chicagosun-times--2020-05-19--Recipe Swap: Murg Makhani (butter chicken), orange cream chip cookies, Robert Joffrey chili

Home life — working , taking care of the kids , figuring out the spring garden , getting to all those DIY projects we ’ ve put off for years , binge-watching into the wee hours , coming home from an essential frontline job .
The coronavirus stay-at-home mandate , through May 30 for Illinois , has upended our lives on so many levels .
For the adventurous or the die-hard home cook , what better time to take a deep dive into a an old family recipe ?
And what ’ s better than a good old-fashioned recipe swap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appetizers to desserts ?
Here are some recipes you might want to try .
Whenever friends ask me what my favorite Indian restaurant is , I tell them I don ’ t have one .
I have my mom , my older sister and some family friends whose cooking is far superior to any South Asian cuisine I have reluctantly paid for .
Anwari Haque — known to us as Anwari Aunty — is among the best cooks I know and often shares tips and recipes with my mom .
Roughly two decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the butter chicken below and told my mom it was an easy dish to make and that the “ kids ” would love it .
Even though both my mom and Anwari Aunty agree that butter chicken is “ Indian lite ” and less of a culinary challenge , they still make it in a pinch or during a pandemic for their mildly spoiled adult children and grandchildren .
— Rummana Hussain , Assistant Metro Editor , Chicago Sun-Times • 1 to 2 teaspoons or more red chili powder , dependent on preferred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowl with vinegar for 2 minutes .
Drain excess vinegar .
2 .
In a large wok or cooking pot , melt the butter on low heat .
Add the chicken , turn up the heat to medium .
Cook until chicken is slightly brown .
Slot out the chicken pieces and set aside .
3 .
Puree the tomatoes in a food processor or blender .
4 .
Add a pinch of olive oil to the wok or pot with remaining butter and turn heat on low .
Add the onions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onions until they are slightly translucent .
Add the chili powder , black pepper , garam masala , cumin , coriander powder , garlic , ginger and salt .
Cook 5 to 6 minutes .
Add the tomatoes and tomato paste .
Cook the onion and tomato mixture for 5 to 8 minutes .
Slowly add the heavy cream and cook for 3 to 5 more minutes .
Add chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more .
Serve while hot .
When our son was in the Air Forces he mailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgium it was delicious .
— Marti Comstock , La Grange 3 .
Beat butter , sugar , cream cheese in a large bowl mixed .
Beat in eggs one at a time .
Add juice and rind .
4 .
Blend in flour and salt .
Stir in chocolate chips .
6 .
Bake 350 12 minutes or until lightly browned around edges .
Cool on racks .
Joffrey Ballet Company artist Joanna Wozniak loves to cook , and recently decided to make Robert Joffrey ’ s famous family chili recipe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ found in Robert Joffrey ’ s biography , “ The Joffrey Ballet : Robert Joffrey and the Making of an American Dance Company , ” ( Scribner , 1996 ) .
Sasha Anawalt titled the first chapter “ The Chili Recipe.
” In short…Robert Joffrey ’ s father , Joseph Joffrey , was an immigrant of Afghanistan .
Joseph and his brother moved to the U.S. in 1916 , settled in Seattle , where they got jobs selling chili out of pushcarts , which became wildly successful .
Joseph Joffrey opened the Rainbow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance studio upstairs .
This is pretty much where Robert Joffrey grew up !
— Joanna Wozniak 2 .
Remove stems and seeds ; scrape flesh from skin and puree ; makes about 4 teaspoons chili paste .
3 .
Mix with curry powder , pickling spices , cumin seeds , coriander , cayenne , cardamom , sage , garlic salt , paprika and bay leaves .
Set aside .
4 .
Fry onion in oil until soft .
Add garlic and ground beef and cook , stirring constantly to break up lumps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in olives .
Makes six servings .

Home life — working, taking care of the kids, figuring out the spring garden, getting to all those DIY projects we’ve put off for years, binge-watching into the wee hours, coming home from an essential frontline job.
Recipe Sidebar Got a family recipe to share? While we’re all becoming more acquainted with our kitchens, we’re sharing recipes submitted by Sun-Times readers, staff and more. Do you have a favorite family recipe to share? Email us at audience@suntimes.com with your name, city, ingredients, instructions, a photo of the dish (or even the recipe card) and a brief explanation of why you love this dish, for a chance to be featured here and Wednesdays in our Taste section.
The coronavirus stay-at-home mandate, through May 30 for Illinois, has upended our lives on so many levels.
For the adventurous or the die-hard home cook, what better time to take a deep dive into a an old family recipe? And what’s better than a good old-fashioned recipe swap to share our favorite dishes — from appetizers to desserts?
Here are some recipes you might want to try.
Whenever friends ask me what my favorite Indian restaurant is, I tell them I don’t have one. I have my mom, my older sister and some family friends whose cooking is far superior to any South Asian cuisine I have reluctantly paid for. Anwari Haque — known to us as Anwari Aunty — is among the best cooks I know and often shares tips and recipes with my mom. Roughly two decades ago, she made a version of the butter chicken below and told my mom it was an easy dish to make and that the “kids” would love it. Even though both my mom and Anwari Aunty agree that butter chicken is “Indian lite” and less of a culinary challenge, they still make it in a pinch or during a pandemic for their mildly spoiled adult children and grandchildren. — Rummana Hussain, Assistant Metro Editor, Chicago Sun-Times
MURGH MAKHANI (butter chicken)
Ingredients:
• 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cubed
• 1 1/4 stick of butter
• 3 onions, diced
• 3 tomatoes, pureed
• 2 to 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 pint heavy cream
• 1 to 2 teaspoons or more red chili powder, dependent on preferred spice level
• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 teaspoons garam masala
• 1 to 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 to 2 teaspoons coriander powder
• 2 to tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
• 2 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt to taste
• Olive oil for frying
• Vinegar to soak chicken
Directions:
Soak chicken in a bowl with vinegar for 2 minutes. Drain excess vinegar.
2. In a large wok or cooking pot, melt the butter on low heat. Add the chicken, turn up the heat to medium. Cook until chicken is slightly brown. Slot out the chicken pieces and set aside.
3. Puree the tomatoes in a food processor or blender.
4. Add a pinch of olive oil to the wok or pot with remaining butter and turn heat on low. Add the onions, raise heat to medium and cook the onions until they are slightly translucent. Add the chili powder, black pepper, garam masala, cumin, coriander powder, garlic, ginger and salt. Cook 5 to 6 minutes. Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook the onion and tomato mixture for 5 to 8 minutes. Slowly add the heavy cream and cook for 3 to 5 more minutes. Add chicken and cook for 3 to 5 minutes more. Serve while hot.
Orange Cream Chip Cookies
When our son was in the Air Forces he mailed home a box of orange chocolate from Belgium it was delicious. — Marti Comstock, La Grange
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 stick unsalted butter room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 3 oz. cream cheese softened
2 eggs
2 teaspoon orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 bag of chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Lightly grease cookie sheets
3. Beat butter, sugar, cream cheese in a large bowl mixed. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add juice and rind.
4. Blend in flour and salt. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookies sheets.
6.Bake 350 12 minutes or until lightly browned around edges. Cool on racks.
Robert Joffrey’s Family Chili
Robert Joffrey’s famous chili is served up by Joffrey artist Joanna Wozniak. Joanna Wozniak
Joffrey Ballet Company artist Joanna Wozniak loves to cook, and recently decided to make Robert Joffrey’s famous family chili recipe. The story behind the recipe can be found in Robert Joffrey’s biography, “The Joffrey Ballet: Robert Joffrey and the Making of an American Dance Company,” (Scribner, 1996). Sasha Anawalt titled the first chapter “The Chili Recipe.” In short…Robert Joffrey’s father, Joseph Joffrey, was an immigrant of Afghanistan. Joseph and his brother moved to the U.S. in 1916, settled in Seattle, where they got jobs selling chili out of pushcarts ,which became wildly successful. Joseph Joffrey opened the Rainbow Chili Parlor — where there was a dance studio upstairs. This is pretty much where Robert Joffrey grew up! — Joanna Wozniak
ROBERT JOFFREY CHILI
Ingredients
For the spice mixture:
6 ancho or pasilla chilies
2 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon pickling spices
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon cardamom
1 teaspoon sage
1 teaspoon garlic salt
2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 bay leaves
For the chili:
1 large onion, chopped
2 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup halved, seeded black olives
Directions
1. Toast chilies lightly in skillet. Soak in water 15 minutes.
2. Remove stems and seeds; scrape flesh from skin and puree; makes about 4 teaspoons chili paste.
3. Mix with curry powder, pickling spices, cumin seeds, coriander, cayenne, cardamom, sage, garlic salt, paprika and bay leaves. Set aside.
4. Fry onion in oil until soft. Add garlic and ground beef and cook, stirring constantly to break up lumps.
5. Add tomatoes, bell pepper and spice mixture and cook 1 hour.
6. Before serving, stir in olives. Makes six servings.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-20--Bubbly Creek: The infamous Chicago waterway adds another moment, flooding the Chicago Maritime Museu

