chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--At 91, blues artist Jimmy Johnson keeps changing things up, and new album is the proof

He has stayed relevant by shaking things up when needed .
And his new album “ Every Day of Your Life , ” his first since returning the recording studio for the first time in a decade , shows why time is of the essence .
“ I ’ m not as young as I used to be , ” said Johnson , 91 .
“ I might not move exactly the same way I used to , but then I had a different idea .
When I play music , I don ’ t like the music to sound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ album that sounds like the last one , it doesn ’ t make sense to me.
” Even though Johnson is a blues artist by trade , his new album of five original songs and four covers has a reggae vibe .
His willingness to change with the times — pandemic or not — is something that he prides himself on .
“ I ’ ve had reggae on my albums before ; this isn ’ t the first time , ” said Johnson .
Since the COVID-19 pandemic cleared his schedule that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co. and Buddy Guy ’ s Legends , he ’ s found ways to adjust to the new reality with the album release and playing online gigs .
“ It ’ s a pain in the neck ; it ’ s boring , ” said Johnson of his quarantine in Harvey .
“ And I ’ ve been playing music for 60 years .
I never missed playing this long .
My last gig was on March 12.
” And what keeps Johnson going as part of a demographic that is more susceptible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The main thing that keeps me going , and has kept me going , was just being kind to everybody , ” said Johnson .
“ I was a really small kid going to school .
I always had feelings for the next guy , so I roll with that.
” Like most Black folks in the new reality , he ’ s not only dealing with the pandemic , which decimated the community in large numbers , but his heart also is heavy in the aftermath of the police killing of George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ member and friend , Frederick Gray , had a heart attack in 2003 in the aftermath of a police encounter .
“ I feel the pain ; I wasn ’ t him [ Floyd ] but I still feel the pain because I ’ ve been in his situation .
… It ’ s hard to respect somebody that doesn ’ t respect you .
“ But now they [ police ] don ’ t respect me .
But they want me to respect them .
So I give them respect in order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So they got the advantage because if it wasn ’ t for that recording [ of Floyd ’ s death ] , nothing would ’ ve have been done about it.
” Johnson has been all about making decisions with the long game in mind .
His music career started when he was 29 .
Before he became a full-time musician , he was a welder — a career pivot he says has allowed him to live a long life .
“ Now I made a lot of money , ” said Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I already did play piano because I did that when I was in high school .
I would ’ ve done [ welding ] for 20 more years , I wouldn ’ t have lived to get this old ; I wouldn ’ t have lived past 75.
” Despite his success and his later start than most artists , Johnson calls the difference in his fandom at home and abroad a “ gift and a curse ” — a common lament for Black blues artists .
“ My biggest fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m bigger in Europe than I am in the United States , ” said Johnson .
“ It ’ s bad to say but they don ’ t discriminate [ Europeans ] quite as much as they do here .
It ’ s good to have popularity somewhere , but it ’ s bad that my own country won ’ t play my record .
I really don ’ t know ; they ’ ll play Caucasian blues before mine .
“ I ’ m one of the originators .
Caucasian people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play the duplicator but they won ’ t play the originator of it .
What does it sound like to you ?
Like discrimination to me , because I can understand .
You ’ ve got a right to like what you like to play , but why would you play Eric Clapton ’ s record and not mine ?
It sounds backward to me .
But guess what ?
It is what it is .
”

Blues artist Jimmy Johnson isn’t stuck in his ways.
He has stayed relevant by shaking things up when needed.
And his new album “Every Day of Your Life,” his first since returning the recording studio for the first time in a decade, shows why time is of the essence.
“I’m not as young as I used to be,” said Johnson, 91. “I might not move exactly the same way I used to, but then I had a different idea. When I play music, I don’t like the music to sound the same. If I did an album that sounds like the last one, it doesn’t make sense to me.”
Even though Johnson is a blues artist by trade, his new album of five original songs and four covers has a reggae vibe.
His willingness to change with the times — pandemic or not — is something that he prides himself on.
“I’ve had reggae on my albums before; this isn’t the first time,” said Johnson.
Jimmy Johnson’s album of five original songs and four covers has a reggae vibe. Lola Reynaerts
Since the COVID-19 pandemic cleared his schedule that had included local gigs at Lagunitas Brewing Co. and Buddy Guy’s Legends, he’s found ways to adjust to the new reality with the album release and playing online gigs.
“It’s a pain in the neck; it’s boring,” said Johnson of his quarantine in Harvey. “And I’ve been playing music for 60 years. I never missed playing this long. My last gig was on March 12.”
And what keeps Johnson going as part of a demographic that is more susceptible to COVID-19 more than most?
“The main thing that keeps me going, and has kept me going, was just being kind to everybody,” said Johnson. “I was a really small kid going to school. I always had feelings for the next guy, so I roll with that.”
Like most Black folks in the new reality, he’s not only dealing with the pandemic, which decimated the community in large numbers, but his heart also is heavy in the aftermath of the police killing of George Floyd.
He says a former band member and friend, Frederick Gray, had a heart attack in 2003 in the aftermath of a police encounter.
“I feel the pain; I wasn’t him [Floyd] but I still feel the pain because I’ve been in his situation. … It’s hard to respect somebody that doesn’t respect you.
“But now they [police] don’t respect me. But they want me to respect them. So I give them respect in order to save myself from getting hurt. So they got the advantage because if it wasn’t for that recording [of Floyd’s death], nothing would’ve have been done about it.”
Johnson has been all about making decisions with the long game in mind.
His music career started when he was 29. Before he became a full-time musician, he was a welder — a career pivot he says has allowed him to live a long life.
“Now I made a lot of money,” said Johnson. “I could have started earlier, but I already did play piano because I did that when I was in high school. I would’ve done [welding] for 20 more years, I wouldn’t have lived to get this old; I wouldn’t have lived past 75.”
Despite his success and his later start than most artists, Johnson calls the difference in his fandom at home and abroad a “gift and a curse” — a common lament for Black blues artists.
“My biggest fans know what to expect; I’m bigger in Europe than I am in the United States,” said Johnson. “It’s bad to say but they don’t discriminate [Europeans] quite as much as they do here. It’s good to have popularity somewhere, but it’s bad that my own country won’t play my record. I really don’t know; they’ll play Caucasian blues before mine.
“I’m one of the originators. Caucasian people are kind of like the duplicators. They play the duplicator but they won’t play the originator of it. What does it sound like to you? Like discrimination to me, because I can understand. You’ve got a right to like what you like to play, but why would you play Eric Clapton’s record and not mine? It sounds backward to me. But guess what? It is what it is.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--2 killed, 8 wounded Tuesday in Chicago

2 killed, 8 wounded Tuesday in Chicago

Ten people were shot , two of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
The day ’ s latest shooting left a man dead in Garfield Park on the West Side .
The 35-year-old was standing outside about 9:25 p.m. in the 4300 block of West Van Buren Street when a male shot him in the abdomen , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital .
Early Tuesday , a bicyclist was killed by stray gunfire in a shooting that wounded another man in Rogers Park on the North Side .
The bicyclist , a 54-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 7600 block of North Marshfield Avenue when shots rang out and he was struck in the head , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston .
The target of the shooting , a 27-year-old man , was a passenger in a vehicle that stopped nearby , police said .
The occupants of the vehicle were speaking with a group of males on the street when someone in the group fired shots , police said .
The 27-year-old was struck in the leg and taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
In non-fatal shootings , a teenage boy was critically wounded in South Shore .
About 9:05 p.m. , the 16-year-old was on the porch of a home on South Bennett Avenue when someone walked up and opened fire , police said .
The boy was struck in the chest and back and taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in critical condition .
A man was shot Tuesday evening on the Near West Side .
The 18-year-old was outside about 7:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of West Fillmore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , striking him in the leg , Chicago police said .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
Earlier in the afternoon , a man was shot in Woodlawn on the South Side .
The 32-year-old was in a parking lot about 4:05 p.m. in the 1000 block of East 67th Street when someone emerged from an alley and opened fire , Chicago police said .
The man was struck in the foot and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where his condition was stabilized .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ morning .
The man , 49 , was outside about 8:50 a.m. in the 6300 block of South Vernon Avenue when a black-colored vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots , Chicago police said .
The man took himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his thigh , police said .
His condition was stabilized .
Hours earlier , a 30-year-old man was shot in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side .
About 5:10 a.m. , he was standing in an alley in the 3100 block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he felt a pain and realized he had been shot in the right calf , Chicago police said .
He told officers he did not see the shooter .
The man was taken to Mt .
Sinai Hospital for treatment , police said .
He is in good condition .
About half an hour before that , a 67-year-old man was shot in Back of the Yards on the South Side .
He was walking about 4:50 a.m. when someone got out of a vehicle in the 1800 block of West 50th Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police said .
He was struck in the shoulder and taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
The day ’ s first reported shooting was a drive-by in Logan Square on the Northwest Side .
The victim , a 21-year-old man , was walking about 2:55 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Fullerton Avenue when someone in a passing gray or dark-colored sedan fired shots at him , police said .
He was struck in the leg and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 13 more were wounded in shootings across Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Ten people were shot, two of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
The day’s latest shooting left a man dead in Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 35-year-old was standing outside about 9:25 p.m. in the 4300 block of West Van Buren Street when a male shot him in the abdomen, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
Early Tuesday, a bicyclist was killed by stray gunfire in a shooting that wounded another man in Rogers Park on the North Side.
The bicyclist, a 54-year-old man, was riding about 3 a.m. in the 7600 block of North Marshfield Avenue when shots rang out and he was struck in the head, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.
The target of the shooting, a 27-year-old man, was a passenger in a vehicle that stopped nearby, police said. The occupants of the vehicle were speaking with a group of males on the street when someone in the group fired shots, police said.
The 27-year-old was struck in the leg and taken in good condition to St. Francis Hospital, police said.
In non-fatal shootings, a teenage boy was critically wounded in South Shore.
About 9:05 p.m., the 16-year-old was on the porch of a home on South Bennett Avenue when someone walked up and opened fire, police said. The boy was struck in the chest and back and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
A man was shot Tuesday evening on the Near West Side.
The 18-year-old was outside about 7:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of West Fillmore Street when someone walked up and opened fire, striking him in the leg, Chicago police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Earlier in the afternoon, a man was shot in Woodlawn on the South Side.
The 32-year-old was in a parking lot about 4:05 p.m. in the 1000 block of East 67th Street when someone emerged from an alley and opened fire, Chicago police said. The man was struck in the foot and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized.
Another man was shot in Woodlawn Tuesday morning.
The man, 49, was outside about 8:50 a.m. in the 6300 block of South Vernon Avenue when a black-colored vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots, Chicago police said.
The man took himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his thigh, police said. His condition was stabilized.
Hours earlier, a 30-year-old man was shot in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side.
About 5:10 a.m., he was standing in an alley in the 3100 block of West 38th Street when he said he felt a pain and realized he had been shot in the right calf, Chicago police said. He told officers he did not see the shooter.
The man was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment, police said. He is in good condition.
About half an hour before that, a 67-year-old man was shot in Back of the Yards on the South Side.
He was walking about 4:50 a.m. when someone got out of a vehicle in the 1800 block of West 50th Street and fired shots at him, Chicago police said. He was struck in the shoulder and taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
The day’s first reported shooting was a drive-by in Logan Square on the Northwest Side.
The victim, a 21-year-old man, was walking about 2:55 a.m. in the 3900 block of West Fullerton Avenue when someone in a passing gray or dark-colored sedan fired shots at him, police said. He was struck in the leg and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition.
On Monday, five people were killed and 13 more were wounded in shootings across Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Man critically injured in West Lawn crash

