chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--AMC theaters reopen their doors, cautiously

WEST HOMESTEAD , Pa — The doors to the AMC Waterfront 22 were locked .
They had been for five months , along with most indoor theaters in the U.S. because of COVID-19 .
But in 20 minutes that was about to change and four people in masks were already gathered outside the theater eight miles southeast of Pittsburgh in eager anticipation .
They were there to see the Vin Diesel movie “ Bloodshot ” for 15 cents a ticket .
After so many months , 20 extra minutes didn ’ t seem like all that long to wait .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in theaters nationwide Thursday with AMC Theaters , the country ’ s largest chain , leading the charge .
AMC opened some 113 locations across the U.S. , including several in the Chicago area , advertising retro pricing and retro screenings to entice audiences back to the movies .
Regal , the second largest exhibitor , is following suit Friday .
It ’ s been a long-time coming for the beleaguered businesses , which had several false starts due to coronavirus spikes .
When the doors at the West Homestead theater finally opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to greet patrons and help them navigate the new safety protocols inside , where masks are required ( except when eating and drinking concessions ) and the sick are asked to stay home .
Pretty soon , the number of customers had doubled and in time there was a steady stream of people of all ages coming through the doors ready to experience the big screen again .
“ My son and I counted the days until it reopened .
We love coming to the movies .
That ’ s why we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And today ’ s 15 cents , so that was another incentive.
” The “ 1920s pricing ” was a main draw for most of those early customers .
One 58-year-old man , Jerome Heslin , said he hadn ’ t been to a theater in over 40 years , but the price got him back .
After opening day , the back-catalog films from “ Black Panther ” to “ Grease ” will cost $ 5 a ticket .
For others , it was something to do with their children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-year-old daughter to see the live-action “ Beauty and the Beast , ” as did Lindsey Adams with her 3-year-old , bedecked in Belle ’ s golden ball gown .
Neither were concerned about COVID-19 .
“ We have our masks on and our hand sanitizer and we ’ re taking our precautions , ” Adams said .
“ We ’ re sure the theater has done everything they could.
” There was a bit of a learning curve for some patrons when it came to the new safety and social distancing protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by their chins ( an employee quickly approached them to ask that they cover their faces ) .
Others were surprised that concessions were cash only .
But others had already mastered the art of ordering concessions online , like Eileen Nucci and her husband , who simply told the employees their names and were handed their food and cups in a paper shopping bag .
“ It was easy , ” Nucci said .
“ We ’ re just happy to be here.
” Even without a new movie in the bunch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 20 showtimes had sold out and all that remained were a few tickets for “ The Goonies , ” “ Jumanji : The Next Level ” and the Christian film “ I Still Believe.
” Tickets for “ The Empire Strikes Back ” and “ Back to the Future ” had already been gone for days .
A sellout , however , isn ’ t exactly what it used to be .
AMC is only selling to 30 % capacity , which in this location meant about 25 people per screen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ day to give employees ample time to clean .
And showtimes are also being staggered to help prevent too many people from congregating in the lobby .
New movies are soon to follow , though , which the theaters are counting on for survival .
Disney ’ s much-delayed “ New Mutants ” will debut on Aug. 27 and Christopher Nolan ’ s “ Tenet ” will follow soon after , with some screenings as early as Aug. 31 .
At least one patron was a little reluctant to come back .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to , but then I saw they were playing ‘ The Empire Strikes Back , ’ one of my all-time favorites , and I ’ m like , ‘ I ’ ll see how bad it is with the mask .
It ’ s only a couple of hours , ’ ” said Jason Parks .
It ’ d been a few years since he ’ d seen the “ Star Wars ” film on the big screen .
He even wore his Luke and Vader lightsaber fight T-shirt for the occasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure yet if he ’ ll be rushing to the theater again soon .
“ It all depends on how I feel after today , ” Parks said .
“ If this is a little too much , maybe not , but as of right now it ’ s not too bad .
”

WEST HOMESTEAD, Pa — The doors to the AMC Waterfront 22 were locked. They had been for five months, along with most indoor theaters in the U.S. because of COVID-19. But in 20 minutes that was about to change and four people in masks were already gathered outside the theater eight miles southeast of Pittsburgh in eager anticipation.
They were there to see the Vin Diesel movie “Bloodshot” for 15 cents a ticket. After so many months, 20 extra minutes didn’t seem like all that long to wait.
The lights started slowing coming back on in theaters nationwide Thursday with AMC Theaters, the country’s largest chain, leading the charge.
AMC opened some 113 locations across the U.S., including several in the Chicago area, advertising retro pricing and retro screenings to entice audiences back to the movies. Regal, the second largest exhibitor, is following suit Friday.
Untitled Open for business These Chicago area AMC theaters resumed showing movies on Thursday: AMC Crestwood 18 AMC Ford City 14 AMC Hawthorn 12 in Vernon Hills AMC Oakbrook Center 12 AMC Naperville 16 AMC DINE-IN Northbrook 14 AMC DINE-IN 600 North Michigan 9 AMC River East 21 AMC South Barrington 24 AMC Streets of Woodfield 20 in Schaumburg AMC Village Crossing 18 in Skokie AMC DINE-IN Yorktown 18
It’s been a long-time coming for the beleaguered businesses, which had several false starts due to coronavirus spikes.
When the doors at the West Homestead theater finally opened, masked employees stood in the lobby to greet patrons and help them navigate the new safety protocols inside, where masks are required (except when eating and drinking concessions) and the sick are asked to stay home. Pretty soon, the number of customers had doubled and in time there was a steady stream of people of all ages coming through the doors ready to experience the big screen again.
“My son and I counted the days until it reopened. We love coming to the movies. That’s why we’re here,” said Betty Gallagher. “And today’s 15 cents, so that was another incentive.”
The “1920s pricing” was a main draw for most of those early customers. One 58-year-old man, Jerome Heslin, said he hadn’t been to a theater in over 40 years, but the price got him back.
“It’s a nice thing to do,” Heslin said.
After opening day, the back-catalog films from “Black Panther” to “Grease” will cost $5 a ticket.
For others, it was something to do with their children. Leslie Lopez came out with her 5-year-old daughter to see the live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” as did Lindsey Adams with her 3-year-old, bedecked in Belle’s golden ball gown.
Neither were concerned about COVID-19.
“We have our masks on and our hand sanitizer and we’re taking our precautions,” Adams said. “We’re sure the theater has done everything they could.”
There was a bit of a learning curve for some patrons when it came to the new safety and social distancing protocols. Some wandered in with masks down by their chins (an employee quickly approached them to ask that they cover their faces). Others were surprised that concessions were cash only.
But others had already mastered the art of ordering concessions online, like Eileen Nucci and her husband, who simply told the employees their names and were handed their food and cups in a paper shopping bag.
“It was easy,” Nucci said. “We’re just happy to be here.”
Even without a new movie in the bunch, within 30 minutes, 17 of the 20 showtimes had sold out and all that remained were a few tickets for “The Goonies,” “Jumanji: The Next Level” and the Christian film “I Still Believe.” Tickets for “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Back to the Future” had already been gone for days.
A sellout, however, isn’t exactly what it used to be. AMC is only selling to 30% capacity, which in this location meant about 25 people per screen. Each film only gets two screenings a day to give employees ample time to clean. And showtimes are also being staggered to help prevent too many people from congregating in the lobby.
New movies are soon to follow, though, which the theaters are counting on for survival. Disney’s much-delayed “New Mutants” will debut on Aug. 27 and Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” will follow soon after, with some screenings as early as Aug. 31.
At least one patron was a little reluctant to come back.
“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to, but then I saw they were playing ‘The Empire Strikes Back,’ one of my all-time favorites, and I’m like, ‘I’ll see how bad it is with the mask. It’s only a couple of hours,’ ” said Jason Parks.
It’d been a few years since he’d seen the “Star Wars” film on the big screen. He even wore his Luke and Vader lightsaber fight T-shirt for the occasion.
But he’s not entirely sure yet if he’ll be rushing to the theater again soon.
“It all depends on how I feel after today,” Parks said. “If this is a little too much, maybe not, but as of right now it’s not too bad.”