Bubbly Creek: The infamous Chicago waterway adds another moment, flooding the Chicago Maritime Museum

The Chicago Maritime Museum made quite a splash with its own footnote to waterways history .
Bubbly Creek flooded the museum , which sits on the river floor of the Bridgeport Art Center , with about a foot of sewage/runoff Sunday night/Monday morning .
The displays , most of which were elevated , did not take much damage .
Of more concern are the storage of artifacts and offices .
“ Problem is , it is sewage and not rainwater , ” William Derrah pointed out .
“ I am mostly worried about the artifacts.
” The museum documents the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ralph and Rita Frese Canoe Collection .
The size of the Frese collection saved some of it from damage .
Derrah is still housing some of it in his basement .
Derrah , who is on the operating board and is one of the historians and artifact people , is the point person on incorporating Ralph Frese ’ s archives into the museum ’ s catalog .
Derrah was 16 when he first met the late Frese , a Hall of Fame canoe-maker and watercraft collector/historian .
“ We are the museum about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we just suffered for it , ” Derrah said .
One of the coolest parts of the museum is the back deck on Bubbly Creek .
Part of the museum ’ s appeal comes from hosting things such as diving meetings , Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant workshops and “ Third Friday ” presentations .
The Bridgeport Art Center is on the north side of 35th , between Bubbly Creek and Racine .
The building is a piece of Chicago history , most famously housing the Spiegel catalog at one point .
The museum , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fits in perfectly , with its layers of artistic offerings in its current life .
“ The problem is , Bubbly Creek is the city ’ s pressure release , ” Derrah said .
The Racine Avenue Pumping Station , near Pershing Road , normally sends sewage to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant .
In heavy rain , the deep tunnel takes on extra water and , in extreme instances , such as Sunday night , the locks are opened .
The high lake levels might have lessened the impact of opening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bubbly Creek and the Chicago River .
“ Normally , Bubbly Creek has no flow , then it suddenly starts flowing like a river [ in such events ] , ” Derrah said .
“ A couple of times , we watched it coming up close to the door.
” This time , it came in .
The museum was closed during the pandemic , and Derrah said : ‘ ‘ We had begun discussions on how we would open up .
That is all on hold until remediation.
’ ’ Many questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage and remediation .
Decontamination will be needed .
Perhaps freeze-drying will be used to save some artifacts .
To support the museum and for more information , go to chicagomaritimemuseum.org .
If only we stopped weighing fish , we could have more 3-pound yellow perch and 8-pound smallmouth bass .

The Chicago Maritime Museum made quite a splash with its own footnote to waterways history.
Bubbly Creek flooded the museum, which sits on the river floor of the Bridgeport Art Center, with about a foot of sewage/runoff Sunday night/Monday morning.
The displays, most of which were elevated, did not take much damage. Of more concern are the storage of artifacts and offices.
“Problem is, it is sewage and not rainwater,” William Derrah pointed out. “I am mostly worried about the artifacts.”
The museum documents the maritime history around Chicago and includes the Ralph and Rita Frese Canoe Collection. The size of the Frese collection saved some of it from damage. Derrah is still housing some of it in his basement.
Derrah, who is on the operating board and is one of the historians and artifact people, is the point person on incorporating Ralph Frese’s archives into the museum’s catalog. Derrah was 16 when he first met the late Frese, a Hall of Fame canoe-maker and watercraft collector/historian.
The foot of flooding by sewage/storm water from Bubbly Creek in the Chicago Maritime Museum is most problematic in the archives and storage area. Credit: Dylan Hoffmann, Chicago Maritime Museum curator
“We are the museum about the history of the waterways, and we just suffered for it,” Derrah said.
One of the coolest parts of the museum is the back deck on Bubbly Creek. Part of the museum’s appeal comes from hosting things such as diving meetings, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant workshops and “Third Friday” presentations.
The Bridgeport Art Center is on the north side of 35th, between Bubbly Creek and Racine. The building is a piece of Chicago history, most famously housing the Spiegel catalog at one point. The museum, designed by renowned architect Dirk Lohan, fits in perfectly, with its layers of artistic offerings in its current life.
“The problem is, Bubbly Creek is the city’s pressure release,” Derrah said.
The Racine Avenue Pumping Station, near Pershing Road, normally sends sewage to the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant. In heavy rain, the deep tunnel takes on extra water and, in extreme instances, such as Sunday night, the locks are opened. The high lake levels might have lessened the impact of opening the locks and contributed to the flooding from Bubbly Creek and the Chicago River.
Bubbly Creek as it looked in more idyllic times in a file photo from the back of the Chicago Maritime Museum. Credit: Dale Bowman Dale Bowman
“Normally, Bubbly Creek has no flow, then it suddenly starts flowing like a river [in such events],” Derrah said. “A couple of times, we watched it coming up close to the door.”
This time, it came in.
The museum was closed during the pandemic, and Derrah said: ‘‘We had begun discussions on how we would open up. That is all on hold until remediation.’’
Many questions remain about what insurance will cover in damage and remediation. Decontamination will be needed. Perhaps freeze-drying will be used to save some artifacts.
To support the museum and for more information, go to chicagomaritimemuseum.org.
A file photo of the exhibit space of the Chicago Maritime Museum. Dale Bowman
Stray cast
If only we stopped weighing fish, we could have more 3-pound yellow perch and 8-pound smallmouth bass.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-20--Dear Abby: Friend of 30 years is annoying me and needs to go

