chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--White Sox fail to complete sweep of Cubs but prove they belong

It had the feeling of a playoff game , and it ’ s what the White Sox came here for .
A 2-1 loss to the Cubs ?
That was not on their Sunday wish list , but all said and done , for a team looking to carve a niche among baseball ’ s teams to fear and not push over , taking two of three games at Wrigley Field will do .
After hammering the Cubs with 11 home runs over the first two games , the Sox engaged in a tight pitcher ’ s duel against Yu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cubs prospect , pitching like the No .
3 starter the Sox will need if and when they make the playoffs after this 60-game season .
Darvish was unscathed but for Jose Abreu ’ s fourth home run in a row — a solo shot in the second that appeared to leave Darvish with a look of amazement as Abreu trotted around the base — and Cease was too except for Kyle Schwarber ’ s two-run homer in the sixth .
Cease felt the playoff vibe — in now way existent during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first two games of the series and pitching in the finale .
“ Definitely , ” said Cease ( 4-2 ) , who lowered his ERA to 3.16 with his fifth straight good start after a dud in his first by allowing four hits and three walks while striking out five .
“ Watching the eighth and the ninth [ innings ] , when we had guys on , too , you could feel that intensity .
We ’ re treating every game like it ’ s must-win , so it definitely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their offensive struggles notwithstanding , have been there , so these three games against a perennial contender , recent World Series champ and crosstown competitor were a litmus test of sorts for the mashing , bashing Sox in the fourth year of their rebuild .
“ The team has been building , and there ’ s been a lot of hype , ” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said after the Sox beat the Cubs Saturday for their seventh win in a row .
“ It ’ s tough to be on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you see teams come together like that , it ’ s pretty scary.
” Cease escaped trouble twice .
The Cubs had runners on second and third with one out in the fourth but did not score thanks to Rizzo getting thrown out at home by third baseman Yoan Moncada ( a review went the Sox ’ way ) and catcher James McCann throwing out Willson Contreras at second for the third out .
The Cubs filled the bases with no outs in the fifth on two walks and a Moncada error but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tim Anderson turned an Ian Happ grounder behind the bag into a nifty double play .
Manager Rick Renteria liked what he saw of Cease keeping his composure through it all .
Knowing Cease ’ s numbers are increasingly better this each time through the lineup , Renteria did not get his bullpen going until after the homer .
“ He was crisp , he was sharp , he was still explosive , ” Renteria said .
“ There was no need for me to even consider going and getting him.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eighth against Craig Kimbrel and did not score and loaded the bases after two outs against Jeremy Jeffress but Yoan Moncada grounded out to end the game .
“ I felt like we were in it , in every pitch , ” Cease said .
“ We ’ re a team that needs to be taken serious and I think they ’ re a great team , too .
It ’ s one of those series where we had two big teams clash with each other and it was a lot of fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again on the final weekend of the season at Guaranteed Rate Field .
The Sox are 17-12 at the near halfway point of the season .
“ The offense has taken off , ” said Renteria , whose team leads the majors in slugging percentage .
“ If we get pitching like we did today and swing the bat like we have I ’ ll take it every single day .
”

It had the feeling of a playoff game, and it’s what the White Sox came here for.
A 2-1 loss to the Cubs? That was not on their Sunday wish list, but all said and done, for a team looking to carve a niche among baseball’s teams to fear and not push over, taking two of three games at Wrigley Field will do.
After hammering the Cubs with 11 home runs over the first two games, the Sox engaged in a tight pitchers’ duel against Yu Darvish with Dylan Cease, the traded-away Cubs prospect, pitching like the
No. 3 starter the Sox will need if they make the playoffs.
Darvish was unscathed but for Jose Abreu’s fourth homer in a row — a solo shot in the second inning that appeared to leave Darvish with a look of amazement as Abreu trotted around the bases — and Cease was, too, except for Kyle Schwarber’s two-run homer in the sixth.
Cease felt the playoff vibe — in no way existent during his rookie season in 2019 — while watching the first two games of the series and pitching in the finale.
“Definitely,” said Cease (4-2), who lowered his ERA to 3.13 with his fifth straight good start after a dud in his first by allowing four hits and three walks and striking out five. “Watching the eighth and the ninth [innings], when we had guys on, too, you could feel that intensity. We’re treating every game like it’s must-win, so it definitely has that feel.”
The Cubs, their offensive struggles notwithstanding, have been there, so these three games against a perennial contender, recent World Series champ and crosstown competitor were a litmus test of sorts for the mashing, bashing Sox in the fourth year of their rebuild.
“The team has been building, and there’s been a lot of hype,” Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo said after the Sox beat the Cubs on Saturday for their seventh win in a row. “It’s tough to be on the losing side of it. But when you see teams come together like that, it’s pretty scary.”
Cease escaped trouble twice. The Cubs had runners on second and third with one out in the fourth but did not score after Rizzo got thrown out at home by third baseman Yoan Moncada (a review went the Sox’ way) and catcher James McCann threw out Willson Contreras at second for the third out. The Cubs filled the bases with no outs in the fifth on two walks and a Moncada error, but Cease struck out Jason Kipnis, and shortstop Tim Anderson turned an Ian Happ grounder behind the bag into a nifty double play.
Manager Rick Renteria liked what he saw of Cease, who kept his composure through it all. Knowing Cease’s numbers are increasingly better each time through the lineup, Renteria did not get his bullpen going until after the homer.
“He was crisp; he was sharp; he was still explosive,” Renteria said. “There was no need for me to even consider going and getting him.”
The Sox put two runners on in the eighth against Craig Kimbrel and did not score and loaded the bases after two outs against Jeremy Jeffress, but Moncada grounded out to end the game.
“I felt like we were in it, in every pitch,” Cease said. “We’re a team that needs to be taken seriously, and I think they’re a great team, too. It’s one of those series where we had two big teams clash with each other, and it was a lot of fun to watch.”
The teams will meet again on the last weekend of the season at Guaranteed Rate Field. The Sox are 17-12 at the near-halfway point of the season.
“The offense has taken off,” said Renteria, whose team leads the majors in slugging percentage. “If we get pitching like we did today and swing the bat like we have, I’ll take it every single day.”


chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--4 wounded in shooting outside Englewood store

Four men were shot outside a business Sunday in Englewood on the South Side .
They were standing outside the store about 4:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of South Halsted Street when someone in a vehicle pulled up and opened fire , Chicago police said .
A 27-year-old man who was shot in the calf and knee was taken to St. Bernard Hospital with a 23-year-old man who was grazed on the arm , police said .
Both men were in good condition .
Another man , 24 , was grazed on the back and buttocks and refused medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , 28 , was shot in the hand but refused to cooperate with officers responding to the scene .
His condition was not known .
Police sources said the other men were not talking to officers either .
Earlier in the afternoon , a man was shot in the arm just blocks away in the 7200 block of South Halsted Street .
Police said he was in good condition at the University of Chicago Medical Center .
Area One detectives are investigating both shootings .
Through Aug. 16 , Chicago Police Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year in the 7th District , which covers the Englewood and West Englewood neighborhoods .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Four men were shot outside a business Sunday in Englewood on the South Side.
They were standing outside the store about 4:30 p.m. in the 6600 block of South Halsted Street when someone in a vehicle pulled up and opened fire, Chicago police said.
A 27-year-old man who was shot in the calf and knee was taken to St. Bernard Hospital with a 23-year-old man who was grazed on the arm, police said. Both men were in good condition.
Another man, 24, was grazed on the back and buttocks and refused medical treatment, police said. The fourth man, 28, was shot in the hand but refused to cooperate with officers responding to the scene. His condition was not known.
Police sources said the other men were not talking to officers either.
Earlier in the afternoon, a man was shot in the arm just blocks away in the 7200 block of South Halsted Street. Police said he was in good condition at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Area One detectives are investigating both shootings.
Through Aug. 16, Chicago Police Department data shows over 200 shootings reported this year in the 7th District, which covers the Englewood and West Englewood neighborhoods.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--Virus scare won’t be last in Bears’ ‘year of the contingency plan’