A person was critically injured in a vehicle crash Tuesday in West Lawn on the Southwest Side , according to @ @ @ @ @ , a 36-year-old man was driving a white Dodge van south on Pulaski Road when @ @ @ @ @ sedan that had just turned north from 63rd Street , Chicago police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition with a broken leg @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The driver of the sedan , a 33-year-old man was taken to @ @ @ @ @ condition .
The cause of the crash is under investigation .

A person was critically injured in a vehicle crash Tuesday in West Lawn on the Southwest Side, according to police.
About 11:05 p.m., a 36-year-old man was driving a white Dodge van south on Pulaski Road when he crashed into a gray sedan that had just turned north from 63rd Street, Chicago police said.
The driver of the van was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition with a broken leg and a fractured ankle, police said. The driver of the sedan, a 33-year-old man was taken to the same hospital in critical condition.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Vehicles stolen in South Shore: police

Vehicles stolen in South Shore: police

Police are warning residents of three vehicle thefts reported in May and June in South Shore on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ victims parked their vehicle on the street or in a parking lot and returned to @ @ @ @ @ to a community alert from Chicago police .
• Between 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ block of East 70th Street ; • About 11 a.m. June 8 in the 7000 @ @ @ @ @ ; and • About 4:30 p.m. June 9 in the 6900 block of South Paxton @ @ @ @ @ is asked to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

Police are warning residents of three vehicle thefts reported in May and June in South Shore on the South Side.
In each incident, victims parked their vehicle on the street or in a parking lot and returned to find it missing, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The thefts happened:
Between 12:45 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. May 26 in the 2100 block of East 70th Street;
About 11 a.m. June 8 in the 7000 block of South Merrill Avenue; and
About 4:30 p.m. June 9 in the 6900 block of South Paxton Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Man, 70, missing from South Loop

Man, 70, missing from South Loop

Police are looking for a 70-year-old man who was reported missing from the South Loop .
Andre “ Andra ” @ @ @ @ @ 10 near the 200 block of South Clark Street , Chicago police said .
He @ @ @ @ @ and has brown eyes and black hair , police said .
Anyone with information about @ @ @ @ @ Area Three detectives at 312-744-8266 .

Police are looking for a 70-year-old man who was reported missing from the South Loop.
Andre “Andra” Misick was last seen June 10 near the 200 block of South Clark Street, Chicago police said.
He is 5-foot-7, 120 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair, police said.
Anyone with information about him is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8266.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-16--Horoscope for Wednesday, June 17, 2020

Horoscope for Wednesday, June 17, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Taurus .
Many of you will hear from relatives and family members you haven ’ t seen for a while .
In fact , you might have relatives camped on your doorstep or sleeping on the sofa .
This influence will last for about a month .
Family reunions will be classic .
On the upside , it ’ s an excellent window of time to tackle home repairs you ’ ve been avoiding .
Whoa Nellie !
Mercury retrograde is taking place in a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delays , communication difficulties , missed appointments and lots of goofy errors in your everyday world .
You might also see siblings and relatives you haven ’ t talked to for a while .
Financial errors and screw-ups will occur for you in the next month or maybe longer .
Therefore , double check all financial transactions .
Read your bill or invoice .
Check your change .
Be aware of your credit debt charges .
Checks in the mail will be late .
Oy !
For the next month , do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is retrograde in your sign , which means you will misplace items , miss appointments , misunderstand people , be late , forget things and perhaps find something that you lost before ?
Go figure .
Craaaazzzeee .
For the next month , your ability to research anything or delve into the past will be much better than usual .
This will also be an excellent time to study history because things in your life will tend to go “ backward.
” Unfortunately , things that go forward might stall .
You will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much more than usual in the next month .
This has probably already occurred .
It ’ s good to have history with others because you can trade lies about the bad old days .
“ Remember that time —.
” Mercury retrograde takes place at the top of your chart , which means you will encounter parents , bosses and authority figures from your past or people you haven ’ t seen for a while .
This could give you an opportunity for closure or to say what ’ s on your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or canceled in the next month because of Mercury retrograde .
However , in this same window of time , it will be easy to study the past , especially history or to finish a manuscript or an important paper .
Yay !
Use the next month to wrap up old business regarding wills , inheritances , shared property and insurance issues because it will be easy to do this .
Mercury retrograde will help you finish stuff that has been stagnating .
Try it .
Ex-partners , ex-spouses and old friends will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now and in the next month because of Mercury retrograde sitting opposite your sign .
This will be good news or not depending on how those relationships ended .
( Dress sharp , cuz living well is the best revenge . )
Although your routine at work will be dogged by silly errors , misplaced paperwork , late deliveries and equipment problems , you will more easily finish old work that has been languishing .
Finally , you can “ get to this stuff ” and wrap it up !
Old flames from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , which sometimes is flattering but sometimes it ’ s horrific .
Parents might find themselves dealing with old issues once again with their kids .
Older parents will find themselves in touch with kids they haven ’ t seen for a while .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Greg Kinnear ( 1963 ) shares your birthday .
You love to learn and you love to teach .
You take care of loved ones .
You will start winding up things you began nine years ago by letting go of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to something new and different .
Do not think of this as a time of loss .
Au contraire .
You are lightening your load to make room for new beginnings !

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Taurus.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Many of you will hear from relatives and family members you haven’t seen for a while. In fact, you might have relatives camped on your doorstep or sleeping on the sofa. This influence will last for about a month. Family reunions will be classic. On the upside, it’s an excellent window of time to tackle home repairs you’ve been avoiding.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Whoa Nellie! Mercury retrograde is taking place in a part of your chart that will trigger transportation delays, communication difficulties, missed appointments and lots of goofy errors in your everyday world. You might also see siblings and relatives you haven’t talked to for a while.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Financial errors and screw-ups will occur for you in the next month or maybe longer. Therefore, double check all financial transactions. Read your bill or invoice. Check your change. Be aware of your credit debt charges. Checks in the mail will be late. Oy!
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
For the next month, do not think you are losing it. Mercury is retrograde in your sign, which means you will misplace items, miss appointments, misunderstand people, be late, forget things and perhaps find something that you lost before? Go figure. Craaaazzzeee.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
For the next month, your ability to research anything or delve into the past will be much better than usual. This will also be an excellent time to study history because things in your life will tend to go “backward.” Unfortunately, things that go forward might stall.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
You will encounter friends and people from your past much more than usual in the next month. This has probably already occurred. It’s good to have history with others because you can trade lies about the bad old days. “Remember that time —.”
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Mercury retrograde takes place at the top of your chart, which means you will encounter parents, bosses and authority figures from your past or people you haven’t seen for a while. This could give you an opportunity for closure or to say what’s on your mind.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Travel plans will be delayed or canceled in the next month because of Mercury retrograde. However, in this same window of time, it will be easy to study the past, especially history or to finish a manuscript or an important paper. Yay!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Use the next month to wrap up old business regarding wills, inheritances, shared property and insurance issues because it will be easy to do this. Mercury retrograde will help you finish stuff that has been stagnating. Try it.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Ex-partners, ex-spouses and old friends will be popping up out of the woodwork now and in the next month because of Mercury retrograde sitting opposite your sign. This will be good news or not depending on how those relationships ended. (Dress sharp, cuz living well is the best revenge.)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Although your routine at work will be dogged by silly errors, misplaced paperwork, late deliveries and equipment problems, you will more easily finish old work that has been languishing. Finally, you can “get to this stuff” and wrap it up!
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Old flames from your past might be back in your world, which sometimes is flattering but sometimes it’s horrific. Parents might find themselves dealing with old issues once again with their kids. Older parents will find themselves in touch with kids they haven’t seen for a while.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Greg Kinnear (1963) shares your birthday. You love to learn and you love to teach. You take care of loved ones. You will start winding up things you began nine years ago by letting go of what is no longer relevant and moving on to something new and different. Do not think of this as a time of loss. Au contraire. You are lightening your load to make room for new beginnings!