DEAR ABBY : I ’ ve been friends with “ Lorraine ” for 30 years .
Actually , the friendship is kind of one-sided because she bugs the hell out of me .
She ’ s a super-skinny health nut who constantly posts health advice and “ uplifting ” mantras on social media .
Her Instagram feed is filled with pictures of her bland-looking vegan food and her doing yoga poses or running 5Ks in midriff tops so we can all see her six-pack abs .
She regularly donates blood plasma and posts pictures of that , too .
Dining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the waiters on how the food is prepared , even in vegan restaurants that list all ingredients .
She comes off — to me , anyway — as thinking she has every facet of life figured out .
She has been married twice to two jerks , keeps breaking and making up with “ Harry ” ( a seemingly nice guy ) , because he ’ s fat ( he ’ s slightly plump yet attractive ) and drinks too much ( not sure about that ) .
Her son , whom she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was young , is now a gun-toting drug dealer .
I ’ m not perfect ( I know I ’ m lazy and impatient and I drink too much ) , but I don ’ t portray myself as otherwise .
My husband , a nicer person than I am , doesn ’ t understand my resentment of Lorraine and keeps reminding me how much she loves me .
She does .
We ’ re both in our 50s , but I feel like I ’ ve outgrown our friendship .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think I ’ m jealous of her because I ’ m very happy in my marriage and feel that I am more attractive than she is ( despite outweighing her ) .
Must I stay friends with Lorraine ?
If not , how do I end it ?
— CANCELING HER IN KANSAS CITY DEAR CANCELING : It appears you have a love/hate relationship with Lorraine .
Nothing is wrong with you , and no law says you must maintain a friendship with her .
When contact becomes more of an annoyance than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their circle of acquaintances .
The way to end your relationship with her would be to make yourself less available when she calls or wants to get together .
If she asks you why , explain that you have fewer of the same interests than you used to , while omitting the part about her six-pack abs .
DEAR ABBY : I am a widow .
My husband passed away three years ago after 43 years of marriage .
I met a widower who was also married for 43 years .
His wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and grandchildren refuse to accept him .
My therapist and psychiatrist tell me to stand my ground because I ’ m in love with him , as he is with me .
Even my priest , who officiated at my husband ’ s funeral , said I should consider this relationship as heaven-sent .
We get along beautifully , and it breaks my heart that my family wants me to choose between him or them .
I am devastated over this because this is not how my family is .
We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family with all of my heart , I don ’ t think they have the right to gang up against me .
May I have your opinion on this ?
— DEVASTATED MOTHER DEAR DEVASTATED : What a painful situation .
You say this isn ’ t how your family is .
Open your eyes , dear lady , and recognize that this is EXACTLY who they are .
Then open up your ears and pay attention to the psychiatrist and the therapist you are paying good money for , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must live your life , and my advice is to GET ON WITH IT .
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 receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been friends with “Lorraine” for 30 years. Actually, the friendship is kind of one-sided because she bugs the hell out of me.
She’s a super-skinny health nut who constantly posts health advice and “uplifting” mantras on social media. Her Instagram feed is filled with pictures of her bland-looking vegan food and her doing yoga poses or running 5Ks in midriff tops so we can all see her six-pack abs. She regularly donates blood plasma and posts pictures of that, too.
Dining with her is embarrassing because she grills the waiters on how the food is prepared, even in vegan restaurants that list all ingredients. She comes off — to me, anyway — as thinking she has every facet of life figured out. She has been married twice to two jerks, keeps breaking and making up with “Harry” (a seemingly nice guy), because he’s fat (he’s slightly plump yet attractive) and drinks too much (not sure about that). Her son, whom she treated as an annoyance and inconvenience when he was young, is now a gun-toting drug dealer.
I’m not perfect (I know I’m lazy and impatient and I drink too much), but I don’t portray myself as otherwise. My husband, a nicer person than I am, doesn’t understand my resentment of Lorraine and keeps reminding me how much she loves me. She does. We’re both in our 50s, but I feel like I’ve outgrown our friendship.
By the way, I don’t think I’m jealous of her because I’m very happy in my marriage and feel that I am more attractive than she is (despite outweighing her). Must I stay friends with Lorraine? If not, how do I end it? — CANCELING HER IN KANSAS CITY
DEAR CANCELING: It appears you have a love/hate relationship with Lorraine. Nothing is wrong with you, and no law says you must maintain a friendship with her. When contact becomes more of an annoyance than a pleasure, many people begin editing their circle of acquaintances. The way to end your relationship with her would be to make yourself less available when she calls or wants to get together. If she asks you why, explain that you have fewer of the same interests than you used to, while omitting the part about her six-pack abs.
DEAR ABBY: I am a widow. My husband passed away three years ago after 43 years of marriage. I met a widower who was also married for 43 years. His wife passed five years ago.
My grown children and grandchildren refuse to accept him. My therapist and psychiatrist tell me to stand my ground because I’m in love with him, as he is with me. Even my priest, who officiated at my husband’s funeral, said I should consider this relationship as heaven-sent.
We get along beautifully, and it breaks my heart that my family wants me to choose between him or them. I am devastated over this because this is not how my family is. We are in love and although I love my family with all of my heart, I don’t think they have the right to gang up against me. May I have your opinion on this? — DEVASTATED MOTHER
DEAR DEVASTATED: What a painful situation. You say this isn’t how your family is. Open your eyes, dear lady, and recognize that this is EXACTLY who they are. Then open up your ears and pay attention to the psychiatrist and the therapist you are paying good money for, as well as your priest. My opinion is you must live your life, and my advice is to GET ON WITH IT.
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 receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-20--‘Military Wives’ sings a familiar but uplifting refrain

Sorry , but I can ’ t resist blurbing out that “ Military Wives ” is … wait for it … here we go … THE FEEL-GOOD MOVIE OF THE YEAR !
In the grand tradition of twee British comedies such as “ The Full Monty ” and “ The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain ” and “ Calendar Girls , ” this is a lightweight confection of a film , as predictable and familiar and comfortable as your favorite old chair , which makes it perfect viewing fare for these quarantined times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ offscreen death and a devastatingly brutal confrontation scene between the two leads , “ Military Wives ” is like that one friend of yours who ’ s always in a good mood and is forever lifting everyone ’ s spirits , even at somber occasions and during the toughest of times .
Director Peter Cattaneo , who helmed the aforementioned “ The Full Monty , ” adheres to a similar mixture of drama and comedy here in a story inspired by the true-life stories of the Military Wives Choirs , a network of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the United Kingdom and overseas , as featured in the U.K. reality series “ The Choir.
” In this fictionalized version , the forever-lovely and wonderful Kristin Scott Thomas ( who grew up on military bases and tragically lost her father and her stepfather to flying accidents ) plays Kate , the uptight , upper-crust wife of Richard ( Greg Wise ) , the colonel in charge of the base , who is off on his fifth tour of duty , this time in Afghanistan , taking virtually all of the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This leaves the military wives to tend to their children , work part-time jobs at the local stores and shops — and participate in all sorts of forced-fun and deadly dull activities , such as Coffee Club and Knitting Club .
Kate suggests they form a choir , a very proper and formal choir where everyone must stick to the sheet music and sing traditional songs and maintain their dignity .
Sharon Horgan ’ s Lisa , a free spirit with some musical training , has a very different vision for the choir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some , you know , FUN ?
To Kate ’ s horror , Lisa encourages the group to let loose on infectious 1980s power-pop classics such as Human League ’ s “ Don ’ t You Want Me , ” Tears for Fears ’ “ Shout ” and Cyndi Lauper ’ s “ Time After Time.
” Within weeks , they ’ re singing up a storm as we get to know the archetypes in the choir , from the wallflower Jess ( Gaby French ) , who has a voice like Grace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Amy James-Kelly ) , who ’ s a nervous wreck during her husband ’ s first tour of duty , to the cheerfully oblivious Ruby ( Lara Rossi ) , who has no idea her voice makes nails on a chalkboard sound like a lullaby .
As the choir makes its Rocky-esque ascent ( there ’ s even a direct reference to “ Rocky ” in this movie ) to unlikely greatness , culminating in a command performance at London ’ s Royal Albert Hall , the curtain is pulled back on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The formal , clout-wielding , control freak Kate is repressing her grief over the loss of her only son , who was killed in action .
She copes by watching home shopping channels on her laptop and purchasing mountains of products she doesn ’ t need and doesn ’ t even un-box in most cases .
Meanwhile , Lisa is at odds with her rebellious teenage daughter Frankie ( India Amarteifilo ) and telling her the one thing kids never want to hear : “ I just don ’ t want you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was your age.
” We can see every plot development coming a mile down the road .
We know these plucky gals are going to bond , suffer setbacks , bond some more , suffer some more setbacks , and then double down on the bonding game .
We know there ’ s a karaoke scene in the offing .
We know Kate and Lisa will keep on clashing until there ’ s an enormous blow-up where terrible things are said and feelings are badly bruised , and hmmmm , will they ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in common than either has been able to admit ?
That ’ s fine .
That ’ s the whole idea : to keep us entertained , to touch our hearts , to have us tapping our toes to the music and singing along with the choir , right until the climactic performance that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic of viewers .

