chicagosun-times--2020-10-09--Lake County flagged at COVID-19 warning level as 2,818 more test positive statewide (LIVE UPDATES)

Lake County flagged at COVID-19 warning level as 2,818 more test positive statewide Illinois ’ coronavirus testing positivity rate inched upward for a third consecutive day Friday as public health officials announced another hefty caseload of 2,818 more people testing positive for COVID-19 .
They were diagnosed among 71,599 tests submitted , raising the statewide average positivity rate over the last week to 3.8 % .
That number indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading — and that ’ s as high as it ’ s been in almost a month .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned this week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midsummer resurgence has “ cooled down.
” And while over the last few months , the state ’ s COVID-19 problem areas have popped up well beyond the Chicago area — mostly in central Illinois and downstate — the Democratic governor ’ s health team singled out north suburban Lake County for being among 26 counties considered to be at a coronavirus “ warning level.
” Republican Rep. Mike Bost , who represents Illinois ’ 12th District in the southern part of the state , tested positive for coronavirus , it was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican official to test positive for COVID-19 .
Other recent cases include President Trump ’ s aide Nick Luna , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany , and Trump ’ s senior advisor and speechwriter Stephen Miller .
We ’ re tracking which government officials have tested positive and negative for the coronavirus .
Follow for live updates here .
4:54 p.m. Pontiac is canceled and a glimpse at what basketball could look like during COVID-19 Jim Drengwitz , the Pontiac Holiday Tournament director , called Friday with another stark reminder of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drengwitz has canceled this year ’ s tournament .
It ’ s the first time that has happened since a six-year break during World War 2 from 1942 to 1947 .
“ I never imagined I ’ d be the guy canceling it again , ” Drengwitz said .
“ But that ’ s just where we are .
At the end of the day , we weren ’ t going to be able to put on the tournament we wanted .
There are just too many things I couldn ’ t control.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first high school basketball holiday tournament in the state and likely the country .
12:46 p.m. Has the pandemic made you consider moving elsewhere ?
What Chicagoans say We asked Chicagoans : Has the pandemic made you consider moving elsewhere ?
If so , why , and where would you want to go ?
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
“ Love my city , love my state !
Home is where the family is .
My family is in Illinois .
I also love the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Absolutely !
I was born and raised here .
Chicago was a terrific city at one time , but the last year has been horribly unkind to Illinois : politics , taxes , crime , lack of a true justice system .
Arizona is looking good.
” — Donna Morel Vitalo “ Yes !
As soon as my job says working from home is permanent , I ’ m moving somewhere near the beach .
No reason to stay in Chicago anymore.
” — David LaPlaca Read more reader comments , compiled by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE supplier accused of tripling , quadrupling N95 prices in gouging scheme Federal prosecutors accused a suburban businessman Thursday of price gouging customers looking for personal protective equipment as the coronavirus pandemic first took hold in March and April .
But an attorney for Krikor Topouzian said the owner of Concord Health Supply believed he had come up with a legitimate price for the thousands of respirator masks the feds say he sold earlier this year , and he may wind up taking the case to trial .
Topouzian , 60 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Defense Production Act .
The feds say he purchased 79,160 respirator masks — including N95 masks — from companies in Oregon and Georgia between March 6 and April 7 at prices ranging from $ 4.27 to $ 7 each .
Then , between March 29 and April 22 , they said he sold 11,492 of the masks for prices as high as $ 19.95 per mask .
They said he offered discounts to customers who purchased multiple masks , ultimately selling the masks at a mean price of $ 16.82 each .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
8:49 a.m. Cook County launches $ 20 million mortgage assistance program : ‘ We will feel the effects of COVID-19 for years to come ’ Right after the 2008 housing crash and economic downturn , Alma Anaya said her family lost their home .
The Democratic Cook County commissioner drew on that experience Thursday as she and other County Board members announced a $ 20 million mortgage assistance program designed to help keep roofs over the heads of cash-strapped suburban residents reeling from the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — childhood memories and others — and I know the devastation that can cause to working families when they lose their homes , ” Anaya said .
“ They lose the place where they ’ re used to going to after school or after work .
So , it ’ s extremely important that we do something about that before we get to the insecurity that will be happening for a lot of our families .
It is extremely important that we ’ re being proactive about it.
” Read the full story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Answering Lightfoot ’ s call , Chicago Community Trust launches $ 25M plan to help Chicago rebuild equitably after pandemic Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been urging Chicago ’ s corporate and philanthropic communities to help Chicago rebuild more equitably after the economic devastation created by the coronavirus and the civil unrest triggered by the death of George Floyd .
On Thursday , both sectors answered the call .
Armed with $ 25 million in “ initial ” philanthropic contributions and “ corporate commitments , ” the Chicago Community Trust launched , Together We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain that Black and Hispanic communities that bore the brunt of both the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus can make a strong comeback from that double-whammy .
“ Every neighborhood .
Every corner .
Not just the downtown , River North , South Loop .
But the entirety of our city that has been dramatically impacted — not just by COVID-19 , but by way too many years of lack of investment , ” Lightfoot said Thursday .
Public health officials reported 3,059 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Illinois on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caseload since the initial peak of the pandemic nearly five months ago .
The state last topped 3,000 daily coronavirus cases on May 14 , when 3,239 people were infected .
The Illinois Department for Public Health reported more than 5,300 cases on Sept. 4 , but that bloated figure was the result of a three-day data processing backlog .
8:47 a.m. Take it from the best of American medicine : Donald Trump must go It is rare for scientists at the highest levels to take an overt stand on the politics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depends on remaining above the fray .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , most famously , is a case in point .
Fauci , the federal government ’ s top immunologist , has given his best expert advice on the COVID-19 pandemic while resisting the temptation — and he must feel tempted — to call out the failures of the Trump administration ’ s handling of the crisis .
When an authority of such stature does take a political stand , then , it carries all the more weight .
We all should listen closely @