chicagosun-times--2020-06-16--Chicago’s Joshua Greer Jr. stunned by underdog Mike Plania

Underdog Mike Plania ( 24-1-0 , 12 knockouts ) stunned Chicago native Joshua Greer Jr. ( 22-2-1 , 12 knockouts @ @ @ @ @ victory in their 10-round bantamweight fight Tuesday in Las Vegas .
Plania dropped Greer with @ @ @ @ @ sixth rounds , with the Filipino ’ s dangerous left hooks catching Greer — the @ @ @ @ @ No .
1-ranked bantamweight entering the night — by surprise .
Greer came on aggressively @ @ @ @ @ but Plania was able to tie him up frequently to let time run off the @ @ @ @ @ was unranked in the super bantamweight division but came down in weight class to fight @ @ @ @ @ punches to Greer ’ s mere 77 , per ESPN .
The loss is Greer @ @ @ @ @ last 20 fights and deals a large blow to his world title pursuit , which @ @ @ @ @ reach if he won Tuesday .

Underdog Mike Plania (24-1-0, 12 knockouts) stunned Chicago native Joshua Greer Jr. (22-2-1, 12 knockouts) with a majority decision victory in their 10-round bantamweight fight Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Plania dropped Greer with knockdowns in the first and sixth rounds, with the Filipino’s dangerous left hooks catching Greer — the World Boxing Organization’s No. 1-ranked bantamweight entering the night — by surprise.
Greer came on aggressively in the final rounds, but Plania was able to tie him up frequently to let time run off the clock. Plania, who was unranked in the super bantamweight division but came down in weight class to fight Greer, landed 99 power punches to Greer’s mere 77, per ESPN.
The loss is Greer’s first in his last 20 fights and deals a large blow to his world title pursuit, which was thought to be within reach if he won Tuesday.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--County buildings to reopen to public, 1st wave of workers early next month

The Cook County building and its administrative office building will reopen to the public early next month , which is also when the first wave of county employees will return to work , officials said Wednesday .
That return to in-person work on July 6 take place on the same day buildings like 69 W. Washington , the county ’ s administrative office building , will reopen to the public , though the county is taking precautions to try to keep people safe .
Anyone who enters the buildings will be required to wear a mask or facial covering and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday at a news conference announcing the reopening plans .
“ We ’ ve been through a difficult time , ” Preckwinkle said .
“ While we ’ ve made incredible progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 over the last few months , the pandemic is clearly not over .
It ’ s important that we continue to follow health guidelines … as we navigate this new phase.
” Since March , many of the county ’ s meetings have been conducted virtually .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still “ to be determined , ” Preckwinkle said .
While Elizabeth Granato , the interim bureau chief for the Bureau of Asset Management , said senior staff for departments that Preckwinkle oversees came back to work this week , the county ’ s July reopening will mark the first time many employees will return to county facilities since access to the buildings was limited in March .
Those employees come from the six bureaus and over 30 departments under Preckwinkle ’ s purview , including the Bureau of Administration , Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bureau of Economic Development , Bureau of Finance , Bureau of Human Resources and Bureau of Technology , among others .
That first wave of returning workers accounts for about 50 percent , or less , of a department ’ s full-time employee count .
The second and third waves of employees will return to work about two to four weeks after the first .
The number of employees returning in those waves has not been determined .
Employees must complete an online training before their return .
Potential changes to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rise in cases , is also “ to be determined , ” Preckwinkle said .
Jose Rivera , Preckwinkle ’ s deputy chief of staff , said the return to on-site work won ’ t be rushed .
“ We have our foot on the brake a little bit , but , as conditions allow , we ’ re going to gradually have waves come back , ” Rivera said .

The Cook County building and its administrative office building will reopen to the public early next month, which is also when the first wave of county employees will return to work, officials said Wednesday.
That return to in-person work on July 6 take place on the same day buildings like 69 W. Washington, the county’s administrative office building, will reopen to the public, though the county is taking precautions to try to keep people safe.
Anyone who enters the buildings will be required to wear a mask or facial covering and undergo thermal wellness and health screenings, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday at a news conference announcing the reopening plans.
“We’ve been through a difficult time,” Preckwinkle said. “While we’ve made incredible progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19 over the last few months, the pandemic is clearly not over. It’s important that we continue to follow health guidelines … as we navigate this new phase.”
Since March, many of the county’s meetings have been conducted virtually. When the county will return to in-person meetings is still “to be determined,” Preckwinkle said.
While Elizabeth Granato, the interim bureau chief for the Bureau of Asset Management, said senior staff for departments that Preckwinkle oversees came back to work this week, the county’s July reopening will mark the first time many employees will return to county facilities since access to the buildings was limited in March.
Those employees come from the six bureaus and over 30 departments under Preckwinkle’s purview, including the Bureau of Administration, Justice Advisory Council, Bureau of Asset Management, Bureau of Economic Development, Bureau of Finance, Bureau of Human Resources and Bureau of Technology, among others.
That first wave of returning workers accounts for about 50 percent, or less, of a department’s full-time employee count. The second and third waves of employees will return to work about two to four weeks after the first. The number of employees returning in those waves has not been determined.
Employees must complete an online training before their return.
Potential changes to the reopening plan, should there be a rise in cases, is also “to be determined,” Preckwinkle said.
Jose Rivera, Preckwinkle’s deputy chief of staff, said the return to on-site work won’t be rushed.
“We have our foot on the brake a little bit, but, as conditions allow, we’re going to gradually have waves come back,” Rivera said.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Immigrant, refugee communities urged to fill out 2020 census

An advocacy group and its partners kicked off a daylong event Wednesday promoting the 2020 census and encouraging Chicago ’ s immigrant community to be counted .
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights began the day with a virtual news conference , where organizers and elected officials took turns discussing the significance of the census .
Organizers also launched a phone bank with plans to make 5,000 phone calls to residents encouraging them to fill out their forms on what they were calling the Illinois Immigrant and Refugee Census Day .
Lawrence Benito , CEO of the refugee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their partners in the Chicago area have knocked on over 45,000 doors and made over 100,000 calls to households to raise awareness for the census .
“ We have also assisted over 13,000 people in completing their census and over 8,500 of which were only able to complete their census through the facilitation of our activities , ” Benito said .
“ Completing the 2020 census is safe and is a significant opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of immigrants , refugees and new Americans.
” As of June 16 , nearly 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide , including 3.7 million in Illinois .
The state ’ s 66.2 % response rate is eighth-best in the country ; Minnesota ’ s 71 % leads the pack .
Illinois is also the most populous state in the top 10 .
Chicago ’ s 53.8 % response rate also leads other large cities , including New York ( 52.2 % ) , Houston ( 51.9 % ) and Los Angeles ( 51 % ) .
Pockets of the city and state , however , remain slow to respond — including many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also happened Wednesday in Joliet , Berwyn and five Chicago neighborhoods .
Residents decorated their cars with 2020 census slogans , carried signs and honked their horns during the parade .
State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez , D-Chicago , took part in a caravan in Little Village on Wednesday afternoon to stress the importance of filling out the census .
“ We want to make sure we count as many people as possible because those are federal dollars that are going into communities and we want to make sure we get a piece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Little Village is underfunded and lacks a lot of resources , so we want to make sure we get what we deserve.
” The result of the census will not only determine how federal funds are distributed but also the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives , the redrawing of congressional districts and a state ’ s number of electors in the Electoral College for the next 10 years .
“ We have to do everything we can to tell people that their information is confidential and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities that will go toward roads , our schools , our hospitals and political representation , ” Gonzalez said .
Cesar Nuñez , director of organizing at Enlace Chicago , said the threat of a citizenship question on the census form — which ended up not happening — and the global coronavirus pandemic has hurt their nonprofit ’ s census outreach effort .
But using phone banks and caravans have proved fruitful .
“ Residents are scared ; they are scared , and it ’ s like we are trying to let them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be counted and recognized , ” Nuñez said .
“ We all can ’ t vote but we all can be counted in order to leverage these resources for the next 10 years.
” The last day to fill out the census has been pushed back to October 31 because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Census takers will start knocking on doors of those who have not responded on August 11 .
Residents can fill out the census at my2020census.gov , call 844-330-2020 or by mail .

