chicagosun-times--2020-07-14--Public health advocates mount full-court press to save Chicago ban on flavored tobacco products

Warning of dire consequences for Chicago ’ s youth , public health experts mounted a full court press on Tuesday to salvage a citywide ban on flavored tobacco products stalled by an avalanche of opposition .
Ald .
Matt O ’ Shea ( 19th ) , one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s closest City Council allies , led the charge in arguing that the “ undeniable link between COVID-19 and pulmonary issues ” demands an immediate ban on all flavored tobacco products , including menthol .
The alderman argued that youth tobacco use has “ skyrocketed ” over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where two-thirds of high school students report using flavored tobacco products .
“ Flavored tobacco is used to hook young people on extremely addictive products .
… The Centers for Disease Control reports that , if current tobacco usage trends continue , more than five million Americans currently under the age of 18 will die of a tobacco related illness .
That ’ s about one in every 13 Americans who , today , are younger than 17 , ” O ’ Shea said .
As a father of three young children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frightened by those statistics .
“ I don ’ t mind people asking me , ‘ Why now , Matt ?
’ It ’ s a question I ’ m happy to answer because there are plenty of reasons why now is the right time to do this .
As a father sitting across the dinner table from my children each night , the question I can ’ t seem to answer is , ‘ What the hell took so long ?
’ ” he said .
Bishop Horace Smith of the Apostolic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children ’ s Hospital and a member of the Chicago Board of Health .
Smith argued that tobacco companies have “ targeted urban black children .
… They know that they respond to flavored tobacco and menthol.
” “ These are killing our kids .
… It ’ s a moral outrage .
We must stop this , ” Smith said .
A pediatric oncologist , Smith argued those who wonder why the blanket ban targets “ adults who have the ability to make a choice ” are “ missing the point.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they started … in their young teenage years .
It is clear they become hooked early on because of the rush of nicotine and menthol and other flavors that enhance the absorption of nicotine to your body to your brain , ” he said .
“ Four months ago … many of us were appalled — and too many were surprised — by the increased numbers of African-Americans and Brown persons who were dying from COVID .
We should not have been surprised .
… The underlying issues were things like asthma , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease — many of them attributable to tobacco use.
” Father Michael Pfleger said it ’ s no surprise Big Tobacco has made the “ business decision ” to target young people with flavored tobacco products and “ heavy menthol ” cigarettes .
“ As more and more knowledge is put out there by heart and lung associations about the dangers of tobacco , more and more older people are either stopping smoking or preventing themselves from starting smoking , ” Pfleger said .
“ So , what do they do ?
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young people … who haven ’ t got the understanding of it and feel like they ’ re invincible and nothing can happen to them .
It must be banned .
It must be stopped.
” Owners of gas stations , convenience stores and tobacco stores — and trade groups representing them — have accused O ’ Shea of legislative overreach and kicking them when they ’ re down .
They have argued that the last thing small businesses need when they ’ re fighting for survival after the stay-at-home shutdown and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ citywide ban on flavored tobacco that would cost them even more business .
O ’ Shea responded by saying he ’ s open to amendments .
“ We have had discussions about exempting hookah products .
Some folks have discussed an exemption for menthol cigarettes , ” O ’ Shea said when asked for specifics .
But , he added , his “ preference is to include menthol to fully realize the health benefits .
”

Warning of dire consequences for Chicago’s youth, public health experts mounted a full court press on Tuesday to salvage a citywide ban on flavored tobacco products stalled by an avalanche of opposition.
Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th), one of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s closest City Council allies, led the charge in arguing that the “undeniable link between COVID-19 and pulmonary issues” demands an immediate ban on all flavored tobacco products, including menthol.
The alderman argued that youth tobacco use has “skyrocketed” over the past several years — to the point where two-thirds of high school students report using flavored tobacco products.
“Flavored tobacco is used to hook young people on extremely addictive products. … The Centers for Disease Control reports that, if current tobacco usage trends continue, more than five million Americans currently under the age of 18 will die of a tobacco related illness. That’s about one in every 13 Americans who, today, are younger than 17,” O’Shea said.
As a father of three young children, O’Shea said he’s frightened by those statistics.
“I don’t mind people asking me, ‘Why now, Matt?’ It’s a question I’m happy to answer because there are plenty of reasons why now is the right time to do this. As a father sitting across the dinner table from my children each night, the question I can’t seem to answer is, ‘What the hell took so long?’” he said.
Bishop Horace Smith of the Apostolic Faith Church is a doctor at Lurie Children’s Hospital and a member of the Chicago Board of Health.
Smith argued that tobacco companies have “targeted urban black children. … They know that they respond to flavored tobacco and menthol.”
“These are killing our kids. … It’s a moral outrage. We must stop this,” Smith said.
A pediatric oncologist, Smith argued those who wonder why the blanket ban targets “adults who have the ability to make a choice” are “missing the point.”
“These people are dying now because they started … in their young teenage years. It is clear they become hooked early on because of the rush of nicotine and menthol and other flavors that enhance the absorption of nicotine to your body to your brain,” he said.
“Four months ago … many of us were appalled — and too many were surprised — by the increased numbers of African-Americans and Brown persons who were dying from COVID. We should not have been surprised. … The underlying issues were things like asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, cardiac disease — many of them attributable to tobacco use.”
Father Michael Pfleger said it’s no surprise Big Tobacco has made the “business decision” to target young people with flavored tobacco products and “heavy menthol” cigarettes.
“As more and more knowledge is put out there by heart and lung associations about the dangers of tobacco, more and more older people are either stopping smoking or preventing themselves from starting smoking,” Pfleger said.
“So, what do they do? They try to target and prey on the young people … who haven’t got the understanding of it and feel like they’re invincible and nothing can happen to them. It must be banned. It must be stopped.”
Owners of gas stations, convenience stores and tobacco stores — and trade groups representing them — have accused O’Shea of legislative overreach and kicking them when they’re down.
They have argued that the last thing small businesses need when they’re fighting for survival after the stay-at-home shutdown and the damage caused by civil unrest is a citywide ban on flavored tobacco that would cost them even more business.
O’Shea responded by saying he’s open to amendments.
“We have had discussions about exempting hookah products. Some folks have discussed an exemption for menthol cigarettes,” O’Shea said when asked for specifics.
But, he added, his “preference is to include menthol to fully realize the health benefits.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--Blackhawks shuffle hockey operations personnel to adjust to flat salary cap era

The Blackhawks quietly shuffled the job titles of several front-office employees during the coronavirus pandemic , not long after firing president John McDonough and effectively ending the previous era of the franchise .
The motivation behind the shuffling was twofold , general manager Stan Bowman said Monday — first , to give greater weight and influence to some younger voices , and second , to put more resources toward finding cheap , young players who can help the Hawks survive their impending salary-cap crunch .
“ We took this as an opportunity , with the pause in the season , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an organization and where the league was heading and how we were going to be better positioned to be successful in the future , ” Bowman said .
The Hawks promoted Mark Eaton , Ryan Stewart and Kyle Davidson to assistant general managers — in player development , pro scouting and hockey admin-istration , respectively .
They also promoted Mike Doneghey from head USA scout to director of player evaluation and recruitment and filled Doneghey ’ s old role by promoting one of their amateur scouts , Rob Facca .
Meanwhile , Norm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front office — was technically demoted from assistant general manager to vice president of player personnel .
“ Looking at our makeup , we had a lot of younger people that were ready for bigger roles , ” Bowman said .
“ When I say that , I ’ m talking about Ryan Stewart , Mark Eaton and Kyle Davidson .
The three of those guys were really blossoming in their current roles and ready to do more.
” Eaton , 43 , has adopted an especially large public role .
The retired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years with Adam Boqvist , Ian Mitchell , Nicolas Beaudin and other defensemen to aid their development in junior and college hockey .
Stewart , 46 , was a Hawks video and assistant coach from 2006 to 2008 before shifting into scouting .
Davidson , 32 , started as a Rockford IceHogs intern and spent the last nine years dealing with the salary cap and player contracts .
After many years of constancy in the front office , Danny Wirtz ’ s move into the interim president role has brought a more businesslike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stewart and Davidson are expected to similarly alter the dynamic .
Maciver ’ s “ demotion ” is the most curious change .
“ If you look around the league , it ’ s not a surprise to see that most teams have two — some teams have three — assistant GMs because those responsibilities in today ’ s game are expanding , ” Bowman said .
“ We found that we put a lot on Norm ’ s plate.
” Now , the assistant GM duties will be split up more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maciver will instead lead a newly formed group of scouts , including Doneghey .
“ [ With ] Norm ’ s background as an assistant coach in Boston .
.
.
he ’ s really good at identifying players , ” Bowman said .
“ We wanted to try to give him an opportunity to do more of that .
He ’ s going to have a number of people who report to him , and he ’ s responsible for guiding that whole group.
” The Hawks hope the new Maciver-led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and/or overlooked players with NHL-caliber talent .
Most players fitting that bill will be in the European leagues — where the Hawks historically have had great luck finding diamonds , from Artemi Panarin to David Kampf to Dominik Kubalik — as well as in college hockey .
These new finds will become especially valuable in the coming years because they ’ ll be available on cheap entry-level contracts , which the Hawks can stuff in around their expensive , aging core in order to stay compliant with a stagnant NHL salary cap .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to $ 88 million , the cap will instead stay at $ 81.5 million next season , the league announced last week .
“ That ’ s really the key if you want to have success in a system where the cap ’ s not growing — you need to have those young players , ” Bowman said .
“ It provides the opportunity to remain competitive .
You ’ re going to rely on those guys , give them bigger roles , more opportunity .
”

