chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--Chicago should legalize coach houses, new  report concludes

Chicago could increase its stock of affordable housing and invigorate its neighborhoods by lifting its longtime ban on coach houses and similar dwelling units , a group of real estate experts and urban planners said in a report to be released Thursday .
The report by Urban Land Institute Chicago called on city officials to streamline the permitting process and take other steps to encourage construction of the units , which can be freestanding or additions to a property ’ s main building .
The units are often called carriage houses , granny flats or in-law apartments .
To policymakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ units , or ADUs .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said she supports allowing ADUs where they are wanted .
Her administration plans to introduce an ordinance lifting the ban on ADUs while providing controls on their design .
With city government focused on the pandemic , it ’ s unclear when the City Council will take up the subject .
Accessory housing would increase density .
It ’ s not known if that ’ s an easy argument to make in an age of social distancing , particularly when ADUs can carry a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ramshackle housing .
Many other examples are well built .
“ The administration ’ s proposed ADU ordinance is not only a way to increase available housing throughout Chicago , it is also a safety and stimulus effort , designed to allow for very gentle density within existing neighborhood character , ” Lightfoot ’ s Department of Housing said .
“ In fact , if ever the need arises again , ADUs will create a type of density that could allow for multi-generational households to remain close , but also create options for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach house on the same property.
” The ULI Chicago report touched on the pandemic in its conclusion .
“ The need for safe and affordable housing is likely to increase as more households in the Chicago region face unemployment and rising economic uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic , ” it said .
“ Accessory Dwelling Units provide an innovative way for Chicago to address the growing housing challenge by adding to its inventory of affordable housing , providing financial stability for homeowners and by energizing neighborhoods.
” ADUs have been banned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its zoning code .
Many such units exist and were either added illegally or were grandfathered as legal in the 1957 code .
The report cited data published on the Chicago Cityscape blog that used building footprints to estimate Chicago has 2,400 coach houses .
The report recommended ADUs be allowed in any residential zoning district , and in multi-family buildings that have ground-floor commercial space .
It suggests guidelines for setbacks , preservation of backyard space and other design issues .
The units typically are a basement apartment or a building at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking is they can be rented for less than the prevailing market rate .
The report said cities such as Minneapolis , Los Angeles and Austin , Texas , are expanding ADUs .
Compiled by a committee of more than 75 contributors that included city officials , the report said allowing ADUs would help young renters and seniors who want to downsize but stay in their neighborhood .
It also cited evidence Chicago has been losing its supply of two- to four-flats , which have served as a source of cheaper apartments .

Chicago could increase its stock of affordable housing and invigorate its neighborhoods by lifting its longtime ban on coach houses and similar dwelling units, a group of real estate experts and urban planners said in a report to be released Thursday.
The report by Urban Land Institute Chicago called on city officials to streamline the permitting process and take other steps to encourage construction of the units, which can be freestanding or additions to a property’s main building. The units are often called carriage houses, granny flats or in-law apartments.
To policymakers, the formal name is accessory dwelling units, or ADUs. Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said she supports allowing ADUs where they are wanted.
Her administration plans to introduce an ordinance lifting the ban on ADUs while providing controls on their design. With city government focused on the pandemic, it’s unclear when the City Council will take up the subject.
Accessory housing would increase density. It’s not known if that’s an easy argument to make in an age of social distancing, particularly when ADUs can carry a bad reputation for being poorly designed, ramshackle housing. Many other examples are well built.
“The administration’s proposed ADU ordinance is not only a way to increase available housing throughout Chicago, it is also a safety and stimulus effort, designed to allow for very gentle density within existing neighborhood character,” Lightfoot’s Department of Housing said. “In fact, if ever the need arises again, ADUs will create a type of density that could allow for multi-generational households to remain close, but also create options for social distancing in a basement unit or coach house on the same property.”
The ULI Chicago report touched on the pandemic in its conclusion. “The need for safe and affordable housing is likely to increase as more households in the Chicago region face unemployment and rising economic uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” it said. “Accessory Dwelling Units provide an innovative way for Chicago to address the growing housing challenge by adding to its inventory of affordable housing, providing financial stability for homeowners and by energizing neighborhoods.”
ADUs have been banned in Chicago since a 1957 rewrite of its zoning code. Many such units exist and were either added illegally or were grandfathered as legal in the 1957 code. The report cited data published on the Chicago Cityscape blog that used building footprints to estimate Chicago has 2,400 coach houses.
The report recommended ADUs be allowed in any residential zoning district, and in multi-family buildings that have ground-floor commercial space. It suggests guidelines for setbacks, preservation of backyard space and other design issues.
The units typically are a basement apartment or a building at the rear of a lot. The thinking is they can be rented for less than the prevailing market rate. The report said cities such as Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, are expanding ADUs.
Compiled by a committee of more than 75 contributors that included city officials, the report said allowing ADUs would help young renters and seniors who want to downsize but stay in their neighborhood. It also cited evidence Chicago has been losing its supply of two- to four-flats, which have served as a source of cheaper apartments.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--Homeless students’ families thankful after strangers gift computers: ‘It’s a laptop, and it’s ours’

When Margaret Bingham and her daughter Mariah shared their experience as a homeless Chicago Public Schools family during the coronavirus pandemic , they never imagined how many strangers would offer to lend a hand .
They ’ ve received gift cards for groceries , school supplies , a new laptop for Mariah to do her homework and even an offer from a bus driver to give them rides whenever they can ’ t pay for one .
But the part that has made Margaret happiest is seeing their life story cause an outpouring of resources to the Chicago Coalition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar circumstances .
“ It feels great because it helps a lot of parents who are doubled up with other families and have problems with their children , ” Margaret , 56 , said Wednesday .
“ It ’ s been really good , I appreciate it.
” The mother and daughter recounted their struggles and perseverance living without a permanent home in a Chicago Sun-Times story last month , and described how COVID-19 has made life and school that much harder .
Mariah , 11 , is in fifth grade and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools .
She ’ s one of 17,000 CPS students experiencing homelessness , and she and her mom are both diabetic and asthmatic .
At the time , Mariah , with only a cellphone , said she feared she could fail her classes .
Alyssa Phillips , an education attorney with the homeless coalition , said the public response to Margaret and Mariah ’ s experience was immediate .
A stream of people started reaching out the day the story was published — and continued for weeks — to donate laptops , school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tutoring , and a sock company , Bombas , sent Mariah new socks .
In all , the coalition received 31 laptops and $ 1,395 in gift cards for the homeless families the organization supports .
“ We just kept receiving emails from folks about how touched they were by Mariah and Margaret , and how they just didn ’ t realize what was going on , that there were these kids who are struggling so much , ” Phillips said .
“ They just kept saying they were so touched and wanted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could.
” CPS on its own lent out 102,000 laptops and tablets the past three weeks after the district started remote learning last month with one in three students without computer access .
A few days after Mariah shared her story , CPS also announced it would loan 12,000 mobile internet hotspot devices to students who are homeless .
Bisma Shoukat , a coalition community organizer who has worked with Margaret and Mariah for two years , said she was overwhelmed to see their experience resonate to the level it did .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know ?
But sometimes people don ’ t relate to issues , they relate to people ’ s stories and emotions , ” Shoukat said .
One of the first people who reached out to help ended up donating Mariah ’ s new laptop .
And then more kept coming .
“ All the other calls we got we were like , ‘ OK , Mariah ’ s taken care of , but there are all these other families we work with , ’ ” Shoukat said .
“ And these individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got it , let me send this , please.
’ ” Shoukat and another coalition worker have distributed the laptops over the past few weeks .
She said the families who have received them have been thankful and crying because the laptops will also help the parents fill out housing and other applications .
April Harris , a mother of two CPS kids aged 10 and 13 , said she was in tears when she found out her son Gregory and daughter Madison would be getting a laptop .
Another CPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a laptop Wednesday from the coalition .
“ They still can ’ t believe that they have a computer , ” Harris said Wednesday evening , after Shoukat dropped off donations to the family .
“ They think it ’ s so cool , it ’ s so awesome .
And they ’ re truly thankful to Margaret and her daughter for sharing their story and we ’ re truly thankful for the public for blessing us with a computer .
It ’ s a laptop , and it ’ s ours.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years has become involved with the coalition as a grassroots organizer sharing her story to inspire other parents .
“ This was such a tangible way where Margaret knew she was really helping people , ” Phillips said .
“ Having this pandemic has really highlighted just how fragile our systems are , that our social safety nets aren ’ t really sufficient to protect the most vulnerable people , ” Phillips said .
“ And I think their story really highlighted that .
“ I ’ m hopeful that people will see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t shelter in place if you don ’ t have an adequate shelter .
It ’ s becoming abundantly clear that this isn ’ t something you can just ignore.
” Margaret said the resources have a been a big help in allowing Mariah to keep up with homework and putting food on the table .
Margaret is also going to use one of the gift cards to buy a cellphone after hers broke .
“ It ’ s really helping her out good .
She ’ s using her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s so happy about it she won ’ t let me use it , ” Margaret said , laughing .
“ It ’ s wonderful .
I ’ m proud of her , her report card is all As and Bs , I ’ m proud of me and Mariah .
”