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--Illinois ‘going in the wrong direction’ with 1,832 more coronavirus cases  (LIVE UPDATES)

Illinois ‘ going in the wrong direction ’ with 1,832 more coronavirus cases Health officials on Thursday announced 1,832 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 across Illinois , another four-digit caseload that has become the norm as the virus flares back up statewide .
Illinois has reported an average of 1,807 new cases per day over the last two weeks , up from an average of 1,063 cases per day this time last month .
The newest cases were confirmed among 51,612 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health , setting a testing record for the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
6:50 p.m. Old US Soccer jerseys become unique protective masks Some frontline nurses and doctors battling the coronavirus pandemic head on now have a bit of soccer history for protection .
When a bunch of old U.S. national team soccer jerseys were found in the basement of the Soccer House , a stately old mansion that serves as U.S. Soccer ’ s headquarters in Chicago , the federation ’ s chief medical officer , Dr. George Chiampas , thought they could be put to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , our federation said , ‘ What can we do to use this beautiful game to be able to support frontline workers ?
To disseminate a message to make a difference ?
’ ” said Chiamas , who works at Northwestern Memorial hospital .
5:45 p.m. 1 in 5 nursing homes short on PPE and staff in coronavirus rebound One in five U.S. nursing homes faced severe shortages of protective gear like N95 masks this summer even as the Trump administration pledged to help , according to a study released Thursday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also struggled to keep staff .
Significantly , there was no improvement from May to July in the shortages of personal protective equipment , known as PPE , or in the staffing shortfalls , according to the analysis of federal data by academic researchers .
The summer has seen the coronavirus surge across the South , and much of the West and Midwest .
People living in long-term care facilities represent less than 1 % of the U.S. population , but account for 43 % of coronavirus deaths , according to the COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been seen with nursing home residents in other countries , but in the U.S. the issue has become politically sensitive for President Donald Trump , who is trying to hang on to support from older voters in his reelection bid .
Two recent incidents involving young children who refused to wear face masks show how airlines are struggling to balance safety with compassionate treatment of all their customers during a pandemic .
JetBlue Airways forced a woman and her six children off a plane this week when her 2-year-old daughter wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was horrible , the whole experience was traumatizing , ” the mother , Chaya Bruck , told the New York Daily News from the airport in Orlando , Florida , where the Brooklyn family was stranded .
Last week , a Texas woman said Southwest Airlines booted her family off a plane after one of the children , a 3-year-old with autism , refused to wear a mask .
Alyssa Sadler said her son became upset because he does not like to have his face touched .
All major U.S. airlines have mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple hundred passengers who have refused to comply .
Typically , the violators are adults who argue that there is no government requirement to wear a mask — there isn ’ t ; the Federal Aviation Administration has declined to impose one , leaving it up to the airlines .
Lane senior Theo Canji was excited to be back practicing with his cross-country team on Wednesday , but there is no way to fully escape from COVID-19 concerns .
“ I ’ m worried , ” Canji said .
“ I really don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my parents .
We try to keep our distance and wear our masks .
The danger is very real and present and something that I think about a lot .
“ We run in a small group of seven and we ’ ve been training together since it all started .
So I feel like when we are alone in our group working out it is a little bit less of a concern .
But around all these other people that I have never seen before it is a little different.
” Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more turmoil than any other high school athletes in the country over the last year .
Read the full story by Michael O ’ Brien here .
The James Beard Foundation on Thursday announced it will not be announcing 2020 chef and restaurant winners due to the COVID-19 pandemic ’ s devastating impact on the industry .
The recipients of the annual awards for outstanding achievement in 23 categories — often referred to as “ the Oscars of the culinary world ” — were scheduled to be announced via Twitter in a live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead , the 2020 ceremony will now celebrate previously announced honorees in the categories of America ’ s Classics , Lifetime Achievement , Humanitarian of the Year , Design Icon , and Leadership Awards .
This year ’ s list of Chicago finalists included a “ clean sweep ” in the category of best chef Great Lakes region , with Gene Kato of Momotaro , Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe , Noah Sandoval of Oriole , John Shields and Karen Urie Shields of Smyth , Erick Williams of Virtue , and Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prestigious honor .
Read the full story by Miriam Di Nunzio here .
1 p.m .
Youth programs could deter gun violence as pandemic closes schools , coach says Since June 22 , five children 10 years old or younger have died from gun violence in Chicago , according to Sun-Times records .
Ernest Radcliffe , the founder and director of several youth sports programs , including “ The Show ” baseball team and Wolfpack football , called the recent fatal shootings involving minors “ disturbing ” and “ troubling.
” “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to step up , ” he said .
“ It ’ s a proven fact that if we capture our youth at a young age and put them in something that ’ s very positive , put them in youth sports , that they will prosper and move on to be better people.
” Radcliffe asked for more funding and proper resources to help the youth sports organizations connect with children and teens throughout the city .
This is especially paramount now , Wolfpack coach Rynell Morgan said , with the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ With the pandemic that ’ s going on throughout the country and throughout the world , it is very important that we have programs for these kids to do something , ” Morgan said .
Radcliffe also called on the YMCA and Park District to bring back their youth programming amid the pandemic .
Read the full story from Madeline Kenney here .
One year ago Friday , Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt peered over a large birthday cake and blew out her special “ 1-0-0 ” candles burning in front of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Student Center .
It was the party of the century — at least in Sister Jean ’ s eyes .
There was cake , appearances by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker along with other prominent Illinoisans , and a star-studded video tribute featuring NBA legend Charles Barkley , Bears owner Virginia McCaskey and former Cubs manager Joe Maddon among many others .
But what made it extremely special , she said , was the opportunity to share her 100th birthday with the Loyola community of students , faculty and alumni .
Due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the same this year when Sister Jean celebrates her 101st birthday , a milestone she said she wasn ’ t sure she ’ d reach .
But they ’ re going to do what she believes is the next best thing — hold a virtual birthday party Friday .
And Loyola ’ s No .
1 fan is welcoming everyone to be part of her special day .
See more of Madeline Kenney ’ s conversation with Sister Jean here .
7:28 a.m. Eviction risk of 250K Cook County homes if state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dart warns Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Wednesday urged Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to extend the state ’ s evictions moratorium past the expiration date this weekend as residents await funding assistance that is still being doled out .
In a letter to Pritzker and Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans , Dart warned that not extending the moratorium past Saturday would put as many as 250,000 households in the county at risk of eviction .
Evicting residents during the COVID-19 pandemic , Dart wrote , would force them to go to homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families , increasing the risk of exposure in the community .
“ Like you , I have been tremendously concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic , not just on the health and safety of residents , but on the economic future of the entire community , ” Dart wrote .
“ The evictions moratorium set to expire on August 22nd has been a critical component of ensuring economic stability along with government efforts to aid both tenants and property owners.
” • Illinois ’ coronavirus climb took another dangerous step up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,295 Illinoisans have contracted COVID-19 , the latest nearly three-month high for the state .
• The newest cases were confirmed among a record-high 50,299 tests reported to the state , but they were still enough to raise Illinois ’ testing positivity rate over the last week to 4.4 % , the number experts look to to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading .
It had been down to 2.5 % last month .
5:40 p.m. My dreams of a birthday celebration , deferred by COVID-19 August is my birthday month .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumed the coronavirus would pass over us eventually like a thunderstorm , I planned a celebration in my head .
I imagined summer sunshine renewing Chicago .
No more hibernation , no more quarantine .
I anticipated singing and dancing to “ Everybody Rejoice ” from “ The Wiz.
” Because our silent fear and dread is gone Freedom , you see , has got our hearts singing so joyfully Just look about You owe it to yourself to check it out The last line is the chorus , sung repeatedly .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , walking outside without social distancing and the return of social gatherings .
I dreamed of inviting friends to come on the second Sunday in August to the Stony Island Arts Bank in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood , where DJ Duane Powell spins a soulful mix of house music at a day party called Sunday Service .
Read the full column by Natalie Y. Moore here .
In a letter to the Sun-Times editors , Muriel Balla of Hyde Park writes : I ’ m not surprised the Chicago Teachers Union objects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented by the Chicago Public Schools .
I , too , object .
The CPS press release says nothing about additional staff needed to implement remote learning .
Nor does it address any of the following : Has free wifi been made available on every block in Chicago ?
Does every CPS family have at least one computer ?
If the answers to those two questions are not “ yes , ” then how many children are being left out of CPS ’ remote learning plan ?
I spent almost six hours on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school reunion and two organization meetings on the same day .
I could barely sit through all that ; I found myself frequently jumping up and walking around and away .
CPS ’ so-called plans for older elementary and high school students are laughable .
Read this and more letters from Sun-Times readers here .