The Blackhawks quietly shuffled the job titles of several front-office employees during the coronavirus pandemic, not long after firing president John McDonough and effectively ending the previous era of the franchise.
The motivation behind the shuffling was twofold, general manager Stan Bowman said Monday — first, to give greater weight and influence to some younger voices, and second, to put more resources toward finding cheap, young players who can help the Hawks survive their impending salary-cap crunch.
“We took this as an opportunity, with the pause in the season, to look at where we were as an organization and where the league was heading and how we were going to be better positioned to be successful in the future,” Bowman said.
The Hawks promoted Mark Eaton, Ryan Stewart and Kyle Davidson to assistant general managers — in player development, pro scouting and hockey administration, respectively.
They also promoted Mike Doneghey from head USA scout to director of player evaluation and recruitment and filled Doneghey’s old role by promoting one of their amateur scouts, Rob Facca.
Meanwhile, Norm Maciver — a 13-year veteran of the front office — was technically demoted from assistant general manager to vice president of player personnel.
“Looking at our makeup, we had a lot of younger people that were ready for bigger roles,” Bowman said. “When I say that, I’m talking about Ryan Stewart, Mark Eaton and Kyle Davidson. The three of those guys were really blossoming in their current roles and ready to do more.”
Eaton, 43, has adopted an especially large public role. The retired NHL defenseman has worked closely in recent years with Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin and other defensemen to aid their development in junior and college hockey.
Stewart, 46, was a Hawks video and assistant coach from 2006 to 2008 before shifting into scouting.
Davidson, 32, started as a Rockford IceHogs intern and spent the last nine years dealing with the salary cap and player contracts.
After many years of constancy in the front office, Danny Wirtz’s move into the interim president role has brought a more businesslike approach to running the Hawks. Eaton, Stewart and Davidson are expected to similarly alter the dynamic.
Maciver’s “demotion” is the most curious change.
“If you look around the league, it’s not a surprise to see that most teams have two — some teams have three — assistant GMs because those responsibilities in today’s game are expanding,” Bowman said. “We found that we put a lot on Norm’s plate.”
Now, the assistant GM duties will be split up more evenly among Eaton, Stewart and Davidson. Maciver will instead lead a newly formed group of scouts, including Doneghey.
“[With] Norm’s background as an assistant coach in Boston . . . he’s really good at identifying players,” Bowman said. “We wanted to try to give him an opportunity to do more of that. He’s going to have a number of people who report to him, and he’s responsible for guiding that whole group.”
The Hawks hope the new Maciver-led team will be able to find young and/or overlooked players with NHL-caliber talent. Most players fitting that bill will be in the European leagues — where the Hawks historically have had great luck finding diamonds, from Artemi Panarin to David Kampf to Dominik Kubalik — as well as in college hockey.
These new finds will become especially valuable in the coming years because they’ll be available on cheap entry-level contracts, which the Hawks can stuff in around their expensive, aging core in order to stay compliant with a stagnant NHL salary cap.
Once expected to rise to $84 million to $88 million, the cap will instead stay at $81.5 million next season, the league announced last week.
“That’s really the key if you want to have success in a system where the cap’s not growing — you need to have those young players,” Bowman said. “It provides the opportunity to remain competitive. You’re going to rely on those guys, give them bigger roles, more opportunity.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--Dear Abby: Reunion with friends turned out to be just a sales hustle

DEAR ABBY : “ Lila , ” a friend from my high school days I hadn ’ t seen for years , called me out of the blue and said her mom wanted to see me again .
Her mother and I had been friends for years .
“ Mom ” was a special lady , and I always admired her , so I agreed .
When I arrived at the restaurant , I greeted them and we engaged in a little conversation .
When I went to order , Lila pulled out a sales book she was selling items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to disappoint her mother , I looked at each item .
The only thing I could afford was an umbrella for $ 29 .
I already had a $ 5 one at home ( my budget ) .
Abby , I felt used and insulted .
Lila ’ s only goal was selling me something — not reuniting me with her mother .
Lila is better off financially than I am .
She owns her own home and drives a brand-new SUV .
My car was bought used for $ 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like her ?
She wants all she can get , even if it means using an old friend .
By the way , she was decked out in her fashionable finest and ordered the cheapest thing on the menu .
— SAD FRIEND ON THE EAST COAST DEAR SAD FRIEND : You do not have to tolerate a person like Lila , and you should not feel pressured to buy something from anyone that you don ’ t want or need .
If Lila calls again , inform her that you are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the call .
DEAR ABBY : I went through an ugly divorce .
My second wife , “ Marci , ” is a liar , a cheat and a thief .
She claims she ’ s religious , but she gambles .
She opens bank accounts that I ’ m not aware of and calls constantly if I leave the house .
She claims she ’ s jealous .
I think it ’ s more of a control issue , and I leave for peace of mind .
Recently , her relatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her behavior and shared what I feared .
Afterward , I called her supposed ex-husband and he told me they are still married .
When I asked Marci to show me her divorce papers , she refused .
I have talked with my pastor and attorney .
They said give her six weeks and then move on .
What do you suggest ?
— TAKEN FOR A FOOL IN ALABAMA DEAR TAKEN : Listen to these two unbiased advisers !
Secure any property or information Marci might use to take further advantage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that because you are not legally married , you are not responsible for any debts she has or will run up .
Understand that Marci is a con artist , and please do exactly what your pastor and your attorney have instructed .
If she keeps calling , block her or change your phone number .
And if she stalks you — and she may — talk to the police .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ ve gotten into wearing swim trunks in the summer as normal attire .
They ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no one has said anything .
I pair them with a white T-shirt or no shirt .
I plan to do it again this summer .
What do you think ?
— COOL DUDE IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR DUDE : If you ’ re in great shape and the neighbors aren ’ t scandalized , then what I think doesn ’ t matter .
( Swim ) suit yourself .
I will , however , offer this : A wise woman once advised me to always look my best when I went out because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ d encounter someone I wished I looked better for and regret that I hadn ’ t made more effort .
And you know what ?
She was spot on .
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 .
For everything you need to know about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely Wedding.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: “Lila,” a friend from my high school days I hadn’t seen for years, called me out of the blue and said her mom wanted to see me again. Her mother and I had been friends for years. “Mom” was a special lady, and I always admired her, so I agreed.
When I arrived at the restaurant, I greeted them and we engaged in a little conversation. When I went to order, Lila pulled out a sales book she was selling items out of. Because I didn’t want to disappoint her mother, I looked at each item. The only thing I could afford was an umbrella for $29. I already had a $5 one at home (my budget).
Abby, I felt used and insulted. Lila’s only goal was selling me something — not reuniting me with her mother. Lila is better off financially than I am. She owns her own home and drives a brand-new SUV. My car was bought used for $2,000.
How do I tolerate a person like her? She wants all she can get, even if it means using an old friend. By the way, she was decked out in her fashionable finest and ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. — SAD FRIEND ON THE EAST COAST
DEAR SAD FRIEND: You do not have to tolerate a person like Lila, and you should not feel pressured to buy something from anyone that you don’t want or need. If Lila calls again, inform her that you are not interested in anything she is selling and end the call.
DEAR ABBY: I went through an ugly divorce. My second wife, “Marci,” is a liar, a cheat and a thief. She claims she’s religious, but she gambles. She opens bank accounts that I’m not aware of and calls constantly if I leave the house. She claims she’s jealous. I think it’s more of a control issue, and I leave for peace of mind.
Recently, her relatives asked for a private meeting to discuss her behavior and shared what I feared. Afterward, I called her supposed ex-husband and he told me they are still married. When I asked Marci to show me her divorce papers, she refused. I have talked with my pastor and attorney. They said give her six weeks and then move on. What do you suggest? — TAKEN FOR A FOOL IN ALABAMA
DEAR TAKEN: Listen to these two unbiased advisers! Secure any property or information Marci might use to take further advantage of you, and take comfort in the fact that because you are not legally married, you are not responsible for any debts she has or will run up. Understand that Marci is a con artist, and please do exactly what your pastor and your attorney have instructed. If she keeps calling, block her or change your phone number. And if she stalks you — and she may — talk to the police.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve gotten into wearing swim trunks in the summer as normal attire. They’re good for the hot streets, and no one has said anything. I pair them with a white T-shirt or no shirt. I plan to do it again this summer. What do you think? — COOL DUDE IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR DUDE: If you’re in great shape and the neighbors aren’t scandalized, then what I think doesn’t matter. (Swim) suit yourself.
I will, however, offer this: A wise woman once advised me to always look my best when I went out because invariably, if I didn’t, I’d encounter someone I wished I looked better for and regret that I hadn’t made more effort. And you know what? She was spot on.
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.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--Baby boy falls out of crib, found dead inside home in Englewood: police

A 1-year-old boy was found dead by his parents Wednesday inside a home in Englewood on the South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ fallen out of his crib and was found about 3:30 a.m. lodged between the crib @ @ @ @ @ home in the 7100 block of South May Street , according to Chicago police .
@ @ @ @ @ Children ’ s Hospital where he was pronounced dead , police said .
His cause @ @ @ @ @ The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not commented on the boy ’ @ @ @

A 1-year-old boy was found dead by his parents Wednesday inside a home in Englewood on the South Side.
It appears the boy had fallen out of his crib and was found about 3:30 a.m. lodged between the crib and a chair inside a home in the 7100 block of South May Street, according to Chicago police.
He was rushed to Comer Children’s Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
His cause of death remains unknown.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not commented on the boy’s death.
Area One detectives are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--‘The Painted Bird’: Intense war story tough to stomach but rewarding to see