An advocacy group and its partners kicked off a daylong event Wednesday promoting the 2020 census and encouraging Chicago’s immigrant community to be counted.
The Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights began the day with a virtual news conference, where organizers and elected officials took turns discussing the significance of the census.
Organizers also launched a phone bank with plans to make 5,000 phone calls to residents encouraging them to fill out their forms on what they were calling the Illinois Immigrant and Refugee Census Day.
Lawrence Benito, CEO of the refugee coalition, said that since last year, their partners in the Chicago area have knocked on over 45,000 doors and made over 100,000 calls to households to raise awareness for the census.
“We have also assisted over 13,000 people in completing their census and over 8,500 of which were only able to complete their census through the facilitation of our activities,” Benito said. “Completing the 2020 census is safe and is a significant opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of immigrants, refugees and new Americans.”
As of June 16, nearly 100 million households have responded to the census nationwide, including 3.7 million in Illinois. The state’s 66.2% response rate is eighth-best in the country; Minnesota’s 71% leads the pack. Illinois is also the most populous state in the top 10.
Chicago’s 53.8% response rate also leads other large cities, including New York (52.2%), Houston (51.9%) and Los Angeles (51%).
Pockets of the city and state, however, remain slow to respond — including many households concentrated in immigrant communities.
Fernanda Hernandez, left, with help from Margarita Marquez, adds the finishing touches to their vehicle that will drive through the Little Village neighborhood reminding people to fill out the 2020 census. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Caravans also happened Wednesday in Joliet, Berwyn and five Chicago neighborhoods. Residents decorated their cars with 2020 census slogans, carried signs and honked their horns during the parade.
State Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, D-Chicago, took part in a caravan in Little Village on Wednesday afternoon to stress the importance of filling out the census.
“We want to make sure we count as many people as possible because those are federal dollars that are going into communities and we want to make sure we get a piece of that,” Gonzalez said. “Little Village is underfunded and lacks a lot of resources, so we want to make sure we get what we deserve.”
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
The result of the census will not only determine how federal funds are distributed but also the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives, the redrawing of congressional districts and a state’s number of electors in the Electoral College for the next 10 years.
“We have to do everything we can to tell people that their information is confidential and that money is going to come into our communities that will go toward roads, our schools, our hospitals and political representation,” Gonzalez said.
Cesar Nuñez, director of organizing at Enlace Chicago, said the threat of a citizenship question on the census form — which ended up not happening — and the global coronavirus pandemic has hurt their nonprofit’s census outreach effort. But using phone banks and caravans have proved fruitful.
“Residents are scared; they are scared, and it’s like we are trying to let them know this is an opportunity for us to be counted and recognized,” Nuñez said. “We all can’t vote but we all can be counted in order to leverage these resources for the next 10 years.”
The last day to fill out the census has been pushed back to October 31 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Census takers will start knocking on doors of those who have not responded on August 11.
Residents can fill out the census at my2020census.gov, call 844-330-2020 or by mail.
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--John Bolton: Trump asked China for help with reelection

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump “ pleaded ” with China ’ s Xi Jinping during a 2019 summit to help his reelection prospects , according to a scathing new book by former Trump adviser John Bolton that accuses the president of being driven by political calculations when making national security decisions .
The White House was working furiously to block release of the book , asking a federal court for an emergency temporary restrainer Wednesday to prevent the spread of allegations , like those about China , that carry echoes of Trump ’ s efforts to solicit political help from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment .
The 577-page book paints an unvarnished portrait of Trump and his administration , lending the most vivid , first-person account yet of how Trump conducts himself in office .
Several other former officials have written books , but most have been flattering about the president .
Other former officials have indicated they were saving their accounts of their time working for Trump until after he left office in order to speak more candidly .
The Associated Press obtained a copy of Bolton ’ s book in advance of its release next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security adviser for a 17-month period , called Trump ’ s attempt to shift the June 2019 conversation with Xi to the U.S. election a stunning move , and wrote that it was among innumerable conversations that he found concerning .
Bolton wrote that he believes that Congress should have expanded the scope of its impeachment inquiry to these other incidents .
“ I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my tenure that wasn ’ t driven by re-election calculations , ” Bolton wrote .
Deeply critical of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bolton wrote that because staff had served him so poorly , Trump “ saw conspiracies behind rocks , and remained stunningly uninformed on how to run the White House , let alone the huge federal government.
” He added that while he was at the White House , Trump typically had only two intelligence briefings a week “ and in most of those , he spoke at greater length than the briefers , often on matters completely unrelated to the subjects at hand.
” As for the meeting with the Chinese president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump told Xi that Democrats were hostile to China .
“ He then , stunningly , turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election , alluding to China ’ s economic capability to affect the ongoing campaigns , pleading with Xi to ensure he ’ d win , ” Bolton said .
“ He stressed the importance of farmers , and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome.
” Bolton wrote that he would print Trump ’ s exact words , “ but the government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The book , titled “ The Room Where It Happened : A White House Memoir , ” which is set to be released next Tuesday by Simon & Schuster , has been the subject of a lengthy battle between Bolton and the White House .
The Department of Justice filed suit Tuesday in an effort to delay publication of the book , claiming it still contained highly classified information and a required review by the National Security Council had not been concluded .
According to the filing , a career official determined no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that national security adviser Robert O ’ Brien initiated a secondary review that deemed additional information to be classified .
The White House ’ s contention that so much of the book was classified appeared to be a tacit admission that many of Bolton ’ s allegations were accurate — as inaccurate information could not be classified .
Bolton wrote that , due to the review process , he made “ numerous changes to the manuscript in order to obtain clearance to publish , the vast bulk of which , in my view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forth.
” He said in some cases he was asked to add phrases like , “ in my view , ” to make it clear he was expressing his opinion instead of relying on sensitive information .
In others , he was asked to describe things more generally .
He was asked to remove quotation marks nearly every time he recounts conversation between Trump and foreign leaders and himself and foreign leaders .
The book begins with a quotation from the Duke of Wellington as he rallied his troops at Waterloo in 1815 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gentlemen .
Let ’ s see who will pound the longest.
” U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday that he attended a meeting between Trump and Xi at the Group of 20 nations in Osaka , but he never heard Trump pleading with Xi to buy more agriculture products to ensure he would win reelection .
Lighthizer spoke at a Senate hearing on trade issues and was asked about Bolton ’ s recollection of events .
“ Absolutely untrue .
Never happened .
I was there .
I have no recollection of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t believe it ’ s true .
I don ’ t believe it ever happened , ” Lighthizer said .
“ Would I recollect something as crazy as that ?
Of course , I would recollect it.
” Bolton wrote that he raised some of his concerns about Trump ’ s conversations with foreign leaders with Attorney General William Barr .
Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec denied in a statement that Barr had ever expressed that Trump ’ s conversations with foreign leaders were improper .
Trump continually pandered to Xi , Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinner in 2018 , Bolton said Trump asked why the U.S. was sanctioning China over it treatment of Uighurs .
China suspects Uighurs , who are predominantly Muslim and culturally and ethnically distinct from the majority Han Chinese population , of harboring separatist tendencies .
In recent years , China has dramatically escalated its campaign against them by detaining more than 1 million people in internment camps and prisons , which it calls vocational training centers .
“ At the opening dinner of the Osaka G-20 meeting , with only interpreters present , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basically building concentration camps in Xinjiang , ” Bolton wrote .
“ According to our interpreter , Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps , which he thought was exactly the right thing to do .
“ Bolton ’ s claim that Trump was appealing to China to assist his reelection effort comes as the president ’ s rhetoric toward the U.S. geopolitical rival has grown more acerbic in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
But it may undercut the Trump reelection campaign ’ s efforts , evidenced in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to paint presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as soft on China .
In the book , Bolton describes every Trump decision as being guided by concerns for his own reelection , a claim that evokes the scandal that sparked Trump ’ s impeachment last year .
Trump ’ s decision to withhold military assistance to Ukraine until it agreed to investigate Biden led the House to charge Trump was abusing his power .
The aid was ultimately released once the hold-up became public .
The GOP-controlled Senate ultimately acquitted the president on that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ investigation of the incident .
Bolton was called to testify before House lawmakers conducting the impeachment inquiry , but he declined , suggesting he wanted a federal court to decide whether he should heed a White House directive not to cooperate with the inquiry .
Bolton didn ’ t spare Trump criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic , even though he ’ d left the White House months before it began .
Bolton wrote that “ Trump ’ s reflex effort to talk his way out of anything , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercut his and the nation ’ s credibility , with his statements looking more like political damage control than responsible public-health advice.
” The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the specifics in Bolton ’ s book , but emailed reporters past quotes of Democratic lawmakers impugning the former Trump aide ’ s credibility .
In advance of the public reports about the details , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the book was “ full of classified information , which is inexcusable .
”