In cases submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois tested a record number of people, which is a record for the second straight day.The state positivity rate remained at 4.4%, but that number has increased over the last four weeks even as the nationwide rate has gone down. Chicago is at 5.1% positivity and suburban Cook County at 6.4%, which is just short of the 8% threshold set by the state. The southern Illinois region is in the same boat, at 7.4%.
Here is what happened today in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
9 p.m. Precautions urged to stop run of four-digit COVID-19 caseloads and ‘prevent us from getting into a very bad spot’
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Health officials on Thursday announced 1,832 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 across Illinois, another four-digit caseload that has become the norm as the virus flares back up statewide.
Illinois has reported an average of 1,807 new cases per day over the last two weeks, up from an average of 1,063 cases per day this time last month.
The newest cases were confirmed among 51,612 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, setting a testing record for the state for a second straight day.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
8:35 p.m. Catholic school teachers ‘terrified,’ call on archdiocese to move school fully online
A group representing hundreds of teachers and parents with the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools Thursday called for all fall classes at the parochial school system to be held online.
“Now is the wrong time to gather hundreds of human beings into enclosed spaces,” James Cahill, a history and religion teacher at Wilmette’s St. Francis Xavier School, said at a news conference outside the archdiocese’s downtown offices, at 835 N. Rush St.
“The decision to do so boggles the mind, defies science and potentially endangers the lives of students, teachers, staff, and all of our families and communities.”
In an email to families earlier this month, Catholic Schools Supt. Jim Rigg said the archdiocese is starting the school year with full-time in-person learning, saying it’s “in the best interests of children and our mission.”
Read the full story by Clare Proctor here.
8 p.m. AMC Theaters reopens its doors, cautiously
The doors to the AMC Waterfront 22 were locked. They had been for five months, along with most indoor theaters in the U.S. because of COVID-19. But in 20 minutes that was about to change and four people in masks were already gathered outside the theater eight miles southeast of Pittsburgh in eager anticipation. They were there to see the Vin Diesel movie “Bloodshot” for 15 cents a ticket. After so many months, 20 extra minutes didn’t seem like all that long to wait.
The lights started slowing coming back on in theaters nationwide Thursday with AMC Theaters, the country’s largest chain, leading the charge.
AMC opened some 113 locations across the U.S., including several in the Chicago area, advertising retro pricing and retro screenings to entice audiences back to the movies. Regal, the second largest exhibitor, is following suit Friday.
Read the full story here.
6:50 p.m. Old US Soccer jerseys become unique protective masks
Some frontline nurses and doctors battling the coronavirus pandemic head on now have a bit of soccer history for protection.
When a bunch of old U.S. national team soccer jerseys were found in the basement of the Soccer House, a stately old mansion that serves as U.S. Soccer’s headquarters in Chicago, the federation’s chief medical officer, Dr. George Chiampas, thought they could be put to a unique use.
“Several of our staff, our federation said, ‘What can we do to use this beautiful game to be able to support frontline workers? To disseminate a message to make a difference?’” said Chiamas, who works at Northwestern Memorial hospital.
Read the full story here.
5:45 p.m. 1 in 5 nursing homes short on PPE and staff in coronavirus rebound
One in five U.S. nursing homes faced severe shortages of protective gear like N95 masks this summer even as the Trump administration pledged to help, according to a study released Thursday that finds facilities in areas hard-hit by COVID-19 also struggled to keep staff.
Significantly, there was no improvement from May to July in the shortages of personal protective equipment, known as PPE, or in the staffing shortfalls, according to the analysis of federal data by academic researchers. The summer has seen the coronavirus surge across the South, and much of the West and Midwest.
People living in long-term care facilities represent less than 1% of the U.S. population, but account for 43% of coronavirus deaths, according to the COVID Tracking Project. Similar glaring disparities have been seen with nursing home residents in other countries, but in the U.S. the issue has become politically sensitive for President Donald Trump, who is trying to hang on to support from older voters in his reelection bid.
Read the full story here.
4:35 p.m. Young children pose a dilemma for airlines with coronavirus mask rules
Two recent incidents involving young children who refused to wear face masks show how airlines are struggling to balance safety with compassionate treatment of all their customers during a pandemic.
JetBlue Airways forced a woman and her six children off a plane this week when her 2-year-old daughter wouldn’t keep her mask on.
“It was horrible, the whole experience was traumatizing,” the mother, Chaya Bruck, told the New York Daily News from the airport in Orlando, Florida, where the Brooklyn family was stranded.
Last week, a Texas woman said Southwest Airlines booted her family off a plane after one of the children, a 3-year-old with autism, refused to wear a mask. Alyssa Sadler said her son became upset because he does not like to have his face touched.
All major U.S. airlines have mask rules and have banned at least a couple hundred passengers who have refused to comply. Typically, the violators are adults who argue that there is no government requirement to wear a mask — there isn’t; the Federal Aviation Administration has declined to impose one, leaving it up to the airlines.
Read the full story here.
3:45 p.m. CPS starts fall sports practices under strict COVID-19 guidelines
Lane senior Theo Canji was excited to be back practicing with his cross-country team on Wednesday, but there is no way to fully escape from COVID-19 concerns.
“I’m worried,” Canji said. “I really don’t want to give COVID to my parents. We try to keep our distance and wear our masks. The danger is very real and present and something that I think about a lot.
“We run in a small group of seven and we’ve been training together since it all started. So I feel like when we are alone in our group working out it is a little bit less of a concern. But around all these other people that I have never seen before it is a little different.”
Chicago Public Schools runners have likely dealt with more turmoil than any other high school athletes in the country over the last year.
Read the full story by Michael O’Brien here.
2 p.m. James Beard Awards won’t announce 2020 chef, restaurant winners in wake of pandemic
The James Beard Foundation on Thursday announced it will not be announcing 2020 chef and restaurant winners due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on the industry.
The recipients of the annual awards for outstanding achievement in 23 categories — often referred to as “the Oscars of the culinary world” — were scheduled to be announced via Twitter in a live virtual ceremony from Chicago on Sept. 25.
Instead, the 2020 ceremony will now celebrate previously announced honorees in the categories of America’s Classics, Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year, Design Icon, and Leadership Awards.
This year’s list of Chicago finalists included a “clean sweep” in the category of best chef Great Lakes region, with Gene Kato of Momotaro, Jason Hammel of Lula Cafe, Noah Sandoval of Oriole, John Shields and Karen Urie Shields of Smyth, Erick Williams of Virtue, and Lee Wolen of Boka restaurants vying for the prestigious honor.
Read the full story by Miriam Di Nunzio here.
1 p.m. Youth programs could deter gun violence as pandemic closes schools, coach says
Since June 22, five children 10 years old or younger have died from gun violence in Chicago, according to Sun-Times records. Ernest Radcliffe, the founder and director of several youth sports programs, including “The Show” baseball team and Wolfpack football, called the recent fatal shootings involving minors “disturbing” and “troubling.”
“I felt in my heart, I needed to step up,” he said. “It’s a proven fact that if we capture our youth at a young age and put them in something that’s very positive, put them in youth sports, that they will prosper and move on to be better people.”
Radcliffe asked for more funding and proper resources to help the youth sports organizations connect with children and teens throughout the city. This is especially paramount now, Wolfpack coach Rynell Morgan said, with the coronavirus pandemic forcing schools to go online this fall.
“With the pandemic that’s going on throughout the country and throughout the world, it is very important that we have programs for these kids to do something,” Morgan said.
Radcliffe also called on the YMCA and Park District to bring back their youth programming amid the pandemic.
Read the full story from Madeline Kenney here.
11:58 a.m. Sister Jean discusses quarantining, basketball’s fate, life lessons ahead of 101st birthday
One year ago Friday, Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt peered over a large birthday cake and blew out her special “1-0-0” candles burning in front of a crowd of several hundred at Damen Student Center.
It was the party of the century — at least in Sister Jean’s eyes. There was cake, appearances by Gov. J.B. Pritzker along with other prominent Illinoisans, and a star-studded video tribute featuring NBA legend Charles Barkley, Bears owner Virginia McCaskey and former Cubs manager Joe Maddon among many others.
But what made it extremely special, she said, was the opportunity to share her 100th birthday with the Loyola community of students, faculty and alumni.
“It was a wonderful day,” Sister Jean recalled.
Due to the ongoing pandemic, Loyola can’t do the same this year when Sister Jean celebrates her 101st birthday, a milestone she said she wasn’t sure she’d reach. But they’re going to do what she believes is the next best thing — hold a virtual birthday party Friday. And Loyola’s No. 1 fan is welcoming everyone to be part of her special day.
See more of Madeline Kenney’s conversation with Sister Jean here.
7:28 a.m. Eviction risk of 250K Cook County homes if state doesn’t extend moratorium, Sheriff Dart warns
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart Wednesday urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to extend the state’s evictions moratorium past the expiration date this weekend as residents await funding assistance that is still being doled out.
In a letter to Pritzker and Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans, Dart warned that not extending the moratorium past Saturday would put as many as 250,000 households in the county at risk of eviction.
Evicting residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dart wrote, would force them to go to homeless shelters or the homes of friends and families, increasing the risk of exposure in the community.
“Like you, I have been tremendously concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, not just on the health and safety of residents, but on the economic future of the entire community,” Dart wrote. “The evictions moratorium set to expire on August 22nd has been a critical component of ensuring economic stability along with government efforts to aid both tenants and property owners.”
Reporter David Struett has the full story.
New Cases
Five Notre Dame football players test positive for COVID-19.
Illinois’ coronavirus climb took another dangerous step up Wednesday as health officials announced an additional 2,295 Illinoisans have contracted COVID-19, the latest nearly three-month high for the state.
The newest cases were confirmed among a record-high 50,299 tests reported to the state, but they were still enough to raise Illinois’ testing positivity rate over the last week to 4.4%, the number experts look to to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading. It had been down to 2.5% last month.
Analysis & Commentary
5:40 p.m. My dreams of a birthday celebration, deferred by COVID-19
August is my birthday month. Back in April, when I foolishly assumed the coronavirus would pass over us eventually like a thunderstorm, I planned a celebration in my head. I imagined summer sunshine renewing Chicago. No more hibernation, no more quarantine.
I anticipated singing and dancing to “Everybody Rejoice” from “The Wiz.”
Everybody’s glad
Because our silent fear and dread is gone
Freedom, you see, has got our hearts singing so joyfully
Just look about
You owe it to yourself to check it out
Can’t you feel a brand new day?
The last line is the chorus, sung repeatedly. A brand new day symbolized, to me, walking outside without social distancing and the return of social gatherings. I dreamed of inviting friends to come on the second Sunday in August to the Stony Island Arts Bank in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, where DJ Duane Powell spins a soulful mix of house music at a day party called Sunday Service.
Read the full column by Natalie Y. Moore here.
7:53 a.m. Chicago schools plan for remote learning falls woefully short
In a letter to the Sun-Times editors, Muriel Balla of Hyde Park writes:
I’m not surprised the Chicago Teachers Union objects to the fall framework for remote learning presented by the Chicago Public Schools. I, too, object.
The CPS press release says nothing about additional staff needed to implement remote learning. Nor does it address any of the following:
Has free wifi been made available on every block in Chicago? Does every CPS family have at least one computer?
If the answers to those two questions are not “yes,” then how many children are being left out of CPS’ remote learning plan?
I spent almost six hours on Zoom recently. I had a virtual high school reunion and two organization meetings on the same day. I could barely sit through all that; I found myself frequently jumping up and walking around and away. CPS’ so-called plans for older elementary and high school students are laughable.
Read this and more letters from Sun-Times readers here.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--Old US Soccer jerseys become unique protective masks