We ’ ve often talked about the “ repeatability ” of certain beloved films — favorites we can watch over and over again , e.g.
, “ Goodfellas , ” “ Caddyshack , ” “ It ’ s a Wonderful Life , ” “ Pulp Fiction , ” etc.
, etc .
Other movies make for unforgettable viewing , but it ’ s such an intense , harrowing , horrific , searing experience , one wishes never to repeat it .
“ The Painted Bird ” falls into the latter category .
I remember reading Jerzy Kosinski ’ s classic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at a young age and being equal parts riveted and terrified by the indelibly hellish depiction of a Jewish boy wandering about Eastern Europe during World War II and witnessing ( and often enduring ) an obscene litany of violence , sexual abuse and deviancy at the hands of cruel villagers he encounters along the way — many of them human monsters who treat the child far worse than one should treat even one ’ s worst enemy .
The Czech writer-director Václav Marhoul has done an astonishing job of adapting Kosinski @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( and its moments of humanity ) , lensing the story through timeless , dream- and nightmare-like 35mm monochrome and delivering a near-masterpiece epic that will leave you exhausted after its 169-minute running time — but grateful you ’ ve seen one of the most memorable movies of the year .
Even if you ’ ll most likely be fine with never seeing it again .
“ The Painted Bird ” is a bloody and bruised slice of life in an unnamed Eastern European country near the end of World War II , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousand-yard stares of men who have seen far too much killing to ever return to normalcy , where village peasants who might once have been friendly , decent people have been warped by the chaos of war — and where an unnamed child we ’ ll call the Boy ( non-professional Petr Kotlár , amazingly authentic and empathetic ) is left on his own and drifts from town to town , depending on the kindness of strangers and instead finding himself feeling the wrath of heartless , soulless , wicked adults .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each named after various characters the Boy encounters along the way as he travels the deceptively beautiful and quiet countryside .
( With the exception of a handful of scenes involving German and Russian troops , the war in “ The Painted Bird ” is often off screen or represented by a stark image such as a single Luftwaffe aircraft crossing a clear sky . )
When we meet the Boy , his parents , fearing for his safety , have left him in the care of an old peasant woman ( Nina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shelter for the Boy but also puts him to work all day , every day .
When the old lady dies , the Boy heads out into the vast unknown , with the vague notion of finding his parents , though he has no idea where they are or even if they ’ re alive .
Religious themes abound in “ The Painted Bird , ” with so-called true believers often exposed as fearful and ignorant .
A bunch of fearful and ignorant Catholic peasants believe the Boy might be the devil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Boy is a vampire and takes possession of him as a slave .
In another town , a well-meaning Catholic priest ( Harvey Keitel ) rescues the Boy from a savage beating and teaches him to become an altar boy — but then hands him over to a clearly deranged and dangerous parishioner ( Julian Sands ) , who repeatedly rapes and beats the boy .
( The priest isn ’ t aware of the abuse , though he comes to suspect something — but he should have known better than to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obvious creep . )
With all he suffers ( and we ’ ve not come close to describing all the horrors ) , the Boy never gives up , never stops moving , never keeps looking for his parents or at least a place where he can rest and eat and not be abused .
Occasionally he DOES come across a human being with a soul — and it ’ s usually someone in uniform .
Stellan Skarsgard is a weary , veteran German soldier who volunteers to take the Boy into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ crime ” of being Jewish ) — but he fires his rifle into the air and tells the boy to run for his life .
Barry Pepper is a Russian sniper ( shades of Pepper ’ s role as an American sniper in “ Saving Private Ryan ” ) who protects the boy for as long as he can , and then sends him off with a parting gift : a gun .
It ’ s maybe the kindest and most positive and helpful thing anyone does for the Boy through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

We’ve often talked about the “repeatability” of certain beloved films — favorites we can watch over and over again, e.g., “Goodfellas,” “Caddyshack,” “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Pulp Fiction,” etc., etc.
Other movies make for unforgettable viewing, but it’s such an intense, harrowing, horrific, searing experience, one wishes never to repeat it.
“The Painted Bird” falls into the latter category.
‘The Painted Bird’
Untitled IFC Films presents a film written and directed by Václav Marhoul, based on the novel by Jerzy Kosinski. No MPAA rating. Running time: 169 minutes. In Czech, German, Russian and Slavic Esperanto with English subtitles. Opens Friday on demand.
I remember reading Jerzy Kosinski’s classic and controversial novel “The Painted Bird” at a young age and being equal parts riveted and terrified by the indelibly hellish depiction of a Jewish boy wandering about Eastern Europe during World War II and witnessing (and often enduring) an obscene litany of violence, sexual abuse and deviancy at the hands of cruel villagers he encounters along the way — many of them human monsters who treat the child far worse than one should treat even one’s worst enemy. The Czech writer-director Václav Marhoul has done an astonishing job of adapting Kosinski’s novel in all its brutality (and its moments of humanity), lensing the story through timeless, dream- and nightmare-like 35mm monochrome and delivering a near-masterpiece epic that will leave you exhausted after its 169-minute running time — but grateful you’ve seen one of the most memorable movies of the year.
Even if you’ll most likely be fine with never seeing it again.
“The Painted Bird” is a bloody and bruised slice of life in an unnamed Eastern European country near the end of World War II, where German and Russian soldiers have the thousand-yard stares of men who have seen far too much killing to ever return to normalcy, where village peasants who might once have been friendly, decent people have been warped by the chaos of war — and where an unnamed child we’ll call the Boy (non-professional Petr Kotlár, amazingly authentic and empathetic) is left on his own and drifts from town to town, depending on the kindness of strangers and instead finding himself feeling the wrath of heartless, soulless, wicked adults.
The film is divided into nine chapters, each named after various characters the Boy encounters along the way as he travels the deceptively beautiful and quiet countryside. (With the exception of a handful of scenes involving German and Russian troops, the war in “The Painted Bird” is often off screen or represented by a stark image such as a single Luftwaffe aircraft crossing a clear sky.) When we meet the Boy, his parents, fearing for his safety, have left him in the care of an old peasant woman (Nina Shunevych), who provides food and shelter for the Boy but also puts him to work all day, every day. When the old lady dies, the Boy heads out into the vast unknown, with the vague notion of finding his parents, though he has no idea where they are or even if they’re alive.
A German soldier (Stellan Skarsgard, left) is one of the few decent people encountered by the boy (Petr Kotlár) in “The Painted Bird.” IFC Films
Religious themes abound in “The Painted Bird,” with so-called true believers often exposed as fearful and ignorant. A bunch of fearful and ignorant Catholic peasants believe the Boy might be the devil. A shaman (Alla Sokolova) declares the Boy is a vampire and takes possession of him as a slave. In another town, a well-meaning Catholic priest (Harvey Keitel) rescues the Boy from a savage beating and teaches him to become an altar boy — but then hands him over to a clearly deranged and dangerous parishioner (Julian Sands), who repeatedly rapes and beats the boy. (The priest isn’t aware of the abuse, though he comes to suspect something — but he should have known better than to blithely turn the child over to this obvious creep.)
With all he suffers (and we’ve not come close to describing all the horrors), the Boy never gives up, never stops moving, never stops looking for his parents or at least a place where he can rest and eat and not be abused. Occasionally he does come across a human being with a soul — and it’s usually someone in uniform. Stellan Skarsgard is a weary, veteran German soldier who volunteers to take the Boy into the woods and shoot him (for the “crime” of being Jewish) — but he fires his rifle into the air and tells the boy to run for his life. Barry Pepper is a Russian sniper (shades of Pepper’s role as an American sniper in “Saving Private Ryan”) who protects the boy for as long as he can, and then sends him off with a parting gift: a gun. It’s maybe the kindest and most positive and helpful thing anyone does for the Boy through the entirety of his unbearably painful journey.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--Man struck by vehicle, seriously injured in Austin

A 28-year-old man was seriously injured Wednesday after he was struck by a vehicle in Austin on the West Side @ @ @ @ @ was at the entrance of an alley in the 4800 block of West Potomac Avenue @ @ @ @ @ confront the driver of a Jeep who was honking his horn in the alley , @ @ @ @ @ an argument , the driver of the Jeep drove into the 28-year-old , dragging him @ @ @ @ @ the scene , police said .
He was taken to West Suburban Hospital in Oak @ @ @ @ @ and will be transfered to Stroger Hospital , police said .