Matt Nagy ’ s wife nudged him awake at 2:51 a.m. Sunday .
She told him his phone was vibrating .
On the other line was Andre Tucker , the Bears ’ head trainer and infectious controls officer .
He gave the head coach news that would shake the franchise for the next six hours but ultimately prove to be a false alarm .
Nine tests taken by players and staff , administered by the Bears and sent to the BioReference laboratory on Saturday , came back positive for coronavirus overnight .
By 9 a.m. Sunday , though , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to be false positives .
The Bears weren ’ t alone .
The NFL said Sunday that multiple players from at least 10 teams were found to have tested positive by BioReference ’ s lab in New Jersey .
Other labs , the league said , had not produced similar anomalies .
Consider : as of Saturday night , only four players in the entire league were on the NFL ’ s Reserve/COVID-19 list .
The New Jersey lab , by contrast , produced several positive results for every single team it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears administer daily nasal swab coronavirus tests to their players inside a trailer parked in the Halas Hall parking lot .
The tests are shipped out and returned in less than 24 hours .
In rare cases , such as Sunday , they administer rapid-response tests that take less than a half-hour to produce results .
The nine that tested positive overnight — Nagy wouldn ’ t break down how many were players , as opposed to staff —reported to Halas Hall on Sunday morning and took rapid-response tests .
All nine tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably won ’ t be their last .
As the NFL barrels toward opening day less than three weeks away , an infection — or at least a scare — looms on the horizon .
While the NFL has produced few positive tests since the beginning of training camp , that figures to change once teams begin traveling for games — the way it did at the start of the baseball season .
Nagy has tried to be prepared .
Sunday , it turns out , was a dry run .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , ” Nagy said .
“ You have to have what-ifs and backups really in everything you do , whether it ’ s positions , or whether it ’ s scenarios of what could happen.
” “ You could get into this situation with players that all the sudden you don ’ t have going into a Saturday or Sunday game , ” Nagy said .
“ It can happen with coaches.
” For a few hours Sunday morning , it felt as though it had already happened .
Last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tight end Eric Saubert and running back Artavis Pierce — were placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list , and quickly taken off it , upon reporting to Halas Hall .
Nose tackle Eddie Goldman and safety Jordan Lucas decided to opt out because of coronavirus .
Otherwise , Nagy ’ s push for coronavirus safety had been rewarded with an uneventful camp .
“ We ’ re so proud of the way we ’ ve done things here , my initial five-second gut reaction when I was told [ of the positive tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Nagy said .
“ And , you know , it ’ s just hard when you hear that — because everyone ’ s doing such a great job of doing everything that we possibly can in our control to prevent something like this .
So when you her this , you initially think , ‘ Wow .
What ’ s next ?
’ ” The team will point to Sunday morning ’ s procedures as a sign their protocols work .
Nagy ’ s contingency planning began with a call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure their players and staffers didn ’ t drive to Halas Hall until the re-tests were completed .
Nagy called top players and coordinators , who filtered the information to teammates and assistants .
They postponed their 9:20 a.m. practice , eventually rescheduling it for later in the day , and used contact tracing software to see who had interacted with the people that tested positive .
At 8:15 a.m. , media members arriving for practice were turned away — with little explanation — by Halas Hall security .
By 9 , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be false positives .
Nagy held a 15-minute Zoom call with 140 players , coaches and staffers to plan out the rest of the day .
The Bears held a short practice at 1:30 p.m..
They declined to make players — or Tucker — available to media afterward .
That left Nagy to explain the Bears ’ harrowing day , and praise his players for handling the scare .
“ Inevitably , when something like this goes down , you ’ re going to ask questions , ” Nagy said .
‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to know the ‘ why ’ part .
“ And so , it ’ s easy for us to be able to tell them , ‘ Hey , this is what we know .
We ’ ve never been through this before , but I promise you this : you will get every bit of honesty and care as to how we tackle this thing , and if you trust us and you realize that we will never put you or your family in harm ’ s way .
Then let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @

Bears coach Matt Nagy’s wife nudged him awake at 2:51 a.m. Sunday. She told him his phone was vibrating.
On the other line was Andre Tucker, the Bears’ head trainer and infection-control officer. He gave Nagy news that would shake the franchise for the next six hours but ultimately would prove to be a false alarm.
Nine tests taken by players and staff, administered by the Bears and sent to the BioReference laboratory Saturday, came back positive for coronavirus overnight. By 9 a.m. Sunday, however, the team conducted its own testing and found them to be false positives.
The Bears weren’t alone. The NFL said multiple players from at least 10 teams were found to have tested positive by BioReference’s lab in New Jersey. Other labs, the league said, had not produced similar anomalies. Monday, BioReference said in a statement that the positive results have since been confirmed negative, and blamed an “isolated contamination” for the mistake.
Consider that, as of Saturday night, only four players in the entire league were on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The New Jersey lab, by contrast, produced several positive results for every team it reviewed, the NFL said.
The Bears administer daily nasal-swab tests to their players inside a trailer in the Halas Hall parking lot. The tests are shipped out and returned in less than 24 hours. In rare cases, such as Sunday, the team administers rapid-response tests that take less than a half-hour to produce results.
The nine who tested positive overnight — Nagy wouldn’t break down how many were players, as opposed to staff — reported to Halas Hall and took rapid-response tests. All nine tested negative.
The Bears’ scary morning probably won’t be their last.
As the NFL barrels toward opening day less than three weeks away, an infection — or at least a scare — looms on the horizon. While the NFL has produced few positive tests since the beginning of camp, that figures to change once teams begin traveling for games — the way it did at the start of the baseball season.
Nagy has tried to be prepared. It turns out Sunday was a dry run.
‘‘This is definitely the year of the contingency plan,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘You have to have what-ifs and backups, really, in everything you do, whether it’s positions or whether it’s scenarios of what could happen.’’
Even on game days.
‘‘You could get into this situation with players that all the sudden you don’t have going into a Saturday or Sunday game,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘It can happen with coaches.’’
For a few hours, it felt as though it already had happened.
Last month, three players — nose tackle John Jenkins, tight end Eric Saubert and running back Artavis Pierce — were put on the reserve/COVID-19 list and quickly taken off it. Nose tackle Eddie Goldman and safety Jordan Lucas decided to opt out of the season because of the coronavirus. Otherwise, Nagy’s push for coronavirus safety had been rewarded with an uneventful camp.
Until Sunday.
‘‘We’re so proud of the way we’ve done things here, my initial five-second gut reaction when I was told [of the positive tests] was just sheer disappointment, frustration,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘And, you know, it’s just hard when you hear that because everyone’s doing such a great job of doing everything that we possibly can in our control to prevent something like this. So when you hear this, you initially think, ‘Wow. What’s next?’ ’’
The Bears will point to their procedures Sunday as a sign their protocols work. Nagy’s contingency planning began with a call to general manager Ryan Pace. They made sure their players and staffers didn’t drive to Halas Hall until the re-tests were completed. Nagy then called top players and coordinators, who filtered the information to teammates and assistants. The Bears postponed their 9:20 a.m. practice until later in the day and used contact-tracing software to see who had interacted with the people who tested positive.
At 8:15 a.m., media members arriving at Halas Hall for practice were turned away — with little explanation — by security. By 9, though, Nagy knew the tests were false positives. He held a 15-minute Zoom call with 140 players, coaches and staffers to plan out the rest of the day.
The Bears held a short practice at 1:30 p.m. and declined to make players — or Tucker — available to the media afterward. That left Nagy to explain the Bears’ harrowing day and to praise his players for handling the scare.
‘‘Inevitably, when something like this goes down, you’re going to ask questions,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘That’s human nature. They want to know the ‘why’ part.
‘‘So it’s easy for us to be able to tell them: ‘Hey, this is what we know. We’ve never been through this before, but I promise you this: You will get every bit of honesty and care as to how we tackle this thing, and if you trust us and you realize that we will never put you or your family in harm’s way, then let’s go practice.’ ’’


chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--Whitehair, Leno take leadership roles on O-line

Every offensive line coach ever has focused on fundamentals .
But Juan Castillo ’ s fanatical belief in them takes it to another level .
The Bears ’ first-year line coach ’ s ground-floor approach to fundamentals is the offensive line version of Vince Lombardi ’ s famously simplistic opening-day approach to coaching in general : ‘ ‘ Gentlemen , this is a football.
’ ’ He starts with the most basic of the basics .
When Bears practice starts at 9:20 a.m. , Castillo ’ s offensive linemen are out there at 9 , doing hand-placement/punching drills on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practice field .
And Castillo isn ’ t even there .
While he does his own core workouts , center Cody Whitehair and left tackle Charles Leno lead the drills .
So he ’ s working his players on fundamentals , getting himself into shape and developing leadership by delegating authority at the same time .
And then practice starts .
‘ ‘ It ’ s just like a boxer , ’ ’ Castillo said .
‘ ‘ A boxer works on two things , if you think about it : his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with ] his feet , his footwork .
So that ’ s basically what we ’ re doing is working on different combinations : hand combinations for punching , for pass protection .
.
.
.
They end up getting about 50 to 60 punches you wouldn ’ t normally get in a normal practice.
’ ’ The footwork is just as important .
‘ ‘ Just like a boxer ; [ Muhammad ] Ali comes to mind , ’ ’ Castillo said .
‘ ‘ But it ’ s the same concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
[ But ] it ’ s not about jumping rope for us ; it ’ s doing the actual things that happen in a game .
We do it over and over so that it becomes natural for your body , so you don ’ t have to think about it , so you can focus on defeating your opponent.
’ ’ Of all the Bears ’ new coaches , Castillo talks the best game .
His enthusiasm is so over-the-top that he often can ’ t finish a thought without switching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of live-wire approach that often has an immediate impact , which is just what coach Matt Nagy and the Bears are looking for .
The big question is how long those messages and that approach can be sustained .
But first things first .
In an abbreviated training camp after a remote offseason program — and with no preseason games — it remains to be seen whether the Bears ’ offensive line and running game will be better under Castillo than they were under Harry Hiestand in 2018-19 .
After one week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early to know .
Nagy said he got a better indication from watching the tape of the scrimmage Saturday .
Starters on offense and defense competed in ‘ ‘ thud ’ ’ sessions , in which ball carriers aren ’ t tackled .
‘ ‘ I thought our line did a really good job of opening up some lanes , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ Now , we went 1 [ versus ] 1 and it was thud , so it ’ s not quite the same for both sides .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the angles they take and where the backs are at with their vision .
So I liked that part.
’ ’ Without preseason games , however , Nagy acknowledged all bets are off until the Bears play the Lions in the season opener Sept. 13 at Ford Field .
‘ ‘ We ’ re not going to know fully until we get into it how effective or how much better our run game does get — or our offense in general , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ So I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just so much going on right now [ in installation/preparation ] , and we ’ re just trying to trust each other .
That ’ s where we ’ re at .
’ ’