Republican Rep. Mike Bost, who represents Illinois’ 12th District in the southern part of the state, tested positive for coronavirus, it was announced Friday.
The coronavirus pandemic isn’t over yet. Here’s what happened in COVID-related new in Chicago and around Illinois.
News
9 p.m. Lake County flagged at COVID-19 warning level as 2,818 more test positive statewide
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Illinois’ coronavirus testing positivity rate inched upward for a third consecutive day Friday as public health officials announced another hefty caseload of 2,818 more people testing positive for COVID-19.
They were diagnosed among 71,599 tests submitted, raising the statewide average positivity rate over the last week to 3.8%. That number indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading — and that’s as high as it’s been in almost a month.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned this week that the state’s improvement from a midsummer resurgence has “cooled down.”
And while over the last few months, the state’s COVID-19 problem areas have popped up well beyond the Chicago area — mostly in central Illinois and downstate — the Democratic governor’s health team singled out north suburban Lake County for being among 26 counties considered to be at a coronavirus “warning level.”
Reporter Mitch Armentrout has the full story.
7:54 p.m. Cicero school district bringing staff back to buildings while remote learning continues
More than 1,000 school employees in west suburban Cicero have been told to go back to their classrooms later this month even though the town’s COVID-19 test positivity rate ranks among the highest in the state.
Cicero Public School District 99, the third-largest elementary system in Illinois, serves more than 11,270 students who have been learning remotely — and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future — since the district’s 16 schools started classes August 31.
Teachers are objecting to having to go back into buildings Oct. 19 as the district has mandated when they say they could continue teaching from home. Rachel Esposito, president of the Cicero Council of the West Suburban Teachers Union, said the union’s stance is in-person teaching and learning shouldn’t resume until at least January due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The infection rate is way too high to start bringing people into the buildings,” said Esposito, who teaches English language arts at Unity Junior High School.
“We feel it’s unsafe not only for staff members but for students as well. And we feel that the positivity rate has to drop several percentage points and stay there at least for seven days before we start talking about bringing people back into the buildings. We think it’s irresponsible to do that at this time.”
Reporter Nader Issa has the full story.
6:19 p.m. Republican Illinois Rep. Mike Bost tests positive for coronavirus
President Donald Trump listens as U.S. Representative Mike Bost speaks dring a rally at the Southern Illinois Airport on October 27, in Murphysboro, Illinois. Trump came to the state to show support for Bost who is in a tight race with Brenden Kelly for Illinois’ 12th Congressional District. File photo. Scott Olson/Getty Images
Republican Rep. Mike Bost, who represents Illinois’ 12th District in the southern part of the state, tested positive for coronavirus, it was announced Friday.
He’s the latest Republican official to test positive for COVID-19. Other recent cases include President Trump’s aide Nick Luna, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and Trump’s senior advisor and speechwriter Stephen Miller.
We’re tracking which government officials have tested positive and negative for the coronavirus. Follow for live updates here.
4:54 p.m. Pontiac is canceled and a glimpse at what basketball could look like during COVID-19
Jim Drengwitz, the Pontiac Holiday Tournament director, called Friday with another stark reminder of the unique times we are living in.
Drengwitz has canceled this year’s tournament. It’s the first time that has happened since a six-year break during World War 2 from 1942 to 1947.
“I never imagined I’d be the guy canceling it again,” Drengwitz said. “But that’s just where we are. At the end of the day, we weren’t going to be able to put on the tournament we wanted. There are just too many things I couldn’t control.”
The tournament began in 1926 and was the first high school basketball holiday tournament in the state and likely the country.
Reporter Michael O’Brien has the full story.
12:46 p.m. Has the pandemic made you consider moving elsewhere? What Chicagoans say
We asked Chicagoans: Has the pandemic made you consider moving elsewhere? If so, why, and where would you want to go? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“Love my city, love my state! Home is where the family is. My family is in Illinois. I also love the changing seasons.” — Nancy Cullerton
“Absolutely! I was born and raised here. Chicago was a terrific city at one time, but the last year has been horribly unkind to Illinois: politics, taxes, crime, lack of a true justice system. Arizona is looking good.” — Donna Morel Vitalo
“Yes! As soon as my job says working from home is permanent, I’m moving somewhere near the beach. No reason to stay in Chicago anymore.” — David LaPlaca
Read more reader comments, compiled by Alice Bazerghi, here.
11:22 a.m. PPE supplier accused of tripling, quadrupling N95 prices in gouging scheme
Federal prosecutors accused a suburban businessman Thursday of price gouging customers looking for personal protective equipment as the coronavirus pandemic first took hold in March and April.
But an attorney for Krikor Topouzian said the owner of Concord Health Supply believed he had come up with a legitimate price for the thousands of respirator masks the feds say he sold earlier this year, and he may wind up taking the case to trial.
Topouzian, 60, is charged with one count of violating the Defense Production Act. The feds say he purchased 79,160 respirator masks — including N95 masks — from companies in Oregon and Georgia between March 6 and April 7 at prices ranging from $4.27 to $7 each.
Then, between March 29 and April 22, they said he sold 11,492 of the masks for prices as high as $19.95 per mask. They said he offered discounts to customers who purchased multiple masks, ultimately selling the masks at a mean price of $16.82 each.
Read the full report from Jon Seidel here.
8:49 a.m. Cook County launches $20 million mortgage assistance program: ‘We will feel the effects of COVID-19 for years to come’
Right after the 2008 housing crash and economic downturn, Alma Anaya said her family lost their home.
The Democratic Cook County commissioner drew on that experience Thursday as she and other County Board members announced a $20 million mortgage assistance program designed to help keep roofs over the heads of cash-strapped suburban residents reeling from the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our home that was full of memories — childhood memories and others — and I know the devastation that can cause to working families when they lose their homes,” Anaya said. “They lose the place where they’re used to going to after school or after work. So, it’s extremely important that we do something about that before we get to the insecurity that will be happening for a lot of our families. It is extremely important that we’re being proactive about it.”
Read the full story by Rachel Hinton here.
6:47 a.m. Answering Lightfoot’s call, Chicago Community Trust launches $25M plan to help Chicago rebuild equitably after pandemic
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has been urging Chicago’s corporate and philanthropic communities to help Chicago rebuild more equitably after the economic devastation created by the coronavirus and the civil unrest triggered by the death of George Floyd.
On Thursday, both sectors answered the call.
Armed with $25 million in “initial” philanthropic contributions and “corporate commitments,” the Chicago Community Trust launched, Together We Rise.
The goal is to make certain that Black and Hispanic communities that bore the brunt of both the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus can make a strong comeback from that double-whammy.
“Every neighborhood. Every corner. Not just the downtown, River North, South Loop. But the entirety of our city that has been dramatically impacted — not just by COVID-19, but by way too many years of lack of investment,” Lightfoot said Thursday.
Reporter Fran Spielman has the full story.
New cases
Public health officials reported 3,059 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Illinois on Thursday, the state’s biggest caseload since the initial peak of the pandemic nearly five months ago.
The state last topped 3,000 daily coronavirus cases on May 14, when 3,239 people were infected.
The Illinois Department for Public Health reported more than 5,300 cases on Sept. 4, but that bloated figure was the result of a three-day data processing backlog.
Analysis & Commentary
8:47 a.m. Take it from the best of American medicine: Donald Trump must go
It is rare for scientists at the highest levels to take an overt stand on the politics of the day, knowing their professional credibility depends on remaining above the fray.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, most famously, is a case in point. Fauci, the federal government’s top immunologist, has given his best expert advice on the COVID-19 pandemic while resisting the temptation — and he must feel tempted — to call out the failures of the Trump administration’s handling of the crisis.
When an authority of such stature does take a political stand, then, it carries all the more weight. We all should listen closely.
Read the full editorial here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-09--Demand for Madigan testimony is about putting Speaker in bad spot

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin is a former prosecutor , and that outlook on life has never really left him .
He ’ s not big on a lot of criminal justice reforms , even standing up to his party ’ s president to oppose the early prison release of former Illinois Gov .
Rod Blagojevich .
He was staunchly opposed to legalizing cannabis .
I ’ m sure that House Speaker Michael Madigan ’ s highly public legal troubles grate on Durkin to no end , as they would on almost any former prosecutor .
So , even though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creation of the House Special Investigating Committee to look into the allegations against Madigan , is steeped in the politics of the moment ( for the obvious campaign reasons , but also to satisfy the demands of some of his members and some major GOP campaign donors who want him to get much tougher on Madigan , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats ) , I would argue that his main thrust is legitimate from his own perspective .
Even if Madigan didn ’ t directly engage in “ conduct unbecoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleges , people under his control most certainly did say and do some things that , if not all illegal , are certainly distasteful and disreputable .
Madigan created this environment and yet says he can not and should not be held responsible for those acting within the confines of that environment ; and refuses to cooperate with a committee that is enshrined in the very same rules that Madigan insists must be approved by his members every two years .
Leader Durkin held a press conference last week to express his outrage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rep. Chris Welch ( D-Hillside ) , had delayed all future hearings until after the November election .
“ Citizens of Illinois must know what the single most powerful person in the state ’ s role is in this scandal , this ever-growing scandal , ” Durkin said .
“ Illinois residents deserve so much better and they deserve the truth.
” “ He needs to stand up and answer those questions , ” Durkin quoted Gov .
J.B. Pritzker as saying about fellow Democrat Madigan , then called on Pritzker to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been requesting from Speaker Madigan or demand that he resign immediately.
” But Durkin ’ s answer to the press conference ’ s very first question demonstrated how the demand for Madigan ’ s testimony is far more about putting Madigan in a bad spot than it is about an actual investigation .
Durkin was asked : “ What would the speaker say that he has not already said in writing ?
” a question which referred to Madigan ’ s long , single-spaced letter denying all allegations and explaining why he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said was nothing more than a political stunt .
“ Well , based on what I know , ” Durkin replied , “ I think the speaker at this point , the only thing you can say is that ‘ I take the Fifth Amendment.
’ ” “ This isn ’ t politics , ” Durkin insisted later .
But the Leader ’ s answer gave up the ghost .
He essentially admitted that this demand for testimony is about political advantage and not a search for truth .
Yes , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very shocking .
Politics in a legislative committee during an election year ?
My goodness , that ’ s simply unprecedented .
“ Remember , ” Durkin told reporters , “ the committee ’ s name is the Special Investigative Committee .
The committee has a duty and an obligation to investigate.
” OK , but forcing a televised spectacle where almost everyone including Durkin himself believe that Speaker Madigan will take the Fifth would be more akin to a show trial than an actual investigative hearing .
Yes , such a thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who despises Madigan ( and that ’ s a very long list ) , but that ’ s about it .
Durkin is doing a good job of keeping Madigan ’ s name out there and putting the Democrats on defense , but don ’ t hose down my shoes and tell me it ’ s raining .
The committee ’ s Republicans have requested documents from ComEd specifically related to testimony by the company ’ s compliance officer during its last hearing .
Fulfilling that request should be simple and relatively quick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , has requested what could be thousands of documents containing correspondence between the company and just about everybody under the Illinois political sun going back years .
That ’ s the ostensible reason for the hearing ’ s delay , along with the claim that Republicans are playing politics .
Welch says it shouldn ’ t take long to fulfill his request , but I still have my doubts .
Hopefully , the Republican request can be fulfilled and the ComEd documents released soon .
Maybe we can get some actual substance @ @ @ @ @ @ @

