chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--Johnson and Matsuyama lead  field after third round of BMW Championship

Dustin Johnson says his game feels similar to last week when he had the easiest of his 23 career victories .
It just doesn ’ t look that way at the BMW Championship .
Every par at Olympia Fields is hard work , and Johnson played the final 13 holes Saturday with nothing worse than that .
It ’ s what carried him to a 1-under 69 and a share of the lead with Hideki Matsuyama , leaving them as the only players under par going into the final round .
“ I feel like it ’ s fairly similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greens are a lot more difficult , ” he said .
“ This is pretty much a major championship venue , and the conditions , the way it ’ s set up , it ’ s playing just like a major.
” Matsuyama , who had a three-shot lead early when he holed a bunker shot for eagle at the start and stuffed a wedge in tight for birdie on No .
4 , fell back with a string of bogeys and held it together for a 69 .
“ Great start and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Matsuyama said .
“ Just tried to do what I could to stay in , and I was happy with how it went.
” Johnson and Matsuyama were at 1-under 209 .
Everyone else was over par going into the final round .
Sunday is one last chance for some players to be among the top 30 who advance to the FedEx Cup finale , and one last round for others — like Tiger Woods — to prepare for the U.S. Open on a course that plays every bit as tough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t make a birdie as he tumbled out of a tie for the lead with a round with a 75 that left him five shots behind and might cost him a spot in the Tour Championship .
Rory McIlroy had to play left-handed to escape the base of a tree in starting the back nine with a bogey , and he finished with a shot he thought was going to be long , came up 70 feet short and led to a three-putt bogey for a 73 .
He still was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McIlroy said after the round his wife is expecting their first child , news they had shared with family and friends but was revealed during the NBC broadcast .
He said his caddie and best friend , Harry Diamond , has kept a phone in his pocket to not miss a call .
And if it ’ s time , he said , “ I ’ m out of here.
” Jon Rahm matched the low round of the day at 66 that could have easily been one shot better if not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t believe .
He forgot to set a marker down on the green before picking up his golf ball on No .
5 , freezing in his tracks when he realized what happened .
“ I was thinking of somebody else or something else … and yeah , I just picked up the ball without marking it , simple as that , ” Rahm said after a round that left him only three behind .
“ I can ’ t really give you an explanation .
It ’ s one of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought it would in my professional career , but here we are.
” A week ago at The Northern Trust on a rain-softened course with little wind , Johnson was at 22-under par through three rounds and had a five-shot lead .
That felt easy .
This does not .
Joaquin Niemann had a 68 and was part of the group at 1-over 211 that included Adam Scott ( 70 ) and Mackenzie Hughes ( 69 ) .
Another shot back were the likes of Rahm , Bubba Watson , Brendon Todd and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two birdie and bogey for his round of 70 .
Rounds like that go a long way at Olympia Fields , the former U.S. Open course playing like one with its thick rough and rock-hard greens and enough wind to make the fairways look tighter than they are .
“ I ’ ve played good and bad this week , and I ’ ve had basically the same score every day , ” Scott said , whose superb bunker play kept him close .
“ I saw today , though , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a chance to make a few putts .
One of this leading group will shoot 4 under tomorrow , 4 or 5 under I ’ m sure.
” Woods , meanwhile , had a reasonable start to his round and wasn ’ t losing much ground until he lost a tee shot into the water right of the 17th fairway and then smothered a fairway metal to the left .
He walked across a cart path smacking the club off the concrete and twice looked like he wanted to break it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triple bogey and shot 72 .
Woods has yet to break par this week .
One more round like that and it will be the first time in 10 years — the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone — that he had all four rounds over par .
He needed something around fourth to advance to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2018 .
Matsuyama is trying to end three years without a victory .
Johnson is trying to win for the second time in seven days , along with positioning himself to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Championship , which would allow him to start the tournament with a two-shot lead under the staggered start .
For players like Niemann , Hughes and Scott , they are simply trying to get to East Lake in Atlanta .
All of them are one round away on a golf course where small mistakes can lead to bogeys or worse on just about every hole .

Dustin Johnson says his game feels similar to last week when he had the easiest of his 23 career victories.
It just doesn’t look that way at the BMW Championship.
Every par at Olympia Fields is hard work, and Johnson played the final 13 holes Saturday with nothing worse than that. It’s what carried him to a 1-under 69 and a share of the lead with Hideki Matsuyama, leaving them as the only players under par going into the final round.
“I feel like it’s fairly similar, just obviously these conditions and the greens are a lot more difficult,” he said. “This is pretty much a major championship venue, and the conditions, the way it’s set up, it’s playing just like a major.”
Matsuyama, who had a three-shot lead early when he holed a bunker shot for eagle at the start and stuffed a wedge in tight for birdie on No. 4, fell back with a string of bogeys and held it together for a 69.
“Great start and then just had to hang on,” Matsuyama said. “Just tried to do what I could to stay in, and I was happy with how it went.”
Johnson and Matsuyama were at 1-under 209. Everyone else was over par going into the final round.
Sunday is one last chance for some players to be among the top 30 who advance to the FedEx Cup finale, and one last round for others — like Tiger Woods — to prepare for the U.S. Open on a course that plays every bit as tough.
Patrick Cantlay only hit five fairways and didn’t make a birdie as he tumbled out of a tie for the lead with a round with a 75 that left him five shots behind and might cost him a spot in the Tour Championship.
Rory McIlroy had to play left-handed to escape the base of a tree in starting the back nine with a bogey, and he finished with a shot he thought was going to be long, came up 70 feet short and led to a three-putt bogey for a 73. He still was only three shots back assuming he plays.
McIlroy said after the round his wife is expecting their first child, news they had shared with family and friends but was revealed during the NBC broadcast. He said his caddie and best friend, Harry Diamond, has kept a phone in his pocket to not miss a call. And if it’s time, he said, “I’m out of here.”
Jon Rahm matched the low round of the day at 66 that could have easily been one shot better if not for a blunder that even he couldn’t believe. He forgot to set a marker down on the green before picking up his golf ball on No. 5, freezing in his tracks when he realized what happened.
“I was thinking of somebody else or something else … and yeah, I just picked up the ball without marking it, simple as that,” Rahm said after a round that left him only three behind. “I can’t really give you an explanation. It’s one of those things that happen in golf. Never thought it would in my professional career, but here we are.”
A week ago at The Northern Trust on a rain-softened course with little wind, Johnson was at 22-under par through three rounds and had a five-shot lead. That felt easy. This does not.
Joaquin Niemann had a 68 and was part of the group at 1-over 211 that included Adam Scott (70) and Mackenzie Hughes (69). Another shot back were the likes of Rahm, Bubba Watson, Brendon Todd and Kevin Kisner, who had 15 pars, two birdie and bogey for his round of 70.
Rounds like that go a long way at Olympia Fields, the former U.S. Open course playing like one with its thick rough and rock-hard greens and enough wind to make the fairways look tighter than they are.
“I’ve played good and bad this week, and I’ve had basically the same score every day,” Scott said, whose superb bunker play kept him close. “I saw today, though, that if I hit it well, there’s a chance to make a few putts. One of this leading group will shoot 4 under tomorrow, 4 or 5 under I’m sure.”
Woods, meanwhile, had a reasonable start to his round and wasn’t losing much ground until he lost a tee shot into the water right of the 17th fairway and then smothered a fairway metal to the left. He walked across a cart path smacking the club off the concrete and twice looked like he wanted to break it. He missed a short putt for triple bogey and shot 72.
Woods has yet to break par this week. One more round like that and it will be the first time in 10 years — the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone — that he had all four rounds over par. He needed something around fourth to advance to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2018.
Matsuyama is trying to end three years without a victory. Johnson is trying to win for the second time in seven days, along with positioning himself to be the top seed at the Tour Championship, which would allow him to start the tournament with a two-shot lead under the staggered start.
For players like Niemann, Hughes and Scott, they are simply trying to get to East Lake in Atlanta. All of them are one round away on a golf course where small mistakes can lead to bogeys or worse on just about every hole.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--Mitch Trubisky-Nick Foles battle at a standstill