Every offensive line coach ever has focused on fundamentals. But Juan Castillo’s fanatical belief in them takes it to another level.
The Bears’ first-year line coach’s ground-floor approach to fundamentals is the offensive line version of Vince Lombardi’s famously simplistic opening-day approach to coaching in general: ‘‘Gentlemen, this is a football.’’ He starts with the most basic of the basics.
When Bears practice starts at 9:20 a.m., Castillo’s offensive linemen are out there at 9, doing hand-placement/punching drills on a special five-position sled and footwork drills on the practice field. And Castillo isn’t even there. While he does his own core workouts, center Cody Whitehair and left tackle Charles Leno lead the drills. So he’s working his players on fundamentals, getting himself into shape and developing leadership by delegating authority at the same time. And then practice starts.
‘‘It’s just like a boxer,’’ Castillo said. ‘‘A boxer works on two things, if you think about it: his punching with his hands and, [with] his feet, his footwork. So that’s basically what we’re doing is working on different combinations: hand combinations for punching, for pass protection. . . . They end up getting about 50 to 60 punches you wouldn’t normally get in a normal practice.’’
The footwork is just as important.
‘‘Just like a boxer; [Muhammad] Ali comes to mind,’’ Castillo said. ‘‘But it’s the same concept as boxers: You work your feet. [But] it’s not about jumping rope for us; it’s doing the actual things that happen in a game. We do it over and over so that it becomes natural for your body, so you don’t have to think about it, so you can focus on defeating your opponent.’’
Of all the Bears’ new coaches, Castillo talks the best game. His enthusiasm is so over-the-top that he often can’t finish a thought without switching gears. It’s the kind of live-wire approach that often has an immediate impact, which is just what coach Matt Nagy and the Bears are looking for. The big question is how long those messages and that approach can be sustained.
But first things first. In an abbreviated training camp after a remote offseason program — and with no preseason games — it remains to be seen whether the Bears’ offensive line and running game will be better under Castillo than they were under Harry Hiestand in 2018-19. After one week in pads, it’s still too early to know.
Nagy said he got a better indication from watching the tape of the scrimmage Saturday. Starters on offense and defense competed in ‘‘thud’’ sessions, in which ball carriers aren’t tackled.
‘‘I thought our line did a really good job of opening up some lanes,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘Now, we went 1 [versus] 1 and it was thud, so it’s not quite the same for both sides. But it’s still good to see the angles they take and where the backs are at with their vision. So I liked that part.’’
Without preseason games, however, Nagy acknowledged all bets are off until the Bears play the Lions in the season opener Sept. 13 at Ford Field.
‘‘We’re not going to know fully until we get into it how effective or how much better our run game does get — or our offense in general,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘So I’m excited about that part. There’s just so much going on right now [in installation/preparation], and we’re just trying to trust each other. That’s where we’re at.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--Facing opposition from neighbors, Zoning Board rejects proposed pot shop near Gold Coast during 12-h

Facing opposition from neighbors, Zoning Board rejects proposed pot shop near Gold Coast during 12-hour meeting

Chicago ’ s Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a pot firm ’ s plan to open a recreational cannabis store just outside the Gold Coast following a nearly 12-hour meeting that started Friday and stretched into the early morning hours Saturday .
PharmaCann ’ s plan to open a Verilife dispensary at 12-14 W. Maple St. faced stiff opposition from local Ald .
Brian Hopkins ( 2nd ) and a coalition of neighbors and businesses who claimed the dispensary would have been out of character for the neighborhood , which boasts one of the city ’ s premier retail and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dubbed Stop Pot at 12-14 W Maple , lauded the Zoning Board for making “ the right decision ” following the lengthy meeting , which included testimony from more than 50 community members and business owners .
“ This issue isn ’ t about marijuana .
It is about the significant negative impact that the pot dispensary would ’ ve had on our community , ” said Matthew Newberger , a member of the group who also serves as president of the Mariano Park Advisory Board .
PharmaCann spokesman Jeremy Unruh called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” but said “ the pause will give us an opportunity to reweigh some of the neighborhood issues raised by those who objected to our proposal.
” “ In the meantime , we have other locations that we will continue to move through the zoning process , ” Unruh said .
The proposed Verilife store is the first dispensary location to be shot down by the Zoning Board , which previously approved five recreational pot shops during another whirlwind meeting in March .
Those companies were all cleared to open in locations on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are close to the exclusion zone that covers a large swath of the Central Business District where legal weed sales are prohibited .
Two stores have already opened in River North and another has started selling weed in Goose Island .
The operators of the state ’ s existing medical cannabis dispensaries were given first crack at selling recreational weed when the drug was fully legalized at the start of this year .
But starting next month , state officials will begin doling out 75 new licenses that have long been delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permits will be prioritized for the so-called social equity applicants the law was written to benefit in an effort to bolster minority ownership in the overwhelmingly white industry .

Chicago’s Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a pot firm’s plan to open a recreational cannabis store just outside the Gold Coast following a nearly 12-hour meeting that started Friday and stretched into the early morning hours Saturday.
PharmaCann’s plan to open a Verilife dispensary at 12-14 W. Maple St. faced stiff opposition from local Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) and a coalition of neighbors and businesses who claimed the dispensary would have been out of character for the neighborhood, which boasts one of the city’s premier retail and nightlife districts.
The grassroots organization, dubbed Stop Pot at 12-14 W Maple, lauded the Zoning Board for making “the right decision” following the lengthy meeting, which included testimony from more than 50 community members and business owners.
“This issue isn’t about marijuana. It is about the significant negative impact that the pot dispensary would’ve had on our community,” said Matthew Newberger, a member of the group who also serves as president of the Mariano Park Advisory Board.
PharmaCann spokesman Jeremy Unruh called the Zoning Board’s decision “disappointing” but said “the pause will give us an opportunity to reweigh some of the neighborhood issues raised by those who objected to our proposal.”
“In the meantime, we have other locations that we will continue to move through the zoning process,” Unruh said.
The proposed Verilife store is the first dispensary location to be shot down by the Zoning Board, which previously approved five recreational pot shops during another whirlwind meeting in March.
Those companies were all cleared to open in locations on the Near North and Near West sides that are close to the exclusion zone that covers a large swath of the Central Business District where legal weed sales are prohibited. Two stores have already opened in River North and another has started selling weed in Goose Island.
The operators of the state’s existing medical cannabis dispensaries were given first crack at selling recreational weed when the drug was fully legalized at the start of this year.
But starting next month, state officials will begin doling out 75 new licenses that have long been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Those new permits will be prioritized for the so-called social equity applicants the law was written to benefit in an effort to bolster minority ownership in the overwhelmingly white industry.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--Bears want kicker insurance amid COVID concerns, Eddy Pineiro’s injury

The Bears are bringing in another kicker , but coach Matt Nagy painted it as more of a precaution than a concern about Eddy Pineiro ’ s performance .
Pineiro still appears to be his guy heading into the season , and new addition Cairo Santos is an insurance policy .
Nagy , speaking hours after his team endured a scare from what it said were nine false positive tests for coronavirus Sunday , wants to prevent a scenario where he ’ d have to scramble to find a kicker shortly leading up to game .
“ It goes back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
“ We need to have another kicker on this roster .
Knowing kind of where the COVID testing is right now , we all feel it ’ s very important that you have somebody that can come in if something was to happen to Eddy.
” That preemptive concern was heightened not only by Sunday ’ s bizarre events but also Pineiro dealing with a groin injury .
He has not kicked in practice since the Bears started a week ago .
Santos hasn ’ t been on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he must go through extensive testing before he ’ s cleared to sign .
With an off day Monday , it ’ s likely he ’ ll make his practice debut Tuesday .
It ’ s not really a Bears debut for Santos , of course , because he kicked two games for them in 2017 .
He also had the best stretch of his career when he kicked for the Chiefs from 2014 through ’ 17 while Nagy was on staff .
Santos hit a career-high 88.6 percent of his field goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a full-time kicker since .
He played for five teams the last three years and was cut by the Titans last season after going 0 for 4 in a 14-7 loss .
Pineiro , meanwhile , survived a position battle last August and made 81.2 percent of his field goals ( tied for 17th ) .
It was a wild ride that featured a 53-yard game-winner in Denver and a mid-season slump including a 41-yard miss at the end of a home loss to the Chargers .
It wasn ’ t fully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wanted two kickers on the 53-man roster for the season rather than adding Santos merely for the next two weeks of camp .
That is extremely unusual in the NFL , but this is an extremely unusual season .
Speaking of which , the interesting part of bringing in Santos in case Pineiro tests positive is that the two would theoretically be together all the time in meetings and practice .
The Bears may need to keep Santos isolated .
The Bears could also stash Santos on the newly expanded practice squad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players there this season and are able to protect four per week from being signed by other teams .
When the Bears had concerns about Pineiro ’ s knee injury last September , they opted against adding an extra kicker during the week .
Teams occasionally sign a kicker off the street a day or two before the game if they ’ re worried .
Instead , they proceed with Pineiro and took some stress off his knee by having punter Pat O ’ Donnell handle kickoffs .
Nagy oddly dodged a question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday it was because he hadn ’ t had a chance to talk with him “ in regards to his situation ” first .
He added that they had “ a good conversation ” and that he believed Pineiro would ’ ve been able to kick Sunday if the Bears had worked on field goal drills .
That said , Pineiro ’ s absence likely reinforced the need for a Plan B .
And Santos will certainly get a chance to compete , but the Bears ’ thinking at this point seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than a challenger to Pineiro .
“ I ’ m excited to get him in here , and now we feel more confident in that situation , ” Nagy said .