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin is a former prosecutor, and that outlook on life has never really left him.
He’s not big on a lot of criminal justice reforms, even standing up to his party’s president to oppose the early prison release of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He was staunchly opposed to legalizing cannabis. I’m sure that House Speaker Michael Madigan’s highly public legal troubles grate on Durkin to no end, as they would on almost any former prosecutor.
So, even though Durkin’s petition, which triggered the creation of the House Special Investigating Committee to look into the allegations against Madigan, is steeped in the politics of the moment (for the obvious campaign reasons, but also to satisfy the demands of some of his members and some major GOP campaign donors who want him to get much tougher on Madigan, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats), I would argue that his main thrust is legitimate from his own perspective.
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Even if Madigan didn’t directly engage in “conduct unbecoming a legislator,” as the petition alleges, people under his control most certainly did say and do some things that, if not all illegal, are certainly distasteful and disreputable. Madigan created this environment and yet says he cannot and should not be held responsible for those acting within the confines of that environment; and refuses to cooperate with a committee that is enshrined in the very same rules that Madigan insists must be approved by his members every two years.
Leader Durkin held a press conference last week to express his outrage that the investigatory committee’s chairman, Rep. Chris Welch (D-Hillside), had delayed all future hearings until after the November election.
“Citizens of Illinois must know what the single most powerful person in the state’s role is in this scandal, this ever-growing scandal,” Durkin said. “Illinois residents deserve so much better and they deserve the truth.”
“He needs to stand up and answer those questions,” Durkin quoted Gov. J.B. Pritzker as saying about fellow Democrat Madigan, then called on Pritzker to “immediately demand those answers he has been requesting from Speaker Madigan or demand that he resign immediately.”
But Durkin’s answer to the press conference’s very first question demonstrated how the demand for Madigan’s testimony is far more about putting Madigan in a bad spot than it is about an actual investigation.
Durkin was asked: “What would the speaker say that he has not already said in writing?” a question which referred to Madigan’s long, single-spaced letter denying all allegations and explaining why he would not cooperate with the committee, which he said was nothing more than a political stunt.
“Well, based on what I know,” Durkin replied, “I think the speaker at this point, the only thing you can say is that ‘I take the Fifth Amendment.’”
“This isn’t politics,” Durkin insisted later. But the Leader’s answer gave up the ghost. He essentially admitted that this demand for testimony is about political advantage and not a search for truth. Yes, I know, it’s all so very shocking. Politics in a legislative committee during an election year? My goodness, that’s simply unprecedented.
“Remember,” Durkin told reporters, “the committee’s name is the Special Investigative Committee. The committee has a duty and an obligation to investigate.”
OK, but forcing a televised spectacle where almost everyone including Durkin himself believe that Speaker Madigan will take the Fifth would be more akin to a show trial than an actual investigative hearing. Yes, such a thing would undoubtedly be immensely satisfying for everyone who despises Madigan (and that’s a very long list), but that’s about it. Durkin is doing a good job of keeping Madigan’s name out there and putting the Democrats on defense, but don’t hose down my shoes and tell me it’s raining.
The committee’s Republicans have requested documents from ComEd specifically related to testimony by the company’s compliance officer during its last hearing. Fulfilling that request should be simple and relatively quick. Chairman Welch, on the other hand, has requested what could be thousands of documents containing correspondence between the company and just about everybody under the Illinois political sun going back years. That’s the ostensible reason for the hearing’s delay, along with the claim that Republicans are playing politics. Welch says it shouldn’t take long to fulfill his request, but I still have my doubts.
Hopefully, the Republican request can be fulfilled and the ComEd documents released soon. Maybe we can get some actual substance out of this process going forward.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-09--Lake County flagged at COVID-19 warning level as 2,818 more test positive statewide

Illinois ’ coronavirus testing positivity rate inched upward for a third consecutive day Friday as public health officials announced another hefty caseload of 2,818 more people testing positive for COVID-19 .
They were diagnosed among 71,599 tests submitted , raising the statewide average positivity rate over the last week to 3.8 % .
That number indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading — and that ’ s as high as it ’ s been in almost a month .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker warned this week that the state ’ s improvement from a midsummer resurgence has “ cooled down.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , the state ’ s COVID-19 problem areas have popped up well beyond the Chicago area — mostly in central Illinois and downstate — the Democratic governor ’ s health team singled out north suburban Lake County for being among 26 counties considered to be at a coronavirus “ warning level.
” It ’ s not Lake County ’ s first appearance on the warning-level list , after the state flagged them for a week in early September .
This time around , Lake County has tripped two “ risk indicators ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of 90 per 100,000 residents ( compared to the target of 50 ) , and an increase in emergency room visits for COVID-like illness .
Last month , more than a dozen cases were tied to adult volleyball leagues in Gages Lake .
“ As the weather turns cooler , we need everyone to wear a mask , wash their hands often , and watch their distance , ” Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Emily Young said in an email .
“ Reconsider your plans if they include risky activities and gatherings.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are clustered downstate : Case , Christian , Clay , Clinton , Coles , Crawford , Effingham , Fayette , Henderson , Jackson , Jefferson , Johnson , Knox , Lee , Mason , Massac , Pulaski , Richland , Saline , Shelby , Union , Vermilion , Whiteside , Winnebago and Warren .
They ’ ve suffered outbreaks tied to weddings , funerals , college parties and other large events packed with young people .
State health officials say they ’ ve “ observed businesses blatantly disregarding mitigation measures , people not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and not using face coverings.
” On a regional basis , one that has finally seen improvement is the downstate Metro East area near St. Louis , which had faced a ban on indoor dining and other COVID-19 mitigations for almost two months due to soaring positivity rates .
Pritzker ’ s office announced those mitigations are being lifted with Metro East now down to 5.8 % positivity .
But still facing restrictions is the northwest corner of the state that includes Rockford , which is up to 8.8 % , well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 % .
.
Chicago is at 4.2 % positivity and suburban Cook County at 5 % .
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday also announced 35 more deaths have been attributed to the virus , raising the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 8,945 .
With the state averaging 29 coronavirus deaths per day over the last week , the toll is on pace to surpass 9,000 this weekend .
More than half the fatalities — 4,792 — have resulted from the 30,894 cases that so far have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care facilities .
Almost 6.2 million tests have been administered , with 313,518 people confirmed to carry the virus since March .
More than 3,000 additional infections and 246 deaths are considered to have been probable COVID-19 cases , though those people were never tested .
Overall , the survival rate is 96 % .
As of Thursday night , 1,812 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized , with 395 receiving intensive care and 153 on ventilators .

Illinois’ coronavirus testing positivity rate inched upward for a third consecutive day Friday as public health officials announced another hefty caseload of 2,818 more people testing positive for COVID-19.
They were diagnosed among 71,599 tests submitted, raising the statewide average positivity rate over the last week to 3.8%. That number indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading — and that’s as high as it’s been in almost a month.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned this week that the state’s improvement from a midsummer resurgence has “cooled down.”
And while over the last few months, the state’s COVID-19 problem areas have popped up well beyond the Chicago area — mostly in central Illinois and downstate — the Democratic governor’s health team singled out north suburban Lake County for being among 26 counties considered to be at a coronavirus “warning level.”
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
It’s not Lake County’s first appearance on the warning-level list, after the state flagged them for a week in early September. This time around, Lake County has tripped two “risk indicators” set by the state: a case rate of 90 per 100,000 residents (compared to the target of 50), and an increase in emergency room visits for COVID-like illness.
Last month, more than a dozen cases were tied to adult volleyball leagues in Gages Lake.
“As the weather turns cooler, we need everyone to wear a mask, wash their hands often, and watch their distance,” Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Emily Young said in an email. “Reconsider your plans if they include risky activities and gatherings.”
Warning-level counties are marked orange on this map. Illinois Department of Public Health
The 25 other warning-level counties mostly are clustered downstate: Case, Christian, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Effingham, Fayette, Henderson, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lee, Mason, Massac, Pulaski, Richland, Saline, Shelby, Union, Vermilion, Whiteside, Winnebago and Warren.
They’ve suffered outbreaks tied to weddings, funerals, college parties and other large events packed with young people. State health officials say they’ve “observed businesses blatantly disregarding mitigation measures, people not social distancing, gathering in large groups, and not using face coverings.”
On a regional basis, one that has finally seen improvement is the downstate Metro East area near St. Louis, which had faced a ban on indoor dining and other COVID-19 mitigations for almost two months due to soaring positivity rates. Pritzker’s office announced those mitigations are being lifted with Metro East now down to 5.8% positivity.
But still facing restrictions is the northwest corner of the state that includes Rockford, which is up to 8.8%, well over the state’s threshold of 8%. .
Chicago is at 4.2% positivity and suburban Cook County at 5%.
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday also announced 35 more deaths have been attributed to the virus, raising the state’s pandemic death toll to 8,945.
With the state averaging 29 coronavirus deaths per day over the last week, the toll is on pace to surpass 9,000 this weekend.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
More than half the fatalities — 4,792 — have resulted from the 30,894 cases that so far have been traced to nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
Almost 6.2 million tests have been administered, with 313,518 people confirmed to carry the virus since March. More than 3,000 additional infections and 246 deaths are considered to have been probable COVID-19 cases, though those people were never tested.
Overall, the survival rate is 96%.
As of Thursday night, 1,812 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized, with 395 receiving intensive care and 153 on ventilators.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-09--Bears add kicker Kai Forbath to practice squad

The Bears signed kicker Kai Forbath to their practice squad , a source said Friday afternoon .
The veteran is @ @ @ @ @ threat to Cairo Santos , who is 7-for-9 this season — including the Bears ’ @ @ @ @ @ is firmly entrenched as the team ’ s starter .
Eddy Pineiro continues to rehab @ @ @ @ @ has been on injured reserve all season .
Reporters didn ’ t see Pineiro try @ @ @ @ @ Bears ’ summer camp practices .
Forbath , then , becomes insurance in case of @ @ @ @ @ — be that coronavirus-related or not .
The Bears worked the UCLA alum out earlier @ @ @ @ @ Hall .
He was a perfect 10-for-10 in three games with the Cowboys last year @ @ @ @ @ try in one game with the Patriots .
In eight years with six teams , @ @ @ @ @ field goals and 183-for-195 on extra points .
To make room , the Bears put @ @ @ @ @ squad injured reserve .
He hurt his quad Thursday night .