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump “pleaded” with China’s Xi Jinping during a 2019 summit to help his reelection prospects, according to a scathing new book by former Trump adviser John Bolton that accuses the president of being driven by political calculations when making national security decisions.
The White House was working furiously to block release of the book, asking a federal court for an emergency temporary restrainer Wednesday to prevent the spread of allegations, like those about China, that carry echoes of Trump’s efforts to solicit political help from Ukraine. Those efforts led to his impeachment.
The 577-page book paints an unvarnished portrait of Trump and his administration, lending the most vivid, first-person account yet of how Trump conducts himself in office. Several other former officials have written books, but most have been flattering about the president. Other former officials have indicated they were saving their accounts of their time working for Trump until after he left office in order to speak more candidly. The Associated Press obtained a copy of Bolton’s book in advance of its release next week.
Bolton, Trump’s national security adviser for a 17-month period, called Trump’s attempt to shift the June 2019 conversation with Xi to the U.S. election a stunning move, and wrote that it was among innumerable conversations that he found concerning. Bolton wrote that he believes that Congress should have expanded the scope of its impeachment inquiry to these other incidents.
“I am hard-pressed to identify any significant Trump decision during my tenure that wasn’t driven by re-election calculations,” Bolton wrote.
Deeply critical of the president and much of his senior team, Bolton wrote that because staff had served him so poorly, Trump “saw conspiracies behind rocks, and remained stunningly uninformed on how to run the White House, let alone the huge federal government.” He added that while he was at the White House, Trump typically had only two intelligence briefings a week “and in most of those, he spoke at greater length than the briefers, often on matters completely unrelated to the subjects at hand.”
As for the meeting with the Chinese president in Osaka, Japan, Bolton wrote that Trump told Xi that Democrats were hostile to China.
“He then, stunningly, turned the conversation to the coming U.S. presidential election, alluding to China’s economic capability to affect the ongoing campaigns, pleading with Xi to ensure he’d win,” Bolton said. “He stressed the importance of farmers, and increased Chinese purchases of soybeans and wheat in the electoral outcome.”
Bolton wrote that he would print Trump’s exact words, “but the government’s pre-publication review process has decided otherwise.”
The book, titled “The Room Where It Happened: A White House Memoir,” which is set to be released next Tuesday by Simon & Schuster, has been the subject of a lengthy battle between Bolton and the White House.
The Department of Justice filed suit Tuesday in an effort to delay publication of the book, claiming it still contained highly classified information and a required review by the National Security Council had not been concluded. According to the filing, a career official determined no classified material remained in April, but that national security adviser Robert O’Brien initiated a secondary review that deemed additional information to be classified.
The White House’s contention that so much of the book was classified appeared to be a tacit admission that many of Bolton’s allegations were accurate — as inaccurate information could not be classified.
Bolton wrote that, due to the review process, he made “numerous changes to the manuscript in order to obtain clearance to publish, the vast bulk of which, in my view, did not change the facts set forth.” He said in some cases he was asked to add phrases like, “in my view,” to make it clear he was expressing his opinion instead of relying on sensitive information. In others, he was asked to describe things more generally. He was asked to remove quotation marks nearly every time he recounts conversation between Trump and foreign leaders and himself and foreign leaders.
The book begins with a quotation from the Duke of Wellington as he rallied his troops at Waterloo in 1815: “Hard pounding, this, gentlemen. Let’s see who will pound the longest.”
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said Wednesday that he attended a meeting between Trump and Xi at the Group of 20 nations in Osaka, but he never heard Trump pleading with Xi to buy more agriculture products to ensure he would win reelection. Lighthizer spoke at a Senate hearing on trade issues and was asked about Bolton’s recollection of events.
“Absolutely untrue. Never happened. I was there. I have no recollection of that ever happening. I don’t believe it’s true. I don’t believe it ever happened,” Lighthizer said. “Would I recollect something as crazy as that? Of course, I would recollect it.”
Bolton wrote that he raised some of his concerns about Trump’s conversations with foreign leaders with Attorney General William Barr. Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec denied in a statement that Barr had ever expressed that Trump’s conversations with foreign leaders were improper.
Trump continually pandered to Xi, Bolton wrote. At a White House Christmas dinner in 2018, Bolton said Trump asked why the U.S. was sanctioning China over its treatment of Uighurs. China suspects Uighurs, who are predominantly Muslim and culturally and ethnically distinct from the majority Han Chinese population, of harboring separatist tendencies. In recent years, China has dramatically escalated its campaign against them by detaining more than 1 million people in internment camps and prisons, which it calls vocational training centers.
“At the opening dinner of the Osaka G-20 meeting, with only interpreters present, Xi explained to Trump why he was basically building concentration camps in Xinjiang,” Bolton wrote. “According to our interpreter, Trump said that Xi should go ahead with building the camps, which he thought was exactly the right thing to do. “
Bolton’s claim that Trump was appealing to China to assist his reelection effort comes as the president’s rhetoric toward the U.S. geopolitical rival has grown more acerbic in response to the coronavirus pandemic. But it may undercut the Trump reelection campaign’s efforts, evidenced in recent television ads and public statements. to paint presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as soft on China.
In the book, Bolton describes every Trump decision as being guided by concerns for his own reelection, a claim that evokes the scandal that sparked Trump’s impeachment last year.
Trump’s decision to withhold military assistance to Ukraine until it agreed to investigate Biden led the House to charge Trump was abusing his power. The aid was ultimately released once the hold-up became public. The GOP-controlled Senate ultimately acquitted the president on that count and a count of obstructing Congress’ investigation of the incident.
Bolton was called to testify before House lawmakers conducting the impeachment inquiry, but he declined, suggesting he wanted a federal court to decide whether he should heed a White House directive not to cooperate with the inquiry.
Bolton didn’t spare Trump criticism for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, even though he’d left the White House months before it began. Bolton wrote that “Trump’s reflex effort to talk his way out of anything, however, even a public-health crisis, only undercut his and the nation’s credibility, with his statements looking more like political damage control than responsible public-health advice.”
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the specifics in Bolton’s book, but emailed reporters past quotes of Democratic lawmakers impugning the former Trump aide’s credibility. In advance of the public reports about the details, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said the book was “full of classified information, which is inexcusable.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Parolee held without bail for allegedly shooting at CPD officers

A parolee was ordered held without bail Wednesday for allegedly opening fire on a marked Chicago police SUV after the four officers inside the vehicle tried to take him into custody in Bronzeville earlier this week .
The officers were trying to take 22-year-old Steven McGee into custody Monday for a recent aggravated assault in the neighborhood when McGee shot at them , Cook County prosecutors said .
Police said one officer was shot in the knee by McGee , but prosecutors Wednesday said surveillance video called into question whether McGee was the shooter .
When the officers , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled up to him in the 5300 block of South King Drive Monday evening , and called out “ Lil Steve , ” he ran away , prosecutors said .
As the officers pursued McGee in the marked SUV and asked him “ where he was going to run , ” they saw him remove a black handgun from his waistband , prosecutors said .
McGee turned toward the police vehicle as he ran and fired multiple shots , striking the SUV , prosecutors said .
The officers called in a report of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle as they continued to hear gunfire .
One officer heard a gunshot and “ immediately felt something on his right leg , ” but McGee had already turned a corner and “ could not have shot ” the officer , video surveillance showed , prosecutors said .
The officers initially tried chasing McGee on foot , but the officer who “ felt something ” called off the pursuit “ due to pain in his right leg , ” prosecutors said .
The officers did not return fire .
Chicago police confirmed Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his knee at some point during the incident .
McGee also fired multiple times into the front door of an apartment building in the 5000 block of King Drive to gain access to the building , prosecutors said , adding that it was believed these were the gunshots the officer heard when he believed he was shot in his leg .
McGee eventually got inside an apartment on the third floor , locked the door behind him and told the two people inside not to open the door when police knocked , prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bathroom , placed his old clothes and gun in a black garbage bag and threw it out a window .
The items were later recovered by police .
The two witnesses in the apartment opened a back door to the home and alerted police .
SWAT officers later ordered McGee to surrender and was taken into custody .
In addition to the attempted murder charges , McGee was charged with unauthorized use of a weapon and aggravated discharge of a weapon in an occupied building , as well as a misdemeanor count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McGee is currently on parole for a 2016 armed robbery conviction , according to court records .
An assistant public defender Wednesday stressed that prosecutors said surveillance footage showed the officer who thought he was wounded could not have been shot by McGee .
“ We don ’ t know if there ’ s a third person with a gun somewhere , and in the climate of Chicago these days , there very well could be someone else shooting , ” the attorney said .
Another man , 21-year-old Jacari McNutt-Garrett , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with McGee during part of pursuit , faces a misdemeanor count of possession of ammunition without a valid FOID , prosecutors and police said .
McGee is expected back in court on July 6 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A parolee was ordered held without bail Wednesday for allegedly opening fire on a marked Chicago police SUV after the four officers inside the vehicle tried to take him into custody in Bronzeville earlier this week.
The officers were trying to take 22-year-old Steven McGee into custody Monday for a recent aggravated assault in the neighborhood when McGee shot at them, Cook County prosecutors said.
Police said one officer was shot in the knee by McGee, but prosecutors Wednesday said surveillance video called into question whether McGee was the shooter.
When the officers, who knew McGee from a prior arrest, pulled up to him in the 5300 block of South King Drive Monday evening, and called out “Lil Steve,” he ran away, prosecutors said.
As the officers pursued McGee in the marked SUV and asked him “where he was going to run,” they saw him remove a black handgun from his waistband, prosecutors said.
McGee turned toward the police vehicle as he ran and fired multiple shots, striking the SUV, prosecutors said.
The officers called in a report of shots fired and got out of the vehicle as they continued to hear gunfire.
One officer heard a gunshot and “immediately felt something on his right leg,” but McGee had already turned a corner and “could not have shot” the officer, video surveillance showed, prosecutors said.
The officers initially tried chasing McGee on foot, but the officer who “felt something” called off the pursuit “due to pain in his right leg,” prosecutors said. The officers did not return fire.
Chicago police confirmed Wednesday the officer suffered a gunshot wound to his knee at some point during the incident.
McGee also fired multiple times into the front door of an apartment building in the 5000 block of King Drive to gain access to the building, prosecutors said, adding that it was believed these were the gunshots the officer heard when he believed he was shot in his leg.
McGee eventually got inside an apartment on the third floor, locked the door behind him and told the two people inside not to open the door when police knocked, prosecutors said. McGee allegedly changed clothes inside a bathroom, placed his old clothes and gun in a black garbage bag and threw it out a window. The items were later recovered by police.
The two witnesses in the apartment opened a back door to the home and alerted police.
SWAT officers later ordered McGee to surrender and was taken into custody.
In addition to the attempted murder charges, McGee was charged with unauthorized use of a weapon and aggravated discharge of a weapon in an occupied building, as well as a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass to a residence.
McGee is currently on parole for a 2016 armed robbery conviction, according to court records.
An assistant public defender Wednesday stressed that prosecutors said surveillance footage showed the officer who thought he was wounded could not have been shot by McGee.
“We don’t know if there’s a third person with a gun somewhere, and in the climate of Chicago these days, there very well could be someone else shooting,” the attorney said.
Another man, 21-year-old Jacari McNutt-Garrett, who was seen armed and fleeing from police with McGee during part of pursuit, faces a misdemeanor count of possession of ammunition without a valid FOID, prosecutors and police said.
McGee is expected back in court on July 6.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Let’s get a full report on cops’ stay at Bobby Rush’s office