The Bears are bringing in another kicker, but coach Matt Nagy painted it as more of a precaution than a concern about Eddy Pineiro’s performance. Pineiro still appears to be his guy heading into the season. New addition Cairo Santos is an insurance policy.
Nagy, speaking hours after his team endured a scare from what it said were nine false-positive tests for the coronavirus Sunday, wants to prevent a scenario in which he’d have to scramble to find a kicker shortly leading up to a game.
“It goes back to that contingency plan that we have,” he said. “We need to have another kicker on this roster. Knowing kind of where the COVID testing is right now, we all feel it’s very important that you have somebody that can come in if something was to happen to Eddy.”
That pre-emptive concern was heightened not only by Sunday’s bizarre events but also by Pineiro’s groin injury. He has not kicked in practice since the Bears started a week ago.
Santos hasn’t been on an NFL roster this year, so he must go through extensive testing before he’s cleared to sign. With a day off Monday, it’s likely he’ll make his practice debut Tuesday.
It’s not really a Bears debut for Santos, of course, because he kicked in two games for them in 2017. He also had the best stretch of his career when he kicked for the Chiefs from 2014 through 2017 while Nagy was on staff.
Santos hit a career-high 88.6% of his field goals in 2016 but hasn’t been a full-time kicker since. He played for five teams the last three years and was cut by the Titans last season after going 0-for-4 in a 14-7 loss.
Pineiro, meanwhile, survived a position battle last August and made 81.2% of his field goals (tied for 17th). It was a wild ride that featured a 53-yard game-winner in Denver and a midseason slump, including a 41-yard miss at the end of a home loss to the Chargers.
It wasn’t fully clear, but Nagy seemed to indicate he wanted two kickers on the 53-man roster for the season rather than adding Santos merely for the next two weeks of camp.
That is extremely unusual in the NFL, but this is an extremely unusual season. Speaking of which, the interesting part of bringing in Santos in case Pineiro tests positive is that they would theoretically be together all the time in meetings and practice. The Bears might need to keep Santos isolated.
The Bears could also stash Santos on the newly expanded practice squad. They can keep up to 16 players there this season and are able to protect four per week from being signed by other teams.
When the Bears had concerns about Pineiro’s knee injury last September, they opted against adding an extra kicker during the week. Teams occasionally sign a kicker off the street a day or two before the game if they’re worried. Instead, they proceeded with Pineiro and took some stress off his knee by having punter Pat O’Donnell handle kickoffs.
Nagy oddly dodged a question about Pineiro the day before and said Sunday it was because he hadn’t had a chance to talk with him “in regard to his situation” first. He added that they had “a good conversation” and that he believed Pineiro would’ve been able to kick Sunday if the Bears had worked on field-goal drills.
That said, Pineiro’s absence likely reinforced the need for a Plan B. And Santos certainly will get a chance to compete, but the Bears’ thinking at this point seems to be that he’s a safeguard rather than a challenger.
“I’m excited to get him in here, and now we feel more confident in that situation,” Nagy said.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-23--This You Gotta See: Cubs, White Sox try to fatten up against dregs of the league

The good news for the Cubs as they dust themselves off after a grueling 12 games at Wrigley Field against the Bewers , Cardinals and White Sox ?
They ’ re off to Detroit to take on the lowly Tigers , who are so bad , they were outscored 31-9 by the Sox in a recent four-game sweep .
But the bad news ?
Cubs manager David Ross can ’ t write “ Jose Abreu ” or any other Sox names into his lineup .
Here ’ s what we know about the Cubs after they lost two of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 12 games they ’ d soon forget if they could : They can ’ t hit .
They have no power .
They ’ ve never heard of the term “ crooked number.
” We ’ re exaggerating , of course , but any team would look like a bunch of weenies offensively compared with Abreu — who homered a preposterous six times over the weekend at Wrigley — and the Sox .
Even after dropping Sunday ’ s finale 2-1 , the Sox have won seven of their last eight games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ span .
And now the Sox , who ’ ve made quite the move in the American League Central , get the chance to beat up on a couple of real duds in the Pirates and the Royals .
If Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez aren ’ t household names in Pittsburgh and Kansas City yet , they might be soon .
It ’ s a week in which both the Sox and the Cubs have good chances to fatten up their stats .
Doesn ’ t mean they will , though .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first home start in the big leagues : Detroit ’ s Casey Mize , who was drafted No .
1 overall out of Auburn in 2018 .
Mize is only 23 , but he ’ s old enough to remember when the Cubs could hit .
Some questions are dogging the West ’ s No .
1 seed as it tangles with Damian Lillard and the dangerous Blazers .
Will LeBron James ’ wayward jump shot come around ?
Is Anthony Davis ’ sore knee holding up OK ?
Does anyone know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
After a bit of a coronavirus scare , the Fire make their home debut at Soldier Field .
The stands will be closed to fans , but perhaps Matt Nagy can sneak into a seat and find himself a kicker ?
Lucas Giolito , eager to get his record back above .500 , takes the mound against the worst team in baseball .
See ?
It ’ s possible to write a sentence about the Sox without mentioning Abreu or home runs .
If Mavs stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzyngas were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clips might really be in some trouble .
Either way , buckle in for 250-plus points and a heck of a good time .
Hopefully , the action in this one is more intense than the so-called altercation between Orlando ’ s James Ennis and Milwaukee ’ s Marvin Williams in Game 3 was .
Who knew scowling was an ejectionable offense ?
Is injured Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer still out ?
If so , lots of luck to backup Pavel Francouz against a Stars team that ’ s crushing bubble life offensively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have fun on the baseball field again ?
Well , we never !
We know what you ’ re thinking , and , no , it ’ s not possible for Mark Stone , Reilly Smith , Shea Theodore or any other Vegas skater to score another point on the Blackhawks .
A friendly period on the schedule only gets friendlier for the Sox , who celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with the opener of a series against a division bottom feeder .
Wait , did we say friendly ?
Some of the Royals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anderson very much .
In their second and final time on ABC during the regular season , the better-all-the-time Sky get another crack at the WNBA ’ s best team .
Just a suggestion : Try not to get buried in the first quarter this time .
It ’ s the opener of another doubleheader for a Cubs team that can sleep sometime after the weather turns cold .
Weren ’ t the Reds supposed to be , you know , kind of good ?
Sure , who wouldn ’ t want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and early after spending roughly an eternity there the day before ?
Is this where the fun ends ?
Next up : a visit to the Twins .
Might as well end this homestand with a few more bangs .

The good news for the Cubs as they dust themselves off after a grueling 12 games at Wrigley Field against the Brewers, Cardinals and White Sox? They’re off to Detroit to take on the lowly Tigers, who are so bad, they were outscored 31-9 by the Sox in a recent four-game sweep.
But the bad news? Cubs manager David Ross can’t write Jose Abreu or any other Sox names into his lineup.
Here’s what we know about the Cubs after they lost two of three to their crosstown rivals and went 5-7 over 12 games they’d soon forget if they could: They can’t hit. They have no power. They’ve never heard of the term “crooked number.”
We’re exaggerating, of course, but any team would look like a bunch of weenies offensively compared with Abreu — who homered a preposterous six times over the weekend at Wrigley — and the Sox. Even after dropping Sunday’s finale 2-1, they’ve won seven of their last eight games and belted 28 long balls in that span.
And now the Sox, who’ve made quite the move in the American League Central, get the chance to beat up on a couple of real duds in the Pirates and Royals. If Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez aren’t household names in Pittsburgh and Kansas City yet, they might be soon.
It’s a week in which the Sox and Cubs have good chances to fatten up their stats. Doesn’t mean they will, though. Baseball is funny like that.
Here’s what’s happening:
MON 24
Cubs at Tigers (6:10 p.m., MSN, FS1)
Making his first home start in the big leagues: Detroit’s Casey Mize, who was drafted No. 1 overall out of Auburn in 2018. Mize is only 23, but he’s old enough to remember when the Cubs could hit.
Lakers at Trail Blazers, Game 4
(8 p.m., TNT)
Some questions are dogging the West’s No. 1 seed as it tangles with Damian Lillard and the dangerous Blazers. Will LeBron James’ wayward jump shot come around? Is Anthony Davis’ sore knee holding up OK? Does anyone know where this Alex Caruso guy came from?
TUE 25
FC Cincinnati at Fire (6:30 p.m., Ch. 9)
After a bit of a coronavirus scare, the Fire make their home debut at Soldier Field. The stands will be closed to fans, but perhaps Matt Nagy can sneak into a seat and find himself a kicker?
Pirates at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)
Lucas Giolito, eager to get his record back above .500, takes the mound against the worst team in baseball. See? It’s possible to write a sentence about the Sox without mentioning Abreu or home runs.
Mavericks at Clippers, Game 5
(8 p.m., TNT)
If Mavs stars Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis were both at 100% physically, the Clips might really be in some trouble. Either way, buckle in for 250-plus points and a heck of a good time.
WED 26
Magic at Bucks, Game 5 (3 p.m., NBA)
Hopefully, the action in this one is more intense than the so-called altercation between Orlando’s James Ennis and Milwaukee’s Marvin Williams in Game 3 was. Who knew scowling was an ejectionable offense?
Avalanche at Stars, Game 3
(9:30 p.m., NBCSN)
Is injured Avs goalie Philipp Grubauer still out? If so, lots of luck to backup Pavel Francouz against a Stars team that’s crushing bubble life offensively.
THU 27
Mariners at Padres (3:10 p.m., MLB)
Is that Fernando Tatis Jr. trying to have fun on the baseball field again? Well, we never!
Golden Knights at Canucks, Game 3
(8:45 p.m., NBCSN)
We know what you’re thinking, and, no, it’s not possible for Mark Stone, Reilly Smith, Shea Theodore or any other Vegas skater to score another goal on the Blackhawks.
FRI 28
Royals at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)
A friendly period on the schedule only gets friendlier for the Sox, who celebrate Jackie Robinson Day with the opener of a series against a division bottom-feeder. Wait, did we say friendly? Some of the Royals don’t seem to like Tim Anderson very much.
SAT 29
Storm at Sky (1 p.m., Ch. 7)
In their second and final time on ABC during the regular season, the better-all-the-time Sky get another crack at the WNBA’s best team. Just a suggestion: Try not to get buried in the first quarter this time.
Cubs at Reds (3:10 p.m., MSN)
It’s the opener of another doubleheader for a Cubs team that can sleep sometime after the weather turns cold. Weren’t the Reds supposed to be, you know, kind of good?
SUN 30
Cubs at Reds (12:10 p.m., MSN)
Sure, who wouldn’t want to be right back at the ballpark bright and early after spending roughly an eternity there the day before?
Royals at White Sox (1:10 p.m., NBCSCH)
Is this where the fun ends? Next up: a visit to the Twins. Might as well end this homestand with a few more bangs.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--Protest erupts after Kenosha, Wisconsin, police shoot man from behind