Sorry, but I can’t resist blurbing out that “Military Wives” is … wait for it … here we go …
THE FEEL-GOOD MOVIE OF THE YEAR!
In the grand tradition of twee British comedies such as “The Full Monty” and “The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill but Came Down a Mountain” and “Calendar Girls,” this is a lightweight confection of a film, as predictable and familiar and comfortable as your favorite old chair, which makes it perfect viewing fare for these quarantined times. Even though there’s a tragic offscreen death and a devastatingly brutal confrontation scene between the two leads, “Military Wives” is like that one friend of yours who’s always in a good mood and is forever lifting everyone’s spirits, even at somber occasions and during the toughest of times.
‘Military Wives’
Untitled Bleecker Street presents a film directed by Peter Cattaneo and written by Rachel Tunnard and Rosanne Flynn. Rated PG-13 (for some strong language and sexual references). Running time: 113 minutes. Available Friday on demand and on Hulu.
Director Peter Cattaneo, who helmed the aforementioned “The Full Monty,” adheres to a similar mixture of drama and comedy here in a story inspired by the true-life stories of the Military Wives Choirs, a network of some 100 singing groups in British bases across the United Kingdom and overseas, as featured in the U.K. reality series “The Choir.” In this fictionalized version, the forever-lovely and wonderful Kristin Scott Thomas (who grew up on military bases and tragically lost her father and her stepfather to flying accidents) plays Kate, the uptight, upper-crust wife of Richard (Greg Wise), the colonel in charge of the base, who is off on his fifth tour of duty, this time in Afghanistan, taking virtually all of the other men on the base with him. This leaves the military wives to tend to their children, work part-time jobs at the local stores and shops — and participate in all sorts of forced-fun and deadly dull activities, such as Coffee Club and Knitting Club.
Kate suggests they form a choir, a very proper and formal choir where everyone must stick to the sheet music and sing traditional songs and maintain their dignity. Sharon Horgan’s Lisa, a free spirit with some musical training, has a very different vision for the choir. Why don’t they have some, you know, FUN? To Kate’s horror, Lisa encourages the group to let loose on infectious 1980s power-pop classics such as Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me,” Tears for Fears’ “Shout” and Cyndi Lauper’s “Time After Time.” Within weeks, they’re singing up a storm as we get to know the archetypes in the choir, from the wallflower Jess (Gaby French), who has a voice like Grace Potter, to the sweet newlywed Sarah (Amy James-Kelly), who’s a nervous wreck during her husband’s first tour of duty, to the cheerfully oblivious Ruby (Lara Rossi), who has no idea her voice makes nails on a chalkboard sound like a lullaby.
As the choir makes its Rocky-esque ascent (there’s even a direct reference to “Rocky” in this movie) to unlikely greatness, culminating in a command performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the curtain is pulled back on the private lives of the military wives. The formal, clout-wielding, control freak Kate is repressing her grief over the loss of her only son, who was killed in action. She copes by watching home shopping channels on her laptop and purchasing mountains of products she doesn’t need and doesn’t even un-box in most cases. Meanwhile, Lisa is at odds with her rebellious teenage daughter Frankie (India Amarteifilo) and telling her the one thing kids never want to hear: “I just don’t want you making the mistake I made when I was your age.”
We can see every plot development coming a mile down the road. We know these plucky gals are going to bond, suffer setbacks, bond some more, suffer some more setbacks, and then double down on the bonding game. We know there’s a karaoke scene in the offing. We know Kate and Lisa will keep on clashing until there’s an enormous blow-up where terrible things are said and feelings are badly bruised, and hmmmm, will they ever reconcile and realize they have much more in common than either has been able to admit?
That’s fine. That’s the whole idea: to keep us entertained, to touch our hearts, to have us tapping our toes to the music and singing along with the choir, right until the climactic performance that will bring a tear to the eye of even the most stoic of viewers.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-20--Girl, 13, missing from Lawndale

Girl, 13, missing from Lawndale

A 13-year-old girl has been reported missing from Lawndale on the West Side .
Princess Beechman was last seen about @ @ @ @ @ 1800 block of South Kildare Avenue , according to a missing person alert from Chicago @ @ @ @ @ by the alias Miaimii Miller .
Beechman is 5-foot-5 and 130 pounds with brown hair @ @ @ @ @ medium-brown complexion , police said .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Chicago police @ @ @

A 13-year-old girl has been reported missing from Lawndale on the West Side.
Princess Beechman was last seen about 11 p.m. Monday in the 1800 block of South Kildare Avenue, according to a missing person alert from Chicago police. She also goes by the alias Miaimii Miller.
Beechman is 5-foot-5 and 130 pounds with brown hair, brown eyes and a medium-brown complexion, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Chicago police at 312-746-8255.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-20--1 shot Tuesday in Chicago

1 shot Tuesday in Chicago

One person was shot Tuesday in Chicago .
The 39-year-old man was critically wounded in a domestic-related shooting in Marquette @ @ @ @ @ .
About 1:05 a.m. , he was involved in an argument with a 36-year-old woman @ @ @ @ @ in the 2900 block of West 64th Street , Chicago police said .
When the @ @ @ @ @ woman shot him in the abdomen .
The man was rushed to Christ Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ condition , police said .
The woman was taken into custody .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

One person was shot Tuesday in Chicago.
The 39-year-old man was critically wounded in a domestic-related shooting in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
About 1:05 a.m., he was involved in an argument with a 36-year-old woman in a second floor apartment in the 2900 block of West 64th Street, Chicago police said. When the argument turned physical, the woman shot him in the abdomen.
The man was rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, police said. The woman was taken into custody.
Charges were pending Wednesday morning.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-20--Woman missing from Ashburn for almost 2 years found safe

Ditka on his iconic Ditka ’ s eatery closing : ‘ It ’ s over and it was good ’ @ @ @ @ @ Sneed , the legendary coach also said he can ’ t imagine the upcoming NFL @ @ @ @ @ and said he is OK with a slower life during COVID-19 .