Some frontline nurses and doctors battling the coronavirus pandemic head on now have a bit of soccer history for protection .
When a bunch of old U.S. national team soccer jerseys were found in the basement of the Soccer House , a stately old mansion that serves as U.S. Soccer ’ s headquarters in Chicago , the federation ’ s chief medical officer , Dr. George Chiampas , thought they could be put to a unique use .
“ Several of our staff , our federation said , ‘ What can we do to use this beautiful game to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disseminate a message to make a difference ?
’ ” said Chiamas , who works at Chicago ’ s Northwestern Memorial hospital .
Enter Melizabeth Santos , a Chicago teacher who had been making masks to protect her family and friends from the coronavirus in the early stages of the pandemic when personal protective equipment was scarce .
“ I got an email from the U.S. Soccer Federation asking how I would feel about helping to collaborate on a project that would take retired jerseys and turn them into masks for first responders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I really was excited about that because I didn ’ t really have the means to be able to provide masks to first responders like I wish I would have been able to.
” Santos said the challenge was taking the polyester jerseys and making them more breathable as a mask , so she used a cotton backing .
She naturally wanted the masks to look good and represent the players who wore the jerseys .
Some of the masks are made to cover N95 masks .
Some 500 masks are being distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One recipient was former D.C. United player-turned doctor Robbie Russell , an emergency room resident in the University of Virginia medical system .
“ I am going to be walking right into the front door of my ( emergency department ) with red , white and blue blazed across my face .
Until I have to put on my heavy duty mask I ’ ll be at my station wearing my US Soccer Federation mask , ” Russell said .
“ It ’ ll be awesome.
” One of Santos ’ takeaways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take lessons from your grandmas on sewing , that there ’ s still a need for it .
”

Some frontline nurses and doctors battling the coronavirus pandemic head on now have a bit of soccer history for protection.
When a bunch of old U.S. national team soccer jerseys were found in the basement of the Soccer House, a stately old mansion that serves as U.S. Soccer’s headquarters in Chicago, the federation’s chief medical officer, Dr. George Chiampas, thought they could be put to a unique use.
“Several of our staff, our federation said, ‘What can we do to use this beautiful game to be able to support frontline workers? To disseminate a message to make a difference?’” said Chiamas, who works at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial hospital.
Enter Melizabeth Santos, a Chicago teacher who had been making masks to protect her family and friends from the coronavirus in the early stages of the pandemic when personal protective equipment was scarce.
“I got an email from the U.S. Soccer Federation asking how I would feel about helping to collaborate on a project that would take retired jerseys and turn them into masks for first responders,” Santos said. “And I really was excited about that because I didn’t really have the means to be able to provide masks to first responders like I wish I would have been able to.”
Santos said the challenge was taking the polyester jerseys and making them more breathable as a mask, so she used a cotton backing. She naturally wanted the masks to look good and represent the players who wore the jerseys. Some of the masks are made to cover N95 masks.
Some 500 masks are being distributed to hospitals, police and fire departments. One recipient was former D.C. United player-turned doctor Robbie Russell, an emergency room resident in the University of Virginia medical system.
Another? Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert.
“I am going to be walking right into the front door of my (emergency department) with red, white and blue blazed across my face. Until I have to put on my heavy duty mask I’ll be at my station wearing my US Soccer Federation mask,” Russell said. “It’ll be awesome.”
One of Santos’ takeaways? “It’s worth it to take lessons from your grandmas on sewing, that there’s still a need for it.”