The Bears signed kicker Kai Forbath to their practice squad, a source said Friday afternoon.
The veteran is not expected to be a threat to Cairo Santos, who is 7-for-9 this season — including the Bears’ game-winner Thursday night — and is firmly entrenched as the team’s starter.
Eddy Pineiro continues to rehab his groin injury, but has been on injured reserve all season. Reporters didn’t see Pineiro try a single kick during the Bears’ summer camp practices.
Forbath, then, becomes insurance in case of a Santos injury or illness — be that coronavirus-related or not.
The Bears worked the UCLA alum out earlier in the week at Halas Hall. He was a perfect 10-for-10 in three games with the Cowboys last year, and made his only try in one game with the Patriots. In eight years with six teams, the 33-year-old is 131-for-151 on field goals and 183-for-195 on extra points.
To make room, the Bears put linebacker Devante Bond on practice squad injured reserve. He hurt his quad Thursday night.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-09--Though lagging in polls, Trump could pull off a win

It was the week from hell for President Donald J. Trump .
He kicked off last week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , benched by his idiocy and COVID-19 .
A stimulus bill that could boost his ailing economy stalled in Congress .
The presidential debate he craved was canceled .
And his despised Democratic opponent , Joe Biden , was pulling away in the polls .
The Nov. 3 election is just over 3 weeks away .
Suddenly somber pundits and gleeful Democrats alike are touting a national “ blue wave ” of electoral success that could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional districts from Florida to Pennsylvania to Colorado .
Don ’ t break out the bubbly yet , says Debbie Downer .
That would be U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell , a Democrat from Michigan .
Dingell should know .
In the run-up to the 2016 election , she repeatedly warned that Michigan was leaning Trump .
“ From the beginning , I knew the Downrivers ( part of her 12th Congressional District ) would support Trump both in the Republican primary and in the general , ” she wrote in a Washington Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2016 , election .
“ I witness the emotions and passions of their residents every day , and I believe they are what elected Trump president.
” Hillary Clinton ’ s campaign and Democratic Party honchos blew her off .
They said , “ That ’ s Debbie , it ’ s hyperbole , she is nuts , ” Dingell recalled .
Trump won Michigan by just over 10,000 votes .
Trump ’ s voters turned out .
Clinton ’ s not so much .
Now Dingell is back , a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarm .
In 2016 , she did not believe polls that pointed to a Clinton victory , and she is worried now , she said Thursday in a Bloomberg TV interview .
“ I am somebody who will not believe the election is over until the polls close on Election Day , ” she said .
“ The only thing I know about 2020 is that the predictable is unpredictable .
We ’ ve got to make sure that people turn out.
” There is no time for high-fiving .
Biden must win @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation was gripped by the fear of a contested election .
Trump has repeatedly proclaimed that any election he does not “ win ” will be stolen and has vowed to contest it .
Democratic turnout is even more vital down-ballot .
If Democrats can win a net gain of four additional Senate seats , they will capture a majority in the U.S. Senate .
If Biden wins , they need only three .
( A Democratic vice-president could cast a tie-breaking vote . )
The widely followed FiveThirtyEight web prognosticator currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Senate takeover .
No sure thing .
Here in deeply blue Illinois , Biden was always expected to win handily .
But there are plenty of scary scenarios to feed Democratic insomnia .
In several key congressional races , turnout is key .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s Fair Tax ballot measure depends on a massive Democratic turnout , especially in Cook County .
Meanwhile the specter of COVID-19 is jeopardizing voter engagement and participation .
Some voters are leery of voting in person , others do not trust the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic has crippled traditional ground game strategies to drive turnout : door-knocking , get-out-the-vote rallies and voter registration drives .
Instead of talking up a blue wave , Democrats should be guarding against complacency and putting turnout strategies into overdrive .
“ People can get tired of the partisan bickering and get turned off by all politics , ” Dingell told Bloomberg .
“ Everybody has got to make sure that the voters turn out .
”

It was the week from hell for President Donald J. Trump.
He kicked off last week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, benched by his idiocy and COVID-19.
A stimulus bill that could boost his ailing economy stalled in Congress. The presidential debate he craved was canceled. And his despised Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, was pulling away in the polls.
The Nov. 3 election is just over 3 weeks away. Suddenly somber pundits and gleeful Democrats alike are touting a national “blue wave” of electoral success that could demolish Trump and the GOP in must-win congressional districts from Florida to Pennsylvania to Colorado.
Don’t break out the bubbly yet, says Debbie Downer.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
That would be U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, a Democrat from Michigan.
Dingell should know. In the run-up to the 2016 election, she repeatedly warned that Michigan was leaning Trump.
“From the beginning, I knew the Downrivers (part of her 12th Congressional District) would support Trump both in the Republican primary and in the general,” she wrote in a Washington Post op-ed two days after the Nov. 8, 2016, election.
“I witness the emotions and passions of their residents every day, and I believe they are what elected Trump president.”
Hillary Clinton’s campaign and Democratic Party honchos blew her off. They said, “That’s Debbie, it’s hyperbole, she is nuts,” Dingell recalled.
Trump won Michigan by just over 10,000 votes. Trump’s voters turned out. Clinton’s not so much.
Now Dingell is back, a bit more optimistic, but still sounding the alarm.
In 2016, she did not believe polls that pointed to a Clinton victory, and she is worried now, she said Thursday in a Bloomberg TV interview.
“I am somebody who will not believe the election is over until the polls close on Election Day,” she said. “The only thing I know about 2020 is that the predictable is unpredictable. We’ve got to make sure that people turn out.”
There is no time for high-fiving. Biden must win big.
Just two weeks ago, the nation was gripped by the fear of a contested election. Trump has repeatedly proclaimed that any election he does not “win” will be stolen and has vowed to contest it.
Democratic turnout is even more vital down-ballot. If Democrats can win a net gain of four additional Senate seats, they will capture a majority in the U.S. Senate. If Biden wins, they need only three. (A Democratic vice-president could cast a tie-breaking vote.)
The widely followed FiveThirtyEight web prognosticator currently predicts a 68% likelihood of a Democratic Senate takeover. No sure thing.
Here in deeply blue Illinois, Biden was always expected to win handily. But there are plenty of scary scenarios to feed Democratic insomnia.
In several key congressional races, turnout is key. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Fair Tax ballot measure depends on a massive Democratic turnout, especially in Cook County.
Meanwhile the specter of COVID-19 is jeopardizing voter engagement and participation. Some voters are leery of voting in person, others do not trust the U.S. mail to deliver their ballots. And the pandemic has crippled traditional ground game strategies to drive turnout: door-knocking, get-out-the-vote rallies and voter registration drives.
Instead of talking up a blue wave, Democrats should be guarding against complacency and putting turnout strategies into overdrive.
“People can get tired of the partisan bickering and get turned off by all politics,” Dingell told Bloomberg. “Everybody has got to make sure that the voters turn out.”
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--Chicago woman killed in St. Charles hit-and-run

Authorities are looking for a pickup truck that hit and hilled an 88-year-old Chicago woman Friday in west suburban St. @ @ @ @ @ who was in a wheelchair , was crossing Third Street with her son about 4 @ @ @ @ @ Ram waiting at the light began making a right turn onto westbound Main Street , @ @ @ @ @ St. Charles police .
The pickup struck the woman and continued on Main Street without @ @ @ @ @ to Delnor Hospital in Geneva , where she was pronounced dead , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ a four-door 2016 Dodge Ram with chrome side mirrors , chrome door handles and chrome @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver was a male wearing a black T-shirt .
St. Charles police released @ @ @ @ @ and are asking anyone with information to call investigators at 630-377-4435 or leave an anonymous @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Authorities are looking for the driver of a pickup truck that struck and killed an 88-year-old Chicago woman Friday in west suburban St. Charles.
The woman, who was in a wheelchair, was crossing Third Street with her son about 4 p.m. when a 2016 Dodge Ram waiting at the light began making a right turn to head west onto Main Street, according to a statement from St. Charles police.
The pickup struck the woman and continued on Main Street without stopping.
She was taken to Delnor Hospital in Geneva, where she was pronounced dead, police said.
The truck was described as a four-door with chrome side mirrors, chrome door handles and chrome spoked rims, police said. The driver was a male wearing a black T-shirt.
St. Charles police released a photo of the truck and are asking anyone with information to call investigators at 630-377-4435, or leave an anonymous tip at 766-378-4267.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--Appeals court reverses this judge more than any other in criminal courts seeking retention