Pvt. Travis King entered the North while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village July 18, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-19--Horoscope for Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Horoscope for Wednesday, May 20, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Taurus .
It ’ s wise to be positive and give others the benefit of the doubt .
However , you don ’ t want to blind yourself to the stupidity or ignorance of someone .
You might have to struggle to stay realistic when dealing with others .
You love beautiful things of good quality .
Wood , gold , silver , pewter , crystal — the real deal .
Today you might talk yourself into spending too much money for something beautiful ; or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you wanted .
( These are just dreams . )
You might be disappointed with a parent , boss or someone in a position of authority .
You expected more .
Perhaps you wanted sympathy or support ?
Think about how things look from their point of view .
Could be a misunderstanding .
Your idealism is aroused ; however , this kind of idealism is a bit fuzzy and pie-in-the-sky .
( As idealism sometimes it is . )
Be careful what you choose to identify with because ultimately , you might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong might be hollow .
You might be disappointed in a friend today .
( Leos like to have high regard for their friends .
Sometimes if they are too disappointed , they end the friendship . )
This could be the case today .
Perhaps you have to ask yourself if your expectations were realistic ?
It ’ s easy to blur the lines of admiration and awe when looking at someone in a position of authority or perhaps looking at a parent or boss .
You might admire someone and yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind , you suspect something is off .
It ’ s not right .
( Listen to that still , small voice . )
Make sure you have all the facts before you jump on the bandwagon today regarding politics , religion or racial issues .
Lately , everyone wants to be on a bandwagon because life is confusing !
It ’ s as if people need something to hang on to .
Be smart and look before you grab on !
Make no assumptions that are financial today , especially concerning taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ditto for banking and insurance . )
Do not fall prey to wishful thinking .
Get your facts straight and deal with what is and not what you wish it would be .
You might be confused dealing with a partner or close friend today .
If so , this confusion could lead to disappointment .
Maybe you are off-base ?
Maybe you don ’ t see the whole picture ?
Maybe you can ’ t appreciate what it ’ s like to walk a mile in someone else ’ s wedgies ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your expectations of others at work today .
On one hand , you don ’ t want to be a sucker for a sob story ; but on the other hand , you need to appreciate that someone else might be undergoing big challenges .
( We ’ re all in the same storm together — but not in the same boat . )
Today you are in touch with your romantic imagination , which is why you want soft lights , romantic reveries and daydreams of Hollywood love .
This is certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your wishes might not jibe with reality .
Aye , there ’ s the rub .
We can all kid ourselves , but you have taken this exercise to an art form .
Because you are imaginative and sensitive , you are the true escape artist when it comes to avoiding the nasties .
Make sure you know exactly what ’ s going on at home .
Don ’ t assume that you know .
If Your Birthday Is Today Singer Cher ( 1946 ) shares your birthday .
You love to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligent with common sense .
This year will be a more relaxed for you .
Do your best to cooperate because your interactions with others will be important .
Always look for ways to be kind and helpful .
If you are open when engaging with others , your business and personal relationships will benefit you .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Taurus.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
It’s wise to be positive and give others the benefit of the doubt. However, you don’t want to blind yourself to the stupidity or ignorance of someone. You might have to struggle to stay realistic when dealing with others.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You love beautiful things of good quality. Wood, gold, silver, pewter, crystal — the real deal. Today you might talk yourself into spending too much money for something beautiful; or you might regret not getting something that you wanted. (These are just dreams.)
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You might be disappointed with a parent, boss or someone in a position of authority. You expected more. Perhaps you wanted sympathy or support? Think about how things look from their point of view. Could be a misunderstanding.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Your idealism is aroused; however, this kind of idealism is a bit fuzzy and pie-in-the-sky. (As idealism sometimes it is.) Be careful what you choose to identify with because ultimately, you might be disappointed. What appears to be strong might be hollow.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You might be disappointed in a friend today. (Leos like to have high regard for their friends. Sometimes if they are too disappointed, they end the friendship.) This could be the case today. Perhaps you have to ask yourself if your expectations were realistic?
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
It’s easy to blur the lines of admiration and awe when looking at someone in a position of authority or perhaps looking at a parent or boss. You might admire someone and yet, somewhere in the back of your mind, you suspect something is off. It’s not right. (Listen to that still, small voice.)
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Make sure you have all the facts before you jump on the bandwagon today regarding politics, religion or racial issues. Lately, everyone wants to be on a bandwagon because life is confusing! It’s as if people need something to hang on to. Be smart and look before you grab on!
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Make no assumptions that are financial today, especially concerning taxes, debt and shared property. (Ditto for banking and insurance.) Do not fall prey to wishful thinking. Get your facts straight and deal with what is and not what you wish it would be.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You might be confused dealing with a partner or close friend today. If so, this confusion could lead to disappointment. Maybe you are off-base? Maybe you don’t see the whole picture? Maybe you can’t appreciate what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s wedgies?
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Be sure that you are realistic in your expectations of others at work today. On one hand, you don’t want to be a sucker for a sob story; but on the other hand, you need to appreciate that someone else might be undergoing big challenges. (We’re all in the same storm together — but not in the same boat.)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today you are in touch with your romantic imagination, which is why you want soft lights, romantic reveries and daydreams of Hollywood love. This is certainly entertaining and a lovely escape, but your wishes might not jibe with reality. Aye, there’s the rub.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
We can all kid ourselves, but you have taken this exercise to an art form. Because you are imaginative and sensitive, you are the true escape artist when it comes to avoiding the nasties. Make sure you know exactly what’s going on at home. Don’t assume that you know.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Singer Cher (1946) shares your birthday. You love to travel and explore new places. You are intelligent with common sense. This year will be a more relaxed for you. Do your best to cooperate because your interactions with others will be important. Always look for ways to be kind and helpful. If you are open when engaging with others, your business and personal relationships will benefit you.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-19--Latest coronavirus news for May 19, 2020: Live updates