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--Man found fatally shot in Englewood: police

A man was killed in a shooting Thursday in Englewood on the South Side , police said .
Officers responded @ @ @ @ @ shot about 5 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Marquette Road and found the @ @ @ @ @ a home , Chicago police said .
The man had a gunshot wound to his @ @ @ @ @ at the scene , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ on the death .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A man was killed in a shooting Thursday in Englewood on the South Side.
Officers responded to reports of a person shot about 5 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Marquette Road and found the 29-year-old unresponsive in front of a home, Chicago police said.
The man had a gunshot wound to his face and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Amos Tye of Marquette Park. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--Chicago needs sensible plan to get the lead out of water

Chicago , a leader in so many ways , has not done a good enough job of protecting its residents from lead in its decades-old water pipes .
As other cities turned to safer alternatives , our city kept requiring that service lines be made of lead — until Congress made the city stop in 1986 .
Even tiny amounts of lead can damage children ’ s brains , and the heavy metal has been tied to other health problems as well , such as kidney failure , heart disease , learning disabilities and impaired hearing .
Service lines are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s street mains to homes .
When the city started replacing water mains during Rahm Emanuel ’ s years as mayor , that would have been a good time to replace the service lines , too .
Everything is torn up anyway , and the workers are right there .
But the city didn ’ t replace the service lines , which was worse than an opportunity lost .
Work on the mains can damage the chemical coating that separates the lead in pipes from tap water .
Road work and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The problem is compounded by the number of Chicagoans who were working in buildings with lead-free water before the COVID-19 pandemic struck , but who are now at home drinking out of tainted pipes .
The city also has turned a cold shoulder to a new technology used in Evanston , Rockford , Arlington Heights and Lombard that places liners in street mains instead of digging them up and replacing them , according to a report last year by Block Club Chicago .
Now , the city is looking for a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it right this time , with input from all the stakeholders .
Illinois has one-eighth of the lead service lines in the country , and 300,000 to 500,000 of them are in Chicago , according to the Illinois Environmental Council .
Individuals who try to replace the lines on their own find they have to pay for a variety of the permits that drive the cost into thousands of dollars .
One solution would be for Illinois to create a program to replace lead water pipes around the state .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities , there are hundreds of small water utilities that could use the help .
The best solution would be for the federal government to make lead pipe replacement part of a large nationwide infrastructure bill .
But Chicago needs its own plan in case that bill never materializes .
Water Commissioner Randy Conner and Budget Director Susie Park on Tuesday told aldermen a plan is coming soon .
Let ’ s hope it makes Chicago look like a leader again .

Chicago, a leader in so many ways, has not done a good enough job of protecting its residents from lead in its decades-old water pipes.
As other cities turned to safer alternatives, our city kept requiring that service lines be made of lead — until Congress made the city stop in 1986. Even tiny amounts of lead can damage children’s brains, and the heavy metal has been tied to other health problems as well, such as kidney failure, heart disease, learning disabilities and impaired hearing.
Editorials bug Editorials
Service lines are the pipes that carry water from the city’s street mains to homes. When the city started replacing water mains during Rahm Emanuel’s years as mayor, that would have been a good time to replace the service lines, too. Everything is torn up anyway, and the workers are right there.
But the city didn’t replace the service lines, which was worse than an opportunity lost. Work on the mains can damage the chemical coating that separates the lead in pipes from tap water. Road work and installing water meters can cause similar damage.
The problem is compounded by the number of Chicagoans who were working in buildings with lead-free water before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, but who are now at home drinking out of tainted pipes.
The city also has turned a cold shoulder to a new technology used in Evanston, Rockford, Arlington Heights and Lombard that places liners in street mains instead of digging them up and replacing them, according to a report last year by Block Club Chicago.
Now, the city is looking for a way to fix this problem. It needs to get it right this time, with input from all the stakeholders.
Illinois has one-eighth of the lead service lines in the country, and 300,000 to 500,000 of them are in Chicago, according to the Illinois Environmental Council. Individuals who try to replace the lines on their own find they have to pay for a variety of the permits that drive the cost into thousands of dollars.
One solution would be for Illinois to create a program to replace lead water pipes around the state. In addition to the state’s bigger cities, there are hundreds of small water utilities that could use the help.
The best solution would be for the federal government to make lead pipe replacement part of a large nationwide infrastructure bill. But Chicago needs its own plan in case that bill never materializes.
Water Commissioner Randy Conner and Budget Director Susie Park on Tuesday told aldermen a plan is coming soon.
Let’s hope it makes Chicago look like a leader again.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot talks last year to reporters about lead levels in Chicago’s water before attending a police graduation ceremony at Navy Pier. Fran Spielman/Sun-Times
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--How is corrupt ex-Ald. Danny Solis still a free man? Ed Burke’s lawyers give answer in litany of cou

How is corrupt ex-Ald. Danny Solis still a free man? Ed Burke’s lawyers give answer in litany of court filings

The mystery of corrupt ex-Ald .
Danny Solis ’ fate may have finally been answered Thursday by the man he tried to help the feds put behind bars : indicted Ald .
Edward M. Burke .
In a court filing Thursday , Burke ’ s lawyers wrote that Solis struck what ’ s known as a deferred prosecution deal with federal prosecutors on Jan. 3 , 2019 .
Until now , it hadn ’ t been publicly known whether Solis would face criminal charges after years of cooperating with investigators , who had ensnared Solis in corruption schemes involving Solis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council ’ s zoning committee .
But Burke ’ s lawyers say Solis cut his deal with the feds on the same exact day Chicagoans first learned that Burke had been criminally charged in an attempted extortion scheme .
Later that month , the Chicago Sun-Times first revealed Solis as a government cooperator and detailed the evidence that had been gathered against him .
A deferred-prosecution deal would allow Solis to avoid a criminal conviction that might lead to prison time , providing he complies with the terms of the agreement , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal charges against a defendant are typically dismissed after a period of time .
And that answers a key question political observers have been asking : How has Solis been able to walk free after admitting to corruption while a litany of other Illinois politicians have been charged or are under investigation ?
In their flurry of court filings Thursday , Burke ’ s lawyers also alleged that federal prosecutors withheld crucial information from Chicago ’ s chief federal judge as they sought to eavesdrop on City Hall phone lines , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are asking U.S. District Judge Robert Dow for a hearing over whether the recordings should be suppressed .
It has been more than a year since a blockbuster racketeering indictment accused Burke of using his seat on the Chicago City Council to steer business toward his private tax law firm amid schemes that involved the Old Post Office , a Burger King at 41st and Pulaski Road , and a redevelopment project on the Northwest Side .
Also charged in the indictment were Burke political aide Peter Andrews and developer Charles Cui .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solis .
The indictment revealed that , by August 2018 , authorities had recorded thousands of Burke ’ s phone calls .
Though the investigation of Burke — and the filing of criminal charges — rocked Chicago amid an election that put Lori Lightfoot in the mayor ’ s office , the case has been publicly dormant since then .
Meanwhile , the feds have turned up the heat on other local politicians ; the November 2018 federal raid on Burke ’ s office first revealed what turned out to be multiple , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigations have since led to criminal charges against state Sen. Thomas Cullerton , former state Rep. Luis Arroyo , former state Sen. Martin Sandoval , state Sen. Terry Link and Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta .
Federal prosecutors also filed a bribery case last month against utility company ComEd and , on the same day , fired off a subpoena to House Speaker Michael Madigan .
The grand jury number on the subpoena matched the grand jury number in the Burke case , court records show .
That case also involved a deferred-prosecution agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2021 for a trial in Burke ’ s case , though it is unclear whether that schedule is realistic amid the coronavirus pandemic .
A judge presiding over an unrelated case this week said the Dirksen Federal Courthouse is unable to accommodate three-defendant trials under current COVID-19 safety protocols .