When Margaret Bingham and her daughter Mariah shared their experience as a homeless Chicago Public Schools family during the coronavirus pandemic, they never imagined how many strangers would offer to lend a hand.
They’ve received gift cards for groceries, school supplies, a new laptop for Mariah to do her homework and even an offer from a bus driver to give them rides whenever they can’t pay for one.
But the part that has made Margaret happiest is seeing their life story cause an outpouring of resources to the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless to support other families in similar circumstances.
“It feels great because it helps a lot of parents who are doubled up with other families and have problems with their children,” Margaret, 56, said Wednesday. “It’s been really good, I appreciate it.”
The mother and daughter recounted their struggles and perseverance living without a permanent home in a Chicago Sun-Times story last month, and described how COVID-19 has made life and school that much harder.
Mariah, 11, is in fifth grade and has lived 13 places and gone to seven schools. She’s one of 17,000 CPS students experiencing homelessness, and she and her mom are both diabetic and asthmatic. At the time, Mariah, with only a cellphone, said she feared she could fail her classes.
Community ‘touched’ by Mariah’s story
Alyssa Phillips, an education attorney with the homeless coalition, said the public response to Margaret and Mariah’s experience was immediate.
A stream of people started reaching out the day the story was published — and continued for weeks — to donate laptops, school supplies and gift cards. Teachers offered tutoring, and a sock company, Bombas, sent Mariah new socks. In all, the coalition received 31 laptops and $1,395 in gift cards for the homeless families the organization supports.
“We just kept receiving emails from folks about how touched they were by Mariah and Margaret, and how they just didn’t realize what was going on, that there were these kids who are struggling so much,” Phillips said. “They just kept saying they were so touched and wanted to contribute in any way that they could.”
Margaret Bingham and her daughter Mariah Bingham at their current home in Chicago, Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020. James Foster/For the Sun-Times
CPS on its own lent out 102,000 laptops and tablets the past three weeks after the district started remote learning last month with one in three students without computer access. A few days after Mariah shared her story, CPS also announced it would loan 12,000 mobile internet hotspot devices to students who are homeless.
Bisma Shoukat, a coalition community organizer who has worked with Margaret and Mariah for two years, said she was overwhelmed to see their experience resonate to the level it did.
“People know homelessness is an issue, you know? But sometimes people don’t relate to issues, they relate to people’s stories and emotions,” Shoukat said.
One of the first people who reached out to help ended up donating Mariah’s new laptop. And then more kept coming.
“All the other calls we got we were like, ‘OK, Mariah’s taken care of, but there are all these other families we work with,’” Shoukat said. “And these individuals were like, ‘Yes, you’ve got it, let me send this, please.’”
Shoukat and another coalition worker have distributed the laptops over the past few weeks. She said the families who have received them have been thankful and crying because the laptops will also help the parents fill out housing and other applications.
Another mother in tears
April Harris, a mother of two CPS kids aged 10 and 13, said she was in tears when she found out her son Gregory and daughter Madison would be getting a laptop. Another CPS student, Joshua Maldonado, also received a laptop Wednesday from the coalition.
“They still can’t believe that they have a computer,” Harris said Wednesday evening, after Shoukat dropped off donations to the family. “They think it’s so cool, it’s so awesome. And they’re truly thankful to Margaret and her daughter for sharing their story and we’re truly thankful for the public for blessing us with a computer. It’s a laptop, and it’s ours.”
Gregory Harris (left) and Joshua Maldonado explore their new laptops they received from Bisma Shoukat, a community organizer with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, on Wednesday, May 6, 2020. Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Phillips said Margaret over the past couple years has become involved with the coalition as a grassroots organizer sharing her story to inspire other parents.
“This was such a tangible way where Margaret knew she was really helping people,” Phillips said.
“Having this pandemic has really highlighted just how fragile our systems are, that our social safety nets aren’t really sufficient to protect the most vulnerable people,” Phillips said. “And I think their story really highlighted that.
“I’m hopeful that people will see that we need these systems. Because you can’t shelter in place if you don’t have an adequate shelter. It’s becoming abundantly clear that this isn’t something you can just ignore.”
Margaret said the resources have a been a big help in allowing Mariah to keep up with homework and putting food on the table. Margaret is also going to use one of the gift cards to buy a cellphone after hers broke.
“It’s really helping her out good. She’s using her laptop for her schoolwork. She’s so happy about it she won’t let me use it,” Margaret said, laughing.
“It’s wonderful. I’m proud of her, her report card is all As and Bs, I’m proud of me and Mariah.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--‘I Know This Much is True’: Mark Ruffalo doubly good in series wallowing in misery

You could argue Mark Ruffalo deserves Emmy nominations for best actor AND best supporting actor for his rich , layered and powerful performance ( s ) as twin brothers in the HBO six-part limited dramatic series “ I Know This Much Is True , ” which is based on the Wally Lamb bestseller that became an Oprah Winfrey Book Club favorite and riveted readers with its heartbreaking and melancholy story of a family cursed by one tragedy after another .
You also could argue this is one of the most relentlessly depressing viewing experiences in recent years — that despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design , “ I Know This Much Is True ” virtually wallows in its characters ’ misery .
Virtually everyone in this generation-spanning story has been deeply scarred and , in some cases , destroyed by horrifying experiences , from a crib death to a physically and verbally abusive spouse to bipolar disorder to self-mutilation to random acts of cruelty and deceit .
“ I Know This Much Is True ” comes to us with blue-chip credentials , from the source material to showrunner/director Derek Cianfrance ( “ Blue Valentine , ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a cast headed by Ruffalo and featuring fine supporting work from Melissa Leo , Kathryn Hahn and Archie Panjabi , as well as Rosie O ’ Donnell in a searing dramatic turn reminding us of her talents as an actress .
Alas , from the opening moments , with an irritatingly stylish camera move unnecessarily teasing us before a big reveal , through the final scenes , by which time the viewer is more exhausted than enlightened , this is one of the more disappointing misfires of the home viewing year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ town of Three Rivers , Connecticut , in the early 1990s , Ruffalo plays Dominick , a 40ish , smart , sullen , goatee-wearing house painter , and his twin brother Thomas , who ’ s clean-shaven , a bit heavier and suffering from severe bipolar disorder .
( The technology allowing Ruffalo to appear onscreen with himself is seamless . )
In the very first scene of the series , Thomas is at the Three Rivers Public Library , muttering incoherently about the Gulf War , when he takes out a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in what he believes is a sacrifice to help bring about the end of the war .
From the moment Dominick arrives at the hospital and is horrified not only by Thomas ’ self-mutilation but his brother ’ s manic insistence doctors not try to reattach his hand because he ’ ll only cut it off again , we can feel the pain coursing through every inch of Dominick ’ s being .
As we learn in flashbacks and through Dominick ’ s therapy sessions , from the time they were little boys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s keeper .
As if Thomas ’ condition wasn ’ t burden enough , Dominick and his brother suffered horrific verbal and physical abuse at the hands of their stepfather .
Dominick ’ s childhood was marred by emotionally scarring episodes , such as the time his brother got locked in the bathroom of a bus on a school field trip and suffered a panic attack and couldn ’ t get himself out , and an incident involving a classmate who was suspended after Dominick falsely accused her of stealing — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It gets worse .
Dominick ’ s marriage to his college sweetheart Dessa ( Kathryn Hahn ) fell apart after the crib death of their daughter .
Dominick ’ s mother ( Melissa Leo ) is dying of breast cancer .
And as we learn in a flashback sequence that takes up nearly an entire episode , Dominick ’ s grandfather was an old-world , old-school Sicilian who treated his wife horribly and believed he and his descendants were cursed by his wife ’ s “ witch ” of a sister .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ list of the parade of miseries unveiled in “ I Know This Much Is True , ” but you get the idea .
When Thomas is held in a maximum security facility , Dominick ’ s story takes center stage , as Dominick fights tirelessly to get his brother moved to a better facility , but goes about it in the wrong way , as he constantly blows up at the very people trying to help him , including a therapist played by Archie Panjabi and a dedicated , no-nonsense social worker portrayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character actor John Procaccino is brilliant as the boys ’ stepfather , who was a monster when they were young but seems to have evolved over the years and genuinely cares for his grown stepsons .
Familywise , all they have is each other .
Even when it ’ s sunny in Three Rivers , it feels like it ’ s dark and raining and gloomy .
As Dominick spirals into a free-fall of angry outbursts and self-destructive behavior , a loved one says , “ You ’ re going to wind up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other moments of revelation in “ I Know This Much Is True , ” it ’ s too little , too late .