KENOSHA , Wis. — Officers deployed tear gas early Monday to disperse hundreds of people who took to the streets following a police shooting in Kenosha that also drew a harsh rebuke from the governor after a video posted on social media appeared to show officers shoot at a Black man ’ s back seven times as he leaned into a vehicle .
A person was hospitalized in serious condition following a shooting by officers about 5 p.m. Sunday as officers were responding to a “ domestic incident , ” the Kenosha Police Department said in a news release .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the southeastern corner of Wisconsin about 40 miles south of Milwaukee and 50 miles north of Chicago , did not provide details about what led to the shooting , but said the person was transported to a hospital in Milwaukee for treatment .
By late Sunday , multiple vehicles were set ablaze and windows were smashed along city thoroughfares as crowds faced off with law enforcement .
Officers in riot gear stood in lines and SWAT vehicles remained on the streets to move people away from city buildings despite the declaration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to disperse groups of people , according to reporters at the scene .
In video posted on social media that appeared to show the shooting from across a street , three officers could be seen shouting and pointing their weapons at the man as he walked around the front of a parked SUV .
As the man opened the driver ’ s side door and leaned inside , one officer grabbed his shirt from behind and then fired into the vehicle .
Seven shots could be heard on the video , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer fired .
Gov .
Tony Evers on Sunday night condemned the shooting of the man , whom he identified as Jacob Blake , saying in a statement that “ while we do not have all of the details yet , what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.
” The Wisconsin Department of Justice , which is investigating the shooting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers who were involved except to say they had been placed on administrative leave .
Following the shooting , social media posts showed neighbors gathering in the surrounding streets and shouting at police .
Some could be heard chanting “ no justice , no peace ” while others appeared to throw objects at officers and damage police vehicles .
Later Sunday , in a scene that mirrored the widespread protests over the police shootings of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other Black people , marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county sheriff ’ s departments .
Authorities mostly blocked off the building , and some officers were positioned on the roof as protesters marched beside lines of honking cars as they made their way to the building .
Outside the station , protesters clashed with officers dressed in riot gear , including plastic face masks , who occasionally used their shields and batons to push people back .
Meanwhile , Evers indicated that he intends to take further action over the shooting .
“ I have said all along that although we must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our action , ” he said .
“ In the coming days , we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long .
”

KENOSHA, Wis. — Kenosha became the nation’s latest flashpoint city in a summer of racial unrest after police shot and wounded a Black man, apparently in the back, as he leaned into his SUV while his three children sat in the vehicle.
Protesters set cars on fire, smashed windows and clashed with officers in riot gear Sunday night, while Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden immediately condemned the shooting of 29-year-old Jacob Blake, who was hospitalized in serious condition.
Police in the former auto manufacturing center of 100,000 people midway between Milwaukee and Chicago said Blake was shot while they were responding to a call about a domestic dispute. They did not immediately disclose the race of the three officers at the scene or say whether Blake was armed or why police opened fire, and they released no details on the domestic dispute.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Blake’s family, said Blake was “simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident.”
The officers were placed on administrative leave, standard practice in a shooting by police, while the state Justice Department investigates. And Kenosha County imposed an 8 p.m. curfew to try to head off another round of violence Monday night.
The shooting happened around 5 p.m. Sunday and was captured from across the street on cellphone video that was posted online. Kenosha police do not have body cameras.
In the footage, Blake walks from the sidewalk around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed and shout at him. As Blake opens the door and leans into the SUV, an officer grabs his shirt from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned.
Seven shots can be heard, though it isn’t clear how many struck Blake or how many officers fired. During the shooting, a Black woman can be seen screaming in the street and jumping up and down.
“While we do not have all of the details yet,” the governor said in a statement, “what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.”
Biden called for “an immediate, full and transparent investigation” and said the officers “must be held accountable.”
“This morning, the nation wakes up yet again with grief and outrage that yet another Black American is a victim of excessive force,” he said, just over two months before Election Day in a country already roiled by the recent deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta and Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Kentucky. “Those shots pierce the soul of our nation.”
Republicans and the police union accused the politicians of rushing to judgment, reflecting the deep partisan divide in Wisconsin, a key presidential battleground state. Wisconsin GOP members also decried the violent protests, echoing the law-and-order theme that President Donald Trump has been using in his reelection campaign.
“As always, the video currently circulating does not capture all the intricacies of a highly dynamic incident,” Pete Deates president of the Kenosha police union, said in a statement. He called the governor’s statement “wholly irresponsible.”
Online court records indicate Kenosha County prosecutors charged Blake on July 6 with sexual assault, trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with domestic abuse. An arrest warrant was issued the following day. The records contain no further details and do not list an attorney for Blake.
It was unclear whether that case had anything to do with the shooting.
Laquisha Booker, who is Blake’s partner, told NBC’s Milwaukee affiliate, WTMJ-TV, that the couple’s three children were in the back seat of the SUV when police shot him.
“That man just literally grabbed him by his shirt and looked the other way and was just shooting him. With the kids in the back screaming. Screaming,” Booker said.
Crump, the attorney who has also represented the Floyd and Taylor families, called the police officers’ actions “irresponsible, reckless and inhumane” and added: “It’s a miracle he’s still alive.”
In the unrest that followed, social media posts showed neighbors gathering in the surrounding streets and shouting at police. Some chanted, “No justice, no peace!” Others appeared to throw objects at officers and damage police vehicles. Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds.
In a scene that mirrored the widespread protests in recent months over police brutality and racial inequality, marchers headed to the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, which houses the police and sheriff’s departments. Authorities mostly blocked off the building, which officials said was closed on Monday because of damage.
Wisconsin’s Republican Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke cautioned the public and elected officials against “racing towards judgment,” given how few details were known.
“The frustration & anger that many in our communities are feeling must be met with empathy, but cannot be further fueled by politicians’ statements or actions that can stoke flames of violence,” tweeted Steineke, who is white.
For more than 100 years, Kenosha was an auto manufacturing center, but it has now largely been transformed into a bedroom community for Milwaukee and Chicago. The city is about 67% white, 11.5% Black and 17.6% Hispanic, according to 2019 Census data. Both the mayor and police chief are white. About 17% of the population lives in poverty.
Like other cities across the U.S., Kenosha has been grappling with unemployment in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak. Its unemployment rate was 10.8% in June, among the highest in the state.
Bauer reported from Madison, Wisconsin. Associated Press reporters Jeff Baenen in Minneapolis, Todd Richmond in Madison and Tammy Webber in Fenton, Michigan, contributed.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--Dear Abby: I’m 70 and want to change my name, but my kids object