The mystery of corrupt ex-Ald. Danny Solis’ fate may have finally been answered by the man he tried to help the feds put behind bars: indicted Ald. Edward M. Burke.
In a court filing Thursday, Burke’s lawyers wrote that Solis struck what’s known as a deferred-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors on Jan. 3, 2019.
Until now, it hadn’t been publicly known whether Solis would face criminal charges after years of cooperating with investigators, who had ensnared Solis in corruption schemes involving Solis’ role as chair of the City Council’s zoning committee. But Burke’s lawyers say Solis cut his deal with the feds on the same exact day Chicagoans first learned that Burke had been criminally charged in an attempted extortion scheme.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
A deferred-prosecution agreement would allow Solis to avoid a criminal conviction that might lead to prison time, providing he complies with the terms of the agreement, which remain unknown. Under such agreements, criminal charges against a defendant are typically dismissed after a period of time.
And that answers a key question political observers have been asking: How has Solis been able to walk free after admitting to corruption while a litany of other Illinois politicians have been charged or are under investigation?
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment Thursday, as did Solis’ attorney. Though Solis’ name is redacted throughout the court filings, he is known to be the alderman who cooperated against Burke (14th). The Chicago Sun-Times first revealed Solis’ cooperation in January 2019. Later that month, it also detailed the evidence that had been gathered against Solis, the 25th Ward’s former alderman.
In a flurry of court filings Thursday, Burke’s lawyers also alleged that federal prosecutors withheld crucial information from Chicago’s chief federal judge as they sought to eavesdrop on City Hall phone lines, as well as Burke’s cellphone. Burke’s lawyers asked U.S. District Judge Robert Dow for a hearing over whether the recordings should be suppressed.
It has been more than a year since a blockbuster racketeering indictment accused Burke of using his seat on the Chicago City Council to steer business toward his private tax law firm amid schemes that involved the Old Post Office, a Burger King at 41st and Pulaski Road, and a redevelopment project on the Northwest Side.
Also charged in the indictment were Burke political aide Peter Andrews and developer Charles Cui.
Dow reserved time in the middle of 2021 for a trial in Burke’s case, though it is unclear whether that schedule is realistic amid the coronavirus pandemic. A judge presiding over an unrelated case this week said the Dirksen Federal Courthouse is unable to accommodate three-defendant trials under current COVID-19 safety protocols.
Though the filings from Burke’s lawyers shed some new light on the quiet work done by the feds in the earlier days of their public corruption investigations, his lawyers also complained that federal prosecutors have refused to say exactly how the Burke investigation began.
“The government’s investigation seems to spring out of thin air,” they wrote in one filing.
Burke’s lawyers say the feds sought to tap Solis’ cellphone on Sept. 26, 2014, more than a month after Solis had been secretly recorded in a meeting with House Speaker Michael Madigan. The feds listened to Solis’ calls until Aug. 21, 2015, according to the Burke court filings.
Burke’s lawyers said Solis agreed to cooperate with the feds after they confronted him in June 2016. Though Burke’s lawyers repeatedly described Solis as “desperate,” Burke’s team insisted that Solis told prosecutors “he had never been involved in any criminal wrongdoing with Ald. Burke — with whom he had served in the City Council for almost twenty-five years.”
Burke’s lawyers say the investigations of Solis and Burke “apparently intersected” in July 2016, when Solis and Burke attended the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. It was there that Burke’s lawyers say he — along with other politicians — approached Solis about contractors for the Old Post Office renovation. Burke recommended a wrecking company. That, Burke’s lawyers say, appeared to prompt prosecutors to deploy Solis against Burke.
They also say that, on May 1, 2017, the feds sought permission to wiretap six phone lines at the office of the Chicago City Council finance committee, which Burke led. That wiretap was soon expanded, and the feds wound up intercepting 2,185 calls from City Hall phones before abandoning the wiretap on May 31, 2017.
The feds also monitored Burke’s cellphone from May 15, 2017, until Feb. 10, 2018, Burke’s lawyers say. They described it as “the longest wiretap in the United States that concluded in 2018,” and they said the feds wound up recording 9,101 calls between the City Hall and cellphone wiretaps.
Burke’s lawyers say he was targeted by the feds, and that Solis wasn’t the first government cooperator to work against him. They said that, from Feb. 2, 2015, until Aug. 13, 2015, an unnamed cooperator from another federal case in Chicago was “contacting Ald. Burke regularly in an attempt to develop evidence against him.”
“Here, again, the government came up empty-handed, and yet it zealously pressed on,” Burke’s lawyers wrote.
Contributing: Mark Brown


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--Jay-Z, Pharrell to release new song about Black ambition

NEW YORK — Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams have teamed up to release a new song about Black ambition titled “ Entrepreneur.
” The track will be released Friday .
It is in conjunction with TIME ’ s special cover project “ The New American Revolution , ” which was curated by Williams and includes conversations with Angela Davis , Naomi Osaka , Tyler , the Creator and others about the inequalities Black people encounter in the U.S. A preview of “ Entrepreneur ” was made available Thursday .
“ Black Twitter , what ’ s that ?
When Jack gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jay-Z , referring to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey .
“ For every one Gucci , support two FUBU ’ s. ” On the track , Williams sings : “ In this position with no choice/The system imprison young Black boys/Distract with white noise.
” Williams told TIME the song is “ about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with.
” “ Especially as someone of color , there ’ s a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages , ” he continued .
“ How can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even the hope of an ember to start a fire , when you ’ re starting at disadvantages with regards to health care , education , and representation ?
” Jay-Z is the featured artist on Williams ’ song .
“ Entrepreneur ” was produced by the Neptunes , the duo of Williams and longtime collaborator Chad Hugo .
Jay-Z and Williams have collaborated on a number of hit songs throughout the last two decades , including “ I Just Wan na Love U ( Give It 2 Me ) , ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clothes , ” “ Frontin ’ ” and “ Apeshit , ” also featuring Beyoncé .

NEW YORK — Jay-Z and Pharrell Williams have teamed up to release a new song about Black ambition titled “Entrepreneur.”
The track will be released Friday. It is in conjunction with TIME’s special cover project “The New American Revolution,” which was curated by Williams and includes conversations with Angela Davis, Naomi Osaka, Tyler, the Creator and others about the inequalities Black people encounter in the U.S.
A preview of “Entrepreneur” was made available Thursday. “Black Twitter, what’s that? When Jack gets paid, do you?” raps Jay-Z, referring to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. “For every one Gucci, support two FUBU’s.”
On the track, Williams sings: “In this position with no choice/The system imprison young Black boys/Distract with white noise.”
Williams told TIME the song is “about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with.”
“Especially as someone of color, there’s a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages,” he continued. “How can you get a fire started, or even the hope of an ember to start a fire, when you’re starting at disadvantages with regards to health care, education, and representation?”
Jay-Z is the featured artist on Williams’ song. “Entrepreneur” was produced by the Neptunes, the duo of Williams and longtime collaborator Chad Hugo.
Jay-Z and Williams have collaborated on a number of hit songs throughout the last two decades, including “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me),” “Excuse Me Miss,” “Change Clothes,” “Frontin’” and “Apeshit,” also featuring Beyoncé.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-20--Bears notebook: Kevin Toliver is No. 1 ... for now

Kevin Toliver looked like the first in line to replace Prince Amukamara when the Bears decided to cut the veteran cornerback after last season .
Toliver , signed as an undrafted free agent from LSU in 2018 , started against the Cowboys in place of an injured Amukamara in Week 14 and split time with him against the Packers , Chiefs and Vikings in the final month of the season — and appeared to pass the audition .
But then the Bears took Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round of the draft .
“ Oh yeah , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] , ” said Toliver , rated one of the top 10 players in the country coming out of high school in 2015 .
“ I always had a chip on my shoulder since I ’ ve been here .
It ’ s just a competition thing .
I ’ m not afraid of competition.
” That ’ s a good thing , because the Bears gave Toliver plenty of competition in the offseason .
Not only did they draft Johnson as the eventual replacement for Amukamara , but they also signed former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first-round draft pick Artie Burns in free agency .
In fact , with Johnson recovering from offseason shoulder surgery , Burns opened training camp with the first-team defense .
When Burns suffered a torn ACL in the second padded practice Tuesday , Toliver replaced him .
At this point , it seems like only a matter of time before Johnson is healthy and ready to assume the starting job .
Unless Toliver can convince the coaching staff otherwise .
“ That ’ s up to Kevin , ” secondary coach Deshea Townsend said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him about is the mental part of the game .
That ’ s the part of the game that separates you and that ’ s up to him.
” The Bears have given nickel back Buster Skrine reps on the outside in practice and — especially considering the Bears aren ’ t sold on Toliver — he could be an option if Johnson isn ’ t ready .
“ He ’ s capable of playing outside , ” Townsend said .
“ He ’ s a fantastic player .
He plays the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na give you his all every day — that ’ s all you can ask for .
Buster is a true defensive back that sometimes gets type-cast as a nickel.
” Outside linebacker Robert Quinn did not participate in team drills again Thursday , but he is not injured , coach Matt Nagy said .
Like Khalil Mack , Quinn is being eased into full practice participation .
“ Just a complete ramp-up , ” Nagy said .
“ For [ Quinn ] , he ’ s at a point where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
You ’ ll start seeing him more and more .
We ’ re really excited for what he ’ s gon na bring to this defense .
The same with Khalil.
” The Bears put Burns on injured reserve and signed former Vikings receiver Rodney Adams .
A fifth-round draft pick from South Florida in 2017 , Adams spent his rookie season on the practice squad .
The Colts signed him in 2018 , but he opted to retire prior to the season .