With Soldier Field as the backdrop , the Bears ’ practice Saturday looked like the best chance yet to see the Mitch Trubisky vs. Nick Foles competition in all its glory — enough to maybe even draw some conclusions nine days before Week 1 begins .
The players were in full uniform for an 11-on-11 scrimmage .
They went through a game-day routine — warming up , going back to the locker room and then returning to the field with a welcome from new public address announcer Tim Sinclair .
Alas , it was not to be .
The scrimmage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seems like a good way to evaluate the starters on a football team .
There was no live tackling .
And it wasn ’ t even a true scrimmage — actually a series of scripted plays .
So after a long completion , the Bears often went back to the same yard line for the next snap instead moving the ball downfield .
So even though Foles seemed to win the day , it was a victory by points rather than anything close to a knockout .
The Bears ’ starting quarterback against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mystery .
If somebody ’ s winning , it ’ s not by much .
Maybe by default .
Trubisky threw two interceptions , both with the second-team offense and both by cornerback Kyle Fuller .
And Nagy at least partially excused them both .
The first one was a “ scramble breakdown ” in which Trubisky threw the ball after a would-be sack .
The second one was on a ball tipped at the line by defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris .
“ Remember , ” Nagy said , “ we are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So a lot of times you can get their hands down with cutting and we had a couple tipped .
So I talked to [ defensive line ] coach Jay Rodgers and said , ‘ Hey , we can ’ t cut you , so be careful with all those tips.
’ ” Nagy said he won ’ t name a starter before the Lions game .
When he was asked if either quarterback was leading — without naming the leader — he declined in the name of “ gamesmanship.
” But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be as murky to the coaches as it appears to the untrained eye .
“ We know that there certainly can be improvement with both of them , ” Nagy said .
“ But they ’ re making good decisions .
There ’ s times they ’ re making good throws .
There ’ s times they ’ re making throws they wish they had back .
But I ’ m going to put it this way : Intentionally , I ’ m not going to give a direction right now.
” Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difficulty in finding a winner .
The whole process , almost by its nature , is herky-jerky .
With two quarterbacks splitting possessions and pre-determined scripted plays preventing either from getting into the true rhythm of a successful drive , there was little chance for either Foles or Trubisky to actually play quarterback .
There ’ s little opportunity to build off momentum and lead a drive that helps build the quarterback-led cohesion any good offense needs .
“ Exactly , ” Trubisky said .
“ I think it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances , we ’ re trying to do the best we can .
And we ’ re trying to run the offense .
I wouldn ’ t say it ’ s a problem .
But it is kind of weird .
You ’ re just not in the flow of the game.
” Foles called it a “ good work day ” but also acknowledged the difficulty of getting in a groove .
“ It ’ s definitely different when it ’ s a scripted scrimmage , ” Foles said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — you ’ re trying to play the game , but then you ’ re playing the script.
” Therein lies a bit of a paradox with the “ open competition ” process .
It ’ s designed to find a starter , but the Bears need to develop a leader .
“ You would like to feel more in a game flow and build that momentum and show the intangibles , ” Trubisky said .
“ But it is what it is .
We ’ re just trying to put together good @ @ @ @ @