DEAR ABBY : At age 17 , my pregnant and unwed mother married a schoolmate of my biological father .
I was given the schoolmate ’ s last name .
Several years later , my mother divorced her first husband and married my biological father .
They discussed changing my last name to that of my bio father , but never did .
I recently had DNA testing that proved this information to be accurate .
My last name is still not the name of my biological father , and I recently learned that the man named on my birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a bully .
This is very upsetting , and I would like to legally change my name to match my actual father ’ s .
The problem is I ’ m now 70 , married with wonderful kids and grandkids who are proud of our name .
I don ’ t want the fake daddy ’ s name on my tombstone .
Any advice for this distressed guy ?
— DISTRESSED SENIOR MAN DEAR DISTRESSED : Talk to your family about why you want the name change .
Perhaps when they hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon you was a rapist and substance-abusing bully , they will be more understanding and less willing to cling to the name they are so “ proud ” of .
If not , then suit yourself .
I wish you luck .
DEAR ABBY : My family has suffered a great loss .
My older sister died by suicide .
My younger sister ’ s best friend “ Carrie ” drove four hours from Michigan to be with our family .
From the day after we found out and for almost a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comforting us , helping with arrangements and anything else that needed to be done .
She even worked all night with our old family videos to digitize , edit and set them to music so it would be done in time for the wake .
Now , as we are beginning to write thank-you notes to all of those who were there for us , my family is wondering how we can express our gratitude to her for her support during this awful time .
We would like to do or give her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a part of our family , but we don ’ t know what .
— APPRECIATIVE IN THE EAST DEAR APPRECIATIVE : The head of the family or your younger sister should write Carrie a letter telling her how much her kindness is appreciated and telling her she is now truly a member of the family .
I ’ m sure it would mean the world to her .
In addition , consider giving her something that belonged to your older sister , such as a piece of jewelry .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ select it .
A keepsake would , I am sure , be deeply appreciated and treasured .
DEAR ABBY : My boyfriend and I have been living together for 10 years , although he is still legally married .
When we met , he and his wife had been separated for five years .
Neither one had the money to get divorced .
My question is , if anything should happen to my boyfriend , would she have claim to any of his assets ?
( He doesn ’ t have much beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR JUST WONDERING : Yes , as his surviving spouse , she will be entitled to whatever assets he leaves behind , which includes the vehicle .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: At age 17, my pregnant and unwed mother married a schoolmate of my biological father. I was given the schoolmate’s last name. Several years later, my mother divorced her first husband and married my biological father. They discussed changing my last name to that of my bio father, but never did. I recently had DNA testing that proved this information to be accurate.
My last name is still not the name of my biological father, and I recently learned that the man named on my birth certificate was a rapist, an alcoholic and a bully. This is very upsetting, and I would like to legally change my name to match my actual father’s. The problem is I’m now 70, married with wonderful kids and grandkids who are proud of our name. I don’t want the fake daddy’s name on my tombstone. Any advice for this distressed guy? — DISTRESSED SENIOR MAN
DEAR DISTRESSED: Talk to your family about why you want the name change. Perhaps when they hear that the person whose name was thrust upon you was a rapist and substance-abusing bully, they will be more understanding and less willing to cling to the name they are so “proud” of. If not, then suit yourself. I wish you luck.
DEAR ABBY: My family has suffered a great loss. My older sister died by suicide. My younger sister’s best friend “Carrie” drove four hours from Michigan to be with our family. From the day after we found out and for almost a week, Carrie was by our side, comforting us, helping with arrangements and anything else that needed to be done. She even worked all night with our old family videos to digitize, edit and set them to music so it would be done in time for the wake.
Now, as we are beginning to write thank-you notes to all of those who were there for us, my family is wondering how we can express our gratitude to her for her support during this awful time. We would like to do or give her something special because we truly consider her to be a part of our family, but we don’t know what. — APPRECIATIVE IN THE EAST
DEAR APPRECIATIVE: The head of the family or your younger sister should write Carrie a letter telling her how much her kindness is appreciated and telling her she is now truly a member of the family. I’m sure it would mean the world to her. In addition, consider giving her something that belonged to your older sister, such as a piece of jewelry. Your younger sister should be the person to select it. A keepsake would, I am sure, be deeply appreciated and treasured.
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been living together for 10 years, although he is still legally married. When we met, he and his wife had been separated for five years. Neither one had the money to get divorced. My question is, if anything should happen to my boyfriend, would she have claim to any of his assets? (He doesn’t have much beyond his vehicle.) — JUST WONDERING IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR JUST WONDERING: Yes, as his surviving spouse, she will be entitled to whatever assets he leaves behind, which includes the vehicle.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--A renewed warning about COVID-19 at summer’s end

A gathering of several families swimming and playing volleyball at a private inland Lake County beach in late July led to 16 positive cases of COVID-19 .
It ’ s a startling reminder of what health officials have been warning about for months : The virus can be transmitted outside as well as indoors , and children are at risk of infection just like adults .
The people involved in the Lake County case admitted to health officials they weren ’ t always wearing masks or social distancing during their outing .
Eleven of those infected were under age 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in close proximity to people who don ’ t live in your household , you ’ re taking a risk , ” said Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Hannah Goering .
“ It is very important to wear a mask and maintain social distancing any time you gather with others.
” As summer winds down , public health officials are racing to curb the spread of COVID-19 .
The effort includes issuing warnings and taking actions to reduce the risks of crowded outdoor gatherings .
It ’ s a message not resonating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warm weather aren ’ t wearing masks or keeping distance from others .
Crowd sizes are also an issue .
Swimming along the city ’ s lakefront has been banned all summer .
Now suburban beaches in Evanston and Lake County limit visitors , having seen a surge of Chicagoans head north .
In a media briefing , Chicago Public Health chief Dr. Allison Arwady recently told a story of a neighbor chatting with a man and woman outside their home for about 20 minutes with none of them wearing masks .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she said .
Cook County is launching a social media campaign soon reminding young people about the importance of masks .
Outside in open air is a safer environment than an indoor setting with poor air circulation , but the virus also spreads through close contact , even outdoors , said Dr. Rachel Rubin , senior medical officer at Cook County Department of Public Health .
“ Being outdoors is much better than being inside because you have constant air movement , but it does not mean you are safe , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the final weeks of summer to consider : • If you ’ re masked and others aren ’ t , you are at risk .
• If you ’ re wearing a thin mask and are in close proximity to a sick person , you ’ re also at risk .
• If you ’ re unmasked and close to others who are unmasked , you ’ re at the greatest risk whether you ’ re inside or outside .
The bottom line : Wear masks , stay at least 6 feet away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re seeing a rise in cases because we ’ re not doing good enough at our masking , social distancing and hygiene , ” said Dr. Micheal Lin , an epidemiologist and associate professor at Rush University Medical Center .
Lin and other experts say brief encounters , such as someone quickly walking by another person outside , doesn ’ t pose much risk .
But when someone is exposed to another person for 15 minutes and within six feet , there is a better chance of being infected .
Some can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time .
No mask is 100 % effective , and a study from Duke University warns that thin material neck gaiters and bandanas may not work to prevent infection .
A cloth or inexpensive surgical mask will “ work good enough , ” said Dr. Robert Murphy , executive director of the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University .
“ The mask is just part of it , ” Murphy said .
“ Social distancing is just part of it .
You improve your chances of not being infected three- to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take precautions around youth activities .
As a leading expert on infectious diseases , Dr. Emily Landon spent the past several months imploring people to wear masks and keep their distance .
So when her 11-year-old son recently played in his first Western Springs Little League game of 2020 , she was aghast when players , their families and coaches declined to wear masks or took them off during the game .
Masks are encouraged but not required , the league website states .
After talking to league organizers , Landon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at University of Chicago , said she was told parents weren ’ t willing to go along with such a mandate .
It was the last game for her son .
“ Masking is really important for everyone , including children , ” Landon said .
“ If it ’ s optional to have batting helmets , would the players wear them ?
” Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

A gathering of several families swimming and playing volleyball at a private inland Lake County beach in late July led to 16 positive cases of COVID-19.
It’s a startling reminder of what health officials have been warning about for months: The virus can be transmitted outside as well as indoors, and children are at risk of infection just like adults.
The people involved in the Lake County case admitted to health officials they weren’t always wearing masks or social distancing during their outing. Eleven of those infected were under age 18.
“Even outdoors, if you are in close proximity to people who don’t live in your household, you’re taking a risk,” said Lake County Health Department spokeswoman Hannah Goering. “It is very important to wear a mask and maintain social distancing any time you gather with others.”
As summer winds down, public health officials are racing to curb the spread of COVID-19. The effort includes issuing warnings and taking actions to reduce the risks of crowded outdoor gatherings. It’s a message not resonating with everyone, as many enjoying the warm weather aren’t wearing masks or keeping distance from others.
Crowd sizes are also an issue. Swimming along the city’s lakefront has been banned all summer. Now suburban beaches in Evanston and Lake County limit visitors, having seen a surge of Chicagoans head north.
Beaches aren’t the only concern.
In a media briefing, Chicago Public Health chief Dr. Allison Arwady recently told a story of a neighbor chatting with a man and woman outside their home for about 20 minutes with none of them wearing masks. All three later tested positive for the virus, she said.
Cook County is launching a social media campaign soon reminding young people about the importance of masks. Outside in open air is a safer environment than an indoor setting with poor air circulation, but the virus also spreads through close contact, even outdoors, said Dr. Rachel Rubin, senior medical officer at Cook County Department of Public Health.
“Being outdoors is much better than being inside because you have constant air movement, but it does not mean you are safe,” Rubin said.
Health experts advise during the final weeks of summer to consider:
• If you’re masked and others aren’t, you are at risk.
• If you’re wearing a thin mask and are in close proximity to a sick person, you’re also at risk.
• If you’re unmasked and close to others who are unmasked, you’re at the greatest risk whether you’re inside or outside.
The bottom line: Wear masks, stay at least 6 feet away and wash hands frequently.
“We’re seeing a rise in cases because we’re not doing good enough at our masking, social distancing and hygiene,” said Dr. Micheal Lin, an epidemiologist and associate professor at Rush University Medical Center.
Lin and other experts say brief encounters, such as someone quickly walking by another person outside, doesn’t pose much risk. But when someone is exposed to another person for 15 minutes and within six feet, there is a better chance of being infected. Some can spread the virus in a shorter amount of time.
No mask is 100% effective, and a study from Duke University warns that thin material neck gaiters and bandanas may not work to prevent infection.
A cloth or inexpensive surgical mask will “work good enough,” said Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of the Institute for Global Health at Northwestern University.
“The mask is just part of it,” Murphy said. “Social distancing is just part of it. You improve your chances of not being infected three- to fivefold.”
Health experts also advise parents to take precautions around youth activities.
As a leading expert on infectious diseases, Dr. Emily Landon spent the past several months imploring people to wear masks and keep their distance.
So when her 11-year-old son recently played in his first Western Springs Little League game of 2020, she was aghast when players, their families and coaches declined to wear masks or took them off during the game. Masks are encouraged but not required, the league website states.
After talking to league organizers, Landon, a researcher and associate professor of medicine at University of Chicago, said she was told parents weren’t willing to go along with such a mandate. It was the last game for her son.
“Masking is really important for everyone, including children,” Landon said. “If it’s optional to have batting helmets, would the players wear them?”
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--TIF surplus won’t solve Chicago’s budget woes — but it can do some good

