. A 30-year-old man was struck in the back and chest while a 27-year-old was shot multiple times. They were both taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition.
Saturday morning, a 48-year-old man was shot during a robbery in Belmont Central on the North Side.
He was in the 5800 block of West Belmont Avenue about 11:20 a.m. Saturday when two men, one armed with a gun, got out of a white Nissan SUV, according to police. The 48-year-old was shot in the calf during a struggle.
The two suspects then jumped back in the SUV and drove off with the man’s bag and money, police said. Responding officers applied a tourniquet onto the victim’s leg to stop the bleeding and he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition.
The weekend’s first shooting injured a 36-year-old man Friday night in Lake View on the North Side.
He was driving about 11:30 p.m. in the 800 block of West Sheridan Road when someone in a black sedan shot him, police said. The man was struck in the leg and kept driving before hitting two parked cars at Broadway and Dakin Street. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition.
Six other people were shot throughout Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend, gun violence left one person dead and 21 others wounded across the city.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorses VP Joe Biden for president, calling him the ‘right candidate’ to beat Tr

Gov. J.B. Pritzker endorses VP Joe Biden for president, calling him the ‘right candidate’ to beat Trump

A day before the Illinois primary , Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president — calling him the “ right candidate to beat Donald Trump.
” ” As our nation faces some of the biggest challenges of our time , I know Vice President Joe Biden is the right candidate to beat Donald Trump and lead us into a new era , ” Pritzker told the Chicago Sun-Times in a statement .
Pritzker — the billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist turned governor — has repeatedly said he would stay out of the Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat , ” Pritzker said time and time again .
But by Sunday , Pritzker ’ s political team said the governor was making the endorsement , in part , to remind voters elections are still important , even as the nation and state grapple with the coronavirus outbreak .
Despite some concerns over voter turnout , Pritzker on Sunday said the election would not be delayed .
“ Democracy must continue , ” Pritzker said at a Chicago news conference Sunday .
“ We have to elect leaders , even in less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is currently garnering national attention for his decisive response to the coronavirus outbreak — first ordering all Illinois schools closed , then all bars and restaurants .
Pritzker , too , criticized Trump ’ s administration in very blunt tweets over the weekend and continued his messaging on “ Meet the Press ” on Sunday morning .
“ It ’ s time to unite as Democrats to restore respect to our nation ’ s highest office .
Joe will stand on the side of working families and serve as a partner to us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good paying jobs , expand health care and invest in education , ” Pritzker said in the statement .
Pritzker called Biden a “ steady hand ” who can move the country “ past the divisiveness and vitriol that have become the norm in 2020.
” “ I trust Joe to lead with his head and heart , to do what ’ s right , and to get things done for the American people , ” Pritzker said .
Pritzker was a major donor to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and has been calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early as 2017 .
The governor last year signed several immigration bills in response to Trump ’ s border policies and has vowed that the state of Illinois “ stands as a firewall against Donald Trump ’ s attacks on our immigrant communities.
” An heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune , Pritzker is the wealthiest sitting politician in the country , with his net worth estimated at $ 3.4 billion , according to Forbes .
Trump ’ s net worth is estimated at $ 3.1 billion .
Biden now has the backing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American members of Congress from Illinois — Rush and Reps. Danny Davis and Robin Kelly , whose districts have the highest concentration of black voters in the state .

A day before the Illinois primary, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker is endorsing former Vice President Joe Biden for president — calling him the “right candidate to beat Donald Trump.”
”As our nation faces some of the biggest challenges of our time, I know Vice President Joe Biden is the right candidate to beat Donald Trump and lead us into a new era,” Pritzker told the Chicago Sun-Times in a statement.
Pritzker — the billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist turned governor — has repeatedly said he would stay out of the Democratic primary.
“I’m for the Democrat,” Pritzker said time and time again.
But by Sunday, Pritzker’s political team said the governor was making the endorsement, in part, to remind voters elections are still important, even as the nation and state grapple with the coronavirus outbreak. Despite some concerns over voter turnout, Pritzker on Sunday said the election would not be delayed.
“Democracy must continue,” Pritzker said at a Chicago news conference Sunday. “We have to elect leaders, even in less than ideal circumstances.”
The Democratic governor is currently garnering national attention for his decisive response to the coronavirus outbreak — first ordering all Illinois schools closed, then all bars and restaurants. Pritzker, too, criticized Trump’s administration in very blunt tweets over the weekend and continued his messaging on “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning.
“It’s time to unite as Democrats to restore respect to our nation’s highest office. Joe will stand on the side of working families and serve as a partner to us in Illinois as we work to create good paying jobs, expand health care and invest in education,” Pritzker said in the statement.
Pritzker called Biden a “steady hand” who can move the country “past the divisiveness and vitriol that have become the norm in 2020.”
“I trust Joe to lead with his head and heart, to do what’s right, and to get things done for the American people,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker was a major donor to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and has been calling for Trump’s impeachment since as early as 2017. The governor last year signed several immigration bills in response to Trump’s border policies and has vowed that the state of Illinois “stands as a firewall against Donald Trump’s attacks on our immigrant communities.”
An heir to the Hyatt hotel fortune, Pritzker is the wealthiest sitting politician in the country, with his net worth estimated at $3.4 billion, according to Forbes. Trump’s net worth is estimated at $3.1 billion.
Biden now has the backing of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and three African American members of Congress from Illinois — Rush and Reps. Danny Davis and Robin Kelly, whose districts have the highest concentration of black voters in the state.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Burglar hits Little Village homes