With Soldier Field as the backdrop, the Bears’ practice Saturday looked like the best chance yet to see the Mitch Trubisky vs. Nick Foles competition in all its glory — enough to maybe even draw some conclusions nine days before Week 1 begins.
The players were in full uniform for an 11-on-11 scrimmage. They went through a game-day routine — warming up, going back to the locker room, then returning to the field with a welcome from new public-address announcer Tim Sinclair.
Alas, it was not to be. The scrimmage was first team vs. second team, which never seems like a good way to evaluate the starters on a football team. There was no live tackling. And it wasn’t even a true scrimmage; it was actually a series of scripted plays. So after a long completion, the Bears often went back to the same yard line for the next snap instead moving the ball downfield.
Foles seemed to win the day, but it was a victory by points rather than anything close to a knockout. The Bears’ starting quarterback against the Lions on Sept. 13 remains a mystery. If somebody’s winning, it’s not by much. Maybe by default.
Trubisky threw two interceptions, both with the second-team offense and both by cornerback Kyle Fuller. And Nagy at least partially excused them both. The first one was a “scramble breakdown” in which Trubisky threw the ball after a would-be sack. The second one was on a ball tipped at the line by defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris.
“Remember,” Nagy said, “we are not allowed to cut [block] the defensive players. So a lot of times you can get their hands down with cutting, and we had a couple tipped. So I talked to [defensive line] coach Jay Rodgers and said, ‘Hey, we can’t cut you, so be careful with all those tips.’ ”
Nagy said he won’t name a starter before the Lions game. When he was asked if either quarterback was leading — without naming the leader — he declined in the name of “gamesmanship.” But he still seemed to indicate the competition might be as murky to the coaches as it appears to the untrained eye.
“We know that there certainly can be improvement with both of them,” Nagy said. “But they’re making good decisions. There’s times they’re making good throws. There’s times they’re making throws they wish they had back. But I’m going to put it this way: Intentionally, I’m not going to give a direction right now.”
This scrimmage was a good example of the difficulty in finding a winner.
The whole process, almost by its nature, is herky-jerky. With two quarterbacks splitting possessions and predetermined scripted plays preventing either from getting into the true rhythm of a successful drive, there was little chance for Foles or Trubisky to actually play quarterback. There’s little opportunity to build off momentum and lead a drive that helps foster the quarterback-led cohesion any good offense needs.
“Exactly,” Trubisky said. “I think it’s just hard to show. But with the circumstances, we’re trying to do the best we can. And we’re trying to run the offense. I wouldn’t say it’s a problem. But it is kind of weird. You’re just not in the flow of the game.”
Foles called it a “good work day” but also acknowledged the difficulty of getting in a groove.
“It’s definitely different when it’s a scripted scrimmage,” Foles said. “It’s almost like a double battle — you’re trying to play the game, but then you’re playing the script.”
Therein lies a bit of a paradox with the “open competition” process. It’s designed to find a starter, but the Bears need to develop a leader.
“You would like to feel more in a game flow and build that momentum and show the intangibles,” Trubisky said. “But it is what it is. We’re just trying to put together good practices right now.”


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--Bears put justice over football; Matt Nagy backs players mulling boycotting a game

In the minds of many within the Bears organization , there was no better use of their time together Thursday than to have a gritty , honest conversation about racial injustice .
The ongoing police brutality and systemic racism against Black people matters more than practice — or even a game .
The Bears joined several NBA and MLB teams in drawing attention to a white Kenosha , Wis. , police officer repeatedly shooting Black man Jacob Blake in the back and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down .
The NBA shut down for three days in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games were postponed because of player protests .
The Bears arrived at Halas Hall early Thursday , but never took the field .
“ Let me say this : Football is a game , ” Bears outside linebacker Robert Quinn said .
“ What we ’ re talking about is real life .
And one day , we ’ re all going to be done playing football , and I ’ m going to still have to live as a dark-skinned , Black , African-American .
“ At the end of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a game .
And American history has shown that they belittle dark-skinned people .
So while I ’ m playing this game , I ’ m going to play it to the full max .
But I ’ m not going to put no game before my God-dang life.
” Quinn , a 30-year-old who grew up in South Carolina , spoke passionately at length after the Bears scrimmaged Saturday at Soldier Field , as did linebacker Danny Trevathan and coach Matt Nagy .
Quinn continued driving home the point that being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him from discrimination in society or when stopped by the police .
“ What happened in Kenosha is nothing , ” he said .
“ That ’ s American history for you .
People that look like me that have been hunted for a long time ...
This Kenosha thing this ain ’ t no one-time incident.
” In a sign of how much things have changed since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick lost his career over taking a knee during the national anthem in 2016 , athletes who boycott over the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the way to the top of their teams and leagues .
Nagy , who promised after George Floyd ’ s killing in May to make these issues a priority , said flatly the Bears would support any player who felt compelled to sit out of a game as a demonstration against racial injustice .
He was moved by the player-led team meeting Thursday .
“ When that stuff happens and it ’ s very raw and it ’ s not scripted ... it ’ s really , really making us strong right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re really pulling together in a powerful way .
“ That day was about the players .
It was about their voice ...
It was their day , and I ’ m just very proud of where we ’ re at right now as a team .
I think we ’ re as strong as we ’ ve ever been together and united .
It ’ s nothing but love right now for us .
You just feel it.
” In addition to Kenosha being just 35 miles north of Halas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to home when franchise legend Brian Urlacher ridiculed the athlete protests and showed support for 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse , who is accused of killing two people amid the protests .
Urlacher ’ s social media activity was so inflammatory that the Bears released a statement denouncing his views .
“ We saw it , ” Trevathan said .
“ You have to see the bigger picture .
There ’ s a bigger picture out here .
If you really take a look , it ’ s real life .
“ People might be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to be stuck.
” The Bears were one of 10 NFL teams to cancel a practice Thursday .
The handful of coaches who were setting up the field before it was nixed wore Black Lives Matter shirts that read “ Am I next ?
” on the back .
The team resumed with a walk-through in Lake Forest on Friday before somewhat simulating a game in an empty Soldier Field on Saturday .

