chicagosun-times--2020-10-05--Neo-Futurists turn the spotlight on ‘45 First Ladies’ in multi-regional, lightning-fast production

Fans know the Neo-Futurists are masters of the short play .
Make that the very short play — in the two- to five-minute range .
Generations of writer-performers have been initiated into this ritual via “ The Infinite Wrench ” ( formerly “ Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind ” ) , the long-running show that features 30 plays in 60 minutes .
Playwright and Neo-Futurist alum Andy Bayiates took this concept a step further with 2002 ’ s ambitious “ 43 Plays for 43 Presidents , ” which was written by a five-person team of ingenious writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s history for this group of clever short plays .
But Bayiates wasn ’ t done with presidential history — or , should we say , herstory .
Around three years ago , he returned to the genre but now with a focus on the women behind the men , from Martha to Melania , for “ 45 Plays for America ’ s First Ladies , ” which debuts online at the Neo-Futurists in a combination of live and filmed performances .
( The combo livestream is Oct. 8 , 9 and 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to Nov .
2 . )
“ I hope the play interests people about our shared history , ” Bayiates says .
“ I believe the corny notion that you can ’ t quite understand what ’ s going on or where you ’ re going until you understand where you ’ ve been .
This play is a way of helping to understand what shaped our nation.
” Written with fellow Neo-Futurist alums Bilal Dardai , Genevra Gallo-Bayiates , Sharon Greene and Chloe Johnston , “ 45 Plays ” is directed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neo-Futurists actors in Chicago ( Ida Cuttler , Vic Wynter ) , San Francisco ( Andie Patterson , Brenda Arellano ) and New York ( Robin Virginie , Hilary Asare ) .
Three of the writers — Bayiates , Gallo-Bayiates and Johnston — had worked on the previous presidents play and were familiar with the historical aspects of the challenge ; Dardai and Greene were new to it , but that ’ s a good thing , says Gallo-Bayiates .
“ Part of that idea was to balance the writing team a bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wanted to make sure we had new perspectives on telling these stories — people who were very familiar with history and people who weren ’ t. ” In 2016 , the impetus for the show was the idea that it would end with the first woman president .
Of course , the election went in a different direction , which created a new challenge for the writers as they pondered the direction of the piece .
“ We decided to let it be a multifaceted piece , ” says Gallo-Bayiates .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving a biographical point of reference , we also wanted to expand the stories and address some of the contextual history and be mindful of the marginalized communities that are part of this history of America as laid out through the first ladies.
” Adds Bayiates : “ There ’ s also a strong exploration going on of what is a first lady .
It ’ s a really difficult role to define .
Is it a spouse ?
Is it a host ?
Is it a governing partnership ?
” Bayiates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in unison and agree that it ’ s a difficult challenge to distill the life of a first lady such as Eleanor Roosevelt into a short play .
But Roosevelt is actually one of the easy ones since there ’ s so much information about her .
“ What we encountered early on was a dearth of information about most of these women , ” Gallo-Bayiates says .
The writing team did a lot of research , each member individually digging into the lives of nine first ladies .
“ It was up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspiring kernel around which to build a two-minute play .
The creating of it requires that you let a lot of ideas go , ” she adds .
Because of the pandemic , the entire creative team switched to fully embracing the digital experience .
The big question was how to engage people over this format , says Serna , who often works with actors in different cities over video calls .
“ I think the added layer here is that we weren ’ t working over video calls to put on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video calls to put on a video show .
It ’ s the steepest learning curve.
” For the first three performances , the Chicago actors will be performing live with the east and west coast actors on film .
The fewer port points for the live stream , the fewer possible problems with the feed , Serna notes .
But Serna says her biggest challenge was facilitating a rehearsal room online that was minus the usual togetherness of being in the same physical space .
“ There are all these aspects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss by not being in the same space — being able to read the room , feeding off each other ’ s energy , ” she says , adding , “ It can feel more like a meeting than a rehearsal so it ’ s been a challenge to be aware of those things when there are less body signals to read.
” Serna , who has built a diverse cast of actors from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds , hopes the audience feels connected to one another and inspired to explore “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken for granted and not really considered the legacy or weight of before.
” “ We are inserting ourselves into this chapter of American history and that is very empowering for us and I hope that audiences who experience the show feel a little bit of that revolution .
”

Fans know the Neo-Futurists are masters of the short play. Make that the very short play — in the two- to five-minute range. Generations of writer-performers have been initiated into this ritual via “The Infinite Wrench” (formerly “Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind”), the long-running show that features 30 plays in 60 minutes.
Playwright and Neo-Futurist alum Andy Bayiates took this concept a step further with 2002’s ambitious “43 Plays for 43 Presidents,” which was written by a five-person team of ingenious writers who dove deep into our country’s history for this group of clever short plays.
45 First Ladies ’45 Plays for America’s First Ladies’ When: Oct. 8-Nov. 2 Where: Stream from The Neo-Futurists Tickets: $15 (streaming link will be sent once tickets are purchased) Info: neofuturists.org
But Bayiates wasn’t done with presidential history — or, should we say, herstory. Around three years ago, he returned to the genre but now with a focus on the women behind the men, from Martha to Melania, for “45 Plays for America’s First Ladies,” which debuts online at the Neo-Futurists in a combination of live and filmed performances. (The combo livestream is Oct. 8, 9 and 11, after which an entirely recorded stream continues to Nov. 2.)
“I hope the play interests people about our shared history,” Bayiates says. “I believe the corny notion that you can’t quite understand what’s going on or where you’re going until you understand where you’ve been. This play is a way of helping to understand what shaped our nation.”
Written with fellow Neo-Futurist alums Bilal Dardai, Genevra Gallo-Bayiates, Sharon Greene and Chloe Johnston, “45 Plays” is directed by Denise Yvette Serna and performed by Neo-Futurists actors in Chicago (Ida Cuttler, Vic Wynter), San Francisco (Andie Patterson, Brenda Arellano) and New York (Robin Virginie, Hilary Asare).
Ida Cuttler stars in a play about Sally Hemings and Martha Jefferson, and another about Mary Todd Lincoln. Courtesy the Neo-Futurists
Three of the writers — Bayiates, Gallo-Bayiates and Johnston — had worked on the previous presidents play and were familiar with the historical aspects of the challenge; Dardai and Greene were new to it, but that’s a good thing, says Gallo-Bayiates.
“Part of that idea was to balance the writing team a bit more,” Gallo-Bayiates says. “We wanted to make sure we had new perspectives on telling these stories — people who were very familiar with history and people who weren’t.”
In 2016, the impetus for the show was the idea that it would end with the first woman president. Of course, the election went in a different direction, which created a new challenge for the writers as they pondered the direction of the piece.
“We decided to let it be a multifaceted piece,” says Gallo-Bayiates. “While we are honoring each woman and giving a biographical point of reference, we also wanted to expand the stories and address some of the contextual history and be mindful of the marginalized communities that are part of this history of America as laid out through the first ladies.”
Adds Bayiates: “There’s also a strong exploration going on of what is a first lady. It’s a really difficult role to define. Is it a spouse? Is it a host? Is it a governing partnership?”
Hilary Asare stars in a play about Sally Hemings and Martha Jefferson, and another about Hillary Clinton. Courtesy the Neo-Futurists
Bayiates and Gallo-Bayiates, who are married, laugh in unison and agree that it’s a difficult challenge to distill the life of a first lady such as Eleanor Roosevelt into a short play. But Roosevelt is actually one of the easy ones since there’s so much information about her.
“What we encountered early on was a dearth of information about most of these women,” Gallo-Bayiates says. The writing team did a lot of research, each member individually digging into the lives of nine first ladies. “It was up to each of us to find that inspiring kernel around which to build a two-minute play. The creating of it requires that you let a lot of ideas go,” she adds.
Because of the pandemic, the entire creative team switched to fully embracing the digital experience. The big question was how to engage people over this format, says Serna, who often works with actors in different cities over video calls.
“I think the added layer here is that we weren’t working over video calls to put on a stage show; we were working over video calls to put on a video show. It’s the steepest learning curve.”
For the first three performances, the Chicago actors will be performing live with the east and west coast actors on film. The fewer port points for the live stream, the fewer possible problems with the feed, Serna notes.
But Serna says her biggest challenge was facilitating a rehearsal room online that was minus the usual togetherness of being in the same physical space.
“There are all these aspects of building ensemble and building chemistry that we miss by not being in the same space — being able to read the room, feeding off each other’s energy,” she says, adding, “It can feel more like a meeting than a rehearsal so it’s been a challenge to be aware of those things when there are less body signals to read.”
Andie Patterson stars in a play about Barbara Bush, and another about Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. Courtesy the Neo-Futurists
Serna, who has built a diverse cast of actors from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds, hopes the audience feels connected to one another and inspired to explore “new information or information that they had taken for granted and not really considered the legacy or weight of before.”
“We are inserting ourselves into this chapter of American history and that is very empowering for us and I hope that audiences who experience the show feel a little bit of that revolution.”
Mary Houlihan is a local freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-05--Former top cop Terry Hillard quits pot shop applicant group