Burglar hits Little Village homes

Two home burglaries were reported last week in Little Village on the Southwest Side , according to Chicago police .
@ @ @ @ @ 8 and 11:44 p.m. March 9 in the 200 block of South Drake Avenue ; @ @ @ @ @ and 8 a.m. March 11 in the 2600 block of South Trumbull Avenue .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Two home burglaries were reported last week in Little Village on the Southwest Side, according to Chicago police.
The cases happened:
Between 8:30 p.m. March 8 and 11:44 p.m. March 9 in the 200 block of South Drake Avenue; and
Between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. March 11 in the 2600 block of South Trumbull Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Thieves steal parked vehicles in Hyde Park

Police are warning residents about a pair of vehicle thefts last week in Hyde Park on the South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ with the keys inside and came back later to find them missing , according to @ @ @ @ @ police .
Both thefts occurred in the 1500 block of East 53rd Street , police @ @ @ @ @ reported between 4:10 and 4:25 p.m. March 10 , while the other happened about 9:45 @ @ @ @ @ with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning residents about a pair of vehicle thefts last week in Hyde Park on the South Side.
The victims parked their vehicles with the keys inside and came back later to find them missing, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
Both thefts occurred in the 1500 block of East 53rd Street, police said. The first was reported between 4:10 and 4:25 p.m. March 10, while the other happened about 9:45 p.m. March 14.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Teen critically wounded in Calumet Heights double shooting

Two people were shot Sunday in Calumet Heights on the South Side , including a teenage boy who is in @ @ @ @ @ , 16 , and a man , 36 , were on the sidewalk about 3:45 @ @ @ @ @ when two people walked up and fired shots at them , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ the back and arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical @ @ @ @ @ The man was struck in the forearm and taken to the same hospital in good @ @ @ @ @ in custody as Area South detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track @ @ @ @ @ .

Two people were shot Sunday in Calumet Heights on the South Side, including a teenage boy who is in critical condition.
The boy, 16, and a man, 36, were on the sidewalk about 3:45 p.m. on South Cregier Avenue when two people walked up and fired shots at them, Chicago police said.
The teenager was shot in the back and arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said. The man was struck in the forearm and taken to the same hospital in good condition.
No one is in custody as Area South detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Regulators shut down video gambling machines across Illinois due to COVID-19

State regulators Monday ordered all video gambling machines shut down across Illinois until the end of March , bringing the gaming industry to a full stop a day after officials shuttered Illinois casinos in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus .
Most of the slots already would have gone dark under Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s unprecedented order shutting down all bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery orders .
But the order from the Illinois Gaming Board ensures all 35,483 machines set up at 7,307 establishments across the state are blacked out for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and VFW halls .
“ The public health of patrons , video gaming industry employees , Gaming Board staff , and all others is of paramount importance , ” the board said in a statement .
“ The Board is continuously monitoring developments in connection with the COVID-19 public health crisis and will update licensees as warranted.
” The ban goes into effect goes into effect at 9 p.m. Monday and lasts through March 30 .
Regulators previously forced Illinois ’ 10 casinos to close their doors Sunday night .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terminals have been shut down since they were introduced in 2012 and overtook the casinos as the state ’ s top gaming revenue generator in 2017 .
Gamblers lost $ 1.7 billion at the machines last year , and about $ 1.4 billion at casinos .
The launch of Illinois ’ brand new sports betting industry just a week ago was spoiled by the statewide coronavirus shutdown , leaving horse racing as the only game in town via mobile and online wagering .
Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville is closed to spectators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but said they ’ ll broadcast races to wager on .
Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney announced Monday evening they ’ re suspending races through the end of the month .
Illinois Lottery games are still available , though the claim center at the Thompson Center in the Loop for winnings over $ 600 is closed until further notice .
Claim centers in Des Plaines , Rockford , Springfield and Fairview Heights are still open .