In the minds of many in the Bears’ organization, there was no better use of their time together Thursday than to have an honest conversation about racial injustice. The ongoing police brutality and systemic racism against Black people matters more than practice — or even a game.
The Bears joined the NBA, NHL and several MLB teams in drawing attention to a white police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, repeatedly shooting Black man Jacob Blake in the back and leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. The NBA shut down for three days and the NHL for two — both in the middle of their playoffs — and multiple baseball games were postponed because of player protests.
The Bears arrived at Halas Hall early Thursday but never took the field.
‘‘Let me say this: Football is a game,’’ outside linebacker Robert Quinn said. ‘‘What we’re talking about is real life. One day we’re all going to be done playing football, and I’m going to still have to live as a dark-skinned, Black African American.
‘‘At the end of the day, my skin is dark and football is a game. And American history has shown that they belittle dark-skinned people. So while I’m playing this game, I’m going to play it to the full max. But I’m not going to put no game before my goddang life.’’
Quinn, a 30-year-old who grew up in South Carolina, spoke passionately after the Bears’ scrimmage Saturday at Soldier Field, as did linebacker Danny Trevathan and coach Matt Nagy.
Quinn continued driving home the point that being a professional athlete doesn’t insulate him from discrimination in society or when stopped by the police.
‘‘What happened in Kenosha is nothing,’’ he said. ‘‘That’s American history for you. People that look like me have been hunted for a long time. . . . This Kenosha thing ain’t no one-time incident.’’
In a sign of how much things have changed since former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick lost his career over taking a knee during the national anthem in 2016, athletes who boycott over the same issues now often are celebrated and supported.
Nagy, who promised after George Floyd’s death in May at the hands of police in Minneapolis to make these issues a priority, said flatly the Bears would support any player who felt compelled to sit a game as a demonstration against racial injustice. He said he was moved by the player-led meeting Thursday.
‘‘When that stuff happens and it’s very raw and it’s not scripted . . . it’s really, really making us strong right now,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘We’re really pulling together in a powerful way.
‘‘That day was about the players; it was about their voice. . . . It was their day, and I’m just very proud of where we’re at right now as a team. I think we’re as strong as we’ve ever been, together and united. It’s nothing but love right now for us. You just feel it.’’
In addition to Kenosha being only 35 miles north of Halas Hall, the story also hit close to home when Bears legend Brian Urlacher ridiculed the athlete protests and showed support for 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who is accused of killing two people amid the protests.
Urlacher’s social-media activity was so inflammatory that the Bears released a statement denouncing his views.
‘‘We saw it,’’ Trevathan said. ‘‘You have to see the bigger picture. There’s a bigger picture out here. If you really take a look, it’s real life. People might be stuck in their ways. Some people want to be stuck.’’
The Bears were one of 10 NFL teams to cancel practice Thursday. The handful of coaches who were setting up the field before it was nixed wore Black Lives Matter shirts that read ‘‘Am I next?’’ on the back.
The team resumed football activity with a walkthrough Friday in Lake Forest before somewhat simulating a game Saturday in an empty Soldier Field.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--Illinois tops 8,000 COVID-19 deaths — an average of about 48 per day over five months (LIVE UPDATES)

With 11 more deaths attributed to COVID-19 by public health officials on Saturday , Illinois ’ coronavirus death toll has climbed to 8,008 .
Since a South Side woman became the state ’ s first resident known to succumb to the virus March 16 , COVID-19 has killed an average of about 48 Illinoisans per day over that five-month stretch .
And with cases on the rise again statewide , officials are urging people to take health precautions more seriously to help save lives .
“ Today is a solemn day in Illinois as we ’ ve now lost 8,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ J.B. Pritzker said in a statement .
“ As we mourn the family , friends and neighbors who have been taken too soon , let ’ s do our part to prevent more senseless tragedy .
Wear a mask .
Watch your distance .
Wash your hands .
Every action counts.
” Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here .
6:30 p.m .
Masks in public restrooms ?
Urinals may shoot ‘ plumes ’ of inhalable coronavirus particles into the air Wearing a mask in public restrooms should be mandatory during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s increasing evidence that flushing toilets – and now urinals – can release inhalable coronavirus particles into the air .
The coronavirus can be found in a person ’ s urine or stool , and flushing urinals can generate an “ alarming upward flow ” of particles that “ travel faster and fly farther ” than particles from a toilet flush , according to a study published in the journal Physics of Fluid Monday .
“ Urinal flushing indeed promotes the spread of bacteria and viruses , ” researcher Xiangdong Liu said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mask should be mandatory within public restrooms during the pandemic , and anti-diffusion improvements are urgently needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
” Liu and other researchers from Yangzhou University in China simulated urinal flushing using computer models and estimated that , within just five seconds of flushing , virus particles could reach a height of more than 2 feet off the ground .
5:40 p.m. First college football game of COVID-19 era kicks off Saturday night : Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas There will be college football on Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic shut down all sports , and even as several major conferences have opted against competing this season while others attempt to manage outbreaks of positive cases , the 2020 college football season will begin roughly as scheduled with a game between two teams from the Championship Subdivision .
Central Arkansas and Austin Peay ( 8 p.m. Chicago time , ESPN ) were originally scheduled to complete a home-and-home series in Conway , Arkansas , before the pandemic led the two teams to shift the meeting to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced this serious of a bike shortage since a 1970s boom driven by environmental concerns , and metro-east trails are busier than ever .
Bicycle sales soared in March of this year , when the coronavirus closed gyms , restaurants , movie theaters , hair salons and other businesses .
State officials designated bike shops as “ essential ” parts of the transportation industry and allowed them to stay open .
“ ( Biking is ) a way to keep active , and a lot of folks have had this newfound time on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , co-owner of a O ’ Fallon bike shop .
Many big-box stores have been sold out of bicycles since April because they only carry lower-priced basic models that are popular with newcomers , Greenstreet said .
One supplier told him that his inventory for the whole year was depleted in a week .
1:46 p.m .
Suburban Cook County warned to wear masks , wash hands , distance — or face crackdown : ‘ We are at a crossroads ’ Nearly a third of all Illinois counties , including Will and suburban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ warning level ” amid the state ’ s summertime coronavirus resurgence , public health officials announced Friday .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said officials aren ’ t scaling back business operations any further for now , “ but we are at a crossroads .
“ We need everyone to wear a mask , watch their distance , and wash their hands consistently to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we don ’ t lose the gains we have made , ” Preckwinkle said in a statement .
The Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level ” label on 30 of the state ’ s 102 counties — up from 20 last week — as officials announced an additional 2,149 new cases of the virus were confirmed statewide .
That ’ s the eighth time this month that 2,000 or more new cases have been logged in a single day , which hadn ’ t happened previously since mid-May when the state was suffering through its initial pandemic peak .
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here .
10:30 a.m. Claudio Velez , Chicago ’ s beloved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care with COVID-19 Just weeks after opening his first storefront restaurant , Claudio Velez , warmly known as Chicago ’ s “ Tamale Guy , ” has been admitted to an intensive care unit after contracting COVID-19 .
Velez came down with a sore throat earlier this week and after getting tested , “ his health rapidly declined within a couple of days , ” according to a Instagram post shared by the restaurant Saturday .
“ His condition is improving but he will be left with extensive medical bills , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing the restaurant until further notice to make sure our team is taking the proper safety precautions ... We have been truly overwhelmed by everyone ’ s support and kindness over the last few weeks .
Please keep Claudio in your thoughts and wish him a speedy recovery.
” Read the full story from Annie Costabile here .
8:51 a.m. Ballhawks at Wrigley Field stay on the lookout Wrigleyville looks different this summer than in years past .
Normally , in the hours before a perfect August night game , you ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sluggers to The Cubby Bear to Murphy ’ s Bleachers before packing 40,000 deep into Wrigley Field .
Not so much this year .
Peer behind the left-field bleachers to the corner of Waveland and Kenmore Avenues , though , and a familiar sight remains : A dozen or so people scattered around the intersection with gloves and lawn chairs , eyes cast toward the top of the wall in hopes that they ’ ll be the first to spot a freshly smacked home-run ball sailing over .
The pandemic has forced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wrigley , but for the tried-and-true ballhawks , the routine hasn ’ t changed much , albeit it now is done with masks : Post up for batting practice about three hours before the first pitch , say hi to the regulars and catch any balls that come your way .
Read the full story from Sam Kelly here .
7:25 a.m. Health agencies ’ credibility at risk after week of blunders WASHINGTON — The credibility of two of the nation ’ s leading public health agencies was under fire this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smacked of political pressure from President Donald Trump as he attempts to move past the devastating toll of the coronavirus ahead of the November election .
The head of the Food and Drug Administration grossly misstated , then corrected , claims about the lifesaving power of a plasma therapy for COVID-19 authorized by his agency .
Then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly updated its guidelines to suggest fewer Americans need to get tested for coronavirus , sparking outrage from scientists .
Trump ’ s own factual misstatements about COVID-19 are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blunders by public health officials could create new damage , eroding public trust in front-line agencies .
That ’ s already raising concerns about whether the administration will be forthcoming with critical details about upcoming vaccines needed to defeat the pandemic .
“ I do worry about the credibility of the FDA and CDC , especially at a time when the capacity of the federal government to advance public health should be a priority for all policymakers , ” said Daniel Levinson , former longtime inspector general of the Department of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FDA and the CDC .
• Another 481 COVID-19 cases found at University of Alabama .
• Illinois public health officials announced 1,707 COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday and 24 deaths attributed to the virus statewide .
• The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 390 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in intensive care units across the state as of Wednesday night , the highest number of people receiving critical care due to the virus since June 29 .
• Of those , 151 patients were on ventilators , the most since July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well within Illinois ’ overall hospital capacity , accounting for about 10 % of the state ’ s ICU beds and 3 % of its ventilators .
• More than half of the deaths reported so far this year in Cook County were related to COVID-19 — 5,030 as of Wednesday , according to the medical examiner ’ s office .
7:29 a.m. Pritzker did not handle Metro East pandemic mitigation well When Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced the state COVID-19 “ mitigation ” plan for the Metro East on Aug. 16 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis.
” Last week , though , the governor admitted the cross-border arrangement to try to contain the virus ’ spread was a “ mistake.
” Man , was it ever .
Instead of sticking to the state ’ s original mitigation plan , which would ’ ve included things like reducing indoor restaurant capacity and shutting down all indoor bar service , Pritzker only ordered bars and restaurants to close at 11 p.m. , which was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
Read the full column by Rich Miller here .