Former Chicago Police Supt .
Terry Hillard announced Monday that he stepped down from a company vying for five cannabis dispensary licenses .
Hillard was listed as a registered manager of EHR Holdings , one of the 21 groups that earned perfect scores on its applications for the next 75 pot shop licenses .
Hillard ’ s departure comes less than a month after his partner , Hamd Kamal , was identified by the Sun-Times as an employee of KPMG , the global accounting firm given a $ 4.2 million no-bid contract to grade the applications .
“ After careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EHR Holdings LLC , ” Hillard said in a statement .
“ From the beginning , I have supported the importance of bringing social equity to communities deserving of a chance for economic growth and expansion and continue to hold the process in high regard.
” While Hillard ’ s abrupt and unexplained exit follows the revelation about Kamal ’ s work as a risk consultant for KPMG , a spokesman for the former top cop wouldn ’ t say whether that affected his decision to step aside .
On Monday , KPMG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of applications was objective and noted that Kamal wasn ’ t involved in the process .
However , Grote wouldn ’ t comment when asked whether Kamal was still employed by the firm .
“ We are proud of our work for the state of Illinois , ” Grote said in a statement .
Despite Grote ’ s assurances , the link added to the growing furor from the more than 900 jilted applicants who weren ’ t initially included in the lottery .
After that outcry ultimately led to multiple lawsuits , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the losing teams would have the opportunity to revise their applications and challenge their scoring .
That move has now prompted legal action from three of the initial lottery contestants , who are petitioning the Illinois Supreme Court to stop any other firms from advancing .
It ’ s unclear whether Hillard was the reason EHR Holdings earned critical application points by qualifying for social equity status , a designation created in an effort to diversify the state ’ s overwhelmingly white weed industry .
Some of the 21 groups that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social equity points by having a majority owner who has an expungeable pot offense or has lived in an area that ’ s been disproportionately impacted by the drug war .
The others qualified by hiring a workforce of at least six people that meet those requirements .
Hillard ’ s listed address in EHR ’ s filing with the Illinois secretary of state ’ s office falls in a disproportionately impacted area on the South Side , the Sun-Times has found .
A spokeswoman for Pritzker ’ s office didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Holdings qualified for social equity status or whether those points could be clawed back if the qualifying applicant steps aside .
Grote declined to comment .
Prior to joining EHR Holdings , Hillard ’ s consulting firm advised cannabis growers and sellers on security matters .
But he isn ’ t the only ex-cop who ’ s moved into the legal weed business .
Garry McCarthy , another former Chicago police superintendent , was hired earlier this year as a security consultant for MOCA after its Logan Square dispensary was taken for over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just days after recreational weed was legalized statewide .
And Thomas Wheeler Jr. , a former police commander , is among the clouted group of people tied to GRI Holdings LLC , which has the maximum 10 chances to win licenses in the lottery .

Former Chicago Police Supt. Terry Hillard announced Monday that he stepped down from a company vying for five cannabis dispensary licenses.
Hillard was listed as a registered manager of EHR Holdings, one of the 21 groups that earned perfect scores on its applications for the next 75 pot shop licenses. Hillard’s departure comes less than a month after his partner, Hamd Kamal, was identified by the Sun-Times as an employee of KPMG, the global accounting firm given a $4.2 million no-bid contract to grade the applications.
“After careful consideration, I have withdrawn association with EHR Holdings LLC,” Hillard said in a statement. “From the beginning, I have supported the importance of bringing social equity to communities deserving of a chance for economic growth and expansion and continue to hold the process in high regard.”
While Hillard’s abrupt and unexplained exit follows the revelation about Kamal’s work as a risk consultant for KPMG, a spokesman for the former top cop wouldn’t say whether that affected his decision to step aside.
On Monday, KPMG spokesman Russ Grote insisted the blind scoring of applications was objective and noted that Kamal wasn’t involved in the process. However, Grote wouldn’t comment when asked whether Kamal was still employed by the firm.
“We are proud of our work for the state of Illinois,” Grote said in a statement.
Kamal couldn’t immediately be reached on Monday.
Despite Grote’s assurances, the link added to the growing furor from the more than 900 jilted applicants who weren’t initially included in the lottery.
After that outcry ultimately led to multiple lawsuits, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Sept. 21 that the losing teams would have the opportunity to revise their applications and challenge their scoring. That move has now prompted legal action from three of the initial lottery contestants, who are petitioning the Illinois Supreme Court to stop any other firms from advancing.
It’s unclear whether Hillard was the reason EHR Holdings earned critical application points by qualifying for social equity status, a designation created in an effort to diversify the state’s overwhelmingly white weed industry.
Some of the 21 groups that have advanced to the lottery were awarded the social equity points by having a majority owner who has an expungeable pot offense or has lived in an area that’s been disproportionately impacted by the drug war. The others qualified by hiring a workforce of at least six people that meet those requirements.
Hillard’s listed address in EHR’s filing with the Illinois secretary of state’s office falls in a disproportionately impacted area on the South Side, the Sun-Times has found.
A spokeswoman for Pritzker’s office didn’t immediately respond to questions about how EHR Holdings qualified for social equity status or whether those points could be clawed back if the qualifying applicant steps aside. Grote declined to comment.
Prior to joining EHR Holdings, Hillard’s consulting firm advised cannabis growers and sellers on security matters. But he isn’t the only ex-cop who’s moved into the legal weed business.
Garry McCarthy, another former Chicago police superintendent, was hired earlier this year as a security consultant for MOCA after its Logan Square dispensary was taken for over $200,000 in a daring January burglary just days after recreational weed was legalized statewide.
And Thomas Wheeler Jr., a former police commander, is among the clouted group of people tied to GRI Holdings LLC, which has the maximum 10 chances to win licenses in the lottery.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-05--Trump leaves hospital, returns to White House

President Donald Trump says he feels “ good ” as he arrives back at the White House after three days at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where he was being treated for COVID-19 .
Marine One landed at the White House just before 7 p.m. Monday just as the sun was setting .
He then walked upstairs to the South Portico balcony , took off his mask and stuffed it in his pocket , and flashed a double thumbs-up to the cameras .
He saluted as he watched the helicopter lift back off .
He walked into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on .
Trump ’ s doctors said he would continue his recovery from the White House , where he will be cared for 24/7 by a team of doctors and nurses .
His doctor says he ’ s still contagious .
Trump walked out the golden front doors of Walter Reed earlier Monday and offered a thumbs-up and fist bump before he stepped into an SUV that carried him to the helicopter .
Lights had been set up to illuminate the scene for cameras .
Trump ’ s doctor , Navy Cdr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be fully “ out of the woods ” for another week but that Trump had met or exceeded standards for discharge from the hospital .
Trump is expected to continue his recovery at the White House , where the reach of the outbreak that has infected the highest levels of the U.S. government is still being uncovered .
Still Trump indicated he won ’ t be kept from campaigning for long , tweeting before leaving the hospital , “ Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon !
!
!
” Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He tweeted , “ I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M .
Feeling really good !
Don ’ t be afraid of Covid .
Don ’ t let it dominate your life .
...
I feel better than I did 20 years ago !
” However , that message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president ’ s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease , which has also infected the first lady and several White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
“ We have to be realistic in this : COVID is a complete threat to the American population , ” said Dr. David Nace of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center , an expert on infections in older adults .
“ Most of the people aren ’ t so lucky as the president , ” with an in-house medical unit and access to experimental treatments , Nace added .
“ It ’ s an unconscionable message , ” agreed Dr. Sadiya Khan of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say that it may precipitate or worsen spread.
” There was political pushback to Trump ’ s attitude toward the virus , as well .
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told the Houston Chronicle editorial board that Trump had “ let his guard down ” in his effort to show that the country was moving beyond the virus and had created “ confusion ” about how to stay safe .
Conley said that because of Trump ’ s unusual level of treatment so early after discovery of his illness he was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also was upbeat at an afternoon briefing and said the president could resume his normal schedule once “ there is no evidence of live virus still present.
” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many — and should isolate for at least — 10 days .
Trump ’ s expected discharge raised new questions about how the administration was going to protect other officials from a disease that remains rampant in the president ’ s body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tested positive for the virus Monday morning and was entering quarantine .
Both Nace and Khan expressed fear Trump won ’ t properly stay isolated at the White House — and that he hasn ’ t learned his lesson about wearing a mask .
“ We know he hates the mask , we know he hates to be restricted , we know he ’ s unpredictable , ” Nace said .
“ The rest of the American people are held accountable to a 10-day isolation period.
” There were also lingering questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president — and even when he first came down with the virus Conley repeatedly declined to share results of medical scans of Trump ’ s lungs , saying he was not at liberty to discuss the information because Trump did not waive doctor-patient confidentiality on the subject .
COVID-19 has been known to cause significant damage to the lungs of some patients .
Conley also declined to share the date of Trump ’ s most recent negative test for the virus — a critical point for contact tracing and understanding where Trump was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s nonchalant message about not fearing the virus comes as his own administration has encouraged Americans to be very careful and take precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the disease as cases continue to spike across the country .
For more than eight months , Trump ’ s efforts to play down the threat of the virus in hopes of propping up the economy ahead of the election have drawn bipartisan criticism .
Only a day earlier , Trump suggested he had finally grasped the true nature of the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get it.
” But then on Sunday afternoon , Trump briefly ventured out of the hospital while contagious to salute cheering supporters by motorcade — an outing that disregarded precautions meant to contain the virus .
White House officials said Trump was anxious to be released after three nights at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , where doctors revealed that his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick .
Trump ’ s experience with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans , who do not have access to the same kind of monitoring and care .
While most must cope with their symptoms — and fear of whether they ’ ll take a turn for the worse — at home and alone , Trump has been staying in the presidential suite of one of the nation ’ s best hospitals and has been given experimental drugs not readily available to the public .
He returns to the White House where there is a team of doctors on call with 24-hour monitoring .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fourth dose of the antiviral drug remdesivir Monday evening , Conley said .
He will receive the fifth and final dose Tuesday at the White House .
Less than one month before Election Day , Trump was eager to project strength despite his illness and to press his campaign effort across the country .
Vice President Mike Pence returned to the campaign trail moments after Trump announced he would soon leave the hospital .
The vice president boarded Air Force Two to fly to Salt Lake City , where he is to face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kamala Harris on Wednesday .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign , meanwhile , said the Democratic presidential nominee again tested negative for coronavirus Sunday .
The results came five days after Biden spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump .
McEnany , who announced Monday that she had contracted the virus , spoke briefly with reporters on Sunday evening without wearing a mask , but said that no members of the White House press corps spent enough time around her to be considered close contacts .
Even before Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Secret Service agents had expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House , but there isn ’ t much they can do , according to agents and officials who spoke to The Associated Press .
This close to the election , thousands of agents are engaged on protective duty so they can be subbed out quickly should someone test positive .
Trump ’ s aggressive course of treatment included the steroid dexamethasone and the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help the immune system fight the virus .
Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir , a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients .
The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus , and remdesivir curbs the virus ’ ability to multiply .