As the pandemic burns through Chicago ’ s municipal finances , the revelation that the city ’ s TIF coffers contained $ 1.79 billion at the end of 2019 — a whopping $ 855 million more than City Hall projected — might seem like a pot of gold .
In reality , it ’ s not a windfall — but it ’ s not insignificant , either .
Between now and October , the city will square up its tax-increment financing accounts and find out exactly how much is available to be spent out of them this year after expenses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By law , City Hall then has two options : It can return the leftover money to local taxing bodies , including the city , Chicago Public Schools and Cook County government .
Under this scenario , the city ’ s share would be only 25 percent of that amount .
Here ’ s the other option : Before giving some money back to local taxing bodies , the city can reassign dollars from richer TIFs into lesser-funded TIF neighborhoods on the South and West sides — many of which were starving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our take : Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s administration would be wise to sharpen its pencils and transfer as much of the money as possible to where it ’ s needed most .
There are 140 TIF districts across Chicago , each with a 23-year life .
During that time span , all revenue from property tax increases within a district is kept within the district ’ s boundaries and used for a variety of public or private redevelopment projects .
But before putting a dollar of TIF money to work elsewhere , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that $ 1.79 billion has to be used to keep existing TIF projects on track .
Or whether the amount fully takes into account already-committed TIF projects that will unfold in the future .
The money might also have to be used to repay TIF bonds issued to fund infrastructure in existing redevelopment plans .
So the actual amount of money that can be spent out of the TIF surplus won ’ t be known until city officials figure out what portion of the funds already is spoken for .
During this process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have varied over time and also changing economic conditions .
“ This is somewhat of an insider ’ s game , ” said Laurence Msall , president of the Civic Federation , a budget watchdog group .
“ Although they provide detailed information about the funds , unless you ’ re inside City Hall , you don ’ t really know what projects are moving forward.
” And so TIF , while well-intentioned , remains an easy target for criticism .
It was originally intended to restore “ blighted ” neighborhoods .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for projects of all kinds across Chicago and the rest of Illinois .
In Chicago , TIF districts in wealthier neighborhoods and commercial areas generate tons of tax revenue that , in turn , gets poured back into the districts to spur even more development .
On the North Side , the 168-acre Lincoln Yards TIF could generate enough cash over the next 23 years to kick in $ 1.3 billion to build bridges over the Chicago River , a new Metra station and extending The 606 linear park east .
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Side , for instance , is estimated to generate just $ 21 million over its 23-year life , which expires in 2023 .
Rather than let so much cash nest in better-off TIF districts , city budget and planning officials can use “ porting ” to shift funds from richer districts to adjacent poorer ones .
The city likely will investigate porting between some districts as it seeks to balances its TIF books over the next few months .
One former city finance expert suggested to us that city officials should investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ districts to poorer districts miles away by porting money across several connected districts .
For instance , if there were a sizable surplus in the La Salle Central TIF downtown , the money could be sent almost 10 miles south to the disinvested Washington Park neighborhood by moving the funds though six contiguous tax increment financing districts between the two communities .
“ These are the things that should be on the table , ” the expert told us .
“ [ To have a surplus ] means the money is generated , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside the right areas that need it .
This is what they should be using it for.
” When the city ’ s true TIF surplus is calculated sometime in the fall , here ’ s hoping that as much of the money as possible remains in the TIF program and gets transferred , Robin Hood-style .
TIF is one of the few games in town to encourage new investment in parts of Chicago in dire need of redevelopment .
The most responsible strategy is to spend TIF revenue more fairly and equitably @

As the pandemic burns through Chicago’s municipal finances, the revelation that the city’s TIF coffers contained $1.79 billion at the end of 2019 — a whopping $855 million more than City Hall projected — might seem like a pot of gold.
In reality, it’s not a windfall — but it’s not insignificant, either.
Between now and October, the city will square up its tax-increment financing accounts and find out exactly how much is available to be spent out of them this year after expenses and future commitments are taken into consideration.
By law, City Hall then has two options:
It can return the leftover money to local taxing bodies, including the city, Chicago Public Schools and Cook County government. Under this scenario, the city’s share would be only 25 percent of that amount.
Editorials bug Editorials
Here’s the other option: Before giving some money back to local taxing bodies, the city can reassign dollars from richer TIFs into lesser-funded TIF neighborhoods on the South and West sides — many of which were starving for redevelopment even before the pandemic.
Our take: Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration would be wise to sharpen its pencils and transfer as much of the money as possible to where it’s needed most.
The insider’s game
There are 140 TIF districts across Chicago, each with a 23-year life. During that time span, all revenue from property tax increases within a district is kept within the district’s boundaries and used for a variety of public or private redevelopment projects.
But before putting a dollar of TIF money to work elsewhere, city officials must determine if any of that $1.79 billion has to be used to keep existing TIF projects on track. Or whether the amount fully takes into account already-committed TIF projects that will unfold in the future. The money might also have to be used to repay TIF bonds issued to fund infrastructure in existing redevelopment plans.
So the actual amount of money that can be spent out of the TIF surplus won’t be known until city officials figure out what portion of the funds already is spoken for.
During this process, officials factor in project costs that have varied over time and also changing economic conditions.
“This is somewhat of an insider’s game,” said Laurence Msall, president of the Civic Federation, a budget watchdog group. “Although they provide detailed information about the funds, unless you’re inside City Hall, you don’t really know what projects are moving forward.”
And so TIF, while well-intentioned, remains an easy target for criticism. It was originally intended to restore “blighted” neighborhoods. It’s since become a funding mechanism for projects of all kinds across Chicago and the rest of Illinois.
‘Hopscotching,’ and ‘porting’
In Chicago, TIF districts in wealthier neighborhoods and commercial areas generate tons of tax revenue that, in turn, gets poured back into the districts to spur even more development.
On the North Side, the 168-acre Lincoln Yards TIF could generate enough cash over the next 23 years to kick in $1.3 billion to build bridges over the Chicago River, a new Metra station and extending The 606 linear park east.
Meanwhile, the 397-acre Madison/Austin TIF on the Far West Side, for instance, is estimated to generate just $21 million over its 23-year life, which expires in 2023.
Rather than let so much cash nest in better-off TIF districts, city budget and planning officials can use “porting” to shift funds from richer districts to adjacent poorer ones. The city likely will investigate porting between some districts as it seeks to balances its TIF books over the next few months.
One former city finance expert suggested to us that city officials should investigate “hopscotching” TIF funds from flush districts to poorer districts miles away by porting money across several connected districts.
For instance, if there were a sizable surplus in the La Salle Central TIF downtown, the money could be sent almost 10 miles south to the disinvested Washington Park neighborhood by moving the funds though six contiguous tax increment financing districts between the two communities.
“These are the things that should be on the table,” the expert told us. “[To have a surplus] means the money is generated, but it’s not getting put inside the right areas that need it. This is what they should be using it for.”
When the city’s true TIF surplus is calculated sometime in the fall, here’s hoping that as much of the money as possible remains in the TIF program and gets transferred, Robin Hood-style.
TIF is one of the few games in town to encourage new investment in parts of Chicago in dire need of redevelopment. The most responsible strategy is to spend TIF revenue more fairly and equitably.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--Developer lays plans for Moody Bible’s ‘excess’ property

Chicagoans who like to follow the doings of developers know the names of the grand visions out there .
We have Lincoln Yards on the North Side , The 78 on 62 yawning acres near Roosevelt and Clark , and the imagined thicket of high-rises next to Soldier Field in a development called One Central , an aspirational name for property more like One Off-the-Beaten Path , unless you are going to a Bears game .
Someday , maybe .
To these we can add one more name for not quite a megaplan on the scale of the others but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of town .
It ’ s North Union , the label bestowed by James Letchinger , founder and chief executive of JDL Development .
Letchinger said it refers to being on the Near North Side and situated to “ unify ” surrounding neighborhoods , such as River North and River West , the Gold Coast and Streeterville .
It ’ s a long-term play ; he figures his plan might take eight to 12 years to realize , but he ’ s eager to get started and raise the necessary capital .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under-utilized while also securing the next chapter for JDL .
“ It ’ s what I look for to continue to build JDL for the next decade , ” Letchinger said .
His son now works there , so he ’ s thinking ahead .
Letchinger has a contract to buy eight acres from the Moody Bible Institute roughly between Wells , Chestnut and Oak streets and the CTA ’ s Brown Line .
One parcel , a nearly square-block soccer field , runs north of Oak Street and alongside Walter Payton College @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t going anywhere from its base at 820 N. LaSalle St .
The Christian school sold properties it deemed to be excess , some of it devoted to parking .
It ’ s an assemblage to make developers drool .
Letchinger said he has time — he won ’ t say how much — to find capital partners and close the deal .
Both parties in the sale declined to reveal the price .
Getting the land rezoned can be a prerequisite for a developer ’ s financing , and Letchinger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the city about what needs to be in his eventual proposal for a planned development — a catchall zoning category that would control what happens on different parcels .
He figures he ’ s several weeks from showing plans to community groups and , if all goes well , at least a year from starting any construction .
“ We have the opportunity to build a community , ” he said , insisting that doesn ’ t mean loading it down with high-rises .
Letchinger said he will focus mostly on rental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the area but might go taller , such as 50 stories , later in the development .
For that , he ’ s got his eye on that soccer field .
Letchinger said he was up against big Chicago names vying for the Moody Bible deal —Golub , Hines , John Buck .
Another bidder was Canadian firm Onni Group .
Onni redeveloped the former Atrium Village at Division and Wells streets , where it has been criticized for how it treated low-income residents .
The site used to be owned by churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Thankfully , I didn ’ t have to outbid those others , ” Letchinger said .
“ I doubt that anybody has more experience in this neighborhood than we do , and that resonated well with Moody Bible.
” In a letter to the campus community , Moody ’ s chief operating officer , Mark Wagner , said , “ With JDL , we chose the best partner to develop this land and secure the necessary resources to grow our outreach and increase our educational impact .
We are excited about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suited for the 21st century and further our mission , positioning us to double our impact and reach by 2030.
” Wagner said Moody retains a right to review JDL ’ s proposed uses for the property .
JDL ’ s prior work on the Near North Side is generally well regarded , and the company is in the thick of its biggest project , the two-tower complex planned on the old parking lot on Chicago Avenue across from Holy Name Cathedral .
The first tower in the One Chicago project — there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ construction .
It ’ s to be delivered late in 2021 , when Letchinger hopes we ’ ll be past the pandemic , and the multifamily market will look better .
“ If I had to deliver those units this year , I ’ d be terrified , ” he said .
Sensitive to criticism that he ’ s building only for the rich , Letchinger said he won ’ t need any subsidies from tax increment financing , and he ’ ll include a plan for affordable housing in his proposal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive and , especially in these times , critically important , ” he said .
If he follows through , he ’ ll be singing a tune Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to hear .