On Saturday, Illinois passed the 8,000 case mark, another grim milestone during the coronavirus pandemic. The Illinois Department of Public Health announced Saturday another 1,880 people tested positive among 48,784 tests submitted to the state, lowering the statewide testing positivity rate to 4%.
Chicago’s positivity rate has held relatively steady at 5.6%. But suburban Cook County — flagged by the state Friday for being one of 30 “warning level” counties statewide — has ticked up to 6.9% positivity.
Here’s what happened today in the fight against coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
9 p.m. ‘Solemn day’ as Illinois coronavirus death toll surpasses 8,000
AP Photos
With 11 more deaths attributed to COVID-19 by public health officials on Saturday, Illinois’ coronavirus death toll has climbed to 8,008.
Since a South Side woman became the state’s first resident known to succumb to the virus March 16, COVID-19 has killed an average of about 48 Illinoisans per day over that five-month stretch.
And with cases on the rise again statewide, officials are urging people to take health precautions more seriously to help save lives.
“Today is a solemn day in Illinois as we’ve now lost 8,000 lives to COVID-19,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “As we mourn the family, friends and neighbors who have been taken too soon, let’s do our part to prevent more senseless tragedy. Wear a mask. Watch your distance. Wash your hands. Every action counts.”
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here.
8 p.m. Coronavirus forces changes for Kentucky Derby jockeys
Jockeys riding in the rescheduled 146th Kentucky Derby have to arrive by Monday and then quarantine upon returning to their home tracks, just one of many changes forced by the coronavirus pandemic.
Initially, Churchill Downs had proposed an arrival date of Aug. 24 — nearly two weeks before the Derby on Sept. 5. Track officials backed down after out-of-state riders and their agents expressed concerns about losing lucrative business at home while being confined in Louisville.
The out-of-state riders already had to take a COVID-19 test last Monday and have the results reviewed by Churchill Downs. Their next required test comes Monday at the track, followed by a third test on Sept. 3.
In some cases, riders will have to quarantine upon returning to their home bases because of travel restrictions around the country.
Read the full story here.
6:30 p.m. Masks in public restrooms? Urinals may shoot ‘plumes’ of inhalable coronavirus particles into the air
Wearing a mask in public restrooms should be mandatory during the pandemic, researchers say, because there’s increasing evidence that flushing toilets – and now urinals – can release inhalable coronavirus particles into the air.
The coronavirus can be found in a person’s urine or stool, and flushing urinals can generate an “alarming upward flow” of particles that “travel faster and fly farther” than particles from a toilet flush, according to a study published in the journal Physics of Fluid Monday.
“Urinal flushing indeed promotes the spread of bacteria and viruses,” researcher Xiangdong Liu said in a press release. “Wearing a mask should be mandatory within public restrooms during the pandemic, and anti-diffusion improvements are urgently needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
Liu and other researchers from Yangzhou University in China simulated urinal flushing using computer models and estimated that, within just five seconds of flushing, virus particles could reach a height of more than 2 feet off the ground.
Read the full story here.
5:40 p.m. First college football game of COVID-19 era kicks off Saturday night: Austin Peay vs. Central Arkansas
There will be college football on Saturday night.
More than five months after the coronavirus pandemic shut down all sports, and even as several major conferences have opted against competing this season while others attempt to manage outbreaks of positive cases, the 2020 college football season will begin roughly as scheduled with a game between two teams from the Championship Subdivision.
Central Arkansas and Austin Peay (8 p.m. Chicago time, ESPN) were originally scheduled to complete a home-and-home series in Conway, Arkansas, before the pandemic led the two teams to shift the meeting to the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
4:10 p.m. Coronavirus put more cyclists on downstate Illinois trails
Stores haven’t faced this serious of a bike shortage since a 1970s boom driven by environmental concerns, and metro-east trails are busier than ever.
Bicycle sales soared in March of this year, when the coronavirus closed gyms, restaurants, movie theaters, hair salons and other businesses. State officials designated bike shops as “essential” parts of the transportation industry and allowed them to stay open.
“(Biking is) a way to keep active, and a lot of folks have had this newfound time on their hands,” said Jon Greenstreet, co-owner of a O’Fallon bike shop.
Many big-box stores have been sold out of bicycles since April because they only carry lower-priced basic models that are popular with newcomers, Greenstreet said. One supplier told him that his inventory for the whole year was depleted in a week.
Read the full story here.
1:46 p.m. Suburban Cook County warned to wear masks, wash hands, distance — or face crackdown: ‘We are at a crossroads’
Nearly a third of all Illinois counties, including Will and suburban Cook, are now at a COVID-19 “warning level” amid the state’s summertime coronavirus resurgence, public health officials announced Friday.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said officials aren’t scaling back business operations any further for now, “but we are at a crossroads.
“We need everyone to wear a mask, watch their distance, and wash their hands consistently to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we don’t lose the gains we have made,” Preckwinkle said in a statement.
The Illinois Department of Public Health slapped the “warning level” label on 30 of the state’s 102 counties — up from 20 last week — as officials announced an additional 2,149 new cases of the virus were confirmed statewide.
That’s the eighth time this month that 2,000 or more new cases have been logged in a single day, which hadn’t happened previously since mid-May when the state was suffering through its initial pandemic peak.
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here.
10:30 a.m. Claudio Velez, Chicago’s beloved ‘Tamale Guy,’ in intensive care with COVID-19
Just weeks after opening his first storefront restaurant, Claudio Velez, warmly known as Chicago’s “Tamale Guy,” has been admitted to an intensive care unit after contracting COVID-19.
Velez came down with a sore throat earlier this week and after getting tested, “his health rapidly declined within a couple of days,” according to a Instagram post shared by the restaurant Saturday.
“His condition is improving but he will be left with extensive medical bills,” according to the restaurant. “We are closing the restaurant until further notice to make sure our team is taking the proper safety precautions... We have been truly overwhelmed by everyone’s support and kindness over the last few weeks. Please keep Claudio in your thoughts and wish him a speedy recovery.”
Read the full story from Annie Costabile here.
8:51 a.m. Ballhawks at Wrigley Field stay on the lookout
Wrigleyville looks different this summer than in years past. Normally, in the hours before a perfect August night game, you’d see armies of Cubs fans hopping from Sluggers to The Cubby Bear to Murphy’s Bleachers before packing 40,000 deep into Wrigley Field. Not so much this year.
Peer behind the left-field bleachers to the corner of Waveland and Kenmore Avenues, though, and a familiar sight remains: A dozen or so people scattered around the intersection with gloves and lawn chairs, eyes cast toward the top of the wall in hopes that they’ll be the first to spot a freshly smacked home-run ball sailing over.
The pandemic has forced a shortened MLB season and kept fans out of Wrigley, but for the tried-and-true ballhawks, the routine hasn’t changed much, albeit it now is done with masks: Post up for batting practice about three hours before the first pitch, say hi to the regulars and catch any balls that come your way.
Read the full story from Sam Kelly here.
7:25 a.m. Health agencies’ credibility at risk after week of blunders
WASHINGTON — The credibility of two of the nation’s leading public health agencies was under fire this week after controversial decisions that outside experts said smacked of political pressure from President Donald Trump as he attempts to move past the devastating toll of the coronavirus ahead of the November election.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration grossly misstated, then corrected, claims about the lifesaving power of a plasma therapy for COVID-19 authorized by his agency. Then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly updated its guidelines to suggest fewer Americans need to get tested for coronavirus, sparking outrage from scientists.
Trump’s own factual misstatements about COVID-19 are well documented, but the back-to-back messaging blunders by public health officials could create new damage, eroding public trust in front-line agencies. That’s already raising concerns about whether the administration will be forthcoming with critical details about upcoming vaccines needed to defeat the pandemic.
“I do worry about the credibility of the FDA and CDC, especially at a time when the capacity of the federal government to advance public health should be a priority for all policymakers,” said Daniel Levinson, former longtime inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees both the FDA and the CDC.
Read the full story here.
New Cases
Another 481 COVID-19 cases found at University of Alabama.
Illinois public health officials announced 1,707 COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday and 24 deaths attributed to the virus statewide.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 390 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in intensive care units across the state as of Wednesday night, the highest number of people receiving critical care due to the virus since June 29.
Of those, 151 patients were on ventilators, the most since July 28.
Those numbers are still well within Illinois’ overall hospital capacity, accounting for about 10% of the state’s ICU beds and 3% of its ventilators.
More than half of the deaths reported so far this year in Cook County were related to COVID-19 — 5,030 as of Wednesday, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Analysis & Commentary
7:29 a.m. Pritzker did not handle Metro East pandemic mitigation well
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the state COVID-19 “mitigation” plan for the Metro East on Aug. 16, he said it was done in conjunction “with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis.”
Last week, though, the governor admitted the cross-border arrangement to try to contain the virus’ spread was a “mistake.”
Man, was it ever.
Instead of sticking to the state’s original mitigation plan, which would’ve included things like reducing indoor restaurant capacity and shutting down all indoor bar service, Pritzker only ordered bars and restaurants to close at 11 p.m., which was in line with what St. Louis was planning at the time.
Read the full column by Rich Miller here.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--Finally in team drills, Bears’ Robert Quinn vows to be ready for opener