BETHESDA, Md. — President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House Monday night after leaving the military hospital where he was receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19. He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans — and then he entered the White House without a protective mask.
Trump’s message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president’s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease, which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides, including new cases revealed Monday.
Landing at the White House on Marine One, Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps, removed his mask and declared, “I feel good.” He gave a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. He entered the White House, where aides were visible milling about the Blue Room, without wearing a face covering.
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The president left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where his doctor, Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, said earlier Monday that the president remains contagious and would not be fully “out of the woods” for another week but that Trump had met or exceeded standards for discharge from the hospital. Trump is expected to continue his recovery at the White House, where the reach of the outbreak that has infected the highest levels of the U.S. government is still being uncovered.
Still, just a month before the election and anxious to project strength, Trump tweeted before leaving the hospital, “Will be back on the Campaign Trail soon!!!” And in case anyone missed his don’t-worry message earlier, he rushed out a new video from the White House.
“Don’t be afraid of it,” Trump said of the virus. “You’re going to beat it. We have the best medical equipment, we have the best medicines.” His remarks were strong, but he was taking deeper breaths than usual as he delivered them.
Trump’s nonchalant message about not fearing the virus comes as his own administration has encouraged Americans to be very careful and take precautions to avoid contracting and spreading the disease as cases continue to spike across the country. For more than eight months, Trump’s efforts to play down the threat of the virus in hopes of propping up the economy ahead of the election have drawn bipartisan criticism.
“We have to be realistic in this: COVID is a complete threat to the American population,” Dr. David Nace of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, said of Trump’s comment.
“Most of the people aren’t so lucky as the president,” with an in-house medical unit and access to experimental treatments, added Nace, an expert on infections in older adults.
“It’s an unconscionable message,” agreed Dr. Sadiya Khan of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “I would go so far as to say that it may precipitate or worsen spread.”
Likewise, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, who spent more than 90 minutes on the debate stage with Trump last week, said during an NBC town hall Monday night that he was glad Trump seemed to be recovering well, “but there’s a lot to be concerned about — 210,000 people have died. I hope no one walks away with the message that it’s not a problem.” Biden tested negative for the virus Sunday.
There was pushback from a prominent Trump political supporter as well.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas told the Houston Chronicle editorial board that Trump had “let his guard down” in his effort to show that the country was moving beyond the virus and had created “confusion” about how to stay safe.
Conley said that because of Trump’s unusual level of treatment so early after discovery of his illness he was in “uncharted territory.” But the doctor also was upbeat at an afternoon briefing and said the president could resume his normal schedule once “there is no evidence of live virus still present.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19 can be contagious for as many as — and should isolate for at least — 10 days.
Trump’s arrival back at the White House raised new questions about how the administration was going to protect other officials from a disease that remains rampant in the president’s body. Press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced she had tested positive for the virus Monday morning and was entering quarantine.
There were also lingering questions about potential long-term effects to the president — and even when he first came down with the virus.
Conley repeatedly declined to share results of medical scans of Trump’s lungs, saying he was not at liberty to discuss the information because Trump did not waive doctor-patient confidentiality on the subject. COVID-19 has been known to cause significant damage to the lungs of some patients. Conley also declined to share the date of Trump’s most recent negative test for the virus — a critical point for contact tracing and understanding where Trump was in the course of the disease.
Only a day earlier, Trump suggested he had finally grasped the true nature of the virus, saying in a video, “I get it.” But on Sunday afternoon, he ventured out of the hospital while contagious to salute cheering supporters by motorcade — an outing that disregarded precautions meant to contain the virus.
At the hospital, doctors revealed that his blood oxygen level had dropped suddenly twice in recent days and that they gave him a steroid typically only recommended for the very sick.
Trump’s experience with the disease has been dramatically different from most Americans, who do not have access to the same kind of monitoring and care. While most must cope with their symptoms — and fear of whether they’ll take a turn for the worse — at home and alone, Trump has been staying in the presidential suite of one of the nation’s best hospitals and has been given experimental drugs not readily available to the public. He returns to the White House, where there is a team of doctors on call with 24-hour monitoring.
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Trump was leaving the hospital after receiving a fourth dose of the antiviral drug remdesivir Monday evening, Conley said. He will receive the fifth and final dose Tuesday at the White House.
Vice President Mike Pence returned to the campaign trail moments after Trump announced he would soon leave the hospital. The vice president boarded Air Force Two to fly to Salt Lake City, where he is to face off against Democratic vice presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris on Wednesday.
Trump, in his new video, defended his decision to repeatedly flout his own administration’s guidelines to slow the spread of the virus, including by holding rallies with thousands of mostly maskless supporters.
Apparently referring to any potential danger to himself rather than others, he said: “I stood out front. I led. Nobody that’s a leader would not do what I did.” He added: “And I know there’s a risk, there’s a danger. But that’s OK. And now I’m better. And maybe I’m immune, I don’t know.”
Even before Trump’s motorcade outing Sunday, some Secret Service agents had expressed concern about the lackadaisical attitude toward masks and social distancing inside the White House, but there isn’t much they can do, according to agents and officials who spoke to The Associated Press.
Trump’s aggressive course of treatment included the steroid dexamethasone and the single dose he was given Friday of an experimental drug from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. that supplies antibodies to help the immune system fight the virus. Trump on Friday also began a five-day course of remdesivir, a Gilead Sciences drug currently used for moderately and severely ill patients. The drugs work in different ways — the antibodies help the immune system rid the body of virus, and remdesivir curbs the virus’s ability to multiply.
___
Full Coverage: Virus Outbreak
Miller and Colvin reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Lauran Neergaard and Jonathan Lemire in Washington, and Bill Barrow in Wilmington, Delaware, contributed to this report.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-05--Man dies in Albany Park shooting: police

A man was fatally shot Monday in Albany Park on the Northwest Side , police said .
About 3:45 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ in the leg in the 4800 block of North Bernard Street , Chicago police said @ @ @ @ @ Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
The Cook @ @ @ @ @ office hasn ’ t released details on the death .
Last month , five people @ @ @ @ @ blocks away in the 3500 block of West Lawrence Avenue .
Chicago police ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Albany Park , has seen more than twice as many shootings this year than during @ @ @ @ @ , according to police statistics .
The district has recorded 52 shooting incidents and nine @ @ @ @ @ compared to 20 shootings and five murders during the same period last year .
Read @ @ @ @ @ track the city ’ s homicides .

A man was fatally shot Monday in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
The 38-year-old was standing about 3:45 p.m. in the 4800 block of North Bernard Street when someone got out of a dark-colored SUV and opened fire, Chicago police said.
The man was struck multiple times throughout his body and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.
He was identified as Germaine Alexander Arnold of Albany Park, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
A dark-colored SUV was involved in a crash blocks away in the 3200 block of West Ainslie Street, police said.
Police were questioning a person of interest but later released them without charges.
Area Five detectives are investigating.
Chicago police investigate the scene where a 38-year-old man was shot and killed in the 4800 block of North Bernard Street Oct. 5, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Last month, five people were wounded in a drive-by blocks away in the 3500 block of West Lawrence Avenue.
Chicago police’s 17th District, which encompasses Albany Park, has seen more than twice as many shootings this year than during the same period in 2019, according to police statistics.
The district has recorded 52 shooting incidents and nine murders through Oct. 4, compared to 20 shootings and five murders during the same period last year.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-05--State health officials: 1,853 new coronavirus cases, 14 more deaths

The new infections , which brought the state ’ s total to 303,394 cases , were found among the latest @ @ @ @ @ to the Illinois Department of Public Health , raising the state ’ s seven-day positivity @ @ @ @ @ use to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 3.4 % from 3.3 @ @ @ @ @ deaths reported Monday were in Cook County : two men in their 60s , a @ @ @ @ @ a man in his 80s .
In total , 8,805 Illinoisans have succumbed to the @ @ @ @ @ of Sunday , 1,631 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in Illinois , with 382 of those @ @ @ @ @ and 155 on ventilators .