A 28-year-old man was seriously injured Wednesday after he was struck by a vehicle in Austin on the West Side.
About 3:40 a.m. he was at the entrance of an alley in the 4800 block of West Potomac Avenue, when he went to confront the driver of a Jeep who was honking his horn in the alley, Chicago police said.
After an argument, the driver of the Jeep drove into the 28-year-old, dragging him a short distance before fleeing the scene, police said.
He was taken to West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park in serious condition, and will be transfered to Stroger Hospital, police said.
Area Five detectives are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--14 shot, 2 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

14 shot, 2 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

Thirteen people were shot , three of the fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
The day ’ s most recent fatal shooting killed a man in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
Officers responding to a call of shots fired found the man , who is thought to be in his 40s , unresponsive about 10:10 p.m. in the 3400 block of West 25th Street , Chicago police said .
The man had been shot in the head , thigh and hip , and was taken to Mt .
Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead , police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fatally , in Englewood on the South Side , police said .
About 12:55 p.m. , a 31-year-old man was in the 7400 block of South Stewart Avenue when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire , striking him in the head and torso , police said .
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead , Chicago police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office identified him as Donnie J. Weathersby .
He lived in Englewood .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was also standing outside with the man was shot in the foot , police said .
He took himself to the same hospital and is in good condition .
In non-fatal shootings , a teenage boy was grazed by a stray bullet near Grant Park in the South Loop .
The 15-year-old was walking alone about 10:30 p.m. when he came across two groups of males who were arguing in the 1100 block of South Michigan Avenue , police said .
Someone pulled out a gun and fired shots , grazing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The boy walked into Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was transferred to Lurie Children ’ s Hospital , police said .
He is in good condition .
Witnesses said they saw five males running from the scene , police said .
About an hour prior , another teen boy was shot in Trumbull Park on the South Side .
The 16-year-old was inside a home about 9:45 p.m. in the 10600 block of South Yates Avenue when he heard gunfire and felt pain , Chicago police said .
The teen was struck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
Three people , including two teenage girls , were shot near the 79th Street Red Line station in Chatham on the South Side .
The girls were outside with a 19-year-old woman about 8:50 p.m. in the first block of West 79th Street when someone in a silver sedan pulled up and opened fire , police said .
The girls , 13 and 16 , were both shot in the arm and taken to Comer Children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 19-year-old was struck in the foot and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , also in good condition .
Police said that none of the victims were willing to answer any questions about the shooting .
A 23-year-old man was wounded when he was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side .
He was shot in the hip just before 5 p.m. near West North and North Kedzie Avenues , police said .
The man was hospitalized in fair condition at Norwegian-American Hospital .
Two people were wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park on the West Side .
A 21-year-old woman was in a vehicle about 4:41 p.m. in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue when she was shot in the thigh , police said .
She was taken to Stroger Hospital where her condition was stabilized .
A 28-year-old who was on the street was also hit by bullets , police said .
He was struck in the knee , thigh and buttocks .
The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition .
About two hours prior , a 48-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in West Englewood on the South Side .
He was on the front porch of a home about 2:50 p.m. in the 5700 block of South Honore Street when a male suspect approached him and fired shots , police said .
The man was shot in the shoulder and arm , and his condition was stabilized at the University of Chicago Medical Center , police said .
A 30-year-old man was shot in Park Manor on the South Side .
About 2:40 a.m. he was walking in the 100 block of West 75th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neck , police said .
He took himself to St. Bernard Hospital and is in fair condition , police said .
Five minutes prior , a 27-year-old man was shot in Lawndale on the West Side .
About 2:35 a.m. he was urinating in a gangway in the 1600 block of South Central Park Avenue , when he heard shots and felt a pain , police said .
He was struck in the abdomen and taken to Mt .
Sinai Hospital in good condition , police said .
Thirteen people were shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Fourteen people were shot, three of the fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
The day’s most recent fatal shooting killed a man in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
Officers responding to a call of shots fired found the man, who is thought to be in his 40s, unresponsive about 10:10 p.m. in the 3400 block of West 25th Street, Chicago police said.
The man had been shot in the head, thigh and hip, and was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Two people were shot, one fatally, in Englewood on the South Side, police said.
About 12:55 p.m., a 31-year-old man was in the 7400 block of South Stewart Avenue when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire, striking him in the head and torso, police said.
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, Chicago police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Donnie J. Weathersby. He lived in Englewood.
A second person, a 42-year-old man, was also standing outside with the man was shot in the foot, police said. He took himself to the same hospital and is in good condition.
In non-fatal shootings, a teenage boy was grazed by a stray bullet near Grant Park in the South Loop.
The 15-year-old was walking alone about 10:30 p.m. when he came across two groups of males who were arguing in the 1100 block of South Michigan Avenue, police said.
Someone pulled out a gun and fired shots, grazing the boy on the face, police said.
The boy walked into Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital, police said. He is in good condition.
Witnesses said they saw five males running from the scene, police said.
About an hour prior, another teen boy was shot in Trumbull Park on the South Side.
The 16-year-old was inside a home about 9:45 p.m. in the 10600 block of South Yates Avenue when he heard gunfire and felt pain, Chicago police said.
The teen was struck in the leg and foot, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
Three people, including two teenage girls, were shot near the 79th Street Red Line station in Chatham on the South Side.
The girls were outside with a 19-year-old woman about 8:50 p.m. in the first block of West 79th Street when someone in a silver sedan pulled up and opened fire, police said.
The girls, 13 and 16, were both shot in the arm and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition, police said. The 19-year-old was struck in the foot and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, also in good condition.
Police said that none of the victims were willing to answer any questions about the shooting.
A 23-year-old man was wounded when he was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side.
He was shot in the hip just before 5 p.m. near West North and North Kedzie Avenues, police said. The man was hospitalized in fair condition at Norwegian-American Hospital.
Two people were wounded when they were shot in West Garfield Park on the West Side.
A 21-year-old woman was in a vehicle about 4:41 p.m. in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue when she was shot in the thigh, police said. She was taken to Stroger Hospital where her condition was stabilized.
A 28-year-old who was on the street was also hit by bullets, police said. He was struck in the knee, thigh and buttocks. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition.
About two hours prior, a 48-year-old man was wounded when he was shot in West Englewood on the South Side.
He was on the front porch of a home about 2:50 p.m. in the 5700 block of South Honore Street when a male suspect approached him and fired shots, police said.
The man was shot in the shoulder and arm, and his condition was stabilized at the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.
A 30-year-old man was shot in Park Manor on the South Side.
About 2:40 a.m. he was walking in the 100 block of West 75th Street, when he was shot in the neck, police said.
He took himself to St. Bernard Hospital and is in fair condition, police said.
Five minutes prior, a 27-year-old man was shot in Lawndale on the West Side.
About 2:35 a.m. he was urinating in a gangway in the 1600 block of South Central Park Avenue, when he heard shots and felt a pain, police said.
He was struck in the abdomen and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.
Thirteen people were shot, three of them fatally, Monday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--Teenage boy grazed by stray bullet near Grant Park

A teenage boy was grazed by a stray bullet Tuesday near Grant Park in the South Loop .
The 15-year-old @ @ @ @ @ p.m. when he came across two groups of males who were arguing in the 1100 @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago police said .
Someone pulled out a gun and fired shots , grazing @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The boy walked into Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was transferred to @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
He is in good condition .
Witnesses said they saw five @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A teenage boy was grazed by a stray bullet Tuesday near Grant Park in the South Loop.
The 15-year-old was walking alone about 10:30 p.m. when he came across two groups of males who were arguing in the 1100 block of South Michigan Avenue, Chicago police said.
Someone pulled out a gun and fired shots, grazing the boy on the face, police said.
The boy walked into Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital, police said. He is in good condition.
Witnesses said they saw five males running from the scene, police said.
Area Three detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-15--Man killed after motorcycle crashes into vehicle in East Garfield Park: police

A 46-year-old man was killed when he crashed his motorcycle into a minivan Tuesday in East Garfield Park on the @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , the driver of a Pontiac Trans Sport minivan was turning south onto Kedzie @ @ @ @ @ when the northbound motorcycle struck his van , Chicago police said .
The 46-year-old driver @ @ @ @ @ to Mt .
Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s office has not identified the man .
The 27-year-old man driving the minivan @ @ @ @ @ his passengers , police said .
CPD ’ s Major Accidents and Area Three detectives @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Citations are pending against the 27-year-old male driver of the minivan for @ @ @ @ @ ’ s license and failing to yield .

A driver was issued citations after a 46-year-old motorcyclist died after crashing into a minivan Tuesday in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The driver of a Pontiac Trans Sport minivan was pulling out of a gas station south in the 700 block of North Kedzie Avenue about 10:40 p.m. when the northbound motorcycle struck his van, Chicago police said.
The 46-year-old driver of the motorcycle was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
He was identified as Germaine Patterson of West Rogers Park, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
The 27-year-old man driving the minivan was uninjured, as were his passengers, police said.
The driver was issued citations for driving on a suspended license and failing to yield the right of way, according to police, who said the investigation is ongoing.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Even with distancing, air conditioning can increase risk of COVID-19 transmission indoors (LIVE UPDA

Even with distancing, air conditioning can increase risk of COVID-19 transmission indoors (LIVE UPDATES)