As some Illinois religious leaders push to reopen churches amid the coronavirus pandemic , a new Center for Disease Control report , released Tuesday , underscores the risk for widespread transmission of the contagious pathogen at group gatherings .
A 57-year-old pastor and his 56-year-old wife attended several church events in Arkansas in early March before the couple experienced symptoms of the coronavirus , including fevers , coughing and shortness of breath , in the following days , according to the CDC report .
The pair ultimately became the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in their rural county of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The CDC ultimately found that 35 of the 92 attendees at those early March church events tested positive for the virus .
The outbreak resulted in seven hospitalizations and three deaths , the report said .
Through contract tracing , the Arkansas Department of Health found 26 additional coronavirus cases and another death among community members who reported having contact with the churchgoers , according to the CDC report .
“ Faith-based organizations should work with local health officials to determine how to implement the U.S. Government guidelines for modifying activities during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus to their members and their communities , ” the CDC study recommended in the report .
Over the weekend , several Illinois religious institutions flouted the state ’ s stay-at-home order and held services which welcomed dozens of worshippers .
Metro Praise International Church in Belmont Cragin , a neighborhood which has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases , planned to welcome up to 60 people to each of its three Sunday services , far more than the 10 congregants allowed under Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s revised order .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope , our love , our religion without interference from the government .
And so 35 miles right now to Indiana — Hammond , just think of it like an extension of Indiana — this is not illegal , ” pastor Joseph Wyrostek said .
“ This is perfectly fine .
“ Now , people keep saying well that ’ s not the same thing as the infection rate , or whatever .
It doesn ’ t matter .
What is an infection rate , anyway ?
It ’ s people spreading a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one way or another.
” 9:12 p.m. Judge dismisses lawsuit against DCFS seeking reinstatement of in-person visitation during coronavirus pandemic Parents of children in protective custody lost a legal fight that sought to compel the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to reinstate in-person visitation during the coronavirus pandemic .
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Moreland Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by the public defender ’ s office on behalf of four mothers who said their rights to equal protection under the Constitution were being violated by the indefinite suspension of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointed in her ruling that all the plaintiffs had pending emergency motions in their individual cases to deal with visitation .
The court also sided with DCFS , saying the Child Protection Act allows state officials the right to immediately suspend the visits in the interest of a child ’ s health and well-being .
All four women have pending child abuse cases in the Juvenile Court ’ s Child Protection Division , according to court records .
DCFS , in March , stopped supervised in-person visits to prevent the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have only been allowed to speak with their children by phone or see them on video conferencing calls .
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here .
Republican political operatives are recruiting “ pro-Trump ” doctors to go on television to prescribe reviving the U.S. economy as quickly as possible , without waiting to meet safety benchmarks proposed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow the spread of the new coronavirus .
The plan was discussed in a May 11 conference call with a senior staffer for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an affiliate of the GOP-aligned Council for National Policy .
A leaked recording of the hour-long call was provided to The Associated Press by the Center for Media and Democracy , a progressive watchdog group .
CNP Action is part of the Save Our Country Coalition , an alliance of conservative think tanks and political committees formed in late April to end state lockdowns implemented in response to the pandemic .
Other members of the coalition include the FreedomWorks Foundation , the American Legislative Exchange Council and Tea Party Patriots .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boosting President Donald Trump ’ s reelection hopes and has become a growing focus of the White House coronavirus task force led by Vice President Mike Pence .
Tim Murtaugh , the Trump campaign communications director , confirmed to AP that an effort to recruit doctors to publicly support the president is underway , but declined to say when the initiative would be rolled out .
6:53 p.m. Ford tour gives Trump another chance not to wear publicly required face mask DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. has told the White House that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face masks to prevent the coronavirus from spreading , but it ’ s not clear whether President Donald Trump will wear one when he visits a Detroit-area plant Thursday .
Trump , who is scheduled to tour a factory repurposed to make medical breathing machines near Detroit , has habitually refused to wear a mask at the White House and in recent public appearances .
In a statement , Ford said its policy requires everyone in factories to wear personal protective equipment , including masks , and that policy had been shared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company would require Trump to wear the equipment , spokeswoman Rachel McCleery said , “ The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determination.
” Trump didn ’ t give a definite answer when questioned at the White House Tuesday , saying it would depend on how close he gets to others .
5:59 p.m. Judge dismisses lawsuit against DCFS seeking reinstatement of in-person visitation during coronavirus pandemic Parents of children in protective custody lost a legal fight that sought to compel the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reinstate in-person visitation during the coronavirus pandemic .
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Moreland Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by the public defender ’ s office on behalf of four mothers who said their rights to equal protection under the Constitution were being violated by the indefinite suspension of in-person visits with their children .
The National Federation of State High School Associations has released a set of guidelines for state associations to follow as they consider opening up high school athletics during the coronavirus pandemic .
The guidelines don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very specific about what should happen in each of its three phases .
The Illinois High School Association has traditionally followed NFHS recommendations very closely .
The NFHS guidelines recommend that “ state , local or school district guidelines for cloth face coverings should be strictly followed ” and says that cloth face coverings should be worn by students during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of its plan .
Exceptions will be made for swimming , distance running and other high intensity aerobic activity .
Read the full story on NFHS guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4:05 p.m. 146 more Illinois coronavirus deaths , but state still on track for next stage of reopening Another 146 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois , officials said Tuesday , as medical statistics from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office showed all parts of the state are on track to see more restrictions lifted come May 29 .
Illinois had recorded three straight days of fewer than 100 coronavirus deaths each , but the latest figure raised the state ’ s death toll to 4,379 .
There were 1,545 new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s total to 98,030 .
The state received 18,443 tests results , with a running positivity rate of about 8.3 % as the virus remains in 100 of 102 counties .
With the clock ticking until the end of Pritzker ’ s extended stay-at-home order May 29 , many Illinoisans are itching to see more reopenings .
Pritzker was set to discuss hospital metrics attached to the four regions in his reopening plan .
Read the full story by Tina Sfondeles here .
The annual Puerto Rican festival and parade has been canceled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The four-day festival , which highlights the Puerto Rican community in Chicago , was set for June 18-21 in Humboldt Park .
It will be pushed back to June 17-20 , 2021 , according to a statement from the organizers .
“ Now that where we live has become the place with the most people affected by the virus in the United States , it would be irresponsible for us to host an outdoor festival that exceeds 100,000 in attendance , ” the statement read .
2:35 p.m.
Churches ’ reopening plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand out masks and administer COVID-19 tests “ People need to have some hope in the midst of all of the things that they ’ re hearing , ” said Rev .
Floyd James of Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church .
“ This is our calling .
We were called into the work to be concerned for the least , the less and the lost.
” Rev .
Robin Hood of Redeemed Outreach Ministries said “ church is the household of God ” but in areas where COVID-19 is spreading the “ church @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in protecting its congregation .
It ’ s unclear if every storefront church in the city would be capable of carrying out the plans , which include giving every congregant hand sanitizer , gloves and a mask upon entering the church .
Hood said they would also run two temperature tests at the door , using two different devices .
Read the full story by Manny Ramos here .
2:10 p.m. Madigan to make masks a must ?
Speaker seeks to have bare-faced members booted from session With a Downstate legislator planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Assembly session since the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic hit , state House Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday proposed new rules requiring all members , staffers and observers to wear masks .
Anyone not adhering to those rules would be “ asked to leave the premises immediately.
” Madigan previously asked House members to follow safety precautions recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health , which also include submitting to temperature checks and following social distancing guidelines .
But with state Rep. Darren Bailey , R-Xenia , insisting he ’ ll show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Chicago legislators ” at the session — the first ever held outside the state Capitol Building , to allow for distancing — Madigan said the rules will be formalized to prevent “ needless distractions.
” Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
Cook County marked a grim milestone Tuesday as the medical examiner ’ s office announced that COVID-19 deaths surpassed 3,000 .
Officials said an additional 79 people died from the coronavirus , pushing the county ’ s death toll to 3,055 , according to a statement from Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been 4,234 coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
The state is reporting 96,485 total positive cases of the disease .
Cook County accounts for 72 % of the state ’ s coronavirus deaths , even though the county comprises 40 % of the Illinois ’ population .
11:04 a.m. Federal Reserve chairman says new lending programs to launch by June 1 WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that the Fed ’ s lending programs for medium-sized businesses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the end of this month .
Powell said that while the Fed has received a “ good deal of interest ” in those programs , if not enough companies or state and local governments seek to borrow , the Fed would consider changes to them .
That could include expanding their eligibility .
The chairman ’ s comments came before the Senate Banking , Housing and Urban Affairs Committee , which held an oversight hearing on the $ 2 trillion federal relief package approved in late March .
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s role in the government ’ s emergency relief programs .
9:46 a.m. County forest preserves to close more parking lots for Memorial Day weekend : ‘ Enjoy the natural world in your backyard ’ The Cook County Forest Preserves officials announced Monday that they plan to close additional parking lots for the Memorial Day weekend in an effort to curb crowding .
Dan Ryan Woods and Schiller Woods will join a list of six sites that have already seen their parking lots closed over the weeends due to concerns about social distancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parking lots at the other six preserves — Busse Woods , Maple Lake , Saganashkee Slough , Catherine Chevalier Woods , LaBagh Woods and Bunker Hill — were already closed Fridays through Sundays in April and will remain closed on Memorial Day itself , a statement from the county agency said .
In that statement , Arnold Randall , forest preserves general superintendent , said Memorial Day is a “ time when we pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country ” — but this year that tribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unofficial start to summer , the holiday is always one of our busiest weekends in the Forest Preserves , ” Randall ’ s statement reads in part .
“ This year , that ’ s not a safe way to celebrate .
We hope that with Memorial Day at Home , our patrons will find other creative ways to honor the fallen and to be with family.
” 7:17 a.m. Illinois to get over $ 286 million in federal funding to increase COVID-19 testing , conduct contact tracing Federal officials announced Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now being delivered to states , territories and localities to bolster coronavirus testing efforts and conduct contact tracing , including over $ 286 million for Illinois .
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is doling out the $ 10.25 billion drawn from the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act , according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
Another $ 750 million will be provided to tribal and urban Indian health programs through the Indian Health Service .
The influx of funding “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchase , administer , process , and analyze COVID-19 tests , conduct surveillance , trace contacts and related activities , ” the HHS said .
In receiving Illinois ’ $ 286,317,362 in new funding , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker must submit a testing plan to HHS that includes goals for the remainder of the year .
Read the full report by Tom Schuba here .
6:26 a.m. Trump taking anti-malaria drug in case he catches coronavirus President Donald Trump said Monday that he is taking a malaria drug to lessen symptoms should he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug is unproven for fighting COVID-19 .
Trump told reporters he has been taking the drug , hydroxychloroquine , and a zinc supplement daily “ for about a week and a half now.
” Trump spent weeks pushing the drug as a potential cure for COVID-19 against the cautionary advice of many of his administration ’ s top medical professionals .
The drug has the potential to cause significant side effects in some patients and has not been shown to combat the new coronavirus .
Trump said his doctor did not recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested it from the White House physician .
“ I started taking it , because I think it ’ s good , ” Trump said .
“ I ’ ve heard a lot of good stories.
” He dismissed reports of side effects , saying , “ All I can tell you is , so far I seem to be OK. ” • Annie Glenn , the widow of NASA astronaut and Sen. John Glenn , died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19 .
She was 100 .
• A bus operator is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the agency announced Tuesday .
• Chicago police announced Tuesday nine more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the total in the department to 529 .
• Another employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk ’ s office has tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the overall total to 25 .
• Seven more employees of Cook County ’ s Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19 .
2:06 p.m .
I risk COVID-19 to clean downtown offices .
What ’ s Congress doing for people like me ?
COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are closely interconnected .
Only by pulling together and meeting the needs of all workers — black , white , brown , immigrant , native-born — can we all get through this crisis .
Many essential workers are immigrants and people of color and it ’ s not an option for us to work from home or shelter in place .
I face the fear and head to work every day so that others can work in a clean , sanitized space .
The public is grateful for our sacrifice , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn the gratitude for essential workers into tangible support in the next stimulus bill .
We need essential pay , personal protective equipment and payroll protection .
Read the full commentary by Urszula Przybys , a member of SEIU Local 1 , here .
9:39 a.m. With careful planning , we can resume essential religious gatherings In a letter to the Sun-Times editors , Edward R. Kantowicz from Chicago writes : Cardinal Blase Cupich ( and other religious leaders ) should pick up the phone and tell the governor he was wrong to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essential services .
Even if no policy changes are made , this symbolic point must be insisted upon .
However , some easy policy changes could be made .
If big-box stores can space out customers to keep social distance , so can churches .
Ushers can make certain that every other pew remains empty and that only members of one household sit in each pew .
Hand-shaking and hugging can be omitted .
For sharing Holy Communion , the priest or minister can carefully place sacred hosts on an altar table and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet apart , and each take one sacred host .
A health precaution would thus become a sacred ritual .
What about it , Cardinal Cupich ?
Pick up the phone .
Insist that religion is essential and work out a reasonable and healthful plan for worship .
Read this and more letters here .
7:08 a.m .
Closing streets for outdoor dining with safe social distancing ?
Sounds like a plan We ’ re going to do it safely , respecting the rules of social distancing .
We ’ re going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feet or more from anybody we ’ re not living with , including friends .
We ’ re not going to share food or forks or beverages if we have a picnic .
But we ’ re going outdoors — a whole lot more than we have been .
There ’ s a growing consensus among the experts that the risks of contracting or spreading the coronavirus are acceptably low outdoors if the proper precautions are taken .
It ’ s safer than going back to the office or walking in a mall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal safer than crowding into bars like people are doing in Wisconsin .
The challenge for government is to find creative ways to support our safe , socially distanced emergence from the cocoons of our homes .
Along those lines , we ’ re intrigued by Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s apparent plan to close streets so that restaurants can spread out .