State health officials Monday announced 1,853 new coronavirus cases and 14 additional deaths.
The new infections, which brought the state’s total to 303,394 cases, were found among the latest batch of 38,538 tests reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health, raising the state’s seven-day positivity rate — a figure experts use to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 3.4% from 3.3%.
Four of the deaths reported Monday were in Cook County: two men in their 60s, a man in his 70s and a man in his 80s.
In total, 8,805 Illinoisans have succumbed to the virus since March.
As of Sunday, 1,631 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in Illinois, with 382 of those patients in intensive care units and 155 on ventilators.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-05--Amy Coney Barrett: Why 2 Notre Dame law school classmates oppose her Supreme Court nomination

“ Judge Barrett and I were in the same class at the University of Notre Dame Law School , ” said attorney Kathleen Ley Bruinsma about President Donald Trump ’ s Supreme Court nominee , who sits on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals based in Chicago .
“ She was in many of my classes over three years .
In our first year , we were in the same small study group .
She was always polite and respectful .
And these are good things .
But these interpersonal niceties are not relevant to the immense power she will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others if confirmed to the highest court in our country , ” said Bruinsma , a member of the class of 1997 .
While Notre Dame — the institution — is proud to have its first law school grad tapped for the Supreme Court , not all alums support her confirmation .
What is relevant , said Bruinsma , an attorney in Grand Rapids , Michigan , who worked at Chicago law firms earlier in her career , is Amy Coney Barrett ’ s views about laws and her reversal , once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a justice in a presidential election year .
Bruinsma said Barrett ’ s record from law school to the 7th Circuit , “ Decisions in which she has participated show that she does not agree that the law should apply equally to all individuals regardless of gender , race , creed , or color .
“ As a woman , a mother , and a lawyer , I am troubled about the power that Judge Barrett will wield to limit women ’ s equal rights , children ’ s access to health care @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us under the law .
“ Personal decency in the classroom , courtroom , or conference room are no compensation for the elimination of structural decency from our laws and our Constitution .
Women , children , people of color , immigrants , and LGBTQ+ and voters are entitled to structural decency manifested in justice .
If confirmed , Judge Barrett will not foster but rather limit and even dismantle the structural decency guaranteed by our founding documents.
” There is also Barrett ’ s change of heart about timing , said Bruinsma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Supreme Court justices should not be confirmed during the runup to a presidential election .
At that time , with the presidential election still eight months away , she publicly opposed the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court , arguing that it would be improper for the Senate to confirm the replacement of Justice Scalia with someone whose political views did not match his … ” “ … Now , with voting for the 2020 presidential election already underway , Judge Barrett exposes her 2016 position as nothing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than similarly insist that her own confirmation hearings await the outcome of the presidential election , she is instead a willing participant in an accelerated confirmation process .
With her actions , she reminds us that she is not to be trusted to respect precedent or principle .
Such conduct is disqualifying for someone who aspires to sit on our highest court , ” said Bruinsma in an e-mail .
An issue to put to rest is that Barrett ’ s stand regarding Roe v Wade and abortion is somehow mysterious .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Roe v Wade , ” Trump said to Biden at the first debate .
In 2006 , Barrett , a South Bend , Indiana , resident , signed an ad in the South Bend Tribune placed by the anti-abortion St. Joseph County Right to Life organization headlined , “ We , the following citizens of Michiana , oppose abortion on demand and defend the right to life from fertilization to natural death.
” Deepa Iyer , a lawyer in Silver Springs , Maryland , said in an e-mail , Barrett “ held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ that trajectory has continued throughout her career , and is reflected in her judicial record as well as in her signature on a 2006 St. Joseph County Right to Life ’ s newspaper advertisement that called for an end to the “ barbaric legacy ” of Roe v. Wade .
“ Anyone concerned with the preservation of the rights of vulnerable people , including women , people of color , and immigrants , should be deeply alarmed by Judge Barrett ’ s possible confirmation to the highest court in the land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bruinsma about Barrett ’ s defenders who assert opponents are attacking her Catholic faith .
Said Bruinsma , “ I am Catholic .
So are Joe Biden , Nancy Pelosi , and Justice Sonia Sotomayor .
And they interpret the Constitution correctly to include all individuals regardless of their color , race , creed , and income .
Judge Barrett ’ s faith is not the basis of the strong objection to her nomination .
It is her improper interpretation of the U.S. Constitution as reflected in her writings , speeches , and @ @ @ @

“Judge Barrett and I were in the same class at the University of Notre Dame Law School,” said attorney Kathleen Ley Bruinsma about President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, who sits on the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals based in Chicago.
“She was in many of my classes over three years. In our first year, we were in the same small study group. She was always polite and respectful. And these are good things. But these interpersonal niceties are not relevant to the immense power she will [wield] over the daily lives of others if confirmed to the highest court in our country,” said Bruinsma, a member of the class of 1997.
While Notre Dame — the institution — is proud to have its first law school grad tapped for the Supreme Court, not all alums support her confirmation.
What is relevant, said Bruinsma, an attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan, who worked at Chicago law firms earlier in her career, is Amy Coney Barrett’s views about laws and her reversal, once she became a nominee, about confirming a justice in a presidential election year.
Bruinsma said Barrett’s record from law school to the 7th Circuit, “Decisions in which she has participated show that she does not agree that the law should apply equally to all individuals regardless of gender, race, creed, or color.
“As a woman, a mother, and a lawyer, I am troubled about the power that Judge Barrett will wield to limit women’s equal rights, children’s access to health care, and the equality of each of us under the law.
“Personal decency in the classroom, courtroom, or conference room are no compensation for the elimination of structural decency from our laws and our Constitution. Women, children, people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ and voters are entitled to structural decency manifested in justice. If confirmed, Judge Barrett will not foster but rather limit and even dismantle the structural decency guaranteed by our founding documents.”
There is also Barrett’s change of heart about timing, said Bruinsma.
“In early 2016, she said Supreme Court justices should not be confirmed during the runup to a presidential election. At that time, with the presidential election still eight months away, she publicly opposed the nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court, arguing that it would be improper for the Senate to confirm the replacement of Justice Scalia with someone whose political views did not match his …”
“… Now, with voting for the 2020 presidential election already underway, Judge Barrett exposes her 2016 position as nothing more than self-serving political argle-bargle.
“Rather than similarly insist that her own confirmation hearings await the outcome of the presidential election, she is instead a willing participant in an accelerated confirmation process. With her actions, she reminds us that she is not to be trusted to respect precedent or principle. Such conduct is disqualifying for someone who aspires to sit on our highest court,” said Bruinsma in an e-mail.
An issue to put to rest is that Barrett’s stand regarding Roe v Wade and abortion is somehow mysterious. “You don’t know her view on Roe v Wade,” Trump said to Biden at the first debate.
In 2006, Barrett, a South Bend, Indiana, resident, signed an ad in the South Bend Tribune placed by the anti-abortion St. Joseph County Right to Life organization headlined, “We, the following citizens of Michiana, oppose abortion on demand and defend the right to life from fertilization to natural death.”
Deepa Iyer, a lawyer in Silver Springs, Maryland, said in an e-mail, Barrett “held extremely conservative beliefs” in law school and “that trajectory has continued throughout her career, and is reflected in her judicial record as well as in her signature on a 2006 St. Joseph County Right to Life’s newspaper advertisement that called for an end to the “barbaric legacy” of Roe v. Wade.
“Anyone concerned with the preservation of the rights of vulnerable people, including women, people of color, and immigrants, should be deeply alarmed by Judge Barrett’s possible confirmation to the highest court in the land,” said Iyer.
I asked Bruinsma about Barrett’s defenders who assert opponents are attacking her Catholic faith.
Said Bruinsma, “I am Catholic. So are Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Justice Sonia Sotomayor. And they interpret the Constitution correctly to include all individuals regardless of their color, race, creed, and income. Judge Barrett’s faith is not the basis of the strong objection to her nomination. It is her improper interpretation of the U.S. Constitution as reflected in her writings, speeches, and judicial record.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Hoosier hiatus? Chicagoans ‘strongly advised’ to avoid Indiana as Illinois adds 1,617 more coronavir

Hoosier hiatus? Chicagoans ‘strongly advised’ to avoid Indiana as Illinois adds 1,617 more coronavirus cases (LIVE UPDATES)