State regulators Monday ordered all video gambling machines shut down across Illinois until the end of March, bringing the gaming industry to a full stop a day after officials shuttered Illinois casinos in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Most of the slots already would have gone dark under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s unprecedented order shutting down all bars and restaurants except for takeout and delivery orders.
But the order from the Illinois Gaming Board ensures all 35,483 machines set up at 7,307 establishments across the state are blacked out for two weeks, including those at gas stations and VFW halls.
“The public health of patrons, video gaming industry employees, Gaming Board staff, and all others is of paramount importance,” the board said in a statement. “The Board is continuously monitoring developments in connection with the COVID-19 public health crisis and will update licensees as warranted.”
The ban goes into effect goes into effect at 9 p.m. Monday and lasts through March 30. Regulators previously forced Illinois’ 10 casinos to close their doors Sunday night.
It’s the first time Illinois’ video gaming terminals have been shut down since they were introduced in 2012 and overtook the casinos as the state’s top gaming revenue generator in 2017. Gamblers lost $1.7 billion at the machines last year, and about $1.4 billion at casinos.
The launch of Illinois’ brand new sports betting industry just a week ago was spoiled by the statewide coronavirus shutdown, leaving horse racing as the only game in town via mobile and online wagering. Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville is closed to spectators, including at their off-track betting parlors, but said they’ll broadcast races to wager on. Hawthorne Race Course in Stickney announced Monday evening they’re suspending races through the end of the month.
Illinois Lottery games are still available, though the claim center at the Thompson Center in the Loop for winnings over $600 is closed until further notice. Claim centers in Des Plaines, Rockford, Springfield and Fairview Heights are still open.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Chief judge’s order nearly brings Chicago’s federal court to a halt

Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer handed down an order Monday believed to be unprecedented in the modern history of Chicago ’ s federal court , largely putting civil and criminal cases on hold in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak .
The order appears to cancel hearings in several public corruption cases , as well as the sentencing hearings for convicted Chicago Police Sgt .
Xavier Elizondo and Officer David Salgado .
It would also appear to put off the sentencing of ex-Ald .
Edward R. Vrdolyak .
Among the public corruption defendants whose hearings appear to be delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Sen. Thomas Cullerton and Patrick Doherty , chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski .
Pallmeyer ’ s order also appeared to cancel a status hearing set for Wednesday in Chicago ’ s lawsuit against actor Jussie Smollett .
However , the order allows for arraignment by video with the permission of a defendant .
So it ’ s unclear whether the arraignment of developer See Y. Wong — who secretly recorded then-Ald .
Danny Solis and House Speaker Michael Madigan — will go forward on March 24 , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil hearings and trials set between March 17 and April 3 .
It also said criminal proceedings that can not be delayed will be handled by emergency judges .
She delayed all plea hearings and sentencings set to begin before April 3 , unless a judge is told the hearing must go forward .
“ All other criminal hearings are immediately suspended and held in abeyance , ” Pallmeyer wrote .
The chief judge also suspended public gatherings at the federal courthouses in Chicago and Rockford , noting that her order would either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She also created a special docket where lawyers may appeal her order .
Richard Cahan , who co-authored a recent book about the history of the court titled “ Chicago Rules , ” said Monday , “ I don ’ t know of any time that the court was closed , even in part , for an extended period of time .
”

Chief U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer handed down an order Monday believed to be unprecedented in the modern history of Chicago’s federal court, largely putting civil and criminal cases on hold in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The order appears to cancel hearings in several public corruption cases, as well as the sentencing hearings for convicted Chicago Police Sgt. Xavier Elizondo and Officer David Salgado. It would also appear to put off the sentencing of ex-Ald. Edward R. Vrdolyak.
Among the public corruption defendants whose hearings appear to be delayed are former state Rep. Luis Arroyo, state Sen. Thomas Cullerton and Patrick Doherty, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski.
Pallmeyer’s order also appeared to cancel a status hearing set for Wednesday in Chicago’s lawsuit against actor Jussie Smollett.
However, the order allows for arraignment by video with the permission of a defendant. So it’s unclear whether the arraignment of developer See Y. Wong — who secretly recorded then-Ald. Danny Solis and House Speaker Michael Madigan — will go forward on March 24, as scheduled.
Pallmeyer’s order canceled civil hearings and trials set between March 17 and April 3. It also said criminal proceedings that cannot be delayed will be handled by emergency judges. She delayed all plea hearings and sentencings set to begin before April 3, unless a judge is told the hearing must go forward.
“All other criminal hearings are immediately suspended and held in abeyance,” Pallmeyer wrote.
The chief judge also suspended public gatherings at the federal courthouses in Chicago and Rockford, noting that her order would either be amended or canceled by April 3. She also created a special docket where lawyers may appeal her order.
Richard Cahan, who co-authored a recent book about the history of the court titled “Chicago Rules,” said Monday, “I don’t know of any time that the court was closed, even in part, for an extended period of time.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-16--Zoning Committee approves electric vehicle readiness mandate