The latest
CDC report underscores risk of COVID-19 transmission in groups
Members of Alpine Chapel of Lake Zurich sing and pray outside Wauconda Care, a healthcare and rehabilitation center in Wauconda, Ill. John Starks/Daily Herald via AP
As some Illinois religious leaders push to reopen churches amid the coronavirus pandemic, a new Center for Disease Control report, released Tuesday, underscores the risk for widespread transmission of the contagious pathogen at group gatherings.
A 57-year-old pastor and his 56-year-old wife attended several church events in Arkansas in early March before the couple experienced symptoms of the coronavirus, including fevers, coughing and shortness of breath, in the following days, according to the CDC report. The pair ultimately became the first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in their rural county of about 25,000 residents, the report said.
The CDC ultimately found that 35 of the 92 attendees at those early March church events tested positive for the virus. The outbreak resulted in seven hospitalizations and three deaths, the report said.
Through contract tracing, the Arkansas Department of Health found 26 additional coronavirus cases and another death among community members who reported having contact with the churchgoers, according to the CDC report.
“Faith-based organizations should work with local health officials to determine how to implement the U.S. Government guidelines for modifying activities during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent transmission of the virus to their members and their communities,” the CDC study recommended in the report.
Over the weekend, several Illinois religious institutions flouted the state’s stay-at-home order and held services which welcomed dozens of worshippers.
Metro Praise International Church in Belmont Cragin, a neighborhood which has seen a surge in COVID-19 cases, planned to welcome up to 60 people to each of its three Sunday services, far more than the 10 congregants allowed under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s revised order.
“We can gather and spread our hope, our love, our religion without interference from the government. And so 35 miles right now to Indiana — Hammond, just think of it like an extension of Indiana — this is not illegal,” pastor Joseph Wyrostek said. “This is perfectly fine.
“Now, people keep saying well that’s not the same thing as the infection rate, or whatever. It doesn’t matter. What is an infection rate, anyway? It’s people spreading a virus. A virus will get spread one way or another.”
— Madeline Kenney and Tom Schuba
News
9:12 p.m. Judge dismisses lawsuit against DCFS seeking reinstatement of in-person visitation during coronavirus pandemic
Parents of children in protective custody lost a legal fight that sought to compel the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to reinstate in-person visitation during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Moreland Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by the public defender’s office on behalf of four mothers who said their rights to equal protection under the Constitution were being violated by the indefinite suspension of in-person visits with their children.
Moreland pointed in her ruling that all the plaintiffs had pending emergency motions in their individual cases to deal with visitation.
The court also sided with DCFS, saying the Child Protection Act allows state officials the right to immediately suspend the visits in the interest of a child’s health and well-being.
All four women have pending child abuse cases in the Juvenile Court’s Child Protection Division, according to court records.
DCFS, in March, stopped supervised in-person visits to prevent the spread of COVID-19, so those women and many others have only been allowed to speak with their children by phone or see them on video conferencing calls.
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here.
7:33 p.m. ‘Pro-Trump’ doctors sought to push rapid reopening of economy
Republican political operatives are recruiting “pro-Trump” doctors to go on television to prescribe reviving the U.S. economy as quickly as possible, without waiting to meet safety benchmarks proposed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
The plan was discussed in a May 11 conference call with a senior staffer for the Trump reelection campaign organized by CNP Action, an affiliate of the GOP-aligned Council for National Policy. A leaked recording of the hour-long call was provided to The Associated Press by the Center for Media and Democracy, a progressive watchdog group.
CNP Action is part of the Save Our Country Coalition, an alliance of conservative think tanks and political committees formed in late April to end state lockdowns implemented in response to the pandemic. Other members of the coalition include the FreedomWorks Foundation, the American Legislative Exchange Council and Tea Party Patriots.
A resurgent economy is seen as critical to boosting President Donald Trump’s reelection hopes and has become a growing focus of the White House coronavirus task force led by Vice President Mike Pence.
Tim Murtaugh, the Trump campaign communications director, confirmed to AP that an effort to recruit doctors to publicly support the president is underway, but declined to say when the initiative would be rolled out.
Read the full report here.
6:53 p.m. Ford tour gives Trump another chance not to wear publicly required face mask
DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. has told the White House that it requires everyone in its factories to wear face masks to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, but it’s not clear whether President Donald Trump will wear one when he visits a Detroit-area plant Thursday.
Trump, who is scheduled to tour a factory repurposed to make medical breathing machines near Detroit, has habitually refused to wear a mask at the White House and in recent public appearances.
In a statement, Ford said its policy requires everyone in factories to wear personal protective equipment, including masks, and that policy had been shared with the White House. When asked if the company would require Trump to wear the equipment, spokeswoman Rachel McCleery said, “The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determination.”
Trump didn’t give a definite answer when questioned at the White House Tuesday, saying it would depend on how close he gets to others.
Read the full report here.
5:59 p.m. Judge dismisses lawsuit against DCFS seeking reinstatement of in-person visitation during coronavirus pandemic
Parents of children in protective custody lost a legal fight that sought to compel the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to reinstate in-person visitation during the coronavirus pandemic.
Cook County Circuit Court Judge Caroline Moreland Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit filed by the public defender’s office on behalf of four mothers who said their rights to equal protection under the Constitution were being violated by the indefinite suspension of in-person visits with their children.
Read the full story here.
4:40 p.m. National high school sports federation announces guidelines for ‘opening up’ athletics
The National Federation of State High School Associations has released a set of guidelines for state associations to follow as they consider opening up high school athletics during the coronavirus pandemic.
The guidelines don’t mention any specific timelines, but are very specific about what should happen in each of its three phases. The Illinois High School Association has traditionally followed NFHS recommendations very closely.
The NFHS guidelines recommend that “state, local or school district guidelines for cloth face coverings should be strictly followed” and says that cloth face coverings should be worn by students during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of its plan. Exceptions will be made for swimming, distance running and other high intensity aerobic activity.
Read the full story on NFHS guidelines by Michael O’Brien here.
4:05 p.m. 146 more Illinois coronavirus deaths, but state still on track for next stage of reopening
Another 146 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois, officials said Tuesday, as medical statistics from Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office showed all parts of the state are on track to see more restrictions lifted come May 29.
Illinois had recorded three straight days of fewer than 100 coronavirus deaths each, but the latest figure raised the state’s death toll to 4,379.
There were 1,545 new cases reported, bringing the state’s total to 98,030. The state received 18,443 tests results, with a running positivity rate of about 8.3% as the virus remains in 100 of 102 counties.
With the clock ticking until the end of Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order May 29, many Illinoisans are itching to see more reopenings. Pritzker was set to discuss hospital metrics attached to the four regions in his reopening plan.
Read the full story by Tina Sfondeles here.
3:34 p.m. Puerto Rican fest and parade canceled
The annual Puerto Rican festival and parade has been canceled this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The four-day festival, which highlights the Puerto Rican community in Chicago, was set for June 18-21 in Humboldt Park. It will be pushed back to June 17-20, 2021, according to a statement from the organizers.
“Now that where we live has become the place with the most people affected by the virus in the United States, it would be irresponsible for us to host an outdoor festival that exceeds 100,000 in attendance,” the statement read.
— John Silver
2:35 p.m. Churches’ reopening plan: take temperatures at the door, hand out masks and administer COVID-19 tests