You could argue Mark Ruffalo deserves Emmy nominations for best actor AND best supporting actor for his rich, layered and powerful performance(s) as twin brothers in the HBO six-part limited dramatic series “I Know This Much Is True,” which is based on the Wally Lamb bestseller that became an Oprah Winfrey Book Club favorite and riveted readers with its heartbreaking and melancholy story of a family cursed by one tragedy after another.
You also could argue this is one of the most relentlessly depressing viewing experiences in recent years — that despite the strong performances and the well-crafted production design, “I Know This Much Is True” virtually wallows in its characters’ misery. Virtually everyone in this generation-spanning story has been deeply scarred and, in some cases, destroyed by horrifying experiences, from a crib death to a physically and verbally abusive spouse to bipolar disorder to self-mutilation to random acts of cruelty and deceit.
‘I Know This Much Is True’
Untitled A six-part limited series premiering at 8 p.m. Sunday on HBO.
“I Know This Much Is True” comes to us with blue-chip credentials, from the source material to showrunner/director Derek Cianfrance (“Blue Valentine,” “The Place Beyond the Pines”) to a cast headed by Ruffalo and featuring fine supporting work from Melissa Leo, Kathryn Hahn and Archie Panjabi, as well as Rosie O’Donnell in a searing dramatic turn reminding us of her talents as an actress. Alas, from the opening moments, with an irritatingly stylish camera move unnecessarily teasing us before a big reveal, through the final scenes, by which time the viewer is more exhausted than enlightened, this is one of the more disappointing misfires of the home viewing year.
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell taps her dramatic skills as a no-nonsense social worker in “I Know This Much Is True.” HBO
With the main story set in the town of Three Rivers, Connecticut, in the early 1990s, Ruffalo plays Dominick, a 40ish, smart, sullen, goatee-wearing house painter, and his twin brother Thomas, who’s clean-shaven, a bit heavier and suffering from severe bipolar disorder. (The technology allowing Ruffalo to appear onscreen with himself is seamless.) In the very first scene of the series, Thomas is at the Three Rivers Public Library, muttering incoherently about the Gulf War, when he takes out a small machete and hacks off his own hand in what he believes is a sacrifice to help bring about the end of the war. From the moment Dominick arrives at the hospital and is horrified not only by Thomas’ self-mutilation but his brother’s manic insistence doctors not try to reattach his hand because he’ll only cut it off again, we can feel the pain coursing through every inch of Dominick’s being. As we learn in flashbacks and through Dominick’s therapy sessions, from the time they were little boys, Dominick has literally been his brother’s keeper.
As if Thomas’ condition wasn’t burden enough, Dominick and his brother suffered horrific verbal and physical abuse at the hands of their stepfather. Dominick’s childhood was marred by emotionally scarring episodes, such as the time his brother got locked in the bathroom of a bus on a school field trip and suffered a panic attack and couldn’t get himself out, and an incident involving a classmate who was suspended after Dominick falsely accused her of stealing — and wound up dead a few days later.
It gets worse. Dominick’s marriage to his college sweetheart Dessa (Kathryn Hahn) fell apart after the crib death of their daughter. Dominick’s mother (Melissa Leo) is dying of breast cancer. And as we learn in a flashback sequence that takes up nearly an entire episode, Dominick’s grandfather was an old-world, old-school Sicilian who treated his wife horribly and believed he and his descendants were cursed by his wife’s “witch” of a sister.
Archie Panjabi (right) plays a therapist helping Dominick (Mark Ruffalo) get his brother relocated. HBO
This is by no means a complete list of the parade of miseries unveiled in “I Know This Much Is True,” but you get the idea. When Thomas is held in a maximum security facility, Dominick’s story takes center stage, as Dominick fights tirelessly to get his brother moved to a better facility, but goes about it in the wrong way, as he constantly blows up at the very people trying to help him, including a therapist played by Archie Panjabi and a dedicated, no-nonsense social worker portrayed by Rosie O’Donnell. The character actor John Procaccino is brilliant as the boys’ stepfather, who was a monster when they were young but seems to have evolved over the years and genuinely cares for his grown stepsons. Familywise, all they have is each other.
Even when it’s sunny in Three Rivers, it feels like it’s dark and raining and gloomy. As Dominick spirals into a free-fall of angry outbursts and self-destructive behavior, a loved one says, “You’re going to wind up just like Thomas.” Like so many other moments of revelation in “I Know This Much Is True,” it’s too little, too late.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--9 shot, 3 fatally, Wednesday in Chicago shootings

Nine people were shot , three of them fatally , Wednesday in Chicago , including a 19-year-old man who was killed in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side .
He was getting out of a vehicle about 11:50 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Francisco Avenue when two males walked up and fired shots at him , Chicago police said .
He was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene , police said .
A man was killed in a drive-by Wednesday afternoon in Rogers Park on the North Side .
The 22-year-old was on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached and someone inside fired at him in the 1600 block of West Jonquil Terrace , according to police .
He was hit multiple times and taken to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
Wednesday morning , a man was found shot to death in Washington Park on the South Side .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert at 11:27 a.m. found the 23-year-old with gunshot wounds to the right wrist and armpit in the 5500 block of South Indiana Avenue , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scene , police said .
In non-fatal shootings , a man was wounded in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
He was on the sidewalk about 6:45 p.m. in the 12300 block of South Wallace Street when a vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire , police said .
The 24-year-old was struck in the hand and took himself to Roseland Community Hospital , where he was listed in fair condition .
About 15 minutes prior , a man was shot in Austin on the West Side .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 5500 block of West Flournoy Street when someone fired shots , striking him in the calf , police said .
The man took himself to Rush University Medical Center , where he was in fair condition .
A man was wounded in a shooting in Brainerd on the South Side .
He was walking about 2:45 p.m. in the 700 block of West 95th Street when he heard gunfire and felt pain , police said .
The 30-year-old was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with a gunshot wound to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition was stabilized .
Earlier in the afternoon , a man was shot in Washington Park on the South Side .
The 34-year-old was on the sidewalk about 1:10 p.m. in the 5500 block of South Wabash Avenue when a male approached and fired shots at him , according to police .
The man was hit in the groin and taken in critical condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
A man was wounded in a shooting less than half an hour earlier in Roseland on the Far South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 12:45 p.m. when someone shot at him and ran away in the 11300 block of South Calumet Avenue , according to police .
He was hit in the lower right side of his back and ran to his home to call 911 , police said .
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition .
The day ’ s first shooting wounded a 29-year-old man in Englewood on the South Side .
About 1:45 a.m. , he was the passenger of a tow truck responding to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from a vacant lot in the 5700 block of South Ashland Avenue , police said .
He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital but transferred to Mt .
Sinai Hospital in fair condition , with gun shot wounds to his right arm and torso , police said .
Wednesday ’ s shootings come after a Tuesday in which two people were shot , one fatally , in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Nine people were shot, three of them fatally, Wednesday in Chicago, including an 18-year-old man who was killed in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
He was getting out of a vehicle about 11:50 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Francisco Avenue when two males walked up and fired shots at him, Chicago police said. He was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not released his name.
Hours earlier, a man was killed in a drive-by Wednesday afternoon in Rogers Park on the North Side. The 22-year-old was on the sidewalk about 4 p.m. when someone stepped out a vehicle and fired at him in the 1600 block of West Jonquil Terrace, according to police. The man was hit multiple times and taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he died.
Wednesday’s first fatal shooting happened about 11:30 a.m. in Washington Park on the South Side.
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert found the 23-year-old with gunshot wounds to the right wrist and armpit in the 5500 block of South Indiana Avenue, according to police. He died at the scene.
In non-fatal shootings, a man was wounded about 6:45 p.m. in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
He was on the sidewalk in the 12300 block of South Wallace Street when a vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire, police said. The 24-year-old was struck in the hand and took himself to Roseland Community Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition.
About 15 minutes prior, a man was shot in Austin on the West Side. The 21-year-old was outside about 6:30 p.m. in the 5500 block of West Flournoy Street when someone fired shots, striking him in the calf, police said. He took himself to Rush University Medical Center, where he was in fair condition.
About 2:45 p.m., a man was wounded in Brainerd on the South Side. He was walking about 2:45 p.m. in the 700 block of West 95th Street when he heard gunfire and felt pain, police said. The 30-year-old was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with a gunshot wound to the back, police said. His condition was stabilized.
Earlier in the afternoon, a man was shot in Washington Park. The 34-year-old was on the sidewalk about 1:10 p.m. in the 5500 block of South Wabash Avenue when a male approached and fired shots at him, according to police. He was hit in the groin and taken in critical condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
About 12:45 p.m, a man was wounded in a shooting in Roseland. The 21-year-old was walking in an alley about 12:45 p.m. when someone shot at him and ran away in the 11300 block of South Calumet Avenue, according to police. He was hit in the lower right side of his back and ran to his home to call 911. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in fair condition.
The day’s first reported shooting wounded a 29-year-old man in Englewood on the South Side. About 1:45 a.m., he was the passenger of a tow truck responding to an accident when two males fired shots at him from a vacant lot in the 5700 block of South Ashland Avenue, police said.
He was taken to Holy Cross Hospital but transferred to Mt. Sinai Hospital in fair condition, with gun shot wounds to his right arm and torso, police said.
On Tuesday, two people were shot, one fatally, in citywide gun violence.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--Man killed in Marquette Park shooting: police

An 18-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side .
He was getting out of @ @ @ @ @ in the 7100 block of South Francisco Avenue when two males walked up and fired @ @ @ @ @ police said .
He was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene @ @ @ @ @ Cook County medical examiner ’ s office identified him as being Armando Uribe .
He @ @ @ @ @ woman arrived to the scene and grew distraught when she saw the body , saying @ @ @ @ @ .
“ That ’ s my son , ” she said to the officers , @ @ @ @ @ with a sheet .
“ He ’ s just lying there !
” Area One @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

An 18-year-old man was fatally shot Thursday in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
He was getting out of a vehicle about 11:50 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Francisco Avenue when two males walked up and fired shots at him, Chicago police said.
He was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as being Armando Uribe. He lived in Cicero.
A woman arrived to the scene and grew distraught when she saw the body, saying the man was her son.
“That’s my son,” she said to the officers, who eventually covered the body with a sheet. “He’s just lying there!”
Area One detectives are investigating the shooting.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--Motorcycle thefts reported in Bronzeville, Hyde Park: police