In 2004 , when Cook County Circuit Judge Kenneth J. Wadas sentenced Benard McKinley to 100 years in prison for a murder committed at age 16 , McKinley knew what it meant .
“ I felt as if Wadas had sentenced me to die in prison , ” McKinley , now 35 , says from Stateville Correctional Center .
“ I felt like my life was over.
” a A federal appellate court reversed McKinley ’ s sentence in 2016 , finding that Wadas had failed to take McKinley ’ s age into consideration when sentencing him to a century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release .
“ He said nothing to indicate that he thought the defendant ’ s youth at all relevant to the sentence , ” Judge Richard Posner wrote for the majority in the 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals ’ 2-1 decision .
Posner said the 100-year sentence was a “ de facto life sentence , ” which required Wadas , under a prior U.S. Supreme Court ruling , to consider that “ children are different.
” It ’ s rare for a federal court to overturn a criminal sentence imposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past six years , Wadas has been reversed 25 times by the Illinois Appellate Court , nearly twice as often as the combined total of the other five criminal judges running for retention this year , an Injustice Watch investigation found .
Appeals courts found that Wadas frequently disregarded a law that prevents excessive sentencing and incorrectly dismissed prisoners ’ claims of errors during their trials .
“ That ’ s just an astounding number , ” says Northwestern University law professor Susan Provenzano , an expert on appellate advocacy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his legal analysis or his ability to assess facts or make decisions.
” As an assistant state ’ s attorney in the 1980s , Wadas was rebuked by the Illinois Appellate Court , which found he engaged in tactics it called “ an insult to the court and to the dignity of the trial bar.
” He was involved in multiple cases in which prosecutorial misconduct led to appellate reversals , records show .
And the appellate court specifically suggested he should be brought before the board that hears cases of attorney misconduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his actions , was promoted by then-State ’ s Attorney Richard M. Daley and , when he later ran for judge , found by the bar associations that rate judicial candidates to be qualified for the bench .
Since Wadas last won retention in 2014 , the appeals court has reversed him for issuing excessive sentences , often involving a violation of Illinois ’ s “ one act , one crime ” doctrine .
That rule prohibits multiple convictions “ that are based upon precisely the same single physical act ” and requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be tossed out .
Wadas has been reversed based on a violation of the “ one act , one crime ” rule 10 times in the past six years , Injustice Watch found .
Gregory Reed was found guilty of 14 separate charges for firing several shots at a group outside a Chicago nightclub in 2011 , wounding one person .
Wadas sentenced him to 15 to 50 years for each charge .
Reed appealed .
An appellate panel found that Wadas violated the “ one act , one crime ” rule , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s convictions vacated and called for a hearing about his attorney ’ s effectiveness .
Criminal defense and civil rights attorney Jennifer Bonjean says the rule Wadas was found to have ignored isn ’ t hard to understand .
“ If you ’ re constantly getting reversed on that , either you ’ re a dummy , or you just don ’ t care , ” Bonjean says .
Tossing out a lesser conviction for the same crime might not dramatically change a prisoner ’ s situation .
Reed , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remaining charge .
Sentences for separate charges often run concurrently .
But if the error is left uncorrected , it leaves multiple felonies on a convict ’ s record when there should only be one , and that can take years to correct on appeal , Bonjean says .
In 2014 , Jerome Weathers sought to challenge his murder conviction , arguing that two detectives , James O ’ Brien and John Halloran , had violently coerced his confession .
Wadas dismissed Weathers ’ request , ruling that it did not pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should proceed .
The following year , an appellate panel reversed Wadas ’ decision in that case .
It was one of four times since 2014 that a higher court has found Wadas improperly dismissed a postconviction petition .
The appeals court ruled that new evidence from a 2012 Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission report detailing 76 allegations against the detectives , who had worked under disgraced former Cmdr .
Jon Burge , merited giving Weathers a new hearing .
Weathers ’ petition “ clearly alleged that his confession was physically coerced by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that newly discovered evidence corroborated his claims , ” Appellate Justice Margaret McBride wrote .
In 2013 , Martell Boswell pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking and agreed to a 22-year sentence , which Wadas told him was the minimum mandatory sentence .
The judge was wrong : The minimum was 21 years .
When Boswell sought a resentencing , Wadas denied it .
An appellate panel reversed him , finding that Boswell had met “ the very low standard necessary to survive first-stage dismissal.
” In 1989 , Anthony Mitros pled guilty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentenced to life in prison .
When he pointed out in a 2011 postconviction petition that such a harsh sentence wasn ’ t allowed under sentencing guidelines , Wadas dismissed his motion .
The appellate court disagreed , ordering Wadas to issue a new sentence — within the appropriate guidelines of 20 to 60 years .
“ A court lacks the authority to impose a sentence that does not conform with statutory guidelines , ” Justice Nathaniel Howse said in the court ’ s opinion .
When Benard McKinley ’ s case came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , McKinley says he thought Wadas wasn ’ t happy about being reversed .
“ He made sure we all knew it was a 2-1 decision that sent me back in front of him , ” McKinley says .
By that time , a new Illinois Supreme Court decision had set a standard that anything more than 40 years for a juvenile was the equivalent of a life sentence .
Even though McKinley was a juvenile at the time of the killing , Wadas said during resentencing , “ The gun made him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 39 years in prison — less than the 40 years and a day that the Supreme Court said would amount to a life term .

In 2004, when Cook County Circuit Judge Kenneth J. Wadas sentenced Benard McKinley to 100 years in prison for a murder committed at age 16, McKinley knew what it meant.
“I felt as if Wadas had sentenced me to die in prison,” McKinley, now 35, says from Stateville Correctional Center. “I felt like my life was over.”
A federal appellate court reversed McKinley’s sentence in 2016, finding that Wadas had failed to take McKinley’s age into consideration when sentencing him to a century behind bars with no possibility of early release.
“He said nothing to indicate that he thought the defendant’s youth at all relevant to the sentence,” Judge Richard Posner wrote for the majority in the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ 2-1 decision. Posner said the 100-year sentence was a “de facto life sentence,” which required Wadas, under a prior U.S. Supreme Court ruling, to consider that “children are different.”
It’s rare for a federal court to overturn a criminal sentence imposed by a state court judge.
But, in the past six years, Wadas has been reversed 25 times by the Illinois Appellate Court, nearly twice as often as the combined total of the other five criminal judges running for retention this year, an Injustice Watch investigation found.
Appeals courts found that Wadas frequently disregarded a law that prevents excessive sentencing and incorrectly dismissed prisoners’ claims of errors during their trials.
Wadas declined to comment.
“That’s just an astounding number,” says Northwestern University law professor Susan Provenzano, an expert on appellate advocacy. “There are systemic problems with either his legal analysis or his ability to assess facts or make decisions.”
As an assistant state’s attorney in the 1980s, Wadas was rebuked by the Illinois Appellate Court, which found he engaged in tactics it called “an insult to the court and to the dignity of the trial bar.”
He was involved in multiple cases in which prosecutorial misconduct led to appellate reversals, records show. And the appellate court specifically suggested he should be brought before the board that hears cases of attorney misconduct. But Wadas never faced discipline for his actions, was promoted by then-State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley and, when he later ran for judge, found by the bar associations that rate judicial candidates to be qualified for the bench.
Since Wadas last won retention in 2014, the appeals court has reversed him for issuing excessive sentences, often involving a violation of Illinois’s “one act, one crime” doctrine. That rule prohibits multiple convictions “that are based upon precisely the same single physical act” and requires that lesser convictions for the same act be tossed out.
Wadas has been reversed based on a violation of the “one act, one crime” rule 10 times in the past six years, Injustice Watch found.
Gregory Reed was found guilty of 14 separate charges for firing several shots at a group outside a Chicago nightclub in 2011, wounding one person. Wadas sentenced him to 15 to 50 years for each charge.
Reed appealed. An appellate panel found that Wadas violated the “one act, one crime” rule, ordered all but four of Reed’s convictions vacated and called for a hearing about his attorney’s effectiveness.
Criminal defense and civil rights attorney Jennifer Bonjean says the rule Wadas was found to have ignored isn’t hard to understand.
“If you’re constantly getting reversed on that, either you’re a dummy, or you just don’t care,” Bonjean says.
Tossing out a lesser conviction for the same crime might not dramatically change a prisoner’s situation. Reed, for example, is still serving a 50-year sentence on the remaining charge. Sentences for separate charges often run concurrently. But if the error is left uncorrected, it leaves multiple felonies on a convict’s record when there should only be one, and that can take years to correct on appeal, Bonjean says.
In 2014, Jerome Weathers sought to challenge his murder conviction, arguing that two detectives, James O’Brien and John Halloran, had violently coerced his confession. Wadas dismissed Weathers’ request, ruling that it did not pass a legal test for whether his case should proceed.
The following year, an appellate panel reversed Wadas’ decision in that case. It was one of four times since 2014 that a higher court has found Wadas improperly dismissed a postconviction petition.
The appeals court ruled that new evidence from a 2012 Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission report detailing 76 allegations against the detectives, who had worked under disgraced former Cmdr. Jon Burge, merited giving Weathers a new hearing.
Weathers’ petition “clearly alleged that his confession was physically coerced by Detectives O’Brien and Halloran and that newly discovered evidence corroborated his claims,” Appellate Justice Margaret McBride wrote.
In 2013, Martell Boswell pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicular hijacking and agreed to a 22-year sentence, which Wadas told him was the minimum mandatory sentence. The judge was wrong: The minimum was 21 years.
When Boswell sought a resentencing, Wadas denied it. An appellate panel reversed him, finding that Boswell had met “the very low standard necessary to survive first-stage dismissal.”
In 1989, Anthony Mitros pled guilty to murder and burglary charges and was sentenced to life in prison. When he pointed out in a 2011 postconviction petition that such a harsh sentence wasn’t allowed under sentencing guidelines, Wadas dismissed his motion.
The appellate court disagreed, ordering Wadas to issue a new sentence — within the appropriate guidelines of 20 to 60 years.
“A court lacks the authority to impose a sentence that does not conform with statutory guidelines,” Justice Nathaniel Howse said in the court’s opinion.
When Benard McKinley’s case came back before Wadas for resentencing in 2019, McKinley says he thought Wadas wasn’t happy about being reversed.
“He made sure we all knew it was a 2-1 decision that sent me back in front of him,” McKinley says.
By that time, a new Illinois Supreme Court decision had set a standard that anything more than 40 years for a juvenile was the equivalent of a life sentence.
Even though McKinley was a juvenile at the time of the killing, Wadas said during resentencing, “The gun made him older.”
And he resentenced McKinley to 39 years in prison — less than the 40 years and a day that the Supreme Court said would amount to a life term.
Contributing: Olivia Louthen, Annabelle Rice
John Seasly reports for Injustice Watch, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit journalism organization.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--Dear Abby: In lockdown, wife nitpicks about my cooking, my washing and everything else