“People need to have some hope in the midst of all of the things that they’re hearing,” said Rev. Floyd James of Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church. “This is our calling. We were called into the work to be concerned for the least, the less and the lost.”
Rev. Robin Hood of Redeemed Outreach Ministries said “church is the household of God” but in areas where COVID-19 is spreading the “church has to be smart and safe” in protecting its congregation.
It’s unclear if every storefront church in the city would be capable of carrying out the plans, which include giving every congregant hand sanitizer, gloves and a mask upon entering the church.
Hood said they would also run two temperature tests at the door, using two different devices.
Read the full story by Manny Ramos here.
2:10 p.m. Madigan to make masks a must? Speaker seeks to have bare-faced members booted from session
With a Downstate legislator planning to show up bare-faced to the first General Assembly session since the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic hit, state House Speaker Michael Madigan on Tuesday proposed new rules requiring all members, staffers and observers to wear masks.
Anyone not adhering to those rules would be “asked to leave the premises immediately.”
Madigan previously asked House members to follow safety precautions recommended by the Illinois Department of Public Health, which also include submitting to temperature checks and following social distancing guidelines.
But with state Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, insisting he’ll show up maskless to make a point to “Chicago legislators” at the session — the first ever held outside the state Capitol Building, to allow for distancing — Madigan said the rules will be formalized to prevent “needless distractions.”
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
11:35 a.m. COVID-19 death toll in Cook County surpasses 3,000
Cook County marked a grim milestone Tuesday as the medical examiner’s office announced that COVID-19 deaths surpassed 3,000.
Officials said an additional 79 people died from the coronavirus, pushing the county’s death toll to 3,055, according to a statement from Cook County spokeswoman Natalia Derevyanny.
Statewide, there have been 4,234 coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The state is reporting 96,485 total positive cases of the disease.
Cook County accounts for 72% of the state’s coronavirus deaths, even though the county comprises 40% of the Illinois’ population.
Read the full story here.
11:04 a.m. Federal Reserve chairman says new lending programs to launch by June 1
WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that the Fed’s lending programs for medium-sized businesses and state and local governments would begin operating by the end of this month.
Powell said that while the Fed has received a “good deal of interest” in those programs, if not enough companies or state and local governments seek to borrow, the Fed would consider changes to them. That could include expanding their eligibility.
The chairman’s comments came before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, which held an oversight hearing on the $2 trillion federal relief package approved in late March. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin is also testifying about the Treasury’s role in the government’s emergency relief programs.
Read the full story here.
9:46 a.m. County forest preserves to close more parking lots for Memorial Day weekend: ‘Enjoy the natural world in your backyard’
The Cook County Forest Preserves officials announced Monday that they plan to close additional parking lots for the Memorial Day weekend in an effort to curb crowding.
Dan Ryan Woods and Schiller Woods will join a list of six sites that have already seen their parking lots closed over the weeends due to concerns about social distancing and other public health guidelines.
The parking lots at the other six preserves — Busse Woods, Maple Lake, Saganashkee Slough, Catherine Chevalier Woods, LaBagh Woods and Bunker Hill — were already closed Fridays through Sundays in April and will remain closed on Memorial Day itself, a statement from the county agency said.
In that statement, Arnold Randall, forest preserves general superintendent, said Memorial Day is a “time when we pay tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country” — but this year that tribute might look different.
“As an unofficial start to summer, the holiday is always one of our busiest weekends in the Forest Preserves,” Randall’s statement reads in part. “This year, that’s not a safe way to celebrate. We hope that with Memorial Day at Home, our patrons will find other creative ways to honor the fallen and to be with family.”
Read the full story here.
7:17 a.m. Illinois to get over $286 million in federal funding to increase COVID-19 testing, conduct contact tracing
Federal officials announced Monday that over $10 billion in new funding is now being delivered to states, territories and localities to bolster coronavirus testing efforts and conduct contact tracing, including over $286 million for Illinois.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is doling out the $10.25 billion drawn from the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Another $750 million will be provided to tribal and urban Indian health programs through the Indian Health Service.
The influx of funding “will provide critical support to develop, purchase, administer, process, and analyze COVID-19 tests, conduct surveillance, trace contacts and related activities,” the HHS said.
In receiving Illinois’ $286,317,362 in new funding, Gov. J.B. Pritzker must submit a testing plan to HHS that includes goals for the remainder of the year.
Read the full report by Tom Schuba here.
6:26 a.m. Trump taking anti-malaria drug in case he catches coronavirus
President Donald Trump said Monday that he is taking a malaria drug to lessen symptoms should he get the new coronavirus, even though the drug is unproven for fighting COVID-19.
Trump told reporters he has been taking the drug, hydroxychloroquine, and a zinc supplement daily “for about a week and a half now.” Trump spent weeks pushing the drug as a potential cure for COVID-19 against the cautionary advice of many of his administration’s top medical professionals. The drug has the potential to cause significant side effects in some patients and has not been shown to combat the new coronavirus.
Trump said his doctor did not recommend the drug to him, but he requested it from the White House physician.
“I started taking it, because I think it’s good,” Trump said. “I’ve heard a lot of good stories.”
He dismissed reports of side effects, saying, “All I can tell you is, so far I seem to be OK.”
Read the full report here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
2:06 p.m. I risk COVID-19 to clean downtown offices. What’s Congress doing for people like me?
COVID-19 has made it clearer than ever that we are closely interconnected. Only by pulling together and meeting the needs of all workers — black, white, brown, immigrant, native-born — can we all get through this crisis.
Many essential workers are immigrants and people of color and it’s not an option for us to work from home or shelter in place. I face the fear and head to work every day so that others can work in a clean, sanitized space.
The public is grateful for our sacrifice, but it’s time leaders in Congress turn the gratitude for essential workers into tangible support in the next stimulus bill. We need essential pay, personal protective equipment and payroll protection.
Read the full commentary by Urszula Przybys, a member of SEIU Local 1, here.
9:39 a.m. With careful planning, we can resume essential religious gatherings
In a letter to the Sun-Times editors, Edward R. Kantowicz from Chicago writes:
Cardinal Blase Cupich (and other religious leaders) should pick up the phone and tell the governor he was wrong to omit religious services from the list of essential services. Even if no policy changes are made, this symbolic point must be insisted upon.
However, some easy policy changes could be made. If big-box stores can space out customers to keep social distance, so can churches. Ushers can make certain that every other pew remains empty and that only members of one household sit in each pew. Hand-shaking and hugging can be omitted.
For sharing Holy Communion, the priest or minister can carefully place sacred hosts on an altar table and the congregation can file up, six feet apart, and each take one sacred host. A health precaution would thus become a sacred ritual.
What about it, Cardinal Cupich? Pick up the phone. Insist that religion is essential and work out a reasonable and healthful plan for worship.
Read this and more letters here.
7:08 a.m. Closing streets for outdoor dining with safe social distancing? Sounds like a plan
We’re going outdoors.
We’re going to do it safely, respecting the rules of social distancing.
We’re going to avoid crowds and keep a healthy six feet or more from anybody we’re not living with, including friends. We’re not going to share food or forks or beverages if we have a picnic.
But we’re going outdoors — a whole lot more than we have been.
There’s a growing consensus among the experts that the risks of contracting or spreading the coronavirus are acceptably low outdoors if the proper precautions are taken. It’s safer than going back to the office or walking in a mall, and it’s a great deal safer than crowding into bars like people are doing in Wisconsin.
The challenge for government is to find creative ways to support our safe, socially distanced emergence from the cocoons of our homes. Along those lines, we’re intrigued by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s apparent plan to close streets so that restaurants can spread out.
Read the Sun-Times’ full editorial here.