Kevin Toliver looked like the first in line to replace Prince Amukamara when the Bears decided to cut the veteran cornerback after last season.
Toliver, signed as an undrafted free agent out of LSU in 2018, started against the Cowboys in place of an injured Amukamara in Week 14 last season and split time with him against the Packers, Chiefs and Vikings in the final month. He appeared to have passed the audition.
But then the Bears took Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson in the second round of the draft.
“Oh, yeah, I was motivated a lot [by that],” said Toliver, who was rated one of the top 10 players in the country coming out of high school in 2015. “I always had a chip on my shoulder since I’ve been here. It’s just a competition thing. I’m not afraid of competition.”
That’s a good thing, because the Bears gave Toliver plenty of it in the offseason. Not only did they draft Johnson as the eventual replacement for Amukamara, but they also signed former CFL cornerback Tre Roberson and former Steelers first-round pick Artie Burns in free agency. In fact, with Johnson recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Burns opened training camp with the first-team defense. When Burns tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the second padded practice Tuesday, Toliver replaced him.
At this point, it seems like only a matter of time before Johnson is healthy and ready to assume the starting job. Unless Toliver can convince the coaches otherwise.
Toliver said he tried to improve his game by spending time in the safeties meetings in the offseason.
“Just learning other positions,” he said. “Learning what everyone else has around me. Learning where my help is at. That just makes the game go slower, so I feel like I have an advantage there.”
Teachable moment
Mitch Trubisky stepped out of bounds for a sack during a goal-line drill, a mistake a fourth-year quarterback isn’t supposed to make.
“When you have first-and-goal from the 1 … when you are on a scramble, you have to throw that ball away. He knows that,” coach Matt Nagy said. “We told him that. Those are critical errors that we can’t have. He’s not going to do that again.”
Quinn ramping up
Outside linebacker Robert Quinn didn’t participate in team drills again Thursday, but he isn’t injured, Nagy said. Like Khalil Mack, Quinn is being eased into full practice participation.
“Just a complete ramp-up,” Nagy said. “For [Quinn], he’s at a point where we just feel like we want to do that. You’ll start seeing him more and more. We’re really excited for what he’s gonna bring to this defense.”
Bears add WR Adams
The Bears put Burns on injured reserve and signed former Vikings receiver Rodney Adams. A fifth-round draft pick from South Florida in 2017, he spent his rookie season on the Vikings’ practice squad. The Colts signed him in 2018, but he opted to retire before that season.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-21--Year of Lehner: Blackhawks’ 2019-20 season revolved, from start to end, around Robin Lehner

Few stints with an NHL team follow as comprehensive and complete a story arc as Robin Lehner ’ s 2019-20 season with the Blackhawks .
Lehner joined the Hawks , changed the Hawks , nearly saved the Hawks , was dumped by the Hawks , then — in the fairest way possible — ended the Hawks .
The Golden Knights goalie ’ s handshake-line hugs Tuesday night with his old teammates were some of the most heartwarming moments of the season .
He and Corey Crawford exchanged several sentences ; he and Kirby Dach smiled broadly in embrace .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most fascinating , honest , sometimes controversial interviews , Lehner ’ s final — likely parting — words about the Hawks were as classy as a five-course meal .
“ It felt really nice for me to close this out because it ’ s a bit weird playing your old teams , especially that group , ” he said after Vegas ’ Game 5 win .
“ That group is a hell of a group .
They treated me really well .
[ I ’ ve ] got a lot of friends on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m ] all about love for that organization.
” The Hawks meeting Lehner in the playoffs was fitting .
Lehner ’ s excellent play in four starts in the series , helping kill off the Hawks , was most fitting of all .
Still , it ’ s strange to realize that , a year ago , Lehner hadn ’ t played a single minute for the Hawks .
His tenure in Chicago lasted only eight months , from general manager Stan Bowman signing him as a free agent on July 1 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas at the deadline on Feb. 24 .
He made only 31 regular-season starts during those eight months , too .
He had a 16-10-5 record and .918 save percentage .
This Hawks season can nonetheless be termed as nothing less than the “ Year of Lehner.
” For starters , those basic stats vastly understate just how good Lehner was .
If not for his oft-documented shootout woes — a comically egregious flaw in his otherwise impeccable résumé — and the Hawks ’ defensive woes in front of him , his record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .500 .
And his raw save percentage actually stood at .924 on Jan. 20 , his peak before concerns about his stalled contract negotiations began affecting his play .
In fact , in terms of goals saved vs. expected , Lehner was the NHL ’ s third-best goalie between Opening Day and Jan. 20 .
He almost single-handedly pushed the Hawks into the playoff race during that time , eventually keeping them close enough that the postseason expansion to 24 teams scooped them up .
His role in the Hawks ’ team chemistry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mentored ) Alex Nylander with his family .
He supported the team after discouraging losses and kept them in line through distractions .
His loud voice boomed through every locker room , from the Hawks ’ plush United Center digs to the spartan visitors ’ room in Calgary .
“ I told him many times that he helped me as a captain , ” Jonathan Toews said the day after he was traded .
“ He helped some of our veteran guys that have been here a long time wake up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players and good leaders.
” Even — perhaps especially — with the media , Lehner dominated the year .
He always answered questions thoughtfully and honestly .
He directly confronted commentary he disagreed with .
In a sport that encourages cookie-cutter personalities , Lehner was unabashedly his unique self .
After every game , after wading through the well-meaning clichés of the other provided players , Lehner was already sitting there , waiting and ready to provide the real analysis of the night .
Lehner will be an unrestricted free agent after this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Hawks seems impossible , though , considering the team ’ s already-crunched cap situation as well as Lehner ’ s clearly frayed relationship with Bowman .
So 2019-20 will go down as the Hawks ’ lone Year of Lehner .
Considering how perfectly his narrative went full circle , though , maybe it ’ s for the best .

Few stints with an NHL team follow as comprehensive and complete a story arc as Robin Lehner’s 2019-20 season with the Blackhawks.
Lehner joined the Hawks, changed the Hawks, nearly saved the Hawks, was dumped by the Hawks, then — in the fairest way possible — ended the Hawks.
The Golden Knights goalie’s handshake-line hugs Tuesday night with his old teammates were some of the most heartwarming moments of the season.
He and Corey Crawford exchanged several sentences; he and Kirby Dach smiled broadly in embrace.
And after a year of some of the most fascinating, honest, sometimes controversial interviews, Lehner’s final — likely parting — words about the Hawks were as classy as a five-course meal.
“It felt really nice for me to close this out because it’s a bit weird playing your old teams, especially that group,” he said after Vegas’ Game 5 win. “That group is a hell of a group. They treated me really well. [I’ve] got a lot of friends on that team, and [I’m] all about love for that organization.”
The Hawks meeting Lehner in the playoffs was fitting.
Lehner’s excellent play in four starts in the series, helping kill off the Hawks, was most fitting of all.
Robin Lehner and Patrick Kane hug in the handshake line Tuesday. Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP
Still, it’s strange to realize that, a year ago, Lehner hadn’t played a single minute for the Hawks.
His tenure in Chicago lasted only eight months, from general manager Stan Bowman signing him as a free agent on July 1, 2019, to Bowman trading him to Vegas at the deadline on Feb. 24.
He made only 31 regular-season starts during those eight months, too. He had a 16-10-5 record and .918 save percentage.
This Hawks season can nonetheless be termed as nothing less than the “Year of Lehner.”
For starters, those basic stats vastly understate just how good Lehner was. If not for his oft-documented shootout woes — a comically egregious flaw in his otherwise impeccable résumé — and the Hawks’ defensive woes in front of him, his record would’ve been much further above .500.
And his raw save percentage actually stood at .924 on Jan. 20, his peak before concerns about his stalled contract negotiations began affecting his play. In fact, in terms of goals saved vs. expected, Lehner was the NHL’s third-best goalie between Opening Day and Jan. 20.
He almost single-handedly pushed the Hawks into the playoff race during that time, eventually keeping them close enough that the postseason expansion to 24 teams scooped them up.
No matter what body position was necessary to make the save, Robin Lehner usually correctly identified it. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP
His role in the Hawks’ team chemistry was arguably bigger.
He housed (and mentored) Alex Nylander with his family. He supported the team after discouraging losses and kept them in line through distractions. His loud voice boomed through every locker room, from the Hawks’ plush United Center digs to the spartan visitors’ room in Calgary.
“I told him many times that he helped me as a captain,” Jonathan Toews said the day after he was traded. “He helped some of our veteran guys that have been here a long time wake up to get back to what makes us good players and good leaders.”
Even — perhaps especially — with the media, Lehner dominated the year.
He always answered questions thoughtfully and honestly. He directly confronted commentary he disagreed with. In a sport that encourages cookie-cutter personalities, Lehner was unabashedly his unique self.
After every game, after wading through the well-meaning clichés of the other provided players, Lehner was already sitting there, waiting and ready to provide the real analysis of the night.
Lehner will be an unrestricted free agent after this Vegas playoff run ends. A return to the Hawks seems impossible, though, considering the team’s already-crunched cap situation as well as Lehner’s clearly frayed relationship with Bowman.
So 2019-20 will go down as the Hawks’ lone Year of Lehner. Considering how perfectly his narrative went full circle, though, maybe it’s for the best.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-21--Dear Abby: Neighbor wants a relationship, but man thinks she’s too old