DEAR ABBY : Since the coronavirus lockdown began , my wife and I have been cooped up together all day , every day .
Though we have lived together for 35 years , she ’ s now discovering that I “ don ’ t cook vegetables correctly.
” ( It goes without saying that I ’ m no longer allowed to prepare the entrees . )
I don ’ t sort the trash the way she thinks it should be , so I can ’ t take out the garbage without her first inspecting it .
Not only do I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t even wash my face right .
Thus far the only thing I seem to be able to do is go to the restroom without her supervision , but I lock the door now just in case she decides to kibitz .
I realize that during this tense time , people feel a loss of control over their own lives and try to compensate however they can .
I ’ m able to hang on to my patience almost all the time , but occasionally I want to either scream at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my own .
Do you have any advice for either or both of us ?
— KEEPING CALM IN THE WEST DEAR KEEPING CALM : You are far from the only spouse who is experiencing this .
Your comment about your wife ’ s hypervigilance and fault-finding being her way of coping with her anxieties is perceptive .
If you haven ’ t talked with her ( calmly ) about how her behavior is affecting you , please do it before you explode .
Being cooped up together all day , every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you .
You both should be getting out separately for at least 30 minutes of walking ( 60 could be even better ) and sunlight every day .
The exercise and change of scenery would not only be healthy , but may lower both of your stress levels .
However , if that isn ’ t sufficient , the two of you should discuss what ’ s going on with her physician .
DEAR ABBY : I am instinctively tight-fisted with money .
It ’ s also necessary because my brother and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for only a few years , and we are just now starting to turn a decent profit .
My girlfriend earns a good living as a nurse .
She is pretty thrifty , but not when it comes to food .
My question is , how much of the bill should I be expected to foot for an expensive dinner I didn ’ t want to go out to , or an overpriced breakfast burrito from some snobby food truck ?
If I don ’ t look enthusiastic about the prospect of going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says not to worry because she ’ ll pay for it , which makes me feel insecure .
Any tips on how to handle this ?
— PROUD GUY IN WASHINGTON DEAR PROUD GUY : Yes .
You appear to be an old-fashioned guy who is dating a contemporary woman .
Accept her generosity and quit tying your masculinity to how she chooses to spend her own hard-earned money .
That said , if you are thinking of marrying her , it would be in both your interests to have premarital counseling to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t cause serious problems in your marriage .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: Since the coronavirus lockdown began, my wife and I have been cooped up together all day, every day. Though we have lived together for 35 years, she’s now discovering that I “don’t cook vegetables correctly.” (It goes without saying that I’m no longer allowed to prepare the entrees.)
I don’t sort the trash the way she thinks it should be, so I can’t take out the garbage without her first inspecting it. Not only do I not wash the dishes properly, I don’t even wash my face right. Thus far the only thing I seem to be able to do is go to the restroom without her supervision, but I lock the door now just in case she decides to kibitz.
I realize that during this tense time, people feel a loss of control over their own lives and try to compensate however they can. I’m able to hang on to my patience almost all the time, but occasionally I want to either scream at her or look for an apartment of my own. Do you have any advice for either or both of us? — KEEPING CALM IN THE WEST
DEAR KEEPING CALM: You are far from the only spouse who is experiencing this. Your comment about your wife’s hypervigilance and fault-finding being her way of coping with her anxieties is perceptive. If you haven’t talked with her (calmly) about how her behavior is affecting you, please do it before you explode.
Being cooped up together all day, every day, isn’t healthy for either of you. You both should be getting out separately for at least 30 minutes of walking (60 could be even better) and sunlight every day. The exercise and change of scenery would not only be healthy, but may lower both of your stress levels. However, if that isn’t sufficient, the two of you should discuss what’s going on with her physician.
DEAR ABBY: I am instinctively tight-fisted with money. It’s also necessary because my brother and I have been in business for ourselves for only a few years, and we are just now starting to turn a decent profit. My girlfriend earns a good living as a nurse. She is pretty thrifty, but not when it comes to food.
My question is, how much of the bill should I be expected to foot for an expensive dinner I didn’t want to go out to, or an overpriced breakfast burrito from some snobby food truck? If I don’t look enthusiastic about the prospect of going to one of these places, she says not to worry because she’ll pay for it, which makes me feel insecure. Any tips on how to handle this? — PROUD GUY IN WASHINGTON
DEAR PROUD GUY: Yes. You appear to be an old-fashioned guy who is dating a contemporary woman. Accept her generosity and quit tying your masculinity to how she chooses to spend her own hard-earned money. That said, if you are thinking of marrying her, it would be in both your interests to have premarital counseling to ensure that disagreements about money don’t cause serious problems in your marriage.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--4 judges, 6 years, 98 reversals  — and they want you to vote to keep them in office

Four Cook County judges who are on the November ballot , running to keep their jobs , have had their rulings reversed on appeal 98 times among them over the past six years — more than three times as often as their colleagues , an Injustice Watch investigation has found .
Margaret Ann Brennan , Patrick J. Sherlock , Kenneth J. Wadas and Anna Helen Demacopoulos are the only judges seeking retention to each have more than a dozen decisions reversed by higher courts in the six years since they were last retained .
The average number of reversals for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for retention was four .
A reversal means an appeals court decided a judge was wrong and overturned all or part of a ruling .
“ When a judge has a higher reversal rate than normal , it raises a red flag , ” says attorney David Melton , former head of the Chicago Council of Lawyers ’ judicial evaluation committee .
Only a small fraction of cases get appealed .
About one in 10 of those is reversed , according to 2018 Illinois Supreme Court data .
A spokeswoman for the judges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says no conclusions about their ability should be drawn from them .
“ Divisions such as domestic relations , traffic , probate , county and misdemeanor are rarely , if ever , appealed , ” spokeswoman Hanah Jubeh says.
“ Comparing judges ’ reversals is unfair , challenges the independence of the judiciary and only further discourages judges from taking on difficult assignments in fear of reprisal.
” Injustice Watch reviewed the reversals of every judge running for retention in Cook County to find that these judges improperly applied the law far more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ views of higher courts .
Brennan , a circuit judge since 2002 , serves in the law division , where judges hear civil suits with damages of at least $ 30,000 being sought .
She has been reversed 40 times since 2014 , records show — far more often than any of her colleagues running for retention .
Nine of her reversals involved errors in issuing summary judgments — a ruling a judge makes for one party in a civil lawsuit , finding the evidence is so clear that the case doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ re supposed to help judges ensure that only cases with valid claims go to trial .
In one case Brennan heard , the son of a man who died while held at the Cook County Jail sued the lawyers who filed a wrongful-death case against the county , saying they wrongly distributed the $ 450,000 settlement to his half-brothers and not to him .
Brennan awarded summary judgment to the law firm , ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove he was the dead man ’ s biological son .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversed the decision , citing “ the drastic nature of a summary judgment order ” and saying Brennan should have allowed the case to go to trial , where paternity evidence could have been presented .
In another , higher-profile case , Brennan reversed a decision in which an administrative law judge had found the Chicago Bears owed Cook County $ 4.1 million for amusement taxes the team had failed to pay .
Brennan ’ s decision in that case was itself reversed in 2014 .
The appellate panel agreed with the original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the entire ticket price and not just to part of it .
Sherlock , a judge since 2007 who serves in the law division , has been reversed 19 times since 2014 .
The Illinois Appellate Court often found that he misunderstood or misapplied statutes , reversed his judgments , vacated his orders and continued proceedings it found he ’ d wrongly ended .
In one case , after a jury awarded $ 45,000 to a child injured by a police officer driving to an emergency , the appellate court found errors in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There is simply no evidence other than Officer Kowalski ’ s speed to support [ the child ’ s ] claim , and we simply can not find that his speed alone may sustain a claim of willful and wanton conduct , ” Appellate Justice Thomas E. Hoffman wrote in reversing him .
Wadas repeatedly was reversed for disregarding a basic tenet of Illinois criminal law , leading defendants to be saddled with additional convictions and , in some cases , to receive longer sentences .
Many of Demacopoulos ’ 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serving time in prison .
Her reversals large came from her time hearing felony criminal cases at the Markham courthouse .
She ’ s now in the court ’ s chancery division .
In one case before Demacopoulos , Lavelle Deering , serving a 90-year sentence for a conviction related to a fatal 1994 armed robbery , appealed , arguing his lawyer provided ineffective counsel .
Demacopoulos improperly denied his request , an appellate panel found .
Instead of sending the case back , the higher court vacated two of Deering ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .

Four Cook County judges who are on the November ballot, running to keep their jobs, have had their rulings reversed on appeal 98 times among them over the past six years — more than three times as often as their colleagues, an Injustice Watch investigation has found.
Margaret Ann Brennan, Patrick J. Sherlock, Kenneth J. Wadas and Anna Helen Demacopoulos are the only judges seeking retention to each have more than a dozen decisions reversed by higher courts in the six years since they were last retained.
The average number of reversals for the 56 Cook County circuit judges running for retention was four.
A reversal means an appeals court decided a judge was wrong and overturned all or part of a ruling.
“When a judge has a higher reversal rate than normal, it raises a red flag,” says attorney David Melton, former head of the Chicago Council of Lawyers’ judicial evaluation committee.
Only a small fraction of cases get appealed. About one in 10 of those is reversed, according to 2018 Illinois Supreme Court data.
A spokeswoman for the judges disputed some of the reversal numbers and says no conclusions about their ability should be drawn from them.
“Divisions such as domestic relations, traffic, probate, county and misdemeanor are rarely, if ever, appealed,” spokeswoman Hanah Jubeh says.“Comparing judges’ reversals is unfair, challenges the independence of the judiciary and only further discourages judges from taking on difficult assignments in fear of reprisal.”
Injustice Watch reviewed the reversals of every judge running for retention in Cook County to find that these judges improperly applied the law far more often than their colleagues, in the views of higher courts.
Brennan, a circuit judge since 2002, serves in the law division, where judges hear civil suits with damages of at least $30,000 being sought. She has been reversed 40 times since 2014, records show — far more often than any of her colleagues running for retention.
Nine of her reversals involved errors in issuing summary judgments — a ruling a judge makes for one party in a civil lawsuit, finding the evidence is so clear that the case doesn’t even warrant a full trial. They’re supposed to help judges ensure that only cases with valid claims go to trial.
In one case Brennan heard, the son of a man who died while held at the Cook County Jail sued the lawyers who filed a wrongful-death case against the county, saying they wrongly distributed the $450,000 settlement to his half-brothers and not to him.
Brennan awarded summary judgment to the law firm, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove he was the dead man’s biological son.
He appealed, and appellate Judge Maureen Connors reversed the decision, citing “the drastic nature of a summary judgment order” and saying Brennan should have allowed the case to go to trial, where paternity evidence could have been presented.
In another, higher-profile case, Brennan reversed a decision in which an administrative law judge had found the Chicago Bears owed Cook County $4.1 million for amusement taxes the team had failed to pay. Brennan’s decision in that case was itself reversed in 2014. The appellate panel agreed with the original finding that the amusement tax applied to the entire ticket price and not just to part of it.
Cook County Judge Patrick J. Sherlock. Provided
Sherlock, a judge since 2007 who serves in the law division, has been reversed 19 times since 2014. The Illinois Appellate Court often found that he misunderstood or misapplied statutes, reversed his judgments, vacated his orders and continued proceedings it found he’d wrongly ended.
In one case, after a jury awarded $45,000 to a child injured by a police officer driving to an emergency, the defendants asked Sherlock to overrule the jury’s verdict. He denied the motion, and the appeals court overturned his decision.
“There is simply no evidence other than Officer Kowalski’s speed to support [the child’s] claim, and we simply cannot find that his speed alone may sustain a claim of willful and wanton conduct,” Appellate Justice Thomas E. Hoffman wrote in reversing him.
Wadas repeatedly was reversed for disregarding a basic tenet of Illinois criminal law, leading defendants to be saddled with additional convictions and, in some cases, to receive longer sentences.
Cook County Judge Anna Helen Demacopoulos. Provided
Many of Demacopoulos’ 14 reversals involved improperly dismissing appeals from people serving time in prison. Her reversals large came from her time hearing felony criminal cases at the Markham courthouse . She’s now in the court’s chancery division.
In one case before Demacopoulos, Lavelle Deering, serving a 90-year sentence for a conviction related to a fatal 1994 armed robbery, appealed, arguing his lawyer provided ineffective counsel. Demacopoulos improperly denied his request, an appellate panel found. Instead of sending the case back, the higher court vacated two of Deering’s convictions, reducing his sentence to 75 years.
Contributing: Olivia Louthen, Annabelle Rice
John Seasly reports for Injustice Watch, a nonpartisan, not-for-profit journalism organization.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--A reckless Trump puts everyone around him at risk while he recovers from COVID-19

While reading Patrick Reardon ’ s column “ Why I feel solidarity with Donald Trump ( It ’ s not what you think ) , ” l couldn ’ t help but conclude that he built a strong case for taking steps to recover from a challenging physical liability .
As he recovered from two knee replacements , I faced a similar challenge with open heart surgery .
I understand what it is to fight to recover and what must be overcome to do so .
The problem , however , is the flawed argument comparing our surgeries to President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only a grave understatement that Trump is being reckless as he recovers , it is a dangerous one as well .
During Reardon ’ s recovery from knee surgery , he did not put anyone else at risk .
And no one would require heart surgery from coming into contact with me .
Yet the president made a show of standing on the balcony of the White House while still contagious .
He took off his mask , knowing full well that the virus was still spreading among White House employees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracted COVID-19 , would you , as the president has done , continue to refuse to wear a mask and prevent possibly infecting others ?
Even with mild cases of the virus , there still may be long-term organ damage as a result of exposure .
So long as people continue the stance that “ I am not afraid of this virus , ” or “ I can beat this virus ” we are never going to defeat it .
It ’ s not just the individual , it ’ s also their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , their neighbors .
Until we change this attitude , the virus will continue to spread and Americans will continue to die The arrests of 13 Michigan militiamen should chill every decent American to the bone .
Six of them apparently conspired to kidnap Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home , whisk her to Wisconsin and try her as a tyrant against American liberty .
Seven members of the ‘ Wolverine Watchmen ’ were arrested for plotting to kill police officers , intending to start a civil war , leading to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by armed men on her home lawn and in the State Capitol ever since President Trump singled out Michigan and Whitmer , a Democrat , for derision over her pandemic restrictions .
It is uncertain how much Trump ’ s tweet ‘ Liberate Michigan , ’ and numerous other statements inciting opposition to sensible pandemic guidelines issued by Democrats might have contributed to the climate now spilling over into anti-government violence .
But what is certain is that Trump ’ s entire campaign and governance has ratcheted up anti-social behavior from the white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contest a now likely election loss as fraudulent has raised the ante of possible widespread violence .
Shortly before the murder of his rival , Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket , England ’ s King Henry II is reported to have said “ Who will rid me of this troublesome priest ?
” That quote has come to reflect a ruler seeking vengeance on perceived enemies , but reluctant to order the deed outright .
It gives cover when criminal followers interpret and act upon that wish .
Come to think of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 850 years ago fits Trump perfectly…except for substituting ‘ priest ’ with ‘ governor ’ .

While reading Patrick Reardon’s column “Why I feel solidarity with Donald Trump (It’s not what you think),” l couldn’t help but conclude that he built a strong case for taking steps to recover from a challenging physical liability.
As he recovered from two knee replacements, I faced a similar challenge with open heart surgery. I understand what it is to fight to recover and what must be overcome to do so.
The problem, however, is the flawed argument comparing our surgeries to President Trump’s ailment. It is not only a grave understatement that Trump is being reckless as he recovers, it is a dangerous one as well. During Reardon’s recovery from knee surgery, he did not put anyone else at risk. And no one would require heart surgery from coming into contact with me. Yet the president made a show of standing on the balcony of the White House while still contagious. He took off his mask, knowing full well that the virus was still spreading among White House employees.
I would ask Reardon: if you contracted COVID-19, would you, as the president has done, continue to refuse to wear a mask and prevent possibly infecting others? Even with mild cases of the virus, there still may be long-term organ damage as a result of exposure.
So long as people continue the stance that “I am not afraid of this virus,” or “I can beat this virus” we are never going to defeat it. It’s not just the individual, it’s also their family, their friends, their co-workers, their neighbors. Until we change this attitude, the virus will continue to spread and Americans will continue to die
Daniel Pupo, Orland Park
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be 350 words or less.
Trump and Henry II
The arrests of 13 Michigan militiamen should chill every decent American to the bone. Six of them apparently conspired to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at her vacation home, whisk her to Wisconsin and try her as a tyrant against American liberty. Seven members of the ‘Wolverine Watchmen’ were arrested for plotting to kill police officers, intending to start a civil war, leading to societal collapse.
Whitmer has been harassed by armed men on her home lawn and in the State Capitol ever since President Trump singled out Michigan and Whitmer, a Democrat, for derision over her pandemic restrictions. It is uncertain how much Trump’s tweet ‘Liberate Michigan,’ and numerous other statements inciting opposition to sensible pandemic guidelines issued by Democrats might have contributed to the climate now spilling over into anti-government violence.
But what is certain is that Trump’s entire campaign and governance has ratcheted up anti-social behavior from the white nationalist crowd. His recent threat to contest a now likely election loss as fraudulent has raised the ante of possible widespread violence.
Shortly before the murder of his rival, Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, England’s King Henry II is reported to have said “Who will rid me of this troublesome priest?” That quote has come to reflect a ruler seeking vengeance on perceived enemies, but reluctant to order the deed outright. It gives cover when criminal followers interpret and act upon that wish.
Come to think of it, Henry II’s quote from 850 years ago fits Trump perfectly…except for substituting ‘priest’ with ‘governor’.
Walt Zlotow, Glen Ellyn