Hoosier hiatus ?
Chicagoans ‘ strongly advised ’ to avoid Indiana as Illinois adds 1,617 more coronavirus cases As Illinois reported another set of relatively low coronavirus infection numbers Tuesday , Chicago officials urged residents to avoid visiting Indiana as cases tick up in that state .
Adding COVID-19 cases at an average rate of 17 per 100,000 residents each day , the Hoosier State is on the city ’ s warning list for now — but it will land on the travel quarantine list if Indiana is “ unable to bring down the daily case average in the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Public Health .
“ Chicago residents are strongly advised to not travel to Indiana , ” agency officials said in a statement .
Still , Illinois has logged infections at a similar clip — 16 new cases per 100,000 residents per day — meeting the city ’ s own criteria for the quarantine order that currently applies to 22 “ hot spot ” states plus Puerto Rico .
But Chicago ’ s infection rates have slowed considerably compared to most of the rest of Illinois .
WASHINGTON — Stephen Miller , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and speechwriter , tested positive for the coronavirus Tuesday .
A senior administration official said Miller had previously tested negative as White House officials have tried to contain an outbreak on the complex that has infected Trump , the first lady and more than a dozen other aides and associates .
2:30 p.m. Lightfoot gives up on budget help from D.C. : ‘ We have to fix this ourselves ’ Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she has given up hope that Congress will bail Chicago out of a $ 1.2 billion shortfall and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ourselves , ” in part , with $ 200 million in savings from organized labor .
One day after delaying her budget address until Oct. 21 to give Congress more time to ride to the rescue , Lightfoot declared Republicans and Democrats in Congress had “ shirked their responsibility ” to address the “ catastrophic effect ” the pandemic has had on the economy of Chicago and other major cities .
With Chicago now forced to fend for itself , Lightfoot said she has no choice but to make the painful choices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lives of city employees , business owners and everyday taxpayers .
That means layoffs , pay cuts , furlough days or a combination of all three as well as the massive property tax increase she has tried to desperately to avoid .
10:05 a.m. Trump returns to the White House , maskless and still infectious President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House Monday night after leaving the military hospital where he was receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19 .
He immediately ignited a new controversy by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans — and then he entered the White House without a protective mask .
Trump ’ s message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president ’ s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease , which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides , including new cases revealed Monday .
Landing at the White House on Marine One , Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps , removed his mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” He gave a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace , where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion .
He entered the White House , where aides were visible milling about the Blue Room , without wearing a face covering .
7:43 a.m. Coronavirus can spread indoors , infect people beyond 6 feet : CDC The top U.S. public health agency said Monday that the coronavirus can spread more than 6 feet through the air , especially in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces .
But agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and current social distancing guidelines still make sense .
However , several experts faulted the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance .
They said the virus can spread more easily than the CDC seems to be indicating , and suggested that the public should wear masks even in prolonged outdoor gatherings when they are more than 6 feet apart .
The virus “ is traveling through the air and there is no bright line .
You ’ re not safe beyond 6 feet .
You can ’ t take your mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dr. Donald Milton of the University of Maryland School of Public Health .
The new infections , which brought the state ’ s total to 303,394 cases , were found among the latest batch of 38,538 tests reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health , raising the state ’ s seven-day positivity rate — a figure experts use to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 3.4 % from 3.3 % .
8:14 a.m. Let ’ s hope Trump ’ s health crisis sparks him to do more to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full recovery of President Trump and the first lady .
Whatever your politics or your religious beliefs , all of us should pray for the millions who have been afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic .
That the pandemic could strike the president , so carefully protected and frequently tested in the White House , demonstrates its dangerous potency .
As we pray for his full recovery , we hope that he will emerge from this crisis with a new awareness : teaching and practicing compliance , not defiance , of medical science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of , safety protocols .
If all of us were to take heed and follow the instructions to wear masks , keep social distance and wash our hands regularly , an estimated 200,000 lives could be saved in the next few months .
If the president learns from his illness and warns Americans to take this seriously , it could surely help reduce unnecessary deaths .
Read the full column from Lorraine Forte here .

Any trips to be made to Indiana should be made in the next week. The state is close to being added to Chicago’s quarantine travel list.
Here’s what else happened in coronavirus-related news.
News
8:55 p.m. Hoosier hiatus? Chicagoans ‘strongly advised’ to avoid Indiana as Illinois adds 1,617 more coronavirus cases
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file
As Illinois reported another set of relatively low coronavirus infection numbers Tuesday, Chicago officials urged residents to avoid visiting Indiana as cases tick up in that state.
Adding COVID-19 cases at an average rate of 17 per 100,000 residents each day, the Hoosier State is on the city’s warning list for now — but it will land on the travel quarantine list if Indiana is “unable to bring down the daily case average in the next week,” according to the city Department of Public Health.
“Chicago residents are strongly advised to not travel to Indiana,” agency officials said in a statement.
Still, Illinois has logged infections at a similar clip — 16 new cases per 100,000 residents per day — meeting the city’s own criteria for the quarantine order that currently applies to 22 “hot spot” states plus Puerto Rico.
But Chicago’s infection rates have slowed considerably compared to most of the rest of Illinois.
Reporter Mitch Armentrout has the full report.
6:30 p.m. Stephen Miller, top Trump aide, test positive for coronavirus
WASHINGTON — Stephen Miller, President Donald Trump’s senior adviser and speechwriter, tested positive for the coronavirus Tuesday.
A senior administration official said Miller had previously tested negative as White House officials have tried to contain an outbreak on the complex that has infected Trump, the first lady and more than a dozen other aides and associates.
Read the full report here.
2:30 p.m. Lightfoot gives up on budget help from D.C.: ‘We have to fix this ourselves’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she has given up hope that Congress will bail Chicago out of a $1.2 billion shortfall and said she is determined to “fix it ourselves,” in part, with $200 million in savings from organized labor.
One day after delaying her budget address until Oct. 21 to give Congress more time to ride to the rescue, Lightfoot declared Republicans and Democrats in Congress had “shirked their responsibility” to address the “catastrophic effect” the pandemic has had on the economy of Chicago and other major cities.
With Chicago now forced to fend for itself, Lightfoot said she has no choice but to make the painful choices that will cause yet another disruption to the lives of city employees, business owners and everyday taxpayers.
That means layoffs, pay cuts, furlough days or a combination of all three as well as the massive property tax increase she has tried to desperately to avoid.
Reporter Fran Spielman has the full report.
10:05 a.m. Trump returns to the White House, maskless and still infectious
U.S. President Donald Trump removes his mask upon return to the White House from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on October 05, 2020 in Washington, DC. Trump spent three days hospitalized for coronavirus. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images
President Donald Trump staged a dramatic return to the White House Monday night after leaving the military hospital where he was receiving an unprecedented level of care for COVID-19. He immediately ignited a new controversy by declaring that despite his illness the nation should not fear the virus that has killed more than 210,000 Americans — and then he entered the White House without a protective mask.
Trump’s message alarmed infectious disease experts and suggested the president’s own illness had not caused him to rethink his often-cavalier attitude toward the disease, which has also infected the first lady and several White House aides, including new cases revealed Monday.
Landing at the White House on Marine One, Trump gingerly climbed the South Portico steps, removed his mask and declared, “I feel good.” He gave a double thumbs-up to the departing helicopter from the portico terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. He entered the White House, where aides were visible milling about the Blue Room, without wearing a face covering.
Read the full report here.
7:43 a.m. Coronavirus can spread indoors, infect people beyond 6 feet: CDC
The top U.S. public health agency said Monday that the coronavirus can spread more than 6 feet through the air, especially in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces. But agency officials maintained that such spread is uncommon and current social distancing guidelines still make sense.
However, several experts faulted the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance. They said the virus can spread more easily than the CDC seems to be indicating, and suggested that the public should wear masks even in prolonged outdoor gatherings when they are more than 6 feet apart.
The virus “is traveling through the air and there is no bright line. You’re not safe beyond 6 feet. You can’t take your mask off at 6 feet,” said Dr. Donald Milton of the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
Read the full report here.
New cases
State health officials Monday announced 1,853 new coronavirus cases and 14 additional deaths.
The new infections, which brought the state’s total to 303,394 cases, were found among the latest batch of 38,538 tests reported to the Illinois Department of Public Health, raising the state’s seven-day positivity rate — a figure experts use to gauge how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 3.4% from 3.3%.
Analysis & Commentary
8:14 a.m. Let’s hope Trump’s health crisis sparks him to do more to fight COVID-19
I join those who pray for the full recovery of President Trump and the first lady. Whatever your politics or your religious beliefs, all of us should pray for the millions who have been afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
That the pandemic could strike the president, so carefully protected and frequently tested in the White House, demonstrates its dangerous potency. As we pray for his full recovery, we hope that he will emerge from this crisis with a new awareness: teaching and practicing compliance, not defiance, of medical science, and adherence to, not avoidance of, safety protocols.
If all of us were to take heed and follow the instructions to wear masks, keep social distance and wash our hands regularly, an estimated 200,000 lives could be saved in the next few months. If the president learns from his illness and warns Americans to take this seriously, it could surely help reduce unnecessary deaths.
Read the full column from Lorraine Forte here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--From slogans to solutions? Pritzker proposes ending cash bail, no-knock warrants and other criminal

From slogans to solutions? Pritzker proposes ending cash bail, no-knock warrants and other criminal justice reforms

Trying to follow the protests with policy , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday proposed ending cash bail , licensing police officers and updating sentencing laws as part of his seven-step plan to “ reform and modernize the state ’ s criminal justice system.
” The Democratic governor ’ s “ seven guiding principles ” also include prohibiting no-knock warrants , shortening prison sentences through increased credit for time served and rehabilitation opportunities and only detaining defendants who are a threat to public safety , a “ key element ” in creating a state that “ works for everyone.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we spend billions of dollars a year keeping too many people in an overcrowded prison system that has proven itself too expensive , too punitive and wholly ineffective at keeping Illinois families safe , ” Pritzker said in a statement .
“ As we move forward with the General Assembly to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform , it is my hope that the nation will look to Illinois as a leader in true equity and justice for generations to come.
” The proposed principles build on an agenda outlined by Pritzker and Lt. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the administration ’ s Justice , Equity , and Opportunity initiative , which looks at criminal sentencing , education , poverty and the link among the three .
Stratton said the proposed principles will “ guide us on a path of repairing the historic harm caused by our justice system , especially in Black and Brown communities.
” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement Pritzker ’ s principles build on the city ’ s own “ first-ever comprehensive violence reduction plan , ” which was released last week .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our State partners but also community members , philanthropy organizations and faith leaders to address the long history of racial injustices that have been woven into our nation ’ s criminal justice system for far too long , ” Lightfoot said .
The first-term governor plans to work with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus “ to further build out a criminal justice reform agendas ” as well as agendas on the caucus ’ other focal points , which include education , workforce development , and health care and human services .
Khadine Bennett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the American Civil Liberties Union ’ s Chicago arm , called the principles a “ welcome contribution to a discussion that brought thousands of Illinoisans out into the streets this summer to demand change .
“ This process must result in a policing system in our state that reduces unnecessary interactions between police and residents and eliminates the corrosive racial bias that has cause so much harm , ” Bennett ’ s statement reads in part .
In June , Pritzker declared Cook , DuPage , Kane , Kendall , Will and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to mobilize Illinois National Guard troops and other state resources to areas hit hard by looting and civil unrest .
The looting followed hundreds of peaceful protests after a white Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd , an unarmed black man .
Since Floyd ’ s death , there has been renewed interest and dialogue surrounding policing , with some calling for municipalities to defund — or reroute money from — policing .