Chicagoans who like to follow the doings of developers know the names of the grand visions out there.
We have Lincoln Yards on the North Side, The 78 on 62 yawning acres near Roosevelt and Clark, and the imagined thicket of high-rises next to Soldier Field in a development called One Central, an aspirational name for property more like One Off-the-Beaten Path, unless you are going to a Bears game. Someday, maybe.
To these we can add one more name for not quite a megaplan on the scale of the others but significant nonetheless and in a well-populated part of town. It’s North Union, the label bestowed by James Letchinger, founder and chief executive of JDL Development.
Letchinger said it refers to being on the Near North Side and situated to “unify” surrounding neighborhoods, such as River North and River West, the Gold Coast and Streeterville. It’s a long-term play; he figures his plan might take eight to 12 years to realize, but he’s eager to get started and raise the necessary capital. He intends to enliven blocks he views as under-utilized while also securing the next chapter for JDL.
“It’s what I look for to continue to build JDL for the next decade,” Letchinger said. His son and son-in-law now work there, so he’s thinking ahead.
Letchinger has a contract to buy eight acres from the Moody Bible Institute roughly between Wells, Chestnut and Oak streets and the CTA’s Brown Line. One parcel, a nearly square-block soccer field, runs north of Oak Street and alongside Walter Payton College Preparatory High School.
Chicago Enterprise bug Chicago Enterprise
Moody Bible itself isn’t going anywhere from its base at 820 N. LaSalle St. The Christian school sold properties it deemed to be excess, some of it devoted to parking. It’s an assemblage to make developers drool.
Letchinger said he has time — he won’t say how much — to find capital partners and close the deal. Both parties in the sale declined to reveal the price. Getting the land rezoned can be a prerequisite for a developer’s financing, and Letchinger said he’s in early talks with the city about what needs to be in his eventual proposal for a planned development — a catchall zoning category that would control what happens on different parcels.
He figures he’s several weeks from showing plans to community groups and, if all goes well, at least a year from starting any construction.
“We have the opportunity to build a community,” he said, insisting that doesn’t mean loading it down with high-rises. Letchinger said he will focus mostly on rental housing in keeping with the scale of the area but might go taller, such as 50 stories, later in the development. For that, he’s got his eye on that soccer field.
Letchinger said he was up against big Chicago names vying for the Moody Bible deal —Golub, Hines, John Buck. Another bidder was Canadian firm Onni Group. Onni redeveloped the former Atrium Village at Division and Wells streets, where it has been criticized for how it treated low-income residents. The site used to be owned by churches committed to racial and economic integration.
James Letchinger
“Thankfully, I didn’t have to outbid those others,” Letchinger said. “I doubt that anybody has more experience in this neighborhood than we do, and that resonated well with Moody Bible.”
In a letter to the campus community, Moody’s chief operating officer, Mark Wagner, said, “With JDL, we chose the best partner to develop this land and secure the necessary resources to grow our outreach and increase our educational impact. We are excited about the opportunity to establish a state-of-the-art campus better suited for the 21st century and further our mission, positioning us to double our impact and reach by 2030.”
Wagner said Moody retains a right to review JDL’s proposed uses for the property.
JDL’s prior work on the Near North Side is generally well regarded, and the company is in the thick of its biggest project, the two-tower complex planned on the old parking lot on Chicago Avenue across from Holy Name Cathedral.
The first tower in the One Chicago project — there’s another name — is under construction. It’s to be delivered late in 2021, when Letchinger hopes we’ll be past the pandemic, and the multifamily market will look better. “If I had to deliver those units this year, I’d be terrified,” he said.
Sensitive to criticism that he’s building only for the rich, Letchinger said he won’t need any subsidies from tax increment financing, and he’ll include a plan for affordable housing in his proposal. “We think it’s very progressive and, especially in these times, critically important,” he said.
If he follows through, he’ll be singing a tune Mayor Lori Lightfoot wants to hear.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--Man, teen shot in South Chicago

Man, teen shot in South Chicago

A man and a teenage boy were injured in a shooting Monday in South Chicago .
They were standing near @ @ @ @ @ in the 7900 block of South Merrill Avenue when someone approached and started shooting , @ @ @ @ @ 17-year-old was shot in his abdomen and the right side of his chest , police @ @ @ @ @ off at the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was in good condition @ @ @ @ @ multiple times and taken to the same hospital in critical condition , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ as Area Two detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city @ @ @ @

A man and a teenage boy were injured in a shooting Monday in South Chicago.
They were standing near a vehicle at 2:22 a.m. in the 7900 block of South Merrill Avenue when someone approached and started shooting, Chicago police said.
The 17-year-old was shot in his abdomen and the right side of his chest, police said. He was dropped off at the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was in good condition.
The 25-year-old was shot multiple times and taken to the same hospital in critical condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--Concealed-carry license holder hurt in Washington Heights shootout

A concealed-carry license holder returned fire at someone who shot him Monday in Washington Heights on the South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ about 2:30 a.m. in the 9400 block of South Loomis Street when a white SUV @ @ @ @ @ out and opened fire , according to Chicago police .
The man , who has @ @ @ @ @ shot in the leg and returned fire , but it was not immediately clear whether @ @ @ @ @ said .
The suspects fled the area .
He went to Christ Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ and was listed in good condition , police said .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

A concealed-carry license holder returned fire at someone who shot him Monday in Washington Heights on the South Side.
The 26-year-old man was driving about 2:30 a.m. in the 9400 block of South Loomis Street when a white SUV approached and three people got out and opened fire, according to Chicago police.
The man, who has a concealed-carry license, was shot in the leg and returned fire, but it was not immediately clear whether he hit anyone, police said. The suspects fled the area.
He went to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn on his own and was listed in good condition, police said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--2 men hurt in NW Side crowbar attack

2 men hurt in NW Side crowbar attack

Two men were beaten with a crowbar while unloading a trailer Sunday on the Northwest Side .
They were unloading @ @ @ @ @ about 10:45 p.m. in the 3300 block of North Pulaski Road when a gray sedan @ @ @ @ @ got out , according to Chicago police .
One of the suspects hit both men @ @ @ @ @ 34-year-old man was hit multiple times in the head and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The other man , 40 , was hit in the right leg @ @ @ @ @ The attackers then got back in the car and drove off northbound , police said @ @ @ @ @ , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Two men were beaten with a crowbar Sunday night when they returned from a car show near Avondale on the Northwest Side, according to Chicago police.
They were about to unload a Jeep they were towing when three men exited a car and confronted them in the 3300 block of North Pulaski Road, pulling the driver from his seat, police said.
The suspects punched him several times about 10:45 p.m., striking him on the head with the crowbar, police said. The passenger came to help, but was punched several times.
A nearby witness came to help fend off the attackers, sending the three suspects driving away in the gray car they arrived in, police said.
The man hit in the head was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, police said. He was treated for a “massive skull fracture” and other trauma. The passenger, 40, refused medical treatment.
There’s no indiction the trio knew the men they were attacking, according to police spokeswoman Sally Bown, who said a police report did not mention a possible motive. The suspects left without taking anything, she said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-24--Watch the 2020 Republican National Convention live

The Republican Party formally nominated President Donald Trump for a second term in the White House Monday , one of the first acts of a GOP convention that has been dramatically scaled down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
Trump has sought to minimize the toll of the pandemic , but its impact was evident as proceedings began in Charlotte .
Instead of the thousands of people who were expected to converge on this city for a week-long extravaganza , just 336 delegates participated in a roll-call vote from a Charlotte Convention Center ballroom .
Party Chair Ronna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ We are obviously disappointed we could not hold this event in the same way we had originally planned , ” But she thanked the city for allowing the convention to move forward in its truncated form .
The GOP convention is a crucial moment for Trump , who is trailing in national and battleground state polls and under intense pressure to turn the race around .
Aides want the convention to recast the story of Trump ’ s presidency and present the election as a choice between his vision for America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Monday ’ s speakers include Charlie Kirk , the founder of Turning Point USA , U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida , former NFL player Herschel Walker , Nikki Haley , former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations , and President Trump ’ s oldest son , Donald Trump , Jr .

The Republican Party formally nominated President Donald Trump for a second term in the White House Monday, one of the first acts of a GOP convention that has been dramatically scaled down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Trump has sought to minimize the toll of the pandemic, but its impact was evident as proceedings began in Charlotte. Instead of the thousands of people who were expected to converge on this city for a week-long extravaganza, just 336 delegates participated in a roll-call vote from a Charlotte Convention Center ballroom.
Trump is expected to accept the nomination in a speech from the South Lawn of the White House Thursday, a first for any sitting president seeking reelection.
The GOP convention is a crucial moment for Trump, who is trailing in national and battleground state polls and under intense pressure to turn the race around.
Others scheduled to speak during the final night of the convention include Ivanka Trump, Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and evangelist Franklin Graham.
Democrats will provide “counter-programming” Thursday in the form of a speech in Washington, D.C. from Kamala Harris, who is expected to condemn the president’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.