Police are warning residents on the South Side of a trio of motorcycle thefts reported in recent weeks in Bronzeville @ @ @ @ @ South Side .
In each case , the owner discovered their motorcycle was missing from @ @ @ @ @ parked , Chicago police said .
Surveillance video of one of the thefts captured the @ @ @ @ @ the back of a white U-Haul truck .
• About 11 a.m. May 2 in @ @ @ @ @ Drexel Boulevard ; • Between noon April 30 and noon May 2 in the 5200 @ @ @ @ @ ; and • About 2:30 a.m. May 2 in the 5100 block of South Ingleside @ @ @ @ @ described as three males , police said .
Anyone with information is asked to call @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning residents on the South Side of a trio of motorcycle thefts reported in recent weeks in Bronzeville and Hyde Park on the South Side.
In each case, the owner discovered their motorcycle was missing from the location where it was parked, Chicago police said. Surveillance video of one of the thefts captured the suspects loading the motorcycle into the back of a white U-Haul truck.
The thefts happened:
About 11 a.m. May 2 in the 4900 block of South Drexel Boulevard;
Between noon April 30 and noon May 2 in the 5200 block of South Dorchester Avenue; and
About 2:30 a.m. May 2 in the 5100 block of South Ingleside Avenue.
The suspects were described as three males, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-06--Horoscope for Thursday, May 7, 2020

Horoscope for Thursday, May 7, 2020

Until 9:15 p.m. Chicago time , we have the all clear to shop and do business .
The moon is in Scorpio .
Financial issues might come to a head because of the full moon .
Nevertheless , as Mercury dances with Neptune , you might be tempted to paint a rosy picture on things .
Perhaps something looks better than it really is .
Today is the only full moon opposite your sign all year .
This is why you might be at odds with a close friend or partner .
Nevertheless , your ESP is heightened , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to others with greater sensitivity .
Interesting !
Today ’ s full moon might bring a situation related to your health or a pet or your job to a head .
If so , you will instinctively know what to do because you are in touch with your vibes and your inner being .
Trust your hunches .
Issues with kids might arise .
They might have hissy fits or meltdowns because of the energy of the Full Moon .
Meanwhile , you are tuned in to the needs and wants of friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s as if you can read someone ’ s mind .
( Maybe you can ? )
You might feel pulled between the demands of home and family vs. the demands of your career and public reputation because of the opposition set up by the full moon .
Whatever happens , you will stay in touch with your outer world and your public status .
Be careful because today ’ s full moon creates slight accident-prone influence .
This means you have to be aware and mindful .
Think before you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Make sure you are clear about important ideas before you endorse them .
Disputes with the government or with someone about an inheritance or anything to do with taxes and debt might be resolved .
Furthermore , you will feel sympathetic to the needs of others .
This is a good thing , but do not ignore your own self-interests because you count , too .
Today the only full moon in your sign all year is taking place .
This could introduce increased tension with you and someone close to you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in touch with Neptune , will increase the sensitivity of your communications with others .
It also increases someone else ’ s ability to “ read ” you .
( You ’ re all vowels ! )
Avoid work that requires attention to detail and solid logic because today an element of confusion exists at your job or for any task that you set yourself .
( This also includes important decisions regarding pets . )
Think carefully before you make any decisions .
Fun activities with kids might appeal to you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playful , fanciful mood .
You might bring this same mood to a romantic situation .
Nevertheless , today ’ s Full Moon could create confusion .
Tread carefully .
You can not ignore the demands of home and family even though you feel pulled in another direction .
If you explore matters at home or within the family , you will find that this is where your sympathies lie .
People are aware of you because you are high visibility .
This is an accident-prone day for you because of the energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to pay attention to everything you say and do .
Slow down and take it easy .
Meanwhile , your psychic abilities are heightened .
( Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain . )
If Your Birthday Is Today CBE , physicist/meteorologist Joanna Haigh ( 1954 ) shares your birthday .
Although you value your security , you put the needs of others before your own .
Because this is a year of teaching and learning , you will learn something that sets you in a new direction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success next year .
Explore meditation , yoga or any discipline that will help you to get a better understanding of who you are .

Moon Alert
Until 9:15 p.m. Chicago time, we have the all clear to shop and do business. The moon is in Scorpio.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Financial issues might come to a head because of the full moon. Nevertheless, as Mercury dances with Neptune, you might be tempted to paint a rosy picture on things. Perhaps something looks better than it really is.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today is the only full moon opposite your sign all year. This is why you might be at odds with a close friend or partner. Nevertheless, your ESP is heightened, which allows you to “tune in” to others with greater sensitivity. Interesting!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Today’s full moon might bring a situation related to your health or a pet or your job to a head. If so, you will instinctively know what to do because you are in touch with your vibes and your inner being. Trust your hunches.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Issues with kids might arise. They might have hissy fits or meltdowns because of the energy of the Full Moon. Meanwhile, you are tuned in to the needs and wants of friends or a member of a group. It’s as if you can read someone’s mind. (Maybe you can?)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You might feel pulled between the demands of home and family vs. the demands of your career and public reputation because of the opposition set up by the full moon. Whatever happens, you will stay in touch with your outer world and your public status.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Be careful because today’s full moon creates slight accident-prone influence. This means you have to be aware and mindful. Think before you speak; think before you act. Make sure you are clear about important ideas before you endorse them.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Disputes with the government or with someone about an inheritance or anything to do with taxes and debt might be resolved. Furthermore, you will feel sympathetic to the needs of others. This is a good thing, but do not ignore your own self-interests because you count, too.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today the only full moon in your sign all year is taking place. This could introduce increased tension with you and someone close to you. Fortunately, Mercury, opposite your sign, in touch with Neptune, will increase the sensitivity of your communications with others. It also increases someone else’s ability to “read” you. (You’re all vowels!)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Avoid work that requires attention to detail and solid logic because today an element of confusion exists at your job or for any task that you set yourself. (This also includes important decisions regarding pets.) Think carefully before you make any decisions.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Fun activities with kids might appeal to you today because you’re in a playful, fanciful mood. You might bring this same mood to a romantic situation. Nevertheless, today’s Full Moon could create confusion. Tread carefully.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
You cannot ignore the demands of home and family even though you feel pulled in another direction. If you explore matters at home or within the family, you will find that this is where your sympathies lie. People are aware of you because you are high visibility.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This is an accident-prone day for you because of the energy of the full moon. This means you have to pay attention to everything you say and do. Slow down and take it easy. Meanwhile, your psychic abilities are heightened. (Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.)
If Your Birthday Is Today
CBE, physicist/meteorologist Joanna Haigh (1954) shares your birthday. Although you value your security, you put the needs of others before your own. Because this is a year of teaching and learning, you will learn something that sets you in a new direction, which could be crucial for your success next year. Explore meditation, yoga or any discipline that will help you to get a better understanding of who you are.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-06--FBI offers reward for information on Cook County Jail detainee who escaped

The FBI is offering a $ 2000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a detainee who escaped the @ @ @ @ @ himself as another inmate .
Jahquez Scott escaped the jail May 2 after allegedly promising @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 to agree to let him steal his identity to secure release , according to @ @ @ @ @ office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari .
Scott , 21 , had been arrested the day before @ @ @ @ @ on parole for battery of an officer , according to the Cook County state ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

The FBI is offering a $2000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a detainee who escaped the Cook County Jail by disguising himself as another inmate.
Jahquez Scott escaped the jail May 2 after allegedly promising to pay another man $1,000 to agree to let him steal his identity to secure release, according to Cook County sheriff’s office spokeswoman Sophia Ansari.
Scott, 21, had been arrested the day before on a weapons charge while on parole for battery of an officer, according to the Cook County state’s attorney’s office.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--Groups demand better pay, protections for front-line workers during pandemic (LIVE UPDATES)