Trying to follow the protests with policy, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday proposed ending cash bail, licensing police officers and updating sentencing laws as part of his seven-step plan to “reform and modernize the state’s criminal justice system.”
The Democratic governor’s “seven guiding principles” also include prohibiting no-knock warrants, shortening prison sentences through increased credit for time served and rehabilitation opportunities and only detaining defendants who are a threat to public safety, a “key element” in creating a state that “works for everyone.”
“At the state level alone, we spend billions of dollars a year keeping too many people in an overcrowded prison system that has proven itself too expensive, too punitive and wholly ineffective at keeping Illinois families safe,” Pritzker said in a statement. “As we move forward with the General Assembly to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform, it is my hope that the nation will look to Illinois as a leader in true equity and justice for generations to come.”
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
The proposed principles build on an agenda outlined by Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton earlier this year under the administration’s Justice, Equity, and Opportunity initiative, which looks at criminal sentencing, education, poverty and the link among the three.
Stratton said the proposed principles will “guide us on a path of repairing the historic harm caused by our justice system, especially in Black and Brown communities.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement Pritzker’s principles build on the city’s own “first-ever comprehensive violence reduction plan,” which was released last week.
“We are proud to collaborate with not only our State partners but also community members, philanthropy organizations and faith leaders to address the long history of racial injustices that have been woven into our nation’s criminal justice system for far too long,” Lightfoot said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, left, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, right, at a news conference in Morgan Park in August. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times file
The first-term governor plans to work with the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus “to further build out a criminal justice reform agendas” as well as agendas on the caucus’ other focal points, which include education, workforce development, and health care and human services.
Khadine Bennett, director of advocacy and intergovernmental affairs for the American Civil Liberties Union’s Chicago arm, called the principles a “welcome contribution to a discussion that brought thousands of Illinoisans out into the streets this summer to demand change.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Gov. J.B. Pritzker march with faith leaders and community activsts to commemorate Juneteenth in downtown Chicago on June 19. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
“This process must result in a policing system in our state that reduces unnecessary interactions between police and residents and eliminates the corrosive racial bias that has cause so much harm,” Bennett’s statement reads.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a series of tweets she looks forward to working with Pritzker and Stratton “as we all attempt to address past harms and chart a path forward.”
“We must reimagine our criminal justice system if we are to see the collective healing we all desire in our communities,” Preckwinkle tweeted.
In June, Pritzker declared Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will and four downstate counties disaster areas, allowing him to mobilize Illinois National Guard troops and other state resources to areas hit hard by looting and civil unrest.
The looting followed hundreds of peaceful protests after a white Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, an unarmed black man.
Since Floyd’s death, there has been renewed interest and dialogue surrounding policing, with some calling for municipalities to defund — or reroute money from — policing.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Biden says debate shouldn’t happen if Trump still has coronavirus

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says he and President Donald Trump “ shouldn ’ t have a debate ” as @ @ @ @ @ positive for the coronavirus .
Biden said Tuesday that he ’ s “ looking forward @ @ @ @ @ him ” but said “ we ’ re going to have to follow very strict @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t know Trump ’ s status since the president returned to the White @ @ @ @ @ Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for three days after a COVID-19 diagnosis .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ plane back to Delaware in Hagerstown , Maryland : “ I think if he still @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t have a debate.
” The next debate is scheduled for Oct. 15 @ @ @ @ @ slated for Oct. 22 .
Biden ’ s campaign says he tested negative for COVID-19 @ @ @

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden says he and President Donald Trump “shouldn’t have a debate” as long as the president remains positive for the coronavirus.
Biden said Tuesday that he’s “looking forward to being able to debate him” but said “we’re going to have to follow very strict guidelines.” He says he doesn’t know Trump’s status since the president returned to the White House after being hospitalized at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for three days after a COVID-19 diagnosis.
Biden told reporters while boarding his plane back to Delaware in Hagerstown, Maryland: “I think if he still has COVID, then we shouldn’t have a debate.”
The next debate is scheduled for Oct. 15, with a third debate slated for Oct. 22.
Biden’s campaign says he tested negative for COVID-19 earlier Tuesday.
Related These government officials have all tested positive for coronavirus


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Fall break: Madigan ally delays probe until after election to draw curtain on ‘political theater’ —

Fall break: Madigan ally delays probe until after election to draw curtain on ‘political theater’ — but GOP calls it ‘slap in the face’

The special statehouse committee probing Michael Madigan ’ s potential ties to a million-dollar ComEd bribery scheme won ’ t meet again until after Election Day , thanks to a top Democratic ally of the embattled Illinois House Speaker .
State Rep. Emanuel “ Chris ” Welch , the Hillside Democrat who chairs the Special Investigating Committee , announced Tuesday he ’ d push its next meeting back to Nov. 5 to shed “ the backdrop of a political campaign.
” “ At every step of this process , our cooperation has been accompanied with the proviso that we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a stage for political theater — an admonishment our Republican colleagues appear to have taken more as a challenge than as a reflection of this committee ’ s serious work , ” Welch said in a statement .
He accused his counterparts across the aisle of revealing “ their assumption of guilt ” and “ wearing two hats ” — as impartial investigators and as political campaigners .
But the three Republican members of the six-person committee say it ’ s the Democrats who are driven by politics , delaying the GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and protecting Madigan , the man who has been at the center of Illinois politics for nearly four decades .
“ Chris Welch said that he was going to run a professional investigation .
This is not how a professional runs an investigation .
This is how a political professional covers up the truth and crushes an investigation , ” said state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi , R-Elmhurst , who branded Welch “ Chairman Squelch.
” “ The speaker has spoken , apparently , as he commonly does , through a surrogate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mazzochi said .
“ He ’ s been told , one way or another , to make it stop.
” The committee has met in Springfield twice since Republicans petitioned to create the special investigative body Aug. 31 to look into whether Madigan had a hand in the alleged ComEd bribery scheme .
Federal prosecutors in July revealed the utility giant had agreed to pay a $ 200 million fine after admitting some company officials had plotted over the years to pay a total $ 1.3 million to Madigan associates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to secure the speaker ’ s vital legislative support .
Madigan has not been charged with a crime , and has maintained that he ’ s “ never made legislative decisions with improper motives.
” The longtime Southwest Side powerhouse has dismissed the committee ’ s effort as a “ political stunt ” and he ’ s refused to appear for questioning , saying in a letter that he ’ s already “ provided all the information ” he can give .
Last week , Mazzochi and the other Republican committee members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Grant Wehrli — said they planned to use their subpoena power to force Madigan to sit before the committee .
Now , if that ever does happen , it won ’ t until after the Nov. 3 election in which Madigan , the Illinois Democratic Party chairman , is aiming to expand the Democratic supermajority in his chamber .
“ The only thing apparently that matters is protecting Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan , ” Mazzochi said .
“ That ’ s what matters to Chris Welch : protecting his patronage , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ privilege .
… This is stonewalling .
This is ostrich-in-the-sand decision-making.
” Welch said the committee is still working to obtain more information from ComEd — at the request of both parties .
“ This information provides critical context for the committee ’ s work .
We can not conduct a thorough investigation with blinders on ; if we are to consider whether ComEd ’ s admissions in the deferred prosecution agreement constitute conduct unbecoming of a lawmaker , we need to understand the full extent of ComEd ’ s actions — including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passage of their legislation , ” Welch said .
House Republican Minority Leader Jim Durkin called the delay “ a slap in the face to the Governor , the General Assembly and the citizens of Illinois , ” and “ just another example of Mike Madigan ’ s double standard of the House Rules .
The Rules of the House apply to all except him.
” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has said Madigan “ needs to stand up and answer those questions ” about the ComEd situation .
Wehrli appealed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday afternoon .
“ Governor , you hold the most powerful office in the state of Illinois .
Use it .
Get answers , ” Wehrli said .