Even with distancing , air conditioning can increase risk of COVID-19 transmission indoors Though some public health experts expected coronavirus transmission to wane in the summer as temperatures rise and the air becomes more humid , cases have actually skyrocketed in some of the hottest and stickiest parts of the country .
Engineers and ventilation experts said this may be in part because residents escape the heat by retreating indoors where heating , ventilation and air conditioning ( HVAC ) systems could exacerbate airborne transmission with unplanned air currents .
Even in bars and restaurants where social distancing is observed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or aerosols that contain virus , said Len Horovitz , pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City .
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published initial findings of an outbreak linked to the airflow in a Guangzhou , China , restaurant .
Over the course of 12 days , nine people who dined at the restaurant Jan. 24 fell ill as a result of another patron with a COVID-19 infection , the authors determined .
Within five days , three people sitting at the infected patron ’ s table @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air conditioner .
Of the 91 people in the restaurant during that hour , only those at tables in the way of the air conditioner ’ s airflow contracted the virus .
WASHINGTON — More than a million Americans sought unemployment benefits last week , indicating that companies are cutting more jobs as the resurgent coronavirus scythes through the Sunbelt and some of the nation ’ s most populous states .
Layoffs in Florida , Georgia and California rose by tens of thousands , the Labor Department said Thursday in its weekly report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistance remained stuck at 1.3 million — a stunning number that , while lower than the previous week , illustrated the devastation wrought by widespread shutdowns .
It was the 17th consecutive week that jobless claims surpassed 1 million .
Infections are rising in 40 states , and 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies , according to Bank of America .
The rising number of virus cases threatens to push what appeared to be a recovering nation into critical condition .
Applications for aid paralleled rising infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 129,000 , and in Georgia they rose nearly one-third to 136,000 , according to the Labor Department report .
In California , they increased 23,000 to nearly 288,000 .
Applications also went up in Arizona and South Carolina .
Read the full story from the Associated Press here .
11:28 a.m. We asked parents and teachers if they ’ re OK with in-class instruction returning .
Here ’ s what they said .
With schools gearing up to welcome back students in Chicago and the rest of Illinois , we asked : Parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids back to school in the fall ?
Teachers , do you feel safe going back to the classroom ?
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
“ I have mixed feelings .
My son will be going into kindergarten , and I want his first school experience to be a positive one , but there are so many uncertainties right now that I am really unsure of how positive the experience will be , or safe.
” — Kelly Weible “ If they were able to do video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why can ’ t they just do the same for regular class time ?
They log in , and the teacher teaches as if they were in class .
They don ’ t need to be sitting in the classroom , and the e-learning program of just having work to do on their own isn ’ t enough.
” — Gabi Vazquez Hernandez Read more responses from Sun-Times readers on their comfort levels with schools reopening this fall here .
10:23 a.m. Chicago South Side Film Festival pivots to online with documentary on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago South Side Film Festival are aware that the show — no matter how it is presented — must go on .
In that spirit , the festival , which will be rebooted as an online event via Seed & Spark , a filmmaker crowdfunding website , plans to launch its 2020 slate by hosting a July 19 screening of the documentary “ The Color Tax : Origins of the Modern-Day Racial Wealth Gap ” at 6 p.m .
The festival , in its entirety , is scheduled to take place Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which the CSSFF has screened previously , is the first in a docuseries by filmmaker Bruce Orenstein called “ The Shame of Chicago , ” which tells the story of how predatory contract home sales were thrust upon Black families who were unable to secure the types of mortgages white , would-be homeowners received .
Read the full story from Evan Moore here .
8:26 a.m. Dart touts efforts , CDC study noting drastic drop in coronavirus cases at Cook County Jail Tom Dart Wednesday praised his office ’ s efforts to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing a new study spearheaded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that credited the sheriff with successfully reducing the number of positive cases at the Southwest Side facility .
The jail — once named a top U.S. hotspot with hundreds of detainees infected — now stands as a model for other institutions on how to curb it , Dart declared .
“ We not only bent our curve , we killed off the curve , ” Dart said .
As of Wednesday , only 11 detainees had the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive before being admitted into the jail , which currently has a population of under 5,000 .
Since March , at least seven detainees , three correctional officers and one sheriff ’ s deputy died from complications related to COVID-19 , according to Dart ’ s office .
• Illinois reported another 1,187 coronavirus cases and eight additional deaths from COVID-19 .
8:25 a.m. Once kids go back to school , it ’ s mask up or go home At the moment , it makes sense to open Illinois schools .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spiral upward dramatically , schools should open in August or September if they can keep students distanced in classrooms , hallways and cafeterias .
That could mean schools with larger enrollments will have to resort to hybrid models for attendance , with students alternating between going to school and participating in remote learning from home .
Schools also will need sufficient staffing , including nurses and janitors .
Beside distancing , wearing facial coverings will be a must .
It will be up to school administrators to enforce the mask rule when unruly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some will defy it .
You can count on it .
I ’ m not talking about those who will accidentally let a facial covering slip below their nose before lifting it up again .
I ’ m talking about defiant teens who want to push boundaries , or think the virus is a hoax , and class cut-ups looking for laughs .
The solution is simple : Send them home .
They can learn remotely .
Read the full column by Marlen Garcia here .

The daily number of new coronavirus cases is slowing ticking upward, but daily deaths remain low. As cases and deaths also continue to rise across the country, it’s clear the coronavirus pandemic is far from over.
Here’s what happened today as officials continued to battle the pandemic.
News
8:53 p.m. ‘Mild uptick’ in Illinois coronavirus cases prompts Pritzker to worry state ‘heading the wrong direction’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks to locals about the ongoing effort by the government to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus at Edward Coles School on July 8, 2020. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times file
Another 1,257 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Illinois, as cases of the deadly disease keep trending slowly but steadily back upward, officials said Thursday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also announced an additional 25 deaths have been attributed to the coronavirus, raising the state’s pandemic death toll to 7,251.
The new cases were detected among a record-high batch of 43,006 test results received by the state, good for a testing positivity rate of 2.9% for the day.
That kept the state’s rolling positivity rate over the last week at 3.1%, a number that has health officials on edge as it’s climbed up from 2.5% early last week.
Following a peak month of May, daily caseloads exceeded 1,000 just twice in June. That’s already happened five times midway through July, with the state averaging about 923 new cases each day.
Read the full report here.
7:40 p.m. CDC extends US ban on cruise ships through September
WASHINGTON — Federal health officials are extending the U.S. ban on cruise ships through the end September as coronavirus infections rise in most U.S. states, including Florida.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that it was extending a no-sail order that had been scheduled to expire July 24.
Major cruise lines that belong to an industry trade group had already canceled cruises until Sept. 15 because of ongoing discussions with federal officials over how to restart operations safely.
Coronavirus infections are rising in 40 states, and daily deaths have climbed more than 20% from a week ago. Florida, where many cruises begin and end, reported nearly 14,000 new virus cases and set a single-day record of 156 deaths reported on Thursday, beating the previous high of 132 deaths reported Tuesday.
Read the full report here.
4:30 p.m. List of national retail chains requiring face masks keeps expanding
NEW YORK — Two major retailers on Thursday joined the growing list of national chains that will require customers to wear face masks regardless of where cities or states stand on the issue.
Target’s mandatory face mask policy will go into effect Aug. 1, and all CVS stores will begin requiring them on Monday.
More than 80% of Target’s 1,800 stores already require customers to wear masks due to local and state regulations. Target will hand out masks at entrances to those who need them.
The announcements come one day after the nation’s largest retailer, Walmart, said that it would mandate face shields for all customers starting Monday.
Starbucks, Best Buy, Kohl’s and Kroger Co. have also announced mandatory masks nationwide.
Read the full report here.
2:16 p.m. Even with distancing, air conditioning can increase risk of COVID-19 transmission indoors
Though some public health experts expected coronavirus transmission to wane in the summer as temperatures rise and the air becomes more humid, cases have actually skyrocketed in some of the hottest and stickiest parts of the country.
Engineers and ventilation experts said this may be in part because residents escape the heat by retreating indoors where heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems could exacerbate airborne transmission with unplanned air currents.
Even in bars and restaurants where social distancing is observed, air ventilation can carry respiratory droplets or aerosols that contain virus, said Len Horovitz, pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published initial findings of an outbreak linked to the airflow in a Guangzhou, China, restaurant. Over the course of 12 days, nine people who dined at the restaurant Jan. 24 fell ill as a result of another patron with a COVID-19 infection, the authors determined.
Within five days, three people sitting at the infected patron’s table were infected along with another below the air conditioner. Of the 91 people in the restaurant during that hour, only those at tables in the way of the air conditioner’s airflow contracted the virus.
Read the full report here.
1 p.m. American jobless claims surpass 1 million for 17th straight week
WASHINGTON — More than a million Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, indicating that companies are cutting more jobs as the resurgent coronavirus scythes through the Sunbelt and some of the nation’s most populous states.
Layoffs in Florida, Georgia and California rose by tens of thousands, the Labor Department said Thursday in its weekly report. The number of laid-off workers seeking assistance remained stuck at 1.3 million — a stunning number that, while lower than the previous week, illustrated the devastation wrought by widespread shutdowns. It was the 17th consecutive week that jobless claims surpassed 1 million.
Infections are rising in 40 states, and 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies, according to Bank of America. The rising number of virus cases threatens to push what appeared to be a recovering nation into critical condition.
Applications for aid paralleled rising infections geographically. Claims in Florida doubled to 129,000, and in Georgia they rose nearly one-third to 136,000, according to the Labor Department report. In California, they increased 23,000 to nearly 288,000. Applications also went up in Arizona and South Carolina.
Read the full story from the Associated Press here.
11:28 a.m. We asked parents and teachers if they’re OK with in-class instruction returning. Here’s what they said.
With schools gearing up to welcome back students in Chicago and the rest of Illinois, we asked: Parents, would you feel comfortable sending your kids back to school in the fall? Teachers, do you feel safe going back to the classroom? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“I have mixed feelings. My son will be going into kindergarten, and I want his first school experience to be a positive one, but there are so many uncertainties right now that I am really unsure of how positive the experience will be, or safe.” — Kelly Weible
“If they were able to do video chats with their teachers and classmates, why can’t they just do the same for regular class time? They log in, and the teacher teaches as if they were in class. They don’t need to be sitting in the classroom, and the e-learning program of just having work to do on their own isn’t enough.” — Gabi Vazquez Hernandez
Read more responses from Sun-Times readers on their comfort levels with schools reopening this fall here.
10:23 a.m. Chicago South Side Film Festival pivots to online with documentary on predatory contract home sales
The folks at the Chicago South Side Film Festival are aware that the show — no matter how it is presented — must go on.
In that spirit, the festival, which will be rebooted as an online event via Seed & Spark, a filmmaker crowdfunding website, plans to launch its 2020 slate by hosting a July 19 screening of the documentary “The Color Tax: Origins of the Modern-Day Racial Wealth Gap” at 6 p.m.
The festival, in its entirety, is scheduled to take place Sept. 25 to Oct. 4.
The film, which the CSSFF has screened previously, is the first in a docuseries by filmmaker Bruce Orenstein called “The Shame of Chicago,” which tells the story of how predatory contract home sales were thrust upon Black families who were unable to secure the types of mortgages white, would-be homeowners received.
Read the full story from Evan Moore here.
8:26 a.m. Dart touts efforts, CDC study noting drastic drop in coronavirus cases at Cook County Jail
Tom Dart Wednesday praised his office’s efforts to contain the coronavirus at Cook County Jail, citing a new study spearheaded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that credited the sheriff with successfully reducing the number of positive cases at the Southwest Side facility.
The jail — once named a top U.S. hotspot with hundreds of detainees infected — now stands as a model for other institutions on how to curb it, Dart declared.
“We not only bent our curve, we killed off the curve,” Dart said.
As of Wednesday, only 11 detainees had the coronavirus. Dart noted that eight of those detainees tested positive before being admitted into the jail, which currently has a population of under 5,000.
Since March, at least seven detainees, three correctional officers and one sheriff’s deputy died from complications related to COVID-19, according to Dart’s office.
Reporter Matthew Hendrickson has the full story,
New cases
Illinois reported another 1,187 coronavirus cases and eight additional deaths from COVID-19.
Analysis & Commentary
8:25 a.m. Once kids go back to school, it’s mask up or go home
At the moment, it makes sense to open Illinois schools.
As long as coronavirus cases don’t spiral upward dramatically, schools should open in August or September if they can keep students distanced in classrooms, hallways and cafeterias.
That could mean schools with larger enrollments will have to resort to hybrid models for attendance, with students alternating between going to school and participating in remote learning from home.
Schools also will need sufficient staffing, including nurses and janitors.
Beside distancing, wearing facial coverings will be a must. It will be up to school administrators to enforce the mask rule when unruly students and parents defy it.
And some will defy it. You can count on it. I’m not talking about those who will accidentally let a facial covering slip below their nose before lifting it up again. I’m talking about defiant teens who want to push boundaries, or think the virus is a hoax, and class cut-ups looking for laughs.
The solution is simple: Send them home. They can learn remotely.
Read the full column by Marlen Garcia here.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--American jobless claims surpass 1 million for 17th straight week