Various people are offering differing explanations of what we saw in a video of a group of police officers , including three supervisors , inside U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush ’ s South Side office on June 1 while protests and looting were taking place around the city .
What we need is not a rush to judgment , but a full and prompt compilation of all the facts .
FOP President John Catanzara disputes any claim the officers were sleeping on a couch , popping popcorn and drinking coffee in Rush ’ s burglarized office while nearby looters were clearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He says the cops came there from a parking lot of a Home Depot store after other businesses in the area already had been looted .
But Mayor Lori Lightfoot has rejected assertions making the rounds on police blogs that the officers were told via cellphone to go to the office and guard it , either by the police chain of command or someone in the congressman ’ s office .
And Police Supt .
David Brown said , “ If you sleep during a riot , what are you doing during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no riot ?
” The issue also led to some passionate back-and-forth discussion Wednesday at the City Council .
If the police officers broke into Rush ’ s office on their own when they should have been preventing vandalism , that would be a serious dereliction of duty .
But if they were sent there to protect the office after nearby businesses already had been looted , they were following instructions .
And if they were resting after a long day — as bad as that sleeping cop looks on the video — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would be sent back on the streets within a few hours .
If they were there doing their jobs , the fact that they made themselves coffee and popcorn would not be a major issue .
All this could easily be established by examining police calls , interviews , reports , timelines and other data .
What Chicago doesn ’ t need is a probe that creeps along at a snail ’ s pace , as so many past investigations into police-related matters have .
The rhetoric is already too intense .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his office , and on Sunday he compared the FOP to the Ku Klux Klan .
Rank-and-file officers cite past statements that they say show Rush is no fair-minded judge of the police .
Chicago should wait on the facts .
A full and prompt investigation will tell us whether the officers conducted themselves reasonably , following some kind of order , or were hiding from their jobs .

Just the facts, Chicago.
Various people are offering differing explanations of what we saw in a video of a group of police officers, including three supervisors, inside U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush’s South Side office on June 1 while protests and looting were taking place around the city.
What we need is not a rush to judgment, but a full and prompt compilation of all the facts.
Editorials bug Editorials
FOP President John Catanzara disputes any claim the officers were sleeping on a couch, popping popcorn and drinking coffee in Rush’s burglarized office while nearby looters were clearing out other storefronts in the strip mall. He says the cops came there from a parking lot of a Home Depot store after other businesses in the area already had been looted.
But Mayor Lori Lightfoot has rejected assertions making the rounds on police blogs that the officers were told via cellphone to go to the office and guard it, either by the police chain of command or someone in the congressman’s office.
And Police Supt. David Brown said, “If you sleep during a riot, what are you doing during a regular shift when there’s no riot?”
The issue also led to some passionate back-and-forth discussion Wednesday at the City Council.
If the police officers broke into Rush’s office on their own when they should have been preventing vandalism, that would be a serious dereliction of duty.
But if they were sent there to protect the office after nearby businesses already had been looted, they were following instructions.
And if they were resting after a long day — as bad as that sleeping cop looks on the video — that might make sense if they knew they would be sent back on the streets within a few hours.
If they were there doing their jobs, the fact that they made themselves coffee and popcorn would not be a major issue.
All this could easily be established by examining police calls, interviews, reports, timelines and other data.
What Chicago doesn’t need is a probe that creeps along at a snail’s pace, as so many past investigations into police-related matters have. The rhetoric is already too intense.
Rush said the police were not invited to his office, and on Sunday he compared the FOP to the Ku Klux Klan. Rank-and-file officers cite past statements that they say show Rush is no fair-minded judge of the police.
Chicago should wait on the facts.
A full and prompt investigation will tell us whether the officers conducted themselves reasonably, following some kind of order, or were hiding from their jobs.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--87 more Illinois coronavirus deaths, but another low daily case count (LIVE UPDATES)