The special statehouse committee probing Michael Madigan’s potential ties to a million-dollar ComEd bribery scheme won’t meet again until after Election Day, thanks to a top Democratic ally of the embattled Illinois House Speaker.
State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the Hillside Democrat who chairs the Special Investigating Committee, announced Tuesday he’d push its next meeting back to Nov. 5 to shed “the backdrop of a political campaign.”
“At every step of this process, our cooperation has been accompanied with the proviso that we will not allow this committee to be used as a stage for political theater — an admonishment our Republican colleagues appear to have taken more as a challenge than as a reflection of this committee’s serious work,” Welch said in a statement.
He accused his counterparts across the aisle of revealing “their assumption of guilt” and “wearing two hats” — as impartial investigators and as political campaigners.
But the three Republican members of the six-person committee say it’s the Democrats who are driven by politics, delaying the GOP’s “quest for the truth” and protecting Madigan, the man who has been at the center of Illinois politics for nearly four decades.
Elmhurst Rep. Deanne Mazzochi speaks during a virtual news conference Tuesday afternoon. Screenshot.
“Chris Welch said that he was going to run a professional investigation. This is not how a professional runs an investigation. This is how a political professional covers up the truth and crushes an investigation,” said state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, who branded Welch “Chairman Squelch.”
“The speaker has spoken, apparently, as he commonly does, through a surrogate, and now that surrogate is Chris Welch,” Mazzochi said. “He’s been told, one way or another, to make it stop.”
The committee has met in Springfield twice since Republicans petitioned to create the special investigative body Aug. 31 to look into whether Madigan had a hand in the alleged ComEd bribery scheme.
Federal prosecutors in July revealed the utility giant had agreed to pay a $200 million fine after admitting some company officials had plotted over the years to pay a total $1.3 million to Madigan associates for doing little or no work in an effort to secure the speaker’s vital legislative support.
Madigan has not been charged with a crime, and has maintained that he’s “never made legislative decisions with improper motives.”
The longtime Southwest Side powerhouse has dismissed the committee’s effort as a “political stunt” and he’s refused to appear for questioning, saying in a letter that he’s already “provided all the information” he can give.
Last week, Mazzochi and the other Republican committee members — Dixon Rep. Tom Demmer and Naperville Rep. Grant Wehrli — said they planned to use their subpoena power to force Madigan to sit before the committee.
Now, if that ever does happen, it won’t until after the Nov. 3 election in which Madigan, the Illinois Democratic Party chairman, is aiming to expand the Democratic supermajority in his chamber.
State House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, left, talks with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, in May. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP-file
“The only thing apparently that matters is protecting Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan,” Mazzochi said. “That’s what matters to Chris Welch: protecting his patronage, protecting his political power, protecting his privilege. … This is stonewalling. This is ostrich-in-the-sand decision-making.”
Welch said the committee is still working to obtain more information from ComEd — at the request of both parties.
“This information provides critical context for the committee’s work. We cannot conduct a thorough investigation with blinders on; if we are to consider whether ComEd’s admissions in the deferred prosecution agreement constitute conduct unbecoming of a lawmaker, we need to understand the full extent of ComEd’s actions — including interactions with other elected officials instrumental to the passage of their legislation,” Welch said.
House Speaker Mike Madigan, left, in July; State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, right, last month. Neal Earley/Sun-Times; Ted Schurter/The State Journal-Register via AP
House Republican Minority Leader Jim Durkin called the delay “a slap in the face to the Governor, the General Assembly and the citizens of Illinois,” and “just another example of Mike Madigan’s double standard of the House Rules. The Rules of the House apply to all except him.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said Madigan “needs to stand up and answer those questions” about the ComEd situation. Wehrli appealed to the Democratic governor directly during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
“Governor, you hold the most powerful office in the state of Illinois. Use it. Get answers,” Wehrli said.
Pritzker’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Bears star Khalil Mack promises defense on brink of flood of ‘huge’ plays

The Bears ’ pass rush has been strong , but not overwhelming .
With $ 44.5 million spent on Khalil Mack , Akiem Hicks and Robert Quinn , a trio that accounts for more than a quarter of the payroll , the Bears have just eight sacks and four takeaways .
The odds of them opening the floodgates in either aspect are low Thursday night against the Buccaneers and one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history , Tom Brady , but Mack vowed that the defense is on the brink of erupting .
“ It ’ s up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s gon na be a spot where we can make that play .
And it ’ s gon na be huge .
And it ’ s gon na be more than one play .
“ Just waiting on that break .
And it ’ s gon na happen.
” It has been a while since the Bears resembled the indomitable defense they had in 2018 , when they led the NFL with a stunning 36 takeaways — the most by any team in the last five seasons — and were third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aaron Rodgers five times and got Kirk Cousins six times in the first four weeks last season , but since then have had one or none in 10 of 16 games .
Half their sacks this season came against the Giants , and they failed to drop Philip Rivers last week .
Rivers ’ style is closer to what they ’ ll see from Brady , as opposed to the more deliberate pace of the Falcons ’ Matt Ryan in Week 3 .
The Bears held Ryan to 3 of 9 completions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rivers , like Brady , has built a Hall of Fame career on getting the ball out quickly , completed 9 of 14 passes for 118 yards and was sacked just once on third downs .
“ Even though the numbers might not be there , the sack totals , there ’ s a lot of times where you ’ re affecting the quarterback , ” coach Matt Nagy said .
“ I feel like in that world , we ’ re doing pretty good .
“ I feel like we ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I ’ d love to get a few more .
And when you have [ pressure ] , you get turnovers ...
The turnovers , to me , are more important than anything.
” The Bears ’ blueprint was to sink everything possible into the pass rush , hence the impetus to cut Leonard Floyd after a three-sack season and sign Quinn for five years , $ 70 million — the second-largest total for any free agent this year at a time when they ’ ve already got Mack on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There ’ s evidence the plan is working .
The Bears have allowed by far the lowest opponent completion percentage in the NFL at 56.4 , which would be the best in the NFL since 2016 , and are third in opponent passer rating at 74.4 .
That ’ s helped them hold opponents to 20.3 points per game , seventh in the NFL .
Overall , those defensive numbers are good .
But the Bears , especially with their offense looking shakier than ever , counted on it being the best in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not making any excuses , ” said Mack , who has 1.5 sacks .
“ I ’ m not a guy that makes a lot of excuses.
” Brady , meanwhile , is finding his groove with the Buccaneers after a slow start .
Over his last two games , he has eight touchdown passes , a 116.5 passer rating and has been sacked just twice in 86 drop-backs .
The Bucs scored 38 points last week , which is a number the Bears have hit twice in the last seven seasons .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ explode offensively , their defense can ’ t allow Brady to play anywhere near how he has looked the last two weeks—or what he ’ s been against them throughout his career .
He is 5-0 against the Bears , winning first in 2002 and most recently in ’ 18 , and has a 109.2 passer rating .
Mack and the rest of the defense will have to dig up their best game of the season to stop him this time .

The Bears’ pass rush has been strong but not overwhelming. With $44.5 million spent on Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks and Robert Quinn, a trio that accounts for more than a quarter of the payroll, the Bears have only eight sacks and four takeaways to show for it.
The odds of them opening the floodgates in either aspect are low Thursday night against the Buccaneers and one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history, Tom Brady, but Mack vowed that the defense is on the brink of erupting.
“It’s up to us,” he said. “There’s gonna be a spot where we can make that play. And it’s gonna be huge. And it’s gonna be more than one play.
“Just waiting on that break. And it’s gonna happen.”
It has been a while since the unit resembled that indomitable defense from 2018. The Bears led the NFL with a stunning 36 takeaways — the most by any team in the last five seasons — and were third in sacks with 50 that season.
They sacked Aaron Rodgers five times and got Kirk Cousins six times in the first four weeks last season, but since then have had one sack or none in 10 of 16 games. Half of their sacks this season came against the Giants, and they failed to drop Colts quarterback Philip Rivers.
Rivers’ style is closer to what they’ll see from Brady, as opposed to the more deliberate pace of the Falcons’ Matt Ryan in Week 3. The Bears held Ryan to 3 of 9 completions and sacked him twice on third down. Rivers, who, like Brady, has built a Hall of Fame career on getting the ball out quickly, completed 9 of 14 passes for 118 yards and was sacked only once on third down.
“Even though the numbers might not be there, the sack totals, there’s a lot of times where you’re affecting the quarterback,” coach Matt Nagy said. “I feel like in that world, we’re doing pretty good.
“I feel like we’re there. We’re getting some, but I’d love to get a few more. And when you have [pressure], you get turnovers. . . . The turnovers, to me, are more important than anything.”
The Bears’ blueprint was to sink everything possible into the pass rush, hence the impetus to cut Leonard Floyd after a three-sack season and sign Quinn for five years and $70 million — the second-largest total for any free agent this year at a time when they’ve already got Mack on a six-year, $141 million deal.
There’s evidence the plan is working. The Bears have allowed by far the lowest opponent completion percentage in the NFL at 56.4, which would be the best in the league since 2016, and are third in opponent passer rating at 74.4.
That has helped them hold opponents to 20.3 points per game, seventh in the NFL.
Overall, those numbers are good. But the Bears, especially with their offense looking shakier than ever, counted on their defense being the best in the league.
“We’re not making any excuses,” said Mack, who has 1½ sacks. “I’m not a guy that makes a lot of excuses.”
Brady, meanwhile, is finding his groove with the Buccaneers after a slow start.
Over his last two games, he has eight touchdown passes and a 116.5 passer rating and has been sacked only twice in 86 drop-backs. The Bucs scored 38 points Sunday, which is a number the Bears have hit twice in the last seven seasons.
Unless the Bears are suddenly going to break out offensively, their defense can’t allow Brady to play anywhere near his level of the last two weeks — or how he has played against them throughout his career. He is 5-0 against the Bears, winning first in 2002 and most recently in ’18, and has a 109.2 passer rating.
Mack and the rest of the defense will have to dig up their best game of the season to stop him this time.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Bears TE Cole Kmet’s 15 snaps against Colts ‘not enough’

It almost always takes time for rookie tight ends to catch on , but the Bears probably had higher hopes for second-rounder Cole Kmet after an impressive offseason and preseason .
He has played just 30 % of the snaps as the Bears lean on veteran Demetrius Harris instead .
Harris has played 43 % , and pass-catching threat Jimmy Graham has been in on 69 % .
In the loss to the Colts , Kmet played a season-low 15 snaps .
“ Fifteen is not enough , ” coach Matt Nagy said .
“ He needs to be out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that .
“ He is doing a really good job at taking in this offense , which we knew from the get-go .
Now that he knows the tempo of the games , the adjustments , things that go on within the game , I feel like he ’ s ready .
I hope you guys will start seeing more of him.
” Kmet had his only catch in Week 2 and was targeted just once over the last two games .
Graham leads the tight ends with 23 targets ( 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , followed by Harris at seven ( four catches , 21 yards ) and Kmet at three ( one catch , 12 yards ) .