WASHINGTON — More than a million Americans sought unemployment benefits last week , indicating that companies are cutting more jobs as the resurgent coronavirus scythes through the Sunbelt and some of the nation ’ s most populous states .
Layoffs in Florida , Georgia and California rose by tens of thousands , the Labor Department said Thursday in its weekly report .
The number of laid-off workers seeking assistance remained stuck at 1.3 million — a stunning number that , while lower than the previous week , illustrated the devastation wrought by widespread shutdowns .
It was the 17th consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Infections are rising in 40 states , and 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies , according to Bank of America .
The rising number of virus cases threatens to push what appeared to be a recovering nation into critical condition .
Applications for aid paralleled rising infections geographically .
Claims in Florida doubled to 129,000 , and in Georgia they rose nearly one-third to 136,000 , according to the Labor Department report .
In California , they increased 23,000 to nearly 288,000 .
Applications also went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Conditions in the labor market remain weak , and the risk of mounting permanent job losses is high , especially if activity continues to be disrupted by repeated virus-related shutdowns , ” said Rubeela Farooqi , chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics .
The number of people seeking jobless aid shrank in New Jersey and New York and in another hot spot , Texas , a state that has been hammered by job cuts this year in the energy sector .
There was a surprisingly strong report Thursday from the Census @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is trouble below the surface there as well .
While sales climbed 7.5 % in June , private credit card data shows that those gains stalled toward the end of the month as new clusters of infections emerged .
“ While today ’ s report gives the illusion of a fearless consumer spending lavishly , the reality is more sobering : Consumers are increasingly fearful amid new spikes in COVID-19 cases and a looming fiscal cliff , ” said Lydia Boussour , senior U.S. economist at Oxford Economics .
The country has entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alike are adjusting to the perpetual risk of viral outbreaks .
Retailers are already relying on skeleton crews .
“ This is my biggest nightmare that we would open and re-close small businesses , ” said Sandy Sigal , president and CEO of NewMark Merrill Companies , which runs 85 outdoor lifestyle centers in California , Colorado and Illinois .
Sixty of the centers are located in California , which just re-closed gyms , nail salons and other “ nonessential ” businesses statewide .
Bars in Texas are again shuttered because of surging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to operate at only 25 % capacity .
According to an analysis of credit cards by JPMorgan Chase , consumer spending , the largest driver behind the U.S. economy , began to stall at the end of June .
The total number of people who are receiving jobless benefits nationwide dropped 400,000 , to 17.3 million last week , the government said , suggesting that hiring in some regions could offset some of the job losses in states with surging COVID-19 cases .
But huge U.S. companies continue to lay off people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it may have to cut up to 25,000 jobs in October because of sharply reduced air travel .
Airlines are barred from layoffs until then as a condition of federal aid they have received .
American followed United Airlines , which warned 36,000 of its employees last week that they may lose their jobs .
The uncertainty of what comes next is heightened by the pending expiration of many of the government support programs that have shored up the finances of both businesses and families .
The government ’ s small business loan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program , will stop taking applications Aug. 8 .
More than $ 500 billion has already been loaned , and more than half of small companies that got loans say they have spent all the money , according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business .
Nearly a quarter say they have laid off workers or expect to do so once the funds run out .
And an extra $ 600 in weekly unemployment benefits provided by the federal government on top of regular aid from the states will expire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those funds , along with the $ 1,200 relief checks sent out in April , enabled millions of Americans to stay current on housing costs and bills .
More than 13.5 million people have been infected worldwide and over 580,000 have died , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
The true numbers are thought to be far higher for a number of reasons , including limited testing .
Meghan McGowan , 30 , lost two jobs when the pandemic intensified in mid-March , one as a full-time librarian in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a different library system to help bring in some extra cash .
She is currently making more from unemployment than she earned at her previous jobs , but she is prepared to return to work even though she worries about the health risks .
Detroit is a viral hot spot .
The looming expiration of the $ 600 is nerve-wracking for her because the hiatus on her student loans will end this fall , and she has an auto insurance bill due .
“ Before when I was working through grad school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had always been my backup plan , but that ’ s not an option now , ” she said .
Associated Press Personal Finance Writer Sarah Skidmore Sell in Portland , Oregon , and AP Retail Writer Anne D ’ Innocenzio in New York City contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — More than a million Americans sought unemployment benefits last week, indicating that companies are cutting more jobs as the resurgent coronavirus scythes through the Sunbelt and some of the nation’s most populous states.
Layoffs in Florida, Georgia and California rose by tens of thousands, the Labor Department said Thursday in its weekly report. The number of laid-off workers seeking assistance remained stuck at 1.3 million — a stunning number that, while lower than the previous week, illustrated the devastation wrought by widespread shutdowns. It was the 17th consecutive week that jobless claims surpassed 1 million.
Infections are rising in 40 states, and 22 states have either paused or reversed efforts to reopen their economies, according to Bank of America. The rising number of virus cases threatens to push what appeared to be a recovering nation into critical condition.
Applications for aid paralleled rising infections geographically. Claims in Florida doubled to 129,000, and in Georgia they rose nearly one-third to 136,000, according to the Labor Department report. In California, they increased 23,000 to nearly 288,000. Applications also went up in Arizona and South Carolina.
“Conditions in the labor market remain weak, and the risk of mounting permanent job losses is high, especially if activity continues to be disrupted by repeated virus-related shutdowns,” said Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics.
The number of people seeking jobless aid shrank in New Jersey and New York and in another hot spot, Texas, a state that has been hammered by job cuts this year in the energy sector.
There was a surprisingly strong report Thursday from the Census Bureau on retail sales, though there is trouble below the surface there as well.
While sales climbed 7.5% in June, private credit card data shows that those gains stalled toward the end of the month as new clusters of infections emerged.
“While today’s report gives the illusion of a fearless consumer spending lavishly, the reality is more sobering: Consumers are increasingly fearful amid new spikes in COVID-19 cases and a looming fiscal cliff,” said Lydia Boussour, senior U.S. economist at Oxford Economics.
The country has entered a phase in which businesses and consumers alike are adjusting to the perpetual risk of viral outbreaks. Retailers are already relying on skeleton crews.
“This is my biggest nightmare that we would open and re-close small businesses,” said Sandy Sigal, president and CEO of NewMark Merrill Companies, which runs 85 outdoor lifestyle centers in California, Colorado and Illinois.
Sixty of the centers are located in California, which just re-closed gyms, nail salons and other “nonessential” businesses statewide. Bars in Texas are again shuttered because of surging infections. Pennsylvania this week ordered restaurants to operate at only 25% capacity.
According to an analysis of credit cards by JPMorgan Chase, consumer spending, the largest driver behind the U.S. economy, began to stall at the end of June.
The total number of people who are receiving jobless benefits nationwide dropped 400,000, to 17.3 million last week, the government said, suggesting that hiring in some regions could offset some of the job losses in states with surging COVID-19 cases.
But huge U.S. companies continue to lay off people. American Airlines warned its workers Wednesday that it may have to cut up to 25,000 jobs in October because of sharply reduced air travel. Airlines are barred from layoffs until then as a condition of federal aid they have received. American followed United Airlines, which warned 36,000 of its employees last week that they may lose their jobs.
The uncertainty of what comes next is heightened by the pending expiration of many of the government support programs that have shored up the finances of both businesses and families.
The government’s small business loan program, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, will stop taking applications Aug. 8. More than $500 billion has already been loaned, and more than half of small companies that got loans say they have spent all the money, according to a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. Nearly a quarter say they have laid off workers or expect to do so once the funds run out.
And an extra $600 in weekly unemployment benefits provided by the federal government on top of regular aid from the states will expire this month, unless replaced or extended. Those funds, along with the $1,200 relief checks sent out in April, enabled millions of Americans to stay current on housing costs and bills.
More than 13.5 million people have been infected worldwide and over 580,000 have died, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are thought to be far higher for a number of reasons, including limited testing.
Meghan McGowan, 30, lost two jobs when the pandemic intensified in mid-March, one as a full-time librarian in Detroit and a second as a substitute at a different library system to help bring in some extra cash.
She is currently making more from unemployment than she earned at her previous jobs, but she is prepared to return to work even though she worries about the health risks. Detroit is a viral hot spot.
The looming expiration of the $600 is nerve-wracking for her because the hiatus on her student loans will end this fall, and she has an auto insurance bill due.
“Before when I was working through grad school, I worked in restaurants so that had always been my backup plan, but that’s not an option now,” she said.
Associated Press Personal Finance Writer Sarah Skidmore Sell in Portland, Oregon, and AP Retail Writer Anne D’Innocenzio in New York City contributed to this report.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Divvy expanding to Far South Side