87 more Illinois coronavirus deaths , but another low daily case count Public health officials on Wednesday announced another 546 people in Illinois have tested positive for COVID-19 , while an additional 87 deaths were attributed to the virus .
That ’ s the state ’ s second-lowest daily case count since March 30 after Monday ’ s mark of 473 cases , as the state ’ s downward case trend from an apparent mid-May peak continues .
But the latest 87 deaths reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health are well above the state ’ s daily average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 1,103 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois so far in June , with about 65 deaths reported per day .
Compare that to May , when about 99 coronavirus deaths were reported per day for a total of 3,076 — nearly half the overall toll of 6,485 since the state ’ s first confirmed in mid-March .
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
DARBY , Pa. — Joe Biden called on President Donald Trump to “ wake up ” to the damage being done by the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scathing critique of the president ’ s leadership of the country during the economic reopening under the virus .
“ Donald Trump wants to style himself as a wartime president .
Unlike any other wartime leader , he takes no responsibility , he exercises no leadership , now he has just flat surrendered the fight , ” Biden said at a recreation center in Darby , Pennsylvania , a town in the Philadelphia suburbs .
At times pounding his podium for emphasis , Biden charged that the president is trying to declare the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it continues to kill Americans and wreak havoc on the economy .
“ Mr .
President , don ’ t leave the American people to face this threat on their own , with no guidance , resources or leadership from the federal government.
” He added , “ Don ’ t waste any more of our time.
” Read the full story by The Associated Press .
1:40 p.m. WHO says more understanding needed on steroid The emergencies chief of the World Health Organization welcomed the news this week that dexamethasone , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British trial to reduce deaths among patients critically ill with the coronavirus , but said it was too soon to change how patients are treated .
“ It ’ s one of the breakthroughs we ’ re going to need to effectively deal with COVID-19 , but it ’ s still preliminary data , ” said Dr. Michael Ryan at a press briefing on Wednesday .
“ We will pull together the necessary expert group ... and come to a decision around our clinical advice to countries.
” Ryan said that “ this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change clinical practice ” and that it was crucial to understand issues like what dose should be used on patients , how patients would be assessed and if there were adequate supplies of the drug .
Read the full story from the Associated Press here .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has tested negative for COVID-19 .
He got re-tested Tuesday after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roaul said he had tested positive for the virus .
He has a press conference planned for 1:30 p.m. in North Lawndale .
11 a.m. Power play ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ hub city ’ for NHL return from coronavirus shutdown Illinois isn ’ t out of the coronavirus penalty box just yet , but Chicago should be on the first line if and when professional hockey returns to action .
That ’ s according to the state ’ s top sports betting legislator , who on Tuesday joined cheers led by Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Chicago to serve as an NHL “ hub city ” as the league aims to resume its season three months after the coronavirus pandemic iced sports around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Illinois ’ improving COVID-19 case numbers , which have steadily declined from an apparent peak in mid-May .
The state has seen the largest fall-off in cases over the last two weeks of any other state in the nation , according to a Fortune magazine analysis , while others with looser reopening regulations have seen spikes .
“ Our state has shown it has the leadership , health care infrastructure , sports arena capacity and necessary precautions and cooperation to ensure athletes stay safe while bringing back the sports we love and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrat said .
But Cook County still has the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 of any county in the nation with more than 85,000 , according to a Johns Hopkins University analysis .
“ We ’ ve done well with our hospitalization numbers , so it seems to me we have the health care bandwidth to manage if there were cases involving players or teams , ” Zalewski said .
Noting the potential boon to a city hotel and restaurant industry decimated by the shutdown , Zalewski echoed points made by Lightfoot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago would be picked as a hub city during a weekend interview with The Athletic .
“ Although I expect the playoffs to be probably fan-less , we ’ re still very well situated to accommodate the league and the players , ” Lightfoot told the sports news website .
“ We have plenty of hotel space and got a great culture life here .
I think everything they would want to put on with a best-in-class playoff experience is here in Chicago.
” Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested for COVID-19 after attending event with newly diagnosed state AG Kwame Raoul Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 , prompting Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats to vow to get retested after attending a south suburban event with the attorney general 10 days earlier .
Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx is planning to get tested for the coronavirus after attending the event .
But Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has no plans to get retested , even though she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 6 that Raoul attended .
Raoul said he began experiencing minor symptoms over the weekend and tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday .
Raoul , 55 , is the highest ranking Illinois politician known to have contracted COVID-19 .
“ I have been self-isolating since the onset of my symptoms and I will continue to do so in accordance with guidance from my doctor and public health authorities , ” Raoul said in a statement .
“ Additionally , we are in the process of notifying individuals I may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can self-isolate and seek telehealth guidance.
” 7:28 a.m. City officials urge protesters to get tested for COVID-19 City officials on Tuesday urged Chicagoans who participated in recent large protests to get tested for the coronavirus while announcing the expansion of eligibility for six city-operated testing sites .
Anyone with potential “ high-risk exposure ” to COVID-19 can get tested , even if they haven ’ t displayed symptoms , according to a statement from Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s office .
That includes residents who attended large gatherings or demonstrations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd in Minneapolis .
Public health officials have warned that protests over Floyd ’ s death , which swept the nation and spread to other countries , will likely lead to a spike in coronavirus cases .
• Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19 .
• Illinois logged another 72 coronavirus deaths Tuesday , putting the state total at 6,398 since the start of the pandemic .
• The 473 new cases is the lowest daily tally since March 30 , which saw 461 cases .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing fatigue : Hang in there Plenty of Americans have been ignoring the rules of social distancing all along .
But most of these people , like that state representative from downstate Illinois , Darren Bailey , never took the science of the coronavirus seriously to begin with .
Even as people in nursing homes were dying , they held fast to the view that the pandemic was little more than a lefty scare .
A face mask , to their thinking , was a sanctimonious liberal fashion statement .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who did not sleep through science class — who understand the very real danger of the coronavirus — but are beginning to burn out on all this stay-at-home stuff .
They know they should keep wearing face masks and all , but they ’ re suffering social distancing fatigue .
Those are the folks rubbing shoulders outside bars in New York , and they ’ re the ones who could make a hash of Chicago ’ s own efforts to reopen safely .
They ’ re not stupid ; just normal .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Hang in there .
Get out and enjoy the city .
Jog the lakefront path .
Get a curbside beer .
Support your local businesses .
But , for your own safety and that of everybody you encounter , stick with the social distancing .
You will not be alone .
Read the full editorial from the Sun-Times ’ Editorial Board here .

A day after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced he had the coronavirus, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced he had tested negative for the COVID-19 after attending an event with the Raoul.
The state continued its promising recovery numbers. Illinois saw its second-lowest daily case count since March 30 after Monday’s mark of 473 cases, as the state’s downward case trend from an apparent mid-May peak continues. The governor also announced a new grant program for small businesses and those who are struggling to pay their rents.
Here’s what happened in the fight agains the coronavirus in Chicago and around the state.
News
8:10 p.m. Pritzker announces $900M in COVID-19 relief grants for small businesses, struggling renters
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced a wide-ranging $900 million in grants to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19, as well as the many Illinoisans struggling to pay mortgages and rent amid the pandemic.
In front of a North Lawndale store that was looted about three weeks ago, Pritzker said about 3,500 businesses will be able to benefit from a $60 million grant program, as soon as early July.
The Democratic governor also announced that he would be extending a residential eviction ban until July 31. Pritzker first banned evictions when he issued a stay-at-home order on March 21.
Several progressive Democratic lawmakers tried to push through a more expansive rent relief measure that would have canceled rent and mortgage payments statewide for 180 days during a shortened legislative special session last month, but found resistance from realtors. Instead, a deal was reached to increase funds to the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer a relief program.
Read the full story by Tina Sfondeles here.
6:03 p.m. 87 more Illinois coronavirus deaths, but another low daily case count
Public health officials on Wednesday announced another 546 people in Illinois have tested positive for COVID-19, while an additional 87 deaths were attributed to the virus.
That’s the state’s second-lowest daily case count since March 30 after Monday’s mark of 473 cases, as the state’s downward case trend from an apparent mid-May peak continues.
But the latest 87 deaths reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health are well above the state’s daily average toll so far this month. At least 1,103 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois so far in June, with about 65 deaths reported per day.
Compare that to May, when about 99 coronavirus deaths were reported per day for a total of 3,076 — nearly half the overall toll of 6,485 since the state’s first confirmed in mid-March.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
4:45 p.m. Biden rips Trump on coronavirus response, says president exercises ‘no leadership’
DARBY, Pa. — Joe Biden called on President Donald Trump to “wake up” to the damage being done by the coronavirus pandemic in remarks Wednesday that served as a scathing critique of the president’s leadership of the country during the economic reopening under the virus.
“Donald Trump wants to style himself as a wartime president. Unlike any other wartime leader, he takes no responsibility, he exercises no leadership, now he has just flat surrendered the fight,” Biden said at a recreation center in Darby, Pennsylvania, a town in the Philadelphia suburbs.
At times pounding his podium for emphasis, Biden charged that the president is trying to declare the pandemic over and done with even as it continues to kill Americans and wreak havoc on the economy.
“Mr. President, don’t leave the American people to face this threat on their own, with no guidance, resources or leadership from the federal government.”
He added, “Don’t waste any more of our time.”
Read the full story by The Associated Press.
1:40 p.m. WHO says more understanding needed on steroid
The emergencies chief of the World Health Organization welcomed the news this week that dexamethasone, a cheap steroid, was shown in a British trial to reduce deaths among patients critically ill with the coronavirus, but said it was too soon to change how patients are treated.
“It’s one of the breakthroughs we’re going to need to effectively deal with COVID-19, but it’s still preliminary data,” said Dr. Michael Ryan at a press briefing on Wednesday. “We will pull together the necessary expert group... and come to a decision around our clinical advice to countries.”
Ryan said that “this is not the time to rush to change clinical practice” and that it was crucial to understand issues like what dose should be used on patients, how patients would be assessed and if there were adequate supplies of the drug.
Read the full story from the Associated Press here.
12:58 p.m. Gov. J.B. Pritzker tests negative for COVID-19
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has tested negative for COVID-19. He got re-tested Tuesday after Illinois Attorney General Kwame Roaul said he had tested positive for the virus.
He has a press conference planned for 1:30 p.m. in North Lawndale.
Gov. Pritzker has tested negative for COVID-19. He re-tested yesterday when Illinois AG Kwame Raoul revealed he tested positive. Pritzker has a press conference at 1:30 in North Lawndale. https://t.co/AQP7IvW4M1 — TinaSfon (@TinaSfon) June 17, 2020
— Tina Sfondeles
11 a.m. Power play? Pols push for Chicago to serve as ‘hub city’ for NHL return from coronavirus shutdown
Illinois isn’t out of the coronavirus penalty box just yet, but Chicago should be on the first line if and when professional hockey returns to action.
That’s according to the state’s top sports betting legislator, who on Tuesday joined cheers led by Mayor Lori Lightfoot for Chicago to serve as an NHL “hub city” as the league aims to resume its season three months after the coronavirus pandemic iced sports around the world.
State Rep. Mike Zalewski pointed to Illinois’ improving COVID-19 case numbers, which have steadily declined from an apparent peak in mid-May. The state has seen the largest fall-off in cases over the last two weeks of any other state in the nation, according to a Fortune magazine analysis, while others with looser reopening regulations have seen spikes.
“Our state has shown it has the leadership, health care infrastructure, sports arena capacity and necessary precautions and cooperation to ensure athletes stay safe while bringing back the sports we love and miss so much,” the Riverside Democrat said.
But Cook County still has the most confirmed cases of COVID-19 of any county in the nation with more than 85,000, according to a Johns Hopkins University analysis.
“We’ve done well with our hospitalization numbers, so it seems to me we have the health care bandwidth to manage if there were cases involving players or teams,” Zalewski said.
Noting the potential boon to a city hotel and restaurant industry decimated by the shutdown, Zalewski echoed points made by Lightfoot, who said she was “hopeful” Chicago would be picked as a hub city during a weekend interview with The Athletic.
“Although I expect the playoffs to be probably fan-less, we’re still very well situated to accommodate the league and the players,” Lightfoot told the sports news website. “We have plenty of hotel space and got a great culture life here. I think everything they would want to put on with a best-in-class playoff experience is here in Chicago.”
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here.
9:34 a.m. Pritzker, Foxx to get tested for COVID-19 after attending event with newly diagnosed state AG Kwame Raoul
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats to vow to get retested after attending a south suburban event with the attorney general 10 days earlier.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is planning to get tested for the coronavirus after attending the event.
But Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has no plans to get retested, even though she also was at the Calumet City event on June 6 that Raoul attended.
“Their paths never crossed,” Preckwinkle’s spokesman said.
Raoul said he began experiencing minor symptoms over the weekend and tested positive for the coronavirus on Monday. Raoul, 55, is the highest ranking Illinois politician known to have contracted COVID-19.
“I have been self-isolating since the onset of my symptoms and I will continue to do so in accordance with guidance from my doctor and public health authorities,” Raoul said in a statement. “Additionally, we are in the process of notifying individuals I may have come into contact with so that they can self-isolate and seek telehealth guidance.”
Read the full story here.
7:28 a.m. City officials urge protesters to get tested for COVID-19
City officials on Tuesday urged Chicagoans who participated in recent large protests to get tested for the coronavirus while announcing the expansion of eligibility for six city-operated testing sites.
Anyone with potential “high-risk exposure” to COVID-19 can get tested, even if they haven’t displayed symptoms, according to a statement from Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office.
That includes residents who attended large gatherings or demonstrations in the wake of the police-involved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Public health officials have warned that protests over Floyd’s death, which swept the nation and spread to other countries, will likely lead to a spike in coronavirus cases.
Reporter Tom Schuba has the full story.
New cases
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Illinois logged another 72 coronavirus deaths Tuesday, putting the state total at 6,398 since the start of the pandemic.
The 473 new cases is the lowest daily tally since March 30, which saw 461 cases.
Analysis & Commentary
7:37 a.m. To Chicagoans suffering from social distancing fatigue: Hang in there
Plenty of Americans have been ignoring the rules of social distancing all along. But most of these people, like that state representative from downstate Illinois, Darren Bailey, never took the science of the coronavirus seriously to begin with. Even as people in nursing homes were dying, they held fast to the view that the pandemic was little more than a lefty scare.
A face mask, to their thinking, was a sanctimonious liberal fashion statement.
We’re more concerned now about all those people who did not sleep through science class — who understand the very real danger of the coronavirus — but are beginning to burn out on all this stay-at-home stuff. They know they should keep wearing face masks and all, but they’re suffering social distancing fatigue.
Those are the folks rubbing shoulders outside bars in New York, and they’re the ones who could make a hash of Chicago’s own efforts to reopen safely. They’re not stupid; just normal.
To all those fellow Chicagoans, we say: Hang in there.
Get out and enjoy the city. Jog the lakefront path. Get a curbside beer. Support your local businesses.
But, for your own safety and that of everybody you encounter, stick with the social distancing. You will not be alone.
Read the full editorial from the Sun-Times’ Editorial Board here.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-17--Pritzker announces $900M in COVID-19 relief grants for small businesses, struggling renters