It almost always takes time for rookie tight ends to catch on, but the Bears probably had higher hopes for second-rounder Cole Kmet after an impressive offseason and preseason.
He has played just 30% of the snaps as the Bears lean on veteran Demetrius Harris instead. Harris has played 43%, and pass-catching threat Jimmy Graham has been in on 69%.
In the loss to the Colts, Kmet played a season-low 15 snaps.
“Fifteen is not enough,” coach Matt Nagy said. “He needs to be out there more. We’re aware of that.
“He is doing a really good job at taking in this offense, which we knew from the get-go. Now that he knows the tempo of the games, the adjustments, things that go on within the game, I feel like he’s ready. I hope you guys will start seeing more of him.”
Kmet had his only catch in Week 2 and was targeted just once over the last two games. Graham leads the tight ends with 23 targets (14 catches, 136 yards, three touchdowns), followed by Harris at seven (four catches, 21 yards) and Kmet at three (one catch, 12 yards).


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Bears to work out veteran K Kai Forbath

Bears to work out veteran K Kai Forbath

Whether it ’ s dissatisfaction with Cairo Santos , concern about Eddy Pineiro ’ s injury or simply that the Bears are always scouring the earth for a kicker , they will work out journeyman Kai Forbath this week .
Forbath , 33 , has been on nine teams in 10 years and most recently was on the Panthers ’ practice squad last month .
For his career , he has made 86.8 % of his field goals and 93.8 % of his extra points .
His last full-time work was with the Vikings in 2017 , when he made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit 82.1 % of his field goals last season , his first in the NFL , and was looking to improve on that before suffering a preseason groin injury .
He has been on injured reserve all season , with the Bears turning to Santos until he gets back .
Santos , who also kicked for the Bears in 2017 , has made 5 of 7 field goals and hit all eight of his extra points .
His only misses have been from 46 ( at Atlanta ) and 50 yards ( home @ @ @ @ @

Whether it’s dissatisfaction with Cairo Santos, concern about Eddy Pineiro’s injury or simply that the Bears are always scouring the earth for a kicker, they will work out journeyman Kai Forbath this week.
Forbath, 33, has been on nine teams in 10 years and most recently was on the Panthers’ practice squad last month. For his career, he has made 86.8% of his field goals and 93.8% of his extra points.
His last full-time work was with the Vikings in 2017, when he made 32 of 38 field goals.
Pineiro hit 82.1% of his field goals last season, his first in the NFL, and was looking to improve on that before suffering a preseason groin injury. He has been on injured reserve all season, with the Bears turning to Santos until he gets back.
Santos, who also kicked for the Bears in 2017, has made 5 of 7 field goals and hit all eight of his extra points. His only misses have been from 46 (at Atlanta) and 50 yards (home against the Giants).


chicagosun-times--2020-10-06--Pot shop applicants call for hearing on Cook Co. Board member’s ties to cannabis industry

Jilted applicants for the next round of pot shop licenses called on Cook County leaders Tuesday to probe former pot regulator and current Commissioner Bridget Degnen ’ s potential ties to the cannabis industry .
Rickey Hendon , a former Democratic state senator and dispensary applicant , said officials should hold a hearing to question whether Degnen is connected to any group that applied or became a finalist for the 75 upcoming dispensary licenses .
Degnen , the former deputy director of medical cannabis at the state agency that issues dispensary licenses , pitched herself as an expert last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two individuals tied to a group seeking dispensary licenses , the Sun-Times has learned .
Degnen , who didn ’ t respond to requests for comment Tuesday , has refused to answer any questions about her alleged work in the industry .
“ How was she involved ?
” Hendon said during a news conference outside the Cook County Building .
“ If she wasn ’ t involved , she should be willing to tell the Sun-Times and others that she had nothing to do with it.
” Amid a series of lawsuits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to some of the groups already tapped for the lottery , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced that more than 900 groups that were initially left out would be given a second chance to make the cut .
Pritzker “ does not want to be the governor over the greatest scandal that ever hit Illinois , ” Hendon warned while discussing the ongoing licensing imbroglio .
“ And that looks like where we ’ re going.
” Hendon , speaking outside the Cook County Building downtown , said he was appealing directly to county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chairman of the county ’ s Cannabis Commission .
Nick Shields , Preckwinkle ’ s spokesman , said she still hasn ’ t spoken to Degnen about the reports but rebuffed the call for a public hearing .
“ This isn ’ t a matter that ’ s applicable to the Commission and doesn ’ t involve the County , ” Shields said .
Lowry didn ’ t respond to a request for comment , but Commissioner Scott Britton said he wouldn ’ t be opposed to a meeting on Degnen and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I do think that having a further discussion of the issue , not necessarily just her involvement but I think the issue generally , is what the purpose of the commission is , ” said Britton , who also hasn ’ t talked to Degnen about the reports .
Britton said members of the commission are planning to send recommendations to Pritzker and members of the Legislature detailing possible reforms to the state ’ s social equity program , which was put in place to bolster minority participation in the largely white cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come after that report has been completed and sent out .
Unlike the state government , which issues licenses to cannabis businesses , and local governments , which approve zoning , county officials have far less influence over pot-related matters .
Nevertheless , Degnen sat on the sidelines in January as her fellow commissioners approved a 3 % tax on recreational weed sales .
At the time , Degnen said she wanted to avoid any appearance of a conflict after serving as a top cannabis regulator , WBEZ reported .
Companies and individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her campaign coffers with at least $ 19,200 in donations , according to a Sun-Times analysis .
She has collected another $ 25,000 from a political action committee tied to attorney Brendan Shiller , who represents pot shop proprietor Perry Mandera .
Mandera , the former owner of VIP ’ s strip club , leases his Near West Side dope store from a real estate company that has included Degnen ’ s husband , the chief financial officer for the Cinespace film studio .
That company , Lawndale Real Estate , is led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretly recorded conversations to help federal authorities nail longtime Chicago Teamsters union boss John T. Coli Sr. for extortion .

Jilted applicants for the next round of pot shop licenses called on Cook County leaders Tuesday to probe former pot regulator and current Commissioner Bridget Degnen’s potential ties to the cannabis industry.
Rickey Hendon, a former Democratic state senator and dispensary applicant, said officials should hold a hearing to question whether Degnen is connected to any group that applied or became a finalist for the 75 upcoming dispensary licenses. Degnen, the former deputy director of medical cannabis at the state agency that issues dispensary licenses, pitched herself as an expert last year as she offered paid application help to two individuals tied to a group seeking dispensary licenses, the Sun-Times has learned.
Degnen, who didn’t respond to requests for comment Tuesday, has refused to answer any questions about her alleged work in the industry.
“How was she involved?” Hendon said during a news conference outside the Cook County Building. “If she wasn’t involved, she should be willing to tell the Sun-Times and others that she had nothing to do with it.”
Amid a series of lawsuits and revelations that clouted figures were attached to some of the groups already tapped for the lottery, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that more than 900 groups that were initially left out would be given a second chance to make the cut.
Pritzker “does not want to be the governor over the greatest scandal that ever hit Illinois,” Hendon warned while discussing the ongoing licensing imbroglio. “And that looks like where we’re going.”
Hendon, speaking outside the Cook County Building downtown, said he was appealing directly to county President Toni Preckwinkle and Commissioner Bill Lowry, chairman of the county’s Cannabis Commission.
Nick Shields, Preckwinkle’s spokesman, said she still hasn’t spoken to Degnen about the reports but rebuffed the call for a public hearing.
“This isn’t a matter that’s applicable to the Commission and doesn’t involve the County,” Shields said.
Lowry didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Commissioner Scott Britton said he wouldn’t be opposed to a meeting on Degnen and other concerns about cannabis legalization.
“I do think that having a further discussion of the issue, not necessarily just her involvement but I think the issue generally, is what the purpose of the commission is,” said Britton, who also hasn’t talked to Degnen about the reports.
Britton said members of the commission are planning to send recommendations to Pritzker and members of the Legislature detailing possible reforms to the state’s social equity program, which was put in place to bolster minority participation in the largely white cannabis industry. He believes any hearing should come after that report has been completed and sent out.
Unlike the state government, which issues licenses to cannabis businesses, and local governments, which approve zoning, county officials have far less influence over pot-related matters.
Nevertheless, Degnen sat on the sidelines in January as her fellow commissioners approved a 3% tax on recreational weed sales. At the time, Degnen said she wanted to avoid any appearance of a conflict after serving as a top cannabis regulator, WBEZ reported.
Companies and individuals involved in the weed business have flooded her campaign coffers with at least $19,200 in donations, according to a Sun-Times analysis. She has collected another $25,000 from a political action committee tied to attorney Brendan Shiller, who represents pot shop proprietor Perry Mandera.
Mandera, the former owner of VIP’s strip club, leases his Near West Side dope store from a real estate company that has included Degnen’s husband, the chief financial officer for the Cinespace film studio.
That company, Lawndale Real Estate, is led by Cinespace president Alexander Pissios, who secretly recorded conversations to help federal authorities nail longtime Chicago Teamsters union boss John T. Coli Sr. for extortion.