Divvy expanding to Far South Side

Chicago ’ s bike share program , known as Divvy , will be expanding into the Far South Side with the addition of 66 Divvy stations , city officials announced Thursday .
The new stations will expand the bike program by nearly 60 square miles , according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s office .
The expansion kicks off Thursday with the installation of a Divvy station at 83rd Street and Stewart Avenue in the Chatham neighborhood .
It ’ s part of a push to bring Divvy to every neighborhood by 2021 .
The expansion will include the addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has 6,000 bikes , and its 600 docking stations are accessible by about two-thirds of the city ’ s population and contained within about half of the city ’ s geography .
Under the expansion plan , Lyft , which runs the Divvy program for the city , is making a $ 50 million investment in new bikes , stations and hardware .
An annual Divvy membership costs $ 99 and allows an unlimited number of rides of 45 minutes or less .
The Divvy for Everyone program provides heavily discounted , $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those without credit or debit cards .
The Chicago Department of Transportation is also adding 16.5 miles of new bike lanes on the Far South Side .
The city already has 280 miles of on-street bikeways .

Chicago’s bike share program, known as Divvy, will be expanding into the Far South Side with the addition of 66 Divvy stations, city officials announced Thursday.
The new stations will expand the bike program by nearly 60 square miles, according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office.
The expansion kicks off Thursday with the installation of a Divvy station at 83rd Street and Stewart Avenue in the Chatham neighborhood.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
It’s part of a push to bring Divvy to every neighborhood by 2021. The expansion will include the addition of 10,500 new electric-assist bikes.
Divvy has 6,000 bikes, and its 600 docking stations are accessible by about two-thirds of the city’s population and contained within about half of the city’s geography.
Under the expansion plan, Lyft, which runs the Divvy program for the city, is making a $50 million investment in new bikes, stations and hardware.
An annual Divvy membership costs $99 and allows an unlimited number of rides of 45 minutes or less.
The Divvy for Everyone program provides heavily discounted, $5 membership for qualifying Chicagoans, including those without credit or debit cards.
The Chicago Department of Transportation is also adding 16.5 miles of new bike lanes on the Far South Side. The city already has 280 miles of on-street bikeways.
A Divvy bike station at West 83rd Street and South Stewart Avenue on the South Side, Thursday morning, July 16, 2020. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Zion Williamson leaves Pelicans for ‘family medical matter’

LAKE BUENA VISTA , Fla. — The New Orleans Pelicans say top overall draft choice Zion Williamson left the club on Thursday to attend to an urgent family medical matter .
The Pelicans say Williamson intends to rejoin the team in the Orlando area for the resumption of the season , but the club did not specify when he would be able to return or whether he ’ ll miss any games .
Williamson will have to quarantine again when he returns to Central Florida , a period that will last at least four days and could be significantly longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his absence from the team .
” We fully support Zion ’ s decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family , ” Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said .
“ Out of respect for the Williamson family , we will have no further comment at this time.
” Williamson , who starred for one season at Duke , has averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19 games this season after missing the New Orleans ’ first 44 games while recovering from preseason arthroscopic knee @ @

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The New Orleans Pelicans say top overall draft choice Zion Williamson left the club on Thursday to attend to an urgent family medical matter.
The Pelicans say Williamson intends to rejoin the team in the Orlando area for the resumption of the season, but the club did not specify when he would be able to return or whether he’ll miss any games.
Williamson will have to quarantine again when he returns to Central Florida, a period that will last at least four days and could be significantly longer if he is not tested daily during his absence from the team.
”We fully support Zion’s decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family,” Pelicans Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations David Griffin said. “Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will have no further comment at this time.”
Williamson, who starred for one season at Duke, has averaged 23.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in 19 games this season after missing the New Orleans’ first 44 games while recovering from preseason arthroscopic knee surgery.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--‘Can the state handle Hoover?’: Top fed makes plea against new sentence for ex-Gangster Disciples le

‘Can the state handle Hoover?’: Top fed makes plea against new sentence for ex-Gangster Disciples leader

Chicago ’ s top federal prosecutor made a rare plea to a judge Thursday , hoping to persuade him against a new sentence for Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover — a move most believe could return Hoover to the state prison system where he once led his gang .
U.S. Attorney John Lausch spoke at the end of a 40-minute telephonic hearing marred with technical difficulties .
Though it was sometimes hard for U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber and the attorneys to hear each other , Lausch was clear : It would be a “ miscarriage of justice to reduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any way , shape or form.
” “ It simply makes no sense now to give him a chance to run the Gangster Disciples , ” Lausch told Leinenweber .
Leinenweber ended Thursday ’ s hearing without making a decision , but at no point did he reject the idea of a ruling in Hoover ’ s favor .
Instead , the judge repeatedly asked a prosecutor and Hoover ’ s defense attorney to help him understand whether the Illinois Department of Corrections had improved since the days of Hoover .
In short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state handle Hoover ?
” A spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections did not immediately comment when contacted by the Chicago Sun-Times .
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Grayson Walker said he spoke to IDOC officials , and he said “ they do not want Mr. Hoover to return to an IDOC facility.
” Hoover ordered a murder in 1973 that led to his conviction in state court and a sentence of 150 to 200 years in Illinois ’ prison system .
There , the feds say he ran a $ 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gang soldiers continued to work for him in Chicago and other cities .
A federal investigation then led to Hoover ’ s conviction for running a criminal enterprise .
Leinenweber gave Hoover a life sentence in 1998 at the end of a hearing that prompted a finger-pointing confrontation between the two men .
Leinenweber told Hoover the charisma he used to gain the loyalty of thousands was proof he could have been a great man .
“ You misused a great gift that you received from God , ” Leinenweber told Hoover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from federal prison , he would still have to serve his murder sentence with the Illinois Department of Corrections , which lists his parole date as April 2 , 2064 .
But Hoover ’ s attorneys have said it ’ d be better than the federal super-max prison in Florence , Colorado , where Hoover is being held .
It also houses Mexican drug lord Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman Loera and “ Unabomber ” Ted Kaczynski .
Hoover ’ s attorneys say he should get a new sentencing hearing under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already shortened the sentences of several federal defendants from Chicago .
But prosecutors have said “ it would be the ultimate case study in unforeseen consequences ” were Hoover to get a break under that law .
Since the signing of that law by President Donald Trump , Leinenweber has repeatedly sided against prosecutors in granting sentence reductions .
Still , the feds say the law gives the judge discretion , a point Leinenweber asked the lawyers to focus on Thursday .
Walker told the judge a sentence reduction for Hoover is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city of Chicago — or the nation — needs right now.
” But Hoover ’ s attorney told the judge Hoover is not the same man Leinenweber sentenced nearly a quarter-century ago .
He ’ s 69 and has spent decades in “ severe isolation.
” After the hearing , Hoover supporter and former Gangster Disciples enforcer Wallace “ Gator ” Bradley said by text message , “ I ’ m asking everyone to pray that God touch ( Leinenweber ’ s ) heart and soul .
”