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced a wide-ranging $ 900 million in grants to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 , as well as the many Illinoisans struggling to pay mortgages and rent amid the pandemic .
In front of a North Lawndale store that was looted about three weeks ago , Pritzker said about 3,500 businesses will be able to benefit from a $ 60 million grant program , as soon as early July .
The Democratic governor also announced that he would be extending a residential eviction ban until July 31 .
Pritzker first banned evictions when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 .
Several progressive Democratic lawmakers tried to push through a more expansive rent relief measure that would have canceled rent and mortgage payments statewide for 180 days during a shortened legislative special session last month , but found resistance from realtors .
Instead , a deal was reached to increase funds to the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer a relief program .
Pritzker said nearly one in three Illinois adults have either missed last month ’ s rent or mortgage payment or are worried about their ability to pay next month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s one in three of our neighbors , one in three of our community members , one in three of our friends , struggling just to maintain housing for themselves and their families .
That ’ s an unacceptable reality for too many , ” Pritzker said .
“ Housing is vital and people are struggling.
” Among the assistance is a $ 150 million program that will provide $ 5,000 grants to Illinois tenants who are struggling to pay their rent .
The governor ’ s office believes the Emergency Rental Assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are struggling to pay their bills .
The grants will launch in August and run through the end of the year .
Renters who have disproportionately impacted by the pandemic will be prioritized in the grant process .
Another $ 150 million program will provide $ 15,000 grants for 10,000 eligible homeowners who have been unable to pay their mortgage .
The program is also expected to begin in August .
And to help small businesses affected by the coronavirus , the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing $ 60 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds will be distributed to qualifying businesses in early July , the governor ’ s office said .
About $ 540 million of that program will go toward small businesses and is funded by the federal CARES Act .
Priority will be given to small businesses that were completely shut down or heavily restricted during the pandemic and that are in disproportionately impacted areas .
And an “ emphasis will be placed ” on businesses that also sustained property damage during recent looting , the governor ’ s office said .
The application @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin Monday .
Pritzker on Wednesday also said $ 25 million will be reappropriated from the state ’ s capital program to help Illinois businesses that sustained property damage due to looting during the George Floyd ’ s protest .
That money is intended to help businesses repair structural damage , improve electrical systems and restore the exterior of their businesses .
Small businesses , women and minority-owned businesses , underinsured or uninsured businesses and businesses that have a high community impact , like grocery stores , will be prioritized .
The grants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Pritzker signed into law last week , with some of the funds also coming from the federal CARES Act .
Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kim Lightford , D-Maywood , said Black businesses across the state need support to encourage economic growth .
“ Black communities are the hardest hit by COVID-19 , another symptom of the disease that is racism in our country , ” Lightford said Wednesday as officials announced another 546 people in Illinois tested positive for the coronavirus , while an additional 87 deaths were attributed to the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive a proper payday have struggled .
They ’ ve struggle to maintain during this time .
Our small businesses , built in our local communities by the people who care about them the most were forced to shut down and were damaged by individuals who exploited , totally exploited our pain for personal gain .
They need a government that will work for them without hesitation .
”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced a wide-ranging $900 million in grants to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19, as well as the many Illinoisans struggling to pay mortgages and rent amid the pandemic.
In front of a North Lawndale store that was looted about three weeks ago, Pritzker said about 3,500 businesses will be able to benefit from a $60 million grant program, as soon as early July.
The Democratic governor also announced that he would be extending a residential eviction ban until July 31. Pritzker first banned evictions when he issued a stay-at-home order on March 21.
Several progressive Democratic lawmakers tried to push through a more expansive rent relief measure that would have canceled rent and mortgage payments statewide for 180 days during a shortened legislative special session last month, but found resistance from realtors. Instead, a deal was reached to increase funds to the Illinois Housing Development Authority to administer a relief program.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Pritzker said nearly one in three Illinois adults have either missed last month’s rent or mortgage payment or are worried about their ability to pay next month’s rent.
“That’s one in three of our neighbors, one in three of our community members, one in three of our friends, struggling just to maintain housing for themselves and their families. That’s an unacceptable reality for too many,” Pritzker said. “Housing is vital and people are struggling.”
Among the assistance is a $150 million program that will provide $5,000 grants to Illinois tenants who are struggling to pay their rent. The governor’s office believes the Emergency Rental Assistance Program will help about 30,000 renters who are struggling to pay their bills. The grants will launch in August and run through the end of the year. Renters who have disproportionately impacted by the pandemic will be prioritized in the grant process.
Another $150 million program will provide $15,000 grants for 10,000 eligible homeowners who have been unable to pay their mortgage. The program is also expected to begin in August.
And to help small businesses affected by the coronavirus, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is providing $60 million for up to 3,500 businesses. Those funds will be distributed to qualifying businesses in early July, the governor’s office said. About $540 million of that program will go toward small businesses and is funded by the federal CARES Act.
Priority will be given to small businesses that were completely shut down or heavily restricted during the pandemic and that are in disproportionately impacted areas. And an “emphasis will be placed” on businesses that also sustained property damage during recent looting, the governor’s office said.
The application process for the business grant program will begin Monday.
Pritzker on Wednesday also said $25 million will be reappropriated from the state’s capital program to help Illinois businesses that sustained property damage due to looting during the George Floyd’s protest. That money is intended to help businesses repair structural damage, improve electrical systems and restore the exterior of their businesses. Small businesses, women and minority-owned businesses, underinsured or uninsured businesses and businesses that have a high community impact, like grocery stores, will be prioritized.
The grants were largely authorized from an emergency budget that Pritzker signed into law last week, with some of the funds also coming from the federal CARES Act.
Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kim Lightford, D-Maywood, said Black businesses across the state need support to encourage economic growth.
“Black communities are the hardest hit by COVID-19, another symptom of the disease that is racism in our country,” Lightford said Wednesday as officials announced another 546 people in Illinois tested positive for the coronavirus, while an additional 87 deaths were attributed to the virus.
“Working families who have yet to receive a proper payday have struggled. They’ve struggle to maintain during this time. Our small businesses, built in our local communities by the people who care about them the most were forced to shut down and were damaged by individuals who exploited, totally exploited our pain for personal gain. They need a government that will work for them without hesitation.”
Contributing: Mitchell Armentrout