DEAR ABBY : Last night I visited my 47-year-old son .
After a 23-year marriage , he is going through a nasty divorce .
While I was there , he asked my opinion about what he should do regarding a “ situation.
” A 62-year-old female divorced neighbor , who looks much younger , befriended him , and they ’ ve been having sex and spending time together for several months .
She hasn ’ t been in any relationships for two years .
He told her he ’ s not interested in a permanent relationship because he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but he told me the real reason is their age difference .
She told him she wants to continue , hoping it will lead to something permanent .
He wants to be friends with benefits but doesn ’ t want to hurt her feelings by telling her this .
He ’ s a decent guy and feels he ’ s being deceptive .
I suggested he be honest and tell her it ’ s because of the age difference .
What do you recommend ?
— MOM IN THE MIDDLE DEAR MOM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt the woman ’ s feelings less if he monopolizes her for months — or more — and breaks the news later ?
For some people , a 15-year age difference is no big deal .
But the longer this arrangement continues , the more hurt she will be when she finds out how much it matters to him .
I agree with you .
Honesty is the best policy .
And you know what ?
If she ’ s as worldly as I suspect she may be , she may agree to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is .
DEAR ABBY : I am a quilter .
I have created hundreds of quilts as gifts for friends and family over the last 30 years .
Earlier this year , my husband ’ s uncle passed away , and my mother-in-law brought his quilt over and gave it back to me .
When my mother passed recently , I was given her quilt back , too .
Looking at them makes me sad , but I can ’ t bear to just throw them away .
My question is , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what can I say to people about not returning these gifts I made without hurting their feelings at the time they ’ ve lost their loved ones ?
— HURT IN CALIFORNIA DEAR HURT : This is the first I have heard about returning personal gifts to the givers after someone passes away , and frankly , I am surprised .
I wonder if the same would be true of gifts of expensive jewelry or clothing ?
If it happens again , all you have to say is how sorry you are for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you don ’ t “ need ” the quilt back and suggest it be donated to a hospital , nursing home , senior center or orphanage .
Consider contacting a local church for information on where they might be needed .
As to what to say to these grieving relatives , remember that when a gift is given , it is the recipient ’ s — or the recipient ’ s survivors — to do with as they wish .
Try not to take it so personally .
DEAR ABBY : What do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 months after our first encounter and wants to know if I want to “ see ” him again ?
He didn ’ t mention going to dinner or a movie or anything — just seeing each other every 10 days or so .
— UNDECIDED IN FLORIDA DEAR UNDECIDED : I ’ m not you , but this is what I would say : “ What do you have in mind ?
A hike ?
A picnic at the beach ?
A socially distanced dinner ?
” And if his answer isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for sex , I ’ d pass .
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: Last night I visited my 47-year-old son. After a 23-year marriage, he is going through a nasty divorce. While I was there, he asked my opinion about what he should do regarding a “situation.”
A 62-year-old female divorced neighbor, who looks much younger, befriended him, and they’ve been having sex and spending time together for several months. She hasn’t been in any relationships for two years.
He told her he’s not interested in a permanent relationship because he’s still not in a good emotional place, but he told me the real reason is their age difference. She told him she wants to continue, hoping it will lead to something permanent. He wants to be friends with benefits but doesn’t want to hurt her feelings by telling her this.
He’s a decent guy and feels he’s being deceptive. I suggested he be honest and tell her it’s because of the age difference. What do you recommend? — MOM IN THE MIDDLE
DEAR MOM: Does your son think it will hurt the woman’s feelings less if he monopolizes her for months — or more — and breaks the news later? For some people, a 15-year age difference is no big deal. But the longer this arrangement continues, the more hurt she will be when she finds out how much it matters to him.
I agree with you. Honesty is the best policy. And you know what? If she’s as worldly as I suspect she may be, she may agree to continue the arrangement just the way it is.
DEAR ABBY: I am a quilter. I have created hundreds of quilts as gifts for friends and family over the last 30 years.
Earlier this year, my husband’s uncle passed away, and my mother-in-law brought his quilt over and gave it back to me. When my mother passed recently, I was given her quilt back, too. Looking at them makes me sad, but I can’t bear to just throw them away.
My question is, what do I do with them? And what can I say to people about not returning these gifts I made without hurting their feelings at the time they’ve lost their loved ones? — HURT IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR HURT: This is the first I have heard about returning personal gifts to the givers after someone passes away, and frankly, I am surprised. I wonder if the same would be true of gifts of expensive jewelry or clothing?
If it happens again, all you have to say is how sorry you are for the person’s loss but that you don’t “need” the quilt back and suggest it be donated to a hospital, nursing home, senior center or orphanage. Consider contacting a local church for information on where they might be needed.
As to what to say to these grieving relatives, remember that when a gift is given, it is the recipient’s — or the recipient’s survivors — to do with as they wish. Try not to take it so personally.
DEAR ABBY: What do you say to a guy who resurfaces 10 months after our first encounter and wants to know if I want to “see” him again? He didn’t mention going to dinner or a movie or anything — just seeing each other every 10 days or so. — UNDECIDED IN FLORIDA
DEAR UNDECIDED: I’m not you, but this is what I would say: “What do you have in mind? A hike? A picnic at the beach? A socially distanced dinner?” And if his answer isn’t something more than getting together for sex, I’d pass.
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--2020-08-21--Robbers pose as police officers on NW Side

Police are warning residents about a series of robberies since last week by suspects posing as police officers in Albany Park , Belmont Central and Avondale on the Northwest Side .
In each case , a man pulled up in a black vehicle , pointed a flashlight at the victim and demanded the person ’ s ID or wallet , according to a community alert from Chicago police .
The victims complied , believing the robber was a police officer , police said .
The suspect then took money from the wallets and fled .
• About 12:20 a.m. Aug. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of North Allen Avenue ; • About 1 p.m. Aug. 16 in the 2500 block of North Mango Avenue ; and • About 10:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the 4800 block of North Troy Street .
The suspect in one case was described as a man between 25 and 30 years old , standing between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 to 160 pounds , according to police .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

Police are warning residents about a series of robberies since last week by suspects posing as police officers in Albany Park, Belmont Central and Avondale on the Northwest Side.
In each case, a man pulled up in a black vehicle, pointed a flashlight at the victim and demanded the person’s ID or wallet, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The victims complied, believing the robber was a police officer, police said. The suspect then took money from the wallets and fled.
The hold-ups occurred:
About 12:20 a.m. Aug. 20 in the 3000 and 2900 blocks of North Allen Avenue;
About 1 p.m. Aug. 16 in the 2500 block of North Mango Avenue; and
About 10:30 p.m. Aug. 14 in the 4800 block of North Troy Street.
The suspect in one case was described as a man between 25 and 30 years old, standing between 5-foot-5 and 5-foot-7 and weighing 150 to 160 pounds, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five detectives at 312-746-7394.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.