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--Man killed in East Garfield Park shooting

A man was fatally shot while driving Saturday in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
The 27-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ in the first block of North Kedzie Avenue when a tan minivan pulled alongside him @ @ @ @ @ , according to Chicago police .
The man was shot in the buttocks and taken @ @ @ @ @ he was pronounced dead , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ about the fatality .
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man was fatally shot while driving Saturday in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 27-year-old was driving north at 2:56 a.m. in the first block of North Kedzie Avenue when a tan minivan pulled alongside him and someone inside fired shots, according to Chicago police.
The man was shot in the buttocks and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Jeremy Johnson of East Garfield Park.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--Cairo Santos boots Bears out of north end zone blues

The Bears ’ north end zone is littered with the ghosts of Bears kickers past — or at least those who came after Robbie Gould .
In Week 11 of 2017 , Connor Barth — the original Robbie Replacement— pushed a potential game-tying 46-yard field goal so far right into Soldier Field ’ s north end zone hat it was barely captured by the television camera , which instead focused on the Bears ’ mascot .
Wearing an old-timey suit to match the Bears ’ throwback uniforms , Staley dropped to his knees , dejected , as the Lions celebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next day and never kicked in a regular season game again .
Last year , Eddy Pineiro missed a 41-yard field goal — into the same end zone — that would have beaten the Chargers and snapped the Bears ’ month-long losing streak .
Pineiro wouldn ’ t make his next field goal for another three games .
Neither kicker can top Cody Parkey who , of course , double-doinked a 43-yarder into the north end zone that would have beaten the Eagles in a January 2019 playoff game .
The Bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could say “ Today Show.
” So when Cairo Santos pointed north to try a 38-yard kick with 1:13 to play Sunday , it was no ordinary field-goal try .
It was routine — NFL teams have made 133-of-138 kicks from 39 yards or closer this season .
But if anyone would miss , wouldn ’ t it be a Bears player kicking into the north end zone ?
Santos had the benefit of a golfer who ’ d seen the putting line before .
Earlier in the fourth quarter , he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact he drilled the game-winner — and the defense then stopped Tom Brady to beat the Buccaneers 20-19 — bodes well both the Bears and the itinerant Santos , who ’ s played nine or fewer games each with the Bears , Chiefs , Buccaneers , Rams and Titans since the end of 2016 .
The Bears signed veteran Kai Forbath to the practice squad Friday as insurance in case of injury or virus outbreak .
Pineiro is still on injured reserve with a groin injury .
Santos is the unquestioned starter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as he needs them .
“ I really wanted the opportunity , ” said Santos , who is 7-for-9 .
“ I felt like I was due to have something like that .
I just wanted to have a streak of games — and of makes — to get it going , and I knew I could kind of take off from there.
” Santos knows what that happens when kickers don ’ t .
A year ago Tuesday , the Titans cut him after he missed four field goals in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to replace him , ironically , was Parkey .
“ Sometimes it just shocks me the way careers and stories happen , ” he said .
“ I got released last year [ by the Titans ] the fifth game of the season on a bad game and here we are with a chance to play against my former team [ the Bucs ] .
“ As an athlete , you always want to have that .
I used to watch soccer players have big games against their former teams .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so at Soldier Field it that much more special .
“ There are just so many more elements than any other stadium , ” said Santos , who travels to the stadium one weekday each home game week .
“ The grass is taller , it gets the sandy spots between the hashes , a lot of wind , it gets really cold … Last week it was cold and it was only the second home game of the year .
It ’ s only going to get colder .
… “ You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball striker to succeed here in Chicago .
And that ’ s what I ’ m focusing on doing.
” Of course , so did the previous kickers .
“ I just kind of focus on myself every year , ” he said .
“ That didn ’ t cross my mind that there hasn ’ t been a history of late kicks here lately .
I got my opportunity — and knocked it through .
”

The Bears’ north end zone is littered with the ghosts of Bears kickers past — or at least those who came after Robbie Gould.
In Week 11 of 2017, Connor Barth — the original Robbie Replacement— pushed a potential game-tying 46-yard field goal so far right into Soldier Field’s north end zone hat it was barely captured by the television camera, which instead focused on the Bears’ mascot. Wearing an old-timey suit to match the Bears’ throwback uniforms, Staley dropped to his knees, dejected, as the Lions celebrated a 27-24 win. Barth was cut the next day and never kicked in a regular season game again.
Last year, Eddy Pineiro missed a 41-yard field goal — into the same end zone — that would have beaten the Chargers and snapped the Bears’ month-long losing streak. Pineiro wouldn’t make his next field goal for another three games.
Neither kicker can top Cody Parkey who, of course, double-doinked a 43-yarder into the north end zone that would have beaten the Eagles in a January 2019 playoff game. The Bears decided to cut him faster than you could say “Today Show.”
So when Cairo Santos pointed north to try a 38-yard kick with 1:13 to play Sunday, it was no ordinary field-goal try.
It was routine — NFL teams have made 133-of-138 kicks from 39 yards or closer this season. But if anyone would miss, wouldn’t it be a Bears player kicking into the north end zone?
Santos had the benefit of a golfer who’d seen the putting line before. Earlier in the fourth quarter, he made a 47-yarder into the same direction.
The fact he drilled the game-winner — and the defense then stopped Tom Brady to beat the Buccaneers 20-19 — bodes well both the Bears and the itinerant Santos, who’s played nine or fewer games each with the Bears, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Rams and Titans since the end of 2016.
The Bears signed veteran Kai Forbath to the practice squad Friday as insurance in case of injury or virus outbreak. Pineiro is still on injured reserve with a groin injury. Santos is the unquestioned starter.
The Bears might need Santos as much as he needs them.
“I really wanted the opportunity,” said Santos, who is 7-for-9. “I felt like I was due to have something like that. I just wanted to have a streak of games — and of makes — to get it going, and I knew I could kind of take off from there.”
Santos knows what that happens when kickers don’t. A year ago Tuesday, the Titans cut him after he missed four field goals in a three-point loss. The kicker they signed to replace him, ironically, was Parkey.
“Sometimes it just shocks me the way careers and stories happen,” he said. “I got released last year [by the Titans] the fifth game of the season on a bad game and here we are with a chance to play against my former team [the Bucs].
“As an athlete, you always want to have that. I used to watch soccer players have big games against their former teams. There is something special about it.”
To do so at Soldier Field it that much more special.
“There are just so many more elements than any other stadium,” said Santos, who travels to the stadium one weekday each home game week. “The grass is taller, it gets the sandy spots between the hashes, a lot of wind, it gets really cold … Last week it was cold and it was only the second home game of the year. It’s only going to get colder. …
“You really just need to be a good ball striker to succeed here in Chicago. And that’s what I’m focusing on doing.”
Of course, so did the previous kickers.
“I just kind of focus on myself every year,” he said. “That didn’t cross my mind that there hasn’t been a history of late kicks here lately. I got my opportunity — and knocked it through.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-10--Driver arrested after crash with ambulance in Riverdale

A man was arrested after a crash with a parked ambulance that injured two paramedics Friday in Riverdale on the @ @ @ @ @ vehicle rear-ended the ambulance at 9:33 p.m. while it was parked in the 13100 block @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago police .
Two Chicago Fire Department employees were taken to a hospital @ @ @ @ @ injuries , but their conditions were not immediately known , police said .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The crash appeared to be alcohol-related .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

A 30-year-old man faces a DUI charge after crashing into a parked ambulance Friday in Riverdale on the Far South Side.
Christopher Reynolds, of East Chicago, Indiana has been charged with four misdemeanor moving violations, including a DUI, Chicago police announced Monday.
Two Chicago Fire Department paramedics were hurt when the man rear-ended the ambulance with his vehicle about 9:30 p.m. in the 13100 block of South Forrestville Avenue, police said.
Both paramedics were taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. Their conditions weren’t released.
Reynolds is expected to appear in traffic court Nov. 5.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.