Groups demand better pay , protections for front-line workers during pandemic More than one hundred protesters in their cars and on their bikes convened downtown Thursday afternoon to demand more protective equipment and hazard pay for front-line workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic .
Protesters also called on elected officials to tailor relief efforts for majority black and Latino areas of the city as those neighborhoods have suffered the greatest job losses and highest COVID-19 infections during the pandemic .
“ Black and brown communities have been disinvested for years in Chicago — this isn ’ t news to anyone — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hardest hit , and going back to business as usual isn ’ t going to cut it , ” said Candis Castillo , a board member of United Working Families , a political organization that organized Thursday ’ s protest with dozens of community groups that came together as the Right to Recovery Coalition .
The coalition is calling for broader policy changes across the board , including universal health care , a pause on immigration raids and deportations , 20 days paid emergency leave , free grocery and medicine deliveries for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rent and mortgage moratorium until the pandemic subsides .
Ford said Thursday that it will restart its Chicago-area assembly operations May 18 as part of a phased opening of its North American operations .
Spokeswoman Kelli Felker said the assembly plant at 12600 S. Torrence Ave. and the Chicago Heights stamping plant will reopen with two shifts .
They have been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic since March 19 .
Ford said its phased approach includes reopening parts depots Monday .
It said operations will be slowed by new safety protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce employee interactions and increase cleaning .
The United Auto Workers union has voiced support for a return to work provided that staffers have adequate protective gear .
Before the coronavirus pandemic , many Loop businesses allowed people experiencing homelessness to use their restrooms — but that all changed when Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s stay-at-home order closed most of those businesses .
To help fill that gap , the Chicago Loop Alliance partnered with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to install two public portable toilets Thursday in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the alley behind 7 W. Madison St. and the alley behind 112-116 S. Michigan Ave .
They include hand sanitizer and will be serviced twice a week , with additional cleanings from the CLA ’ s Clean Team .
The toilets will remain in the Loop through the end of May and possibly longer .
6:05 p.m. Illinois students allowed to return to schools — to clean out lockers , official says With school out the rest of the academic year , traditional locker clean-outs that are an end-of-year goodbye ritual won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distant world — but they can still happen , the top Illinois education official said this week .
Some suburban districts have already started inviting families back through an appointment-based system , while Chicago Public Schools is working on a plan to let students pick up their personal belongings left at schools in March when it was still unclear how long buildings would shuttered .
State Supt .
of Education Carmen Ayala said schools are welcome to start allowing students to come by and pick up their possessions as long as proper social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be very well orchestrated for each school , ” Ayala said in a Facebook live interview with State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch .
5:18 p.m. Pritzker urged to let restaurants open June 1 — but at 25 % capacity , with employee safeguards Gov .
J.B. Pritzker was urged Thursday to relax his five-step plan to re-open Illinois , by allowing restaurants to open at 25 % capacity on June 1 with strict safeguards for their employees .
Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said without those changes , Pritzker ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants and bars because it would force them to wait until June 28 at the earliest to re-open to dine-in customers .
Instead , Toia proposed restaurants be allowed to move to Phase 3 on June 1 and relax restrictions every 14 days , instead of waiting 28 days between phases .
“ We would have a lot of restrictions .
Personal protective equipment .
Face coverings .
Social distancing .
Taking the temperature of employees when they come in to work , ” Toia said .
“ June 1 is still three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Arizona , Georgia and Tennessee are open .
Let ’ s see if they have a spike .
If they do , OK .
If they don ’ t , I would really urge the governor to look at letting us re-open with 25 % or less capacity , then use the 14-day model and , hopefully , by mid-June be at 50 % capacity.
” 4:31 p.m. Illinois tops 3K coronavirus deaths , 70K cases ; peak could last ‘ awhile , ’ officials say Another 138 people have died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state now standing at 3,112 .
And Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s administration on Thursday warned the state is in a death plateau that could last “ awhile.
” A Pritzker spokeswoman did not provide further details on just how long that could last .
Projections released by the governor ’ s office two weeks ago showed a range of 50 to 150 deaths a day into “ early May.
” The state has seen 12 days in which more than 100 people died from COVID-19 , mostly in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported 2,641 newly confirmed coronavirus cases , bringing the statewide total to 70,873 .
The state received 17,783 test results on Wednesday and has administered more than 379,000 tests since the pandemic began .
Read more about Pritzker ’ s daily press briefing from reporter Tina Sfondeles here .
Best Buy has reopened 30 Chicago-area stores for customers who can shop via appointment .
The electronics and appliance retailer closed its shopping aisles in March because of the coronavirus but has allowed customers to pick up items curbside that were bought online .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. locations the company is opening .
“ Since each customer ’ s appointment will have a dedicated sales associate , there will be a limited number of customers in the store at any one time to ensure appropriate social distancing takes place , ” said an article posted on Best Buy ’ s website .
The retailer has about 1,000 stores in the U.S .
It outlined several safety protocols : Employees will be required to wear masks and face shields and check their temperatures before they start work .
The customer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and an employee will immediately wipe down all surfaces the customer touches .
Check out the full list of local stores offering shop-by-appointment .
Last week , amid pressure from religious groups including a federal lawsuit from a northwest Illinois church , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker made a late revision to his extended order adding a provision for “ the free exercise of religion.
” Soon after , the local arm of the Roman Catholic Church announced it was planning to resume masses limited to 10 people under guidelines recommended by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The new order , effective through May , says leaving home is allowed “ to engage in the free exercise of religion , provided that such exercise must comply with Social Distancing Requirements and the limit on gatherings of more than 10 people in keeping with CDC guidelines for the protection of public health.
” Many churches have made do with virtual services , including Easter and Holy Week masses that were live streamed online .
On Thursday , a group of parishioners from the Archdiocese of Chicago launched another remote religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotline .
“ Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. , A Call to Prayer connects callers with volunteer parishioners who will pray with them , regardless of their faith identities , ” the Archdiocese explained in a release announcing the new service .
Along with the prayer hotline , the service also offers voicemail , e-mail , and multilingual options , including Spanish and Polish .
“ Before he died for us , Jesus prayed ‘ may they all be one ’ , ” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich , archbishop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this Call to Prayer , may they be consoled in knowing that it is the Lord Himself who is connecting them to one another , ” Cardinal Blase J. Cupich , archbishop of Chicago.
, said in a release from the Archdiocese .
The phone number for the service is ( 312 ) 741-3388 .
To connect via email , contact praywithme @ calledtoprayer.org .
To connect over email in Spanish , contact rezaconmigo @ calledtoprayer.org , and for Polish , email pomodlsiezemna @ calledtoprayer.org .
1:29 p.m. Clorox wipes should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company CEO says Clorox says retail shelves will not be fully stocked with its popular wipes and other disinfectant cleaners used to combat COVID-19 until this summer .
“ We think that there ’ s going to be substantial improvement this summer , ” Clorox chairman and CEO Benno Dorer told Yahoo Finance in an interview .
“ It ’ s going to be touch and go until then , unfortunately.
” Shoppers have become increasingly frustrated as they scour the internet and local stores for Lysol sprays and Clorox wipes , only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocked up on cleaning products to protect against infection , especially in COVID-19 hot zones .
Manufacturers like Clorox were not prepared for skyrocketing demand in a sleepy sector with reliably steady sales that usually fluctuate only during flu season .
Read more on this story here .
A strike has been averted for 6,000 nursing home workers who threatened a work stoppage at 64 facilities beginning Friday if their demands were not met .
The workers , members of SEIU Healthcare Illinois , announced Thursday morning a tentative agreement on a two-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wage , hazard pay during the pandemic , additional sick days and provisions ensuring that employees are not required to work without adequate equipment to protect themselves from the virus .
“ The tentative agreement was overwhelmingly supported by members of the bargaining committee , but must be ratified by the larger group of members who will be impacted by its terms , ” according to a statement from the union .
The agreement covers more than 10,000 members of SEIU Healthcare who provide care to residents at more than 100 nursing homes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go back to school in the fall ?
Will students in Illinois go back to school in the fall ?
The state ’ s top education official said Wednesday she doesn ’ t know .
But she said the 2020-21 academic year could start with remote learning , could feature students from different grades attending different days of the week or could involve “ intermittent closings ” if COVID-19 infections spike again .
State Supt .
of Education Carmen Ayala in a Facebook live interview with State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how school might look in the fall , including a return at “ full force ” — but said it will all depend on how controlled the pandemic is statewide in the coming months .
She specifically referred to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s 5-point plan for reopening the state that he revealed Tuesday , which said schools could potentially be a part of Phase 4 , requiring the region in which a district is located to have seen a “ continued decline ” in virus infection rates and hospitalizations .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that will all depend on the phase we are in , come August , come September , ” she told Welch , a democrat from Westchester .
“ We will have to see where we are with the coronavirus to determine how much we can gather , if it ’ s going to be 10 , if it ’ s going to be 50 , what that might look like.
” 8:12 a.m. 33 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit Nearly 3.2 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the viral outbreak deepened the worst U.S. economic catastrophe in decades .
Roughly 33.5 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the seven weeks since the coronavirus began forcing millions of companies to close their doors and slash their workforces .
That is the equivalent of one in five Americans who had been employed back in February , when the unemployment rate had reached a 50-year low of just 3.5 % .
In Illinois , 74,476 people filed first-time claims for jobless benefits last week , down from 81 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , nearly 900,000 Illinoisans have filed for unemployment since mid-March .
7:08 p.m .
Attorneys for Cook County Jail detainees ask for records on COVID-19 testing Advocates for Cook County Jail detainees are asking for the sheriff ’ s office to provide additional records to show that they are following a federal judge ’ s order to widely test inmates for coronavirus , including those who do not have symptoms .
Citing the most recent COVID-19-related detainee death — the seventh at the jail— advocates are questioning whether the sheriff ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Judge Matthew Kennelly ’ s previous order to enforce social distancing , test and protect those in custody .
In a response to the court-ordered report Sheriff Tom Dart ’ s lawyers released to Kennelly , attorneys for the detainees Wednesday asked the judge to consider beginning the process of convening a three-judge panel , which would weigh-in on the possible widespread release of older detainees and those with underlying medical conditions .
The attorneys also requested records from the sheriff ’ s office they said would shed more light on testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distancing procedures , writing that “ the Report makes plain that the Sheriff ’ s Office has not achieved compliance , particularly with respect to coronavirus testing and social distancing.
” The lawyers for the detainees filed a class-action suit against Dart in March that sought to have elderly detainees and those who would be most seriously affected by COVID-19 released immediately .
Read the full story by Matthew Hendrickson here .
• The Cook County medical examiner confirmed 99 more deaths related to the COVID-19 outbreak .
• 7 more COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Two people are dead among 85 workers at CPS schools who have tested positive for COVID-19 , officials say .
• Another employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk ’ s office has tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the overall total to 22 .
• 5 more Chicago Police Department employees test positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday .
• Chicago police announced Monday 22 more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the number of cases in the department to 463 .
• Sheriff ’ s Deputy Richard O ’ Brien , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sheriff ’ s office died Sunday of complications due to the coronavirus .
5:07 p.m .
Essential workers include those who clean our wastewater to protect our environment during pandemic Have you thought about what happens to your water once it goes down the your drain or after you flush your toilet ?
In most of Cook County , it ends up at one of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and its water treatment plants .
These reclamation plants are run by dedicated professionals : plant operators , engineers , pipefitters , laborers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front-line workers are backed by many more support staff who continue to ensure that our wastewater is cleaned and our environment is protected .
MWRD essential staff , like other essential workers , come in and perform their duties despite the risk of exposure to COVID-19 .
Contact with other workers and the water reclamation process increases their odds of contracting the virus .
While MWRD takes many precautions to reduce these risks for staff , the threat remains while they perform their responsibilities .
The next time you wash your hands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of water , take a moment to remember the MWRD staff who are working to protect our water , our communities and the environment .
Read more letters to the editor here .
7:22 a.m. Federal stimulus checks : No forwarding address for some recipients It ’ s already been widely reported that the Treasury Department mistakenly sent out thousands of stimulus payments to dead people in its rush to get money out the door and revive the economy .
The explanation is there wasn ’ t time to cross reference the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration ’ s death index , which is understandable to a point .
But couldn ’ t some computer whiz have fashioned a fairly simple program to weed out the people with “ DECD ” behind their names ?
Keyser was hardly the only “ DECD ” person to get such a check with that fairly obvious clue printed right on the face .
There have been similar anecdotal reports from other news outlets around the country , as well as from the mother-in-law of one of my bosses at the paper , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to do with such a check once it has been received .
Read more from columnist Mark Brown here .
6:18 a.m. We worry about what our very sick president will do next Every parent has warily confronted the hypothetical question : What would you do if you suspected your child was unwell ?
Not physically , but emotionally unwell , or mentally unstable ?
Imagine learning your teenager , for example , had been yelling demeaning slurs at the girls in his class , harassing them and calling them names .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ using his social media accounts to go on late-night rants against perceived enemies , attacking their looks , and again , calling them names in unending , seething , rambling posts .
Read the full column by S.E .
Cupp here .