As soon as they decided to give outside linebacker Robert Quinn a giant free-agent contract , the Bears began envisioning what he would look like playing opposite Khalil Mack .
Saturday , 164 days after they agreed in principle to a five-year , $ 70 million contract , they got to see it for themselves .
For the first time in a padded practice , Quinn participated in team drills , rushing the quarterback and recording a no-tackling “ sack ” in the Bears ’ scrimmage at Soldier Field .
“ I thought he had a couple nice plays , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s why he ’ s here , is to be able to do that .
We like being able to see 52 and 94 on the edges going after the quarterback.
” Here are some other numbers to go with Quinn ’ s jersey No .
94 and Mack ’ s 52 : Quinn ’ s $ 70 million was the second-highest total salary received by any free agent during the offseason , trailing only new Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones , who got $ 82.5 million .
His $ 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contract ’ s first two years , is sixth-highest .
The Bears paid a premium to upgrade over Leonard Floyd , the former first-round pick who totaled only seven sacks over the past two years despite playing opposite the sport ’ s most intimidating pass rusher .
Quinn , meanwhile , had 11 ½ sacks playing opposite Cowboys star DeMarcus Lawrence last year .
Only three Bears — Khalil Mack , Julius Peppers and Mark Anderson — have posted that many sacks in a single season since Richard Dent had 13 ½ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accordingly , are sky-high .
But when the Bears began training camp , he was still inching along the runway .
Quinn didn ’ t participate in team drills because of what Nagy deemed a personal issue .
Earlier this month , outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said that Quinn was “ on his own program ” and had “ his own set of requirements ” to fulfill .
He hinted that the cause for the delay was medical , saying that he was listening to what coaches and trainers had to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descriptor Saturday when asked about his ramp-up .
“ It ’ s a personal reason — not getting into that , ” Quinn said Saturday in his first comments of training camp .
“ But , at the same time , I ’ m going to look at the benefit of it .
At least I ’ m a little fresher , my body ’ s not too beat up – so as long as come Sept. 13 , I ’ m ready , I think the plan worked well .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together for me , I still get in … I had to make the most out of it.
” The 30-year-old joined the Bears despite his stated preference to play in a 4-3 scheme , not a 3-4 .
Quinn has played outside linebacker before — with the 2017 Rams , he posted 8 ½ sacks — but has spent most of his career as a defensive end in 4-3 .
It was fair to wonder if the ramp-up was in any way related to the transition .
But Quinn said there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming along great with [ Monachino ] and [ assistant linebackers coach Bill Shuey ] helping me adjust as fast as possible with these crazy circumstances , ” he said .
“ They made it easy as possible .
[ Coordinator ] Chuck [ Pagano ] , he makes the defense fun , so it makes it a lot easier to pick up the playcalls .
“ The transition ’ s not really hard .
Football ’ s football .
It ’ s more just learning … that would ’ ve been my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new playbook .
After that , football ’ s football.
” The Bears open against the Lions on Sept. 13 .
Quinn said he ’ d be comfortable if the season started Sunday .
“ As long as I wake up , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the start of it .
As long as I wake up I think I ’ ll be ready .
”