Chicago’s top federal prosecutor made a rare plea to a judge Thursday, hoping to persuade him against a new sentence for Gangster Disciples co-founder Larry Hoover — a move most believe could return Hoover to the state prison system where he once led his gang.
U.S. Attorney John Lausch spoke at the end of a 40-minute telephonic hearing marred with technical difficulties. Though it was sometimes hard for U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber and the attorneys to hear each other, Lausch was clear: It would be a “miscarriage of justice to reduce (Hoover’s) sentence in any way, shape or form.”
“It simply makes no sense now to give him a chance to run the Gangster Disciples,” Lausch told Leinenweber.
Leinenweber ended Thursday’s hearing without making a decision, but at no point did he reject the idea of a ruling in Hoover’s favor.
Instead, the judge repeatedly asked a prosecutor and Hoover’s defense attorney to help him understand whether the Illinois Department of Corrections had improved since the days of Hoover. In short, the judge asked, “can the state handle Hoover?”
A spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections did not immediately comment when contacted by the Chicago Sun-Times. But Assistant U.S. Attorney Grayson Walker said he spoke to IDOC officials, and he said “they do not want Mr. Hoover to return to an IDOC facility.”
Hoover ordered a murder in 1973 that led to his conviction in state court and a sentence of 150 to 200 years in Illinois’ prison system. There, the feds say he ran a $100 million-a-year drug business as tens of thousands of gang soldiers continued to work for him in Chicago and other cities.
A federal investigation then led to Hoover’s conviction for running a criminal enterprise. Leinenweber gave Hoover a life sentence in 1998 at the end of a hearing that prompted a finger-pointing confrontation between the two men. Leinenweber told Hoover the charisma he used to gain the loyalty of thousands was proof he could have been a great man.
“You misused a great gift that you received from God,” Leinenweber told Hoover that day.
If Hoover is released from federal prison, he would still have to serve his murder sentence with the Illinois Department of Corrections, which lists his parole date as April 2, 2064.
But Hoover’s attorneys have said it’d be better than the federal super-max prison in Florence, Colorado, where Hoover is being held. It also houses Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera and “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski.
Hoover’s attorneys say he should get a new sentencing hearing under the First Step Act, a law that has already shortened the sentences of several federal defendants from Chicago. But prosecutors have said “it would be the ultimate case study in unforeseen consequences” were Hoover to get a break under that law.
Since the signing of that law by President Donald Trump, Leinenweber has repeatedly sided against prosecutors in granting sentence reductions. Still, the feds say the law gives the judge discretion, a point Leinenweber asked the lawyers to focus on Thursday.
Walker told the judge a sentence reduction for Hoover is “just about the last thing that the city of Chicago — or the nation — needs right now.”
But Hoover’s attorney told the judge Hoover is not the same man Leinenweber sentenced nearly a quarter-century ago. He’s 69 and has spent decades in “severe isolation.”
After the hearing, Hoover supporter and former Gangster Disciples enforcer Wallace “Gator” Bradley said by text message, “I’m asking everyone to pray that God touch (Leinenweber’s) heart and soul.”
Contributing: Frank Main


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Illinois will limit seating at Memorial Stadium for upcoming football season

Illinois announced Thursday that it will limit seating at Memorial Stadium to 20 % capacity ( 10,000-12,000 people ) during the upcoming football season .
The attendance limit is one of several measures the university is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19 .
Other steps listed on the Illini website are : • Face coverings will be required in public areas , and six-foot social distancing will be observed .
• Tailgating will not be allowed .
• Increased cleaning will be conducted during the game and areas such as restrooms may be closed for brief periods for cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ via mobile device .
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said during a webcast that athletes will make their own decisions about returning campus and all financial aid will be protected .
The school has been conducting weekly COVID-19 testing and has done about 1,000 tests so far , he said .
“ One of the real challenges for me has been dealing with the uncertainty , ” he said .
Illinois is still working on schedules for football and all fall sports .
The Big Ten had already eliminated nonconference football games .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit .

Illinois announced Thursday that it will limit seating at Memorial Stadium to 20% capacity (10,000-12,000 people) during the upcoming football season.
The attendance limit is one of several measures the university is taking to limit the spread of COVID-19. Other steps listed on the Illini website are:
Face coverings will be required in public areas, and six-foot social distancing will be observed.
Tailgating will not be allowed.
Increased cleaning will be conducted during the game and areas such as restrooms may be closed for brief periods for cleaning.
Concessions will be “grab ‘n go”.
All tickets will be delivered via mobile device.
Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman said during a webcast that athletes will make their own decisions about returning campus and all financial aid will be protected.
The school has been conducting weekly COVID-19 testing and has done about 1,000 tests so far, he said.
“One of the real challenges for me has been dealing with the uncertainty,” he said. Illinois is still working on schedules for football and all fall sports. The Big Ten had already eliminated nonconference football games. The Pac-12 and Big East later followed suit.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Cubs’ Jose Quintana plays catch, but it’s just a small step on a ‘twisting’ road

Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana got the stitches removed from his left thumb on Wednesday .
A day later , he played catch at Wrigley Field , his first time throwing the ball since slicing a nerve in the thumb while washing dishes late last month , an injury that required surgery .
“ It was all smiles from him , which was nice , ” manager David Ross said .
Nice , indeed , but will Quintana be on the mound in a game any time soon ?
“ It ’ s a difficult thing to assess , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I know he ’ ll do as good a job as he can in his rehab , but it ’ s the kind of injury we don ’ t have total visibility into how it will feel.
” Quintana began what all involved hope will be a typical throwing progression , starting with 60-foot tosses off flat ground .
According to Ross , the pitcher had “ good sensation ” in the thumb — for whatever that ’ s worth .
“ One thing I know about my experiences in baseball is there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can come from major medical procedures , ” Ross said .
“ So it ’ s a big wait-and-see for me.
” More uncertainty continues to surround first baseman Anthony Rizzo , who stood in the batter ’ s box and tracked pitches for a second straight day .
That means no swinging , which would still be too much for his sore upper back .
Rizzo has faced live pitching for real only once in the last week and a half .
“ Obviously , he ’ s losing valuable preparation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s “ unclear ” if Rizzo will be able to play on Opening Day .
Catcher Jose Lobaton and pitchers Tyson Miller and Cory Abbott were added to the Cubs ’ 60-man player pool , bringing the total in the pool to 57 .
Seventeen of those players , including the three newcomers , are assigned to the team ’ s South Bend , Ind.
, camp .

Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana got the stitches removed from his left thumb on Wednesday. A day later, he played catch at Wrigley Field, his first time throwing the ball since slicing a nerve in the thumb while washing dishes late last month, an injury that required surgery.
“It was all smiles from him, which was nice,” manager David Ross said.
Nice, indeed, but will Quintana be on the mound in a game any time soon?
“It’s a difficult thing to assess,” general manager Jed Hoyer said. “I know he’ll do as good a job as he can in his rehab, but it’s the kind of injury we don’t have total visibility into how it will feel.”
Quintana began what all involved hope will be a typical throwing progression, starting with 60-foot tosses off flat ground. According to Ross, the pitcher had “good sensation” in the thumb — for whatever that’s worth.
“One thing I know about my experiences in baseball is there are a lot of twists and concerns that can come from major medical procedures,” Ross said. “So it’s a big wait-and-see for me.”
Back on track?
More uncertainty continues to surround first baseman Anthony Rizzo, who stood in the batter’s box and tracked pitches for a second straight day. That means no swinging, which would still be too much for his sore upper back. Rizzo has faced live pitching for real only once in the last week and a half.
“Obviously, he’s losing valuable preparation time,” said Hoyer who added that it’s “unclear” if Rizzo will be able to play on Opening Day.
Three additions
Catcher Jose Lobaton and pitchers Tyson Miller and Cory Abbott were added to the Cubs’ 60-man player pool, bringing the total in the pool to 57. Seventeen of those players, including the three newcomers, are assigned to the team’s South Bend, Ind., camp.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Man charged with murder in fatal Washington Park stabbing

A 57-year-old man is accused of fatally stabbing another man during an argument outside a store Monday morning in Washington Park .
Anthony Cleveland is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 40-year-old Kendell Reed , according to a bond proffer prepared by the Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office .
Cleveland was standing outside of Midway Liquor about 10:45 a.m. on the corner of Garfield Boulevard and State Street when Reed walked over to him , prosecutors said .
An argument broke out over money Cleveland owed Reed which lasted a couple of minutes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk into the store but Reed blocked his path , prompting Cleveland to pull out a pocket knife .
Reed picked up a bottle of alcohol and started splashing Cleveland with it as the argument between the pair continued , prosecutors said .
Reed picked up another bottle and Cleveland rushed towards him , stabbing him in the chest .
Cleveland fled the scene after the stabbing , and Reed ran to a grassy median on Garfield Boulevard where he collapsed , prosecutors said .
He died about a half hour later at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Three witness saw the argument and stabbing take place , and the incident was captured on surveillance cameras , prosecutors said .
One of the witness saw Cleveland wipe the knife on his clothes and put it back in his pocket after the attack .
Cleveland was arrested the next day and initially told officers he acted in self defense , but his version of events contradicted video and statements made by witnesses , prosecutors said .
He later admitted that he got rid of the knife .
He appeared at a hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 100,000 bail .
He is expected back in court Aug. 3 .

A 57-year-old man is accused of fatally stabbing another man during an argument outside a store Monday morning in Washington Park.
Anthony Cleveland is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 40-year-old Kendell Reed, according to a bond proffer prepared by the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.
Cleveland was standing outside of Midway Liquor about 10:45 a.m. on the corner of Garfield Boulevard and State Street when Reed walked over to him, prosecutors said.
An argument broke out over money Cleveland owed Reed which lasted a couple of minutes, prosecutors said. Cleveland then tried to walk into the store but Reed blocked his path, prompting Cleveland to pull out a pocket knife.
Reed picked up a bottle of alcohol and started splashing Cleveland with it as the argument between the pair continued, prosecutors said. Reed picked up another bottle and Cleveland rushed towards him, stabbing him in the chest.
Cleveland fled the scene after the stabbing, and Reed ran to a grassy median on Garfield Boulevard where he collapsed, prosecutors said. He died about a half hour later at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Three witness saw the argument and stabbing take place, and the incident was captured on surveillance cameras, prosecutors said. One of the witness saw Cleveland wipe the knife on his clothes and put it back in his pocket after the attack.
Cleveland was arrested the next day and initially told officers he acted in self defense, but his version of events contradicted video and statements made by witnesses, prosecutors said. He later admitted that he got rid of the knife.
He appeared at a hearing Thursday where he was ordered held on $100,000 bail. He is expected back in court Aug. 3.