Another 138 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois, with total fatalities in the state now standing at 3,111.
And Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration on Thursday warned the state is in a death plateau that could last “awhile.”
Here’s what else happened in Chicago and around the state as the coronavirus pandemic continued.
News
8:57 p.m. Groups demand better pay, protections for front-line workers during pandemic
More than a hundred vehicles circle City Hall and the Thompson Center in the Loop as protesters honk their horns and rally for a range of issues, such as universal health care and immigration reform, during the coronavirus pandemic, Thursday afternoon, May 7, 2020. United Working Families organized the protest with dozens of community groups, which came together as the Right to Recovery Coalition. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
More than one hundred protesters in their cars and on their bikes convened downtown Thursday afternoon to demand more protective equipment and hazard pay for front-line workers throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Protesters also called on elected officials to tailor relief efforts for majority black and Latino areas of the city as those neighborhoods have suffered the greatest job losses and highest COVID-19 infections during the pandemic.
“Black and brown communities have been disinvested for years in Chicago — this isn’t news to anyone — but these neighborhoods during the pandemic are the hardest hit, and going back to business as usual isn’t going to cut it,” said Candis Castillo, a board member of United Working Families, a political organization that organized Thursday’s protest with dozens of community groups that came together as the Right to Recovery Coalition.
The coalition is calling for broader policy changes across the board, including universal health care, a pause on immigration raids and deportations, 20 days paid emergency leave, free grocery and medicine deliveries for seniors and people with disabilities, and a rent and mortgage moratorium until the pandemic subsides.
Reporter Carlos Ballesteros has the full story.
7:21 p.m. Manifest Urban Arts Festival will be digital event this year
For the first time in its nearly 20-year history, Columbia College of Chicago’s Manifest Urban Arts Festival will be a digital event, it was announced Thursday.
The festival — a celebration of art, dance, theater, music, sketch comedy, film screenings, gallery shows, lectures, fashion exhibits and more, curated by the school’s students — will be transformed into a “virtual” event, streamed live daily May 11-15 at www.Manifest.colum.edu.
Jamila Woods headlines the festival at 6 p.m May 15; her performance can be viewed online Manifest’s Facebook and website.
Miriam Di Nunzio has more on Columbia College’s annual event.
7:32 p.m. Ford plans to restart Chicago-area factories May 18
Ford said Thursday that it will restart its Chicago-area assembly operations May 18 as part of a phased opening of its North American operations.
Spokeswoman Kelli Felker said the assembly plant at 12600 S. Torrence Ave. and the Chicago Heights stamping plant will reopen with two shifts. They have been closed because of the coronavirus pandemic since March 19.
Ford said its phased approach includes reopening parts depots Monday. It said operations will be slowed by new safety protocols that include extra time between shifts to reduce employee interactions and increase cleaning. The United Auto Workers union has voiced support for a return to work provided that staffers have adequate protective gear.
Reporter David Roeder has the full story.
6:56 p.m. Portable toilets installed in Loop to aid homeless outreach
One of two portable toilets available for use in an alley in the Loop. Jessica Cabe/Chicago Loop Alliance
Before the coronavirus pandemic, many Loop businesses allowed people experiencing homelessness to use their restrooms — but that all changed when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order closed most of those businesses.
To help fill that gap, the Chicago Loop Alliance partnered with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to install two public portable toilets Thursday in the Loop.
The toilets are located in the alley behind 7 W. Madison St. and the alley behind 112-116 S. Michigan Ave. They include hand sanitizer and will be serviced twice a week, with additional cleanings from the CLA’s Clean Team.
The toilets will remain in the Loop through the end of May and possibly longer.
— Alison Martin
6:05 p.m. Illinois students allowed to return to schools — to clean out lockers, official says
With school out the rest of the academic year, traditional locker clean-outs that are an end-of-year goodbye ritual won’t look the same in a socially distant world — but they can still happen, the top Illinois education official said this week.
Some suburban districts have already started inviting families back through an appointment-based system, while Chicago Public Schools is working on a plan to let students pick up their personal belongings left at schools in March when it was still unclear how long buildings would shuttered.
State Supt. of Education Carmen Ayala said schools are welcome to start allowing students to come by and pick up their possessions as long as proper social distancing is maintained.
“It has to be very well orchestrated for each school,” Ayala said in a Facebook live interview with State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch.
Reporter Nader Issa has the full story.
5:18 p.m. Pritzker urged to let restaurants open June 1 — but at 25% capacity, with employee safeguards
Gov. J.B. Pritzker was urged Thursday to relax his five-step plan to re-open Illinois, by allowing restaurants to open at 25% capacity on June 1 with strict safeguards for their employees.
Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said without those changes, Pritzker’s plan would have a devastating impact on restaurants and bars because it would force them to wait until June 28 at the earliest to re-open to dine-in customers.
Instead, Toia proposed restaurants be allowed to move to Phase 3 on June 1 and relax restrictions every 14 days, instead of waiting 28 days between phases.
“We would have a lot of restrictions. Personal protective equipment. Face coverings. Social distancing. Taking the temperature of employees when they come in to work,” Toia said.
“June 1 is still three weeks away. ... Indiana, Texas, Arizona, Georgia and Tennessee are open. Let’s see if they have a spike. If they do, OK. If they don’t, I would really urge the governor to look at letting us re-open with 25% or less capacity, then use the 14-day model and, hopefully, by mid-June be at 50% capacity.”
Reporter Fran Spielman has the full story.
4:31 p.m. Illinois tops 3K coronavirus deaths, 70K cases; peak could last ‘awhile,’ officials say
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, speaks at Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s daily Illinois coronavirus update at the Thompson Center in Chicago, Thursday, April 23, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Chicago Sun-Times via AP
Another 138 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois, with total fatalities in the state now standing at 3,112.
And Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration on Thursday warned the state is in a death plateau that could last “awhile.” A Pritzker spokeswoman did not provide further details on just how long that could last.
Projections released by the governor’s office two weeks ago showed a range of 50 to 150 deaths a day into “early May.”
The state has seen 12 days in which more than 100 people died from COVID-19, mostly in the last few weeks.
The state also reported 2,641 newly confirmed coronavirus cases, bringing the statewide total to 70,873. The state received 17,783 test results on Wednesday and has administered more than 379,000 tests since the pandemic began.
Read more about Pritzker’s daily press briefing from reporter Tina Sfondeles here.
3:39 p.m. Best Buy opens 30 Chicago-area stores for appointment shopping
Best Buy has reopened 30 Chicago-area stores for customers who can shop via appointment. The electronics and appliance retailer closed its shopping aisles in March because of the coronavirus but has allowed customers to pick up items curbside that were bought online.
The local stores are among about 200 U.S. locations the company is opening. “Since each customer’s appointment will have a dedicated sales associate, there will be a limited number of customers in the store at any one time to ensure appropriate social distancing takes place,” said an article posted on Best Buy’s website. The retailer has about 1,000 stores in the U.S.
It outlined several safety protocols: Employees will be required to wear masks and face shields and check their temperatures before they start work. The customer and sales associate will shop together, and an employee will immediately wipe down all surfaces the customer touches.
Check out the full list of local stores offering shop-by-appointment.
2:30 p.m. Archdiocese launches call-in prayer service
Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER/AFP via Getty Images
Last week, amid pressure from religious groups including a federal lawsuit from a northwest Illinois church, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made a late revision to his extended order adding a provision for “the free exercise of religion.” Soon after, the local arm of the Roman Catholic Church announced it was planning to resume masses limited to 10 people under guidelines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The new order, effective through May, says leaving home is allowed “to engage in the free exercise of religion, provided that such exercise must comply with Social Distancing Requirements and the limit on gatherings of more than 10 people in keeping with CDC guidelines for the protection of public health.”
Many churches have made do with virtual services, including Easter and Holy Week masses that were live streamed online.
On Thursday, a group of parishioners from the Archdiocese of Chicago launched another remote religious service for Chicago-area Catholics: a prayer hotline.
“Open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., A Call to Prayer connects callers with volunteer parishioners who will pray with them, regardless of their faith identities,” the Archdiocese explained in a release announcing the new service.
Along with the prayer hotline, the service also offers voicemail, e-mail, and multilingual options, including Spanish and Polish.
“Before he died for us, Jesus prayed ‘may they all be one’,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “As people unite in this Call to Prayer, may they be consoled in knowing that it is the Lord Himself who is connecting them to one another,” Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago., said in a release from the Archdiocese.
The phone number for the service is (312) 741-3388. To connect via email, contact praywithme@calledtoprayer.org. To connect over email in Spanish, contact rezaconmigo@calledtoprayer.org, and for Polish, email pomodlsiezemna@calledtoprayer.org.
— Lizzie Schiffman Tufano
1:29 p.m. Clorox wipes should be fully back in stock by summer, company CEO says
Clorox says retail shelves will not be fully stocked with its popular wipes and other disinfectant cleaners used to combat COVID-19 until this summer.
“We think that there’s going to be substantial improvement this summer,” Clorox chairman and CEO Benno Dorer told Yahoo Finance in an interview. “It’s going to be touch and go until then, unfortunately.”
Shoppers have become increasingly frustrated as they scour the internet and local stores for Lysol sprays and Clorox wipes, only to find shelves picked clean after households stocked up on cleaning products to protect against infection, especially in COVID-19 hot zones.
Manufacturers like Clorox were not prepared for skyrocketing demand in a sleepy sector with reliably steady sales that usually fluctuate only during flu season.
Read more on this story here.
10:01 a.m. Strike by 6,000 Illinois nursing home workers averted
A strike has been averted for 6,000 nursing home workers who threatened a work stoppage at 64 facilities beginning Friday if their demands were not met.
The workers, members of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, announced Thursday morning a tentative agreement on a two-year contract that includes a $15 minimum wage, hazard pay during the pandemic, additional sick days and provisions ensuring that employees are not required to work without adequate equipment to protect themselves from the virus.
“The tentative agreement was overwhelmingly supported by members of the bargaining committee, but must be ratified by the larger group of members who will be impacted by its terms,” according to a statement from the union.
The agreement covers more than 10,000 members of SEIU Healthcare who provide care to residents at more than 100 nursing homes.
Read the full story here.
8:02 a.m. Will students in Illinois go back to school in the fall?
Will students in Illinois go back to school in the fall?
The state’s top education official said Wednesday she doesn’t know.
But she said the 2020-21 academic year could start with remote learning, could feature students from different grades attending different days of the week or could involve “intermittent closings” if COVID-19 infections spike again.
State Supt. of Education Carmen Ayala in a Facebook live interview with State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch this week laid out a number of possibilities for how school might look in the fall, including a return at “full force” — but said it will all depend on how controlled the pandemic is statewide in the coming months.
She specifically referred to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s 5-point plan for reopening the state that he revealed Tuesday, which said schools could potentially be a part of Phase 4, requiring the region in which a district is located to have seen a “continued decline” in virus infection rates and hospitalizations.
“How soon we start the school year, that will all depend on the phase we are in, come August, come September,” she told Welch, a democrat from Westchester. “We will have to see where we are with the coronavirus to determine how much we can gather, if it’s going to be 10, if it’s going to be 50, what that might look like.”
Read the full story here.
8:12 a.m. 33 million have sought US unemployment aid since virus hit
Nearly 3.2 million laid-off workers applied for unemployment benefits last week as the business shutdowns caused by the viral outbreak deepened the worst U.S. economic catastrophe in decades.
Roughly 33.5 million people have now filed for jobless aid in the seven weeks since the coronavirus began forcing millions of companies to close their doors and slash their workforces. That is the equivalent of one in five Americans who had been employed back in February, when the unemployment rate had reached a 50-year low of just 3.5%.
In Illinois, 74,476 people filed first-time claims for jobless benefits last week, down from 81, 245 people a week earlier. Overall, nearly 900,000 Illinoisans have filed for unemployment since mid-March.
Read the full story here.
7:08 p.m. Attorneys for Cook County Jail detainees ask for records on COVID-19 testing
Advocates for Cook County Jail detainees are asking for the sheriff’s office to provide additional records to show that they are following a federal judge’s order to widely test inmates for coronavirus, including those who do not have symptoms.
Citing the most recent COVID-19-related detainee death — the seventh at the jail— advocates are questioning whether the sheriff’s office’s has the ability to meet U.S. Judge Matthew Kennelly’s previous order to enforce social distancing, test and protect those in custody.
In a response to the court-ordered report Sheriff Tom Dart’s lawyers released to Kennelly, attorneys for the detainees Wednesday asked the judge to consider beginning the process of convening a three-judge panel, which would weigh-in on the possible widespread release of older detainees and those with underlying medical conditions .
The attorneys also requested records from the sheriff’s office they said would shed more light on testing for coronavirus at the jail and social distancing procedures, writing that “the Report makes plain that the Sheriff’s Office has not achieved compliance, particularly with respect to coronavirus testing and social distancing.”
The lawyers for the detainees filed a class-action suit against Dart in March that sought to have elderly detainees and those who would be most seriously affected by COVID-19 released immediately.
Read the full story by Matthew Hendrickson here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
5:07 p.m. Essential workers include those who clean our wastewater to protect our environment during pandemic
Have you thought about what happens to your water once it goes down the your drain or after you flush your toilet? In most of Cook County, it ends up at one of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and its water treatment plants.
These reclamation plants are run by dedicated professionals: plant operators, engineers, pipefitters, laborers, machinists and so many others. These front-line workers are backed by many more support staff who continue to ensure that our wastewater is cleaned and our environment is protected.
MWRD essential staff, like other essential workers, come in and perform their duties despite the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Contact with other workers and the water reclamation process increases their odds of contracting the virus. While MWRD takes many precautions to reduce these risks for staff, the threat remains while they perform their responsibilities.
The next time you wash your hands, flush your toilet or have a glass of water, take a moment to remember the MWRD staff who are working to protect our water, our communities and the environment.
Read more letters to the editor here.
7:22 a.m. Federal stimulus checks: No forwarding address for some recipients
It’s already been widely reported that the Treasury Department mistakenly sent out thousands of stimulus payments to dead people in its rush to get money out the door and revive the economy.
The explanation is there wasn’t time to cross reference the list of check recipients with the Social Security Administration’s death index, which is understandable to a point.
But couldn’t some computer whiz have fashioned a fairly simple program to weed out the people with “DECD” behind their names?
Keyser was hardly the only “DECD” person to get such a check with that fairly obvious clue printed right on the face. There have been similar anecdotal reports from other news outlets around the country, as well as from the mother-in-law of one of my bosses at the paper, which cinches it.
The question is what to do with such a check once it has been received.
Read more from columnist Mark Brown here.
6:18 a.m. We worry about what our very sick president will do next
Every parent has warily confronted the hypothetical question: What would you do if you suspected your child was unwell?
Not physically, but emotionally unwell, or mentally unstable? Imagine learning your teenager, for example, had been yelling demeaning slurs at the girls in his class, harassing them and calling them names.
And that he’d been secretly using his social media accounts to go on late-night rants against perceived enemies, attacking their looks, and again, calling them names in unending, seething, rambling posts.
Read the full column by S.E. Cupp here.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--Cook County sheriff’s office runs out of electronic monitoring bracelets