As soon as they decided to give outside linebacker Robert Quinn a giant free-agent contract, the Bears began envisioning what he would look like playing opposite Khalil Mack.
On Saturday, 164 days after they agreed in principle to a five-year, $70 million contract, they got to see it for themselves. For the first time in a padded practice, Quinn participated in team drills, rushing the quarterback and getting a no-tackling “sack” in the Bears’ scrimmage at Soldier Field.
“I thought he had a couple of nice plays,” coach Matt Nagy said. “That’s why he’s here — to be able to do that. We like being able to see 52 and 94 on the edges going after the quarterback.”
Here are some other numbers to go with Quinn’s No. 94 and Mack’s No. 52 jerseys: Quinn’s $70 million was the second-highest total salary received by any free agent during the offseason, trailing only new Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, who got $82.5 million. His $30 million guarantee, paid out over the contract’s first two years, is the sixth-highest.
The Bears paid a premium to upgrade over Leonard Floyd, the 2016 first-round pick who totaled only seven sacks in the last two years despite playing opposite the sport’s most intimidating pass rusher. Quinn, meanwhile, had 11½ sacks playing opposite Cowboys star DeMarcus Lawrence last year. Only three Bears — Mack, Julius Peppers and Mark Anderson — have had that many sacks in a season since Richard Dent had 13½ in 1993.
The expectations for Quinn, accordingly, are sky-high.
But when the Bears began training camp, he was still inching along the runway.
Quinn didn’t participate in team drills because of what Nagy deemed a personal issue. Earlier this month, outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said that Quinn was “on his own program” and had “his own set of requirements” to fulfill. He hinted that the cause for the delay was medical, saying that he was listening to what coaches and trainers had to say.
Quinn reiterated the team’s phrasing when asked about his ramp-up.
“It’s a personal reason — not getting into that,” Quinn said in his first comments of training camp. “But, at the same time, I’m going to look at the benefit of it. At least I’m a little fresher, my body’s not too beat up — so as long as on Sept. 13 I’m ready, I think the plan worked well.’’
He joined the Bears despite his stated preference to play in a 4-3 scheme, not a 3-4. Quinn, 30, has played outside linebacker before — with the 2017 Rams, he had 8½ sacks — but has spent most of his career as a defensive end in 4-3 defenses.
It was fair to wonder if the ramp-up was in any way related to the transition. But Quinn said there was no issue.
“It’s coming along great with [Monachino] and [assistant linebackers coach Bill Shuey] helping me adjust as fast as possible with these crazy circumstances,” he said. “They made it as easy as possible. [Coordinator] Chuck [Pagano], he makes the defense fun, so it makes it a lot easier to pick up the play calls.
“The transition’s not really hard. Football’s football. It’s more just learning. That would’ve been my biggest challenge — learning a new playbook. After that, football’s football.”
The Bears open against the Lions on Sept. 13.
Quinn said he’d be comfortable if the season started Sunday.
“As long as I wake up,” he said. “That’s the start of it. As long as I wake up, I think I’ll be ready.”