Readying Chicago for electric vehicles to reduce air pollution may seem like a relatively mundane concern when everyday life is grinding to a halt to mitigate the threat of the coronavirus .
But Chicago aldermen proved Monday they can walk and chew gum at the same time .
The City Council ’ s Zoning Committee approved an ordinance requiring all new commercial buildings with 30 or more parking spaces and new residential buildings with five or more units to have at least 20 percent of their parking spaces “ Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment-Ready.
” Downtown Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordinance , noted that having parking spots “ ready ” for electric-vehicle equipment is a “ more specific requirement ” than just mandating that spots be “ capable ” of handling that equipment ; the less-stringent rule had been included in a watered-down ordinance Reilly pushed through the City Council last fall .
The new ordinance guarantees “ more of the infrastructure work is done at the front-end , ” the alderman said .
“ It ’ s six times more expensive to retrofit a building than it is to install this on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle sales are increasing rapidly , with some industry analysts predicting 55 percent of all new car sales will be electric vehicles by 2040 .
“ They ’ re predicting that 15 percent of Americans will purchase an EV as their next vehicle .
And in six years , the cost of an EV is projected to equal the cost of a fossil fuel vehicle , ” Reilly said .
Reilly thanked the Lightfoot administration for working with him and his co-sponsor , Ald .
Matt Martin ( 47th ) , to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electric vehicle ordinance ” approved by the City Council just a few months ago .
The effective date has been pushed back — from July 31 to Oct.31 — to provide “ more flexibility for the development community , ” he said .
“ This is a progressive ordinance that would land the city of Chicago at the top of all cities in the nation in terms of planning for the future of electric vehicles , ” Reilly said .
“ It ’ s coming whether you like it or not .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a tremendous benefit for the environment and weans us off our dependence on fossil fuels , which is good public policy both locally and internationally.
” David Kolata , executive director of the Citizens Utility Board , couldn ’ t agree more .
“ This is smart , progressive policy that will make Chicago a leader on transportation electrification issues , ” Kolata said .
“ It will save consumers money .
It will be good for the environment .
”

Readying Chicago for electric vehicles to reduce air pollution may seem like a relatively mundane concern when everyday life is grinding to a halt to mitigate the threat of the coronavirus.
But Chicago aldermen proved Monday they can walk and chew gum at the same time.
The City Council’s Zoning Committee approved an ordinance requiring all new commercial buildings with 30 or more parking spaces and new residential buildings with five or more units to have at least 20 percent of their parking spaces “Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment-Ready.”
Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), chief sponsor of the ordinance, noted that having parking spots “ready” for electric-vehicle equipment is a “more specific requirement” than just mandating that spots be “capable” of handling that equipment; the less-stringent rule had been included in a watered-down ordinance Reilly pushed through the City Council last fall.
The new ordinance guarantees “more of the infrastructure work is done at the front-end,” the alderman said. “It’s six times more expensive to retrofit a building than it is to install this on the front end.”
Reilly noted electric vehicle sales are increasing rapidly, with some industry analysts predicting 55 percent of all new car sales will be electric vehicles by 2040.
“They’re predicting that 15 percent of Americans will purchase an EV as their next vehicle. And in six years, the cost of an EV is projected to equal the cost of a fossil fuel vehicle,” Reilly said.
Reilly thanked the Lightfoot administration for working with him and his co-sponsor, Ald. Matt Martin (47th), to “come up with a generation 2.0 of the electric vehicle ordinance” approved by the City Council just a few months ago.
The effective date has been pushed back — from July 31 to Oct.31 — to provide “more flexibility for the development community,” he said.
“This is a progressive ordinance that would land the city of Chicago at the top of all cities in the nation in terms of planning for the future of electric vehicles,” Reilly said.
“It’s coming whether you like it or not. And the great news is that it’s a tremendous benefit for the environment and weans us off our dependence on fossil fuels, which is good public policy both locally and internationally.”
David Kolata, executive director of the Citizens Utility Board, couldn’t agree more.
“This is smart, progressive policy that will make Chicago a leader on transportation electrification issues,” Kolata said.
“It will save consumers money. It will be good for the environment.”