The Cook County sheriff ’ s office has run out of electronic monitoring bracelets , worrying inmate advocates , who say the lack of devices could lead to too many arrestees languishing in jail during the coronavirus pandemic .
The lack of bracelets , which was mentioned by prosecutors during court hearings Thursday , could grow worse as the weather warms , straining the sheriff ’ s office ’ s ability to socially distance detainees and leading to more contracting COVID-19 at Cook County Jail , advocates said .
The sheriff ’ s office , meanwhile , acknowledged the lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bracelets had been exhausted Tuesday night and supply issues with companies that provide the bracelets has prevented the office from acquiring more .
“ As we have reached our program capacity , any new EM orders will result in defendants being held at the jail — a result that threatens to undo the successes we have achieved in slowing the spread of the virus , ” a sheriff ’ s spokeswoman said .
In a letter to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle , State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx and others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , my office has carried the burden of processing and monitoring more and more criminal defendants in the community , with more complex public safety considerations , and all while maintaining static staffing numbers .
This need for an immediate solution has accelerated due to the introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic.
” The use of electronic monitoring increased as the county tried to reduce the jail population during the health crisis , according to Sharlyn Grace , executive director of the Chicago Community Bond Fund , a nonprofit that posts bond for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now of people being jailed , we can ’ t allow a supply issue to be putting people at risk of getting sick , or death , ” Grace said .
The number of those on electronic monitoring has “ exploded ” in Cook County to roughly 3100 — an increase of more than 700 since Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s shelter-at-home order took effect in March , Grace said .
The lack of bracelets was touched upon at a hearing Thursday when Judge Thaddeus Wilson recommended a 26-year-old man charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next electronic monitoring bracelet available .
Anthony Vazquez has been in custody since April 26 when he was arrested for a domestic-related incident involving his sister in west suburban Hoffman Estates , according to court records .
Vazquez was ordered released on his own recognizance but because he had a separate arrest warrant on another case , his bail was set at $ 5,000 .
His family tried to post his bond twice last week and was told it was not possible .
Vazquez ’ s attorney , Tracey Harkins , filed an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unlawfully holding Vazquez at the jail .
During Vazquez ’ s hearing Thursday , Francis Catania , an assistant state ’ s attorney in the office ’ s Civil Action Bureau , which represents the sheriff ’ s office in civil matters , agreed to allow Vazquez ’ s relatives to post bond .
But Catania said there was a lack of available electronic monitoring bracelets , so even if Vazquez ’ s family had the money , he still would have to stay in jail .
There are about 500 detainees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they were able to post bond and were ordered on electronic monitoring , Grace said .
Vazquez ’ s sister , Taneesha Romero , 25 , said her brother has asthma and she is worried what will happen if he gets COVID-19 at the jail , where more than 500 detainees have tested positive and seven inmates died from complications related to the virus .
“ It ’ s terrifying , ” Romero said .
“ We don ’ t know what will happen to him .
...
It feels like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the shortage of electronic monitoring bracelets , a state ’ s attorney ’ s office spokeswoman said officials would “ continue to review matters on a case by case basis.
” Chief Judge Timothy Evans ’ spokesman Pat Milhizer said judges would be willing to work with prosecutors and defense attorneys to identify defendants who were given electronic monitoring bracelets before the pandemic to determine if those individuals still need them , freeing up more devices .
“ This is obviously a concern given that the use of electronic monitoring has helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , ” Milhizer said in a statement .

The Cook County sheriff’s office has run out of electronic monitoring bracelets, worrying inmate advocates, who say the lack of devices could lead to too many arrestees languishing in jail during the coronavirus pandemic.
The lack of bracelets, which was mentioned by prosecutors during court hearings Thursday, could grow worse as the weather warms, straining the sheriff’s office’s ability to socially distance detainees and leading to more contracting COVID-19 at Cook County Jail, advocates said.
The sheriff’s office, meanwhile, acknowledged the lack of devices, saying its inventory of bracelets had been exhausted Tuesday night and supply issues with companies that provide the bracelets has prevented the office from acquiring more.
“As we have reached our program capacity, any new EM orders will result in defendants being held at the jail — a result that threatens to undo the successes we have achieved in slowing the spread of the virus,” a sheriff’s spokeswoman said.
In a letter to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and others, Sheriff Tom Dart wrote, “For years, my office has carried the burden of processing and monitoring more and more criminal defendants in the community, with more complex public safety considerations, and all while maintaining static staffing numbers. This need for an immediate solution has accelerated due to the introduction of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The use of electronic monitoring increased as the county tried to reduce the jail population during the health crisis, according to Sharlyn Grace, executive director of the Chicago Community Bond Fund, a nonprofit that posts bond for destitute detainees.
“Given the consequences right now of people being jailed, we can’t allow a supply issue to be putting people at risk of getting sick, or death,” Grace said.
The number of those on electronic monitoring has “exploded” in Cook County to roughly 3100 — an increase of more than 700 since Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s shelter-at-home order took effect in March, Grace said.
The lack of bracelets was touched upon at a hearing Thursday when Judge Thaddeus Wilson recommended a 26-year-old man charged with misdemeanor domestic battery be given the next electronic monitoring bracelet available.
Anthony Vazquez Provided
Anthony Vazquez has been in custody since April 26 when he was arrested for a domestic-related incident involving his sister in west suburban Hoffman Estates, according to court records.
Vazquez was ordered released on his own recognizance but because he had a separate arrest warrant on another case, his bond was set at $5,000.
His family tried to post his bond twice last week and was told it was not possible.
Vazquez’s attorney, Tracey Harkins, filed an emergency petition this week, accusing Dart of unlawfully holding Vazquez at the jail.
During Vazquez’s hearing Thursday, Francis Catania, an assistant state’s attorney in the office’s Civil Action Bureau, which represents the sheriff’s office in civil matters, agreed to allow Vazquez’s relatives to post bond. But Catania said there was a lack of available electronic monitoring bracelets, so even if Vazquez’s family had the money, he still would have to stay in jail.
There are about 500 detainees who would be in the same boat if they were able to post bond and were ordered on electronic monitoring, Grace said.
Vazquez’s sister, Taneesha Romero, 25, said her brother has asthma and she is worried what will happen if he gets COVID-19 at the jail, where more than 500 detainees have tested positive and seven inmates died from complications related to the virus.
“It’s terrifying,” Romero said. “We don’t know what will happen to him. ...It feels like a trap to keep him there.”
Asked about the shortage of electronic monitoring bracelets, a state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman said officials would “continue to review matters on a case by case basis.”
Chief Judge Timothy Evans’ spokesman Pat Milhizer said judges would be willing to work with prosecutors and defense attorneys to identify defendants who were given electronic monitoring bracelets before the pandemic to determine if those individuals still need them, freeing up more devices.
“This is obviously a concern given that the use of electronic monitoring has helped reduce the jail population before and during the pandemic,” Milhizer said in a statement.
Stakeholders_Ltr_5.7.2020.pdf


chicagosun-times--2020-05-07--GM Ryan Pace claims Bears ‘believe in Mitch’ despite declining option

Bears general manager Ryan Pace professed his belief in quarterback Mitch Trubisky on Thursday night , just five days after the team decided not to extend him a $ 24.8 million fifth-year option for 2021 .
“ We ’ ve always had the approach that we ’ re honest and we ’ re truthful with our players and our staff , and we move on and we get to work .
… ” Pace on “ Bears All-Access , ” the team-sponsored radio show on WSCR-AM .
“ Mitch gets it .
Everyone ’ s competing .
Everyone ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the entire team .
That starts with me and everybody .
“ We believe in Mitch — that doesn ’ t change .
… “ I think you can point to [ cornerback ] Kyle Fuller as a great example of a player that didn ’ t get his option exercised .
I think we would say it worked out well for him and for us.
” The Bears have said Trubisky and Nick Foles , for whom they traded a fourth-round pick and guaranteed $ 21 million , will have an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They ’ ll both play preseason games — a change from coach Matt Nagy ’ s first two seasons .
The winner will have to prove himself against the best team — and the best defense — in the NFC .
Presuming that preseason games will be played as scheduled , the Bears ’ all-important third contest will be at home against the NFC champion 49ers .
The 49ers gave up 10 points to the Vikings and 20 to the Packers in last year ’ s postseason , setting up a Super Bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Mahomes .
The 49ers held the Chiefs to only 10 points through three-and-a-half quarters — until they surged for 21 points in the final 6:13 of the Super Bowl .
Trubisky will also have to face the defensive mind who knows him best — former Bears coordinator and second-year Broncos head coach Vic Fangio — in the second week of the preseason .
The Bears didn ’ t have the faith in Trubisky to pick up his option , but they hope that Fuller can provide a best-case-scenario template for the quarterback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a fifth-year option three years ago .
By the end of the 2017 season , though , Fuller was valuable enough to earn the transition tag .
When the Packers offered him a four-year , $ 56 million deal , the Bears quickly matched .
He ’ s been a Pro Bowl player in both seasons since .

Bears general manager Ryan Pace professed his belief in quarterback Mitch Trubisky on Thursday night, just five days after the team decided not to extend him a $24.8 million fifth-year option for 2021.
“We’ve always had the approach that we’re honest and we’re truthful with our players and our staff, and we move on and we get to work. …” Pace said on “Bears All-Access,” the team-sponsored radio show on WSCR-AM. “Mitch gets it. Everyone’s competing. Everyone’s focused on better results. That’s the entire team. That starts with me and everybody.
“We believe in Mitch — that doesn’t change. …
“I think you can point to [cornerback] Kyle Fuller as a great example of a player that didn’t get his option exercised. I think we would say it worked out well for him and for us.”
The Bears have said Trubisky and Nick Foles, for whom they traded a fourth-round pick and guaranteed $21 million, will have an open competition for the starting job. They’ll both play preseason games — a change from coach Matt Nagy’s first two seasons.
The winner will have to prove himself against the best team — and the best defense — in the NFC. Presuming that preseason games will be played as scheduled, the Bears’ all-important third contest will be at home against the NFC champion 49ers.
The 49ers gave up 10 points to the Vikings and 20 to the Packers in last year’s postseason, setting up a Super Bowl matchup against the Chiefs and star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The 49ers held the Chiefs to only 10 points through three-and-a-half quarters — until they surged for 21 points in the final 6:13 of the Super Bowl.
Trubisky will also have to face the defensive mind who knows him best — former Bears coordinator and second-year Broncos head coach Vic Fangio — in the second week of the preseason.
The Bears didn’t have the faith in Trubisky to pick up his option, but they hope that Fuller can provide a best-case-scenario template for the quarterback. Pace decided against giving the cornerback a fifth-year option three years ago. By the end of the 2017 season, though, Fuller was valuable enough to earn the transition tag. When the Packers offered him a four-year, $56 million deal, the Bears quickly matched. He’s been a Pro Bowl player in both seasons since.