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--With Bears K Eddy Pineiro injured, Cairo Santos makes his case with perfect day

The Bears are running out of time to comfortably assume kicker Eddy Pineiro will be ready for their season opener .
Pineiro hasn ’ t been seen attempting a field goal over the first two weeks of practices , nearly all of which were open to the media , because of a groin injury .
He was in full uniform for the scrimmage at Soldier Field on Saturday , but did not kick .
Instead , recently signed journeyman Cairo Santos , filled in flawlessly and made all of his dozen or so field goals and extra points .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears to take it slowly with Pineiro .
“ I thought where [ Pineiro ] is at , he ’ s trying to improve each and every day , ” coach Matt Nagy said .
“ But with that said , Cairo came out and ... did a pretty good job.
” Nagy ’ s plan at this point is for Pineiro to recover as much as possible and evaluate Santos in the meantime , then , “ we ’ ve got to make a decision based off of that.
” Pineiro had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his injury lingered so long that it became disruptive to practice .
The first time the Bears were seen doing field goal drills was Santos ’ first day .
Nagy portrayed Santos as a backup from the moment his name surfaced , but has said the team intends to keep him on the active roster or practice squad as a precaution in case Pineiro tests positive for coronavirus and is not allowed to play .
The longer Santos has the position to himself , though , the more opportunity he has to turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career with three good seasons in Kansas City , where Nagy was on staff , but has been highly suspect since .
From 2017 through ’ 19 , he kicked for five teams — including a stint with the Bears — and made just 68.8 percent of his field goals .
The Titans cut him last season after going 0 for 4 in a game .
In addition to Pineiro , the Bears continued to practice without wide receiver Allen Robinson , defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and safety Tashaun Gipson .

The Bears are running out of time to comfortably assume kicker Eddy Pineiro will be ready for their season opener.
Pineiro hasn’t been seen attempting a field goal over the first two weeks of practices, nearly all of which were open to the media, because of a groin injury. He was in full uniform for the scrimmage at Soldier Field on Saturday, but did not kick.
Instead, recently signed journeyman Cairo Santos, filled in flawlessly and made all of his dozen or so field goals and extra points. At minimum, his success could encourage the Bears to take it slowly with Pineiro.
“I thought where [Pineiro] is at, he’s trying to improve each and every day,” coach Matt Nagy said. “But with that said, Cairo came out and... did a pretty good job.”
Nagy’s plan at this point is for Pineiro to recover as much as possible and evaluate Santos in the meantime, then, “we’ve got to make a decision based off of that.”
Pineiro had an unquestioned hold on the job until his injury lingered so long that it became disruptive to practice. The first time the Bears were seen doing field goal drills was Santos’ first day.
Nagy portrayed Santos as a backup from the moment his name surfaced, but has said the team intends to keep him on the active roster or practice squad as a precaution in case Pineiro tests positive for coronavirus and is not allowed to play. The longer Santos has the position to himself, though, the more opportunity he has to turn it into a competition.
Santos began his career with three good seasons in Kansas City, where Nagy was on staff, but has been highly suspect since. From 2017 through ’19, he kicked for five teams — including a stint with the Bears — and made just 68.8 percent of his field goals. The Titans cut him last season after going 0 for 4 in a game.
In addition to Pineiro, the Bears continued to practice without wide receiver Allen Robinson, defensive tackle Akiem Hicks and safety Tashaun Gipson.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--Bail denied for man accused of robbing woman, 85, in Streeterville

Bail was denied Saturday for a man charged with stealing an 85-year-old woman ’ s purse after allegedly shoving her to the ground earlier this week in Streeterville .
Tony Davis , 45 , faces felony counts of robbery and aggravated battery of a person over 60 , as well as a misdemeanor count of violating CTA rules of conduct , authorities said .
About 10:30 a.m. Tuesday , the woman was headed home after running an errand at the UPS Store and was walking in the 100 block of East Grand Avenue when she was approached from behind by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her purse , prosecutors said .
That caused the woman fell to the pavement and hit her head , knocking her unconscious , according to prosecutors .
The robbery was captured by area surveillance cameras .
The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital , where she was treated for a cut to the back of her head that required three staples to close , according to prosecutors .
She remained hospitalized Saturday .
Detectives traced the moments before and after the attack using surveillance footage and Davis was taken into custody three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to a call of a person sleeping at a bus shelter , prosecutors said .
Davis ’ home was later searched and clothing that matched the attire of the offender seen on the surveillance footage was recovered , prosecutors said .
Davis was ordered held without bail and was expected to return to court Thursday , according to court records .

Bail was denied Saturday for a man charged with stealing an 85-year-old woman’s purse after allegedly shoving her to the ground earlier this week in Streeterville.
Tony Davis, 45, faces felony counts of robbery and aggravated battery of a person over 60, as well as a misdemeanor count of violating CTA rules of conduct, authorities said.
About 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, the woman was headed home after running an errand at the UPS Store and was walking in the 100 block of East Grand Avenue when she was approached from behind by Davis, who tried to pull off her purse, prosecutors said.
That caused the woman fell to the pavement and hit her head, knocking her unconscious, according to prosecutors.
The robbery was captured by area surveillance cameras.
The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for a cut to the back of her head that required three staples to close, according to prosecutors. She remained hospitalized Saturday.
Detectives traced the moments before and after the attack using surveillance footage and Davis was taken into custody three days later when officers recognized him while responding to a call of a person sleeping at a bus shelter, prosecutors said.
Davis’ home was later searched and clothing that matched the attire of the offender seen on the surveillance footage was recovered, prosecutors said.
Davis was ordered held without bail and was expected to return to court Thursday, according to court records.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-30--Dear Abby: Our friend moved in during divorce, now acts like he’ll never leave

DEAR ABBY : My husband ’ s best friend lives with us , and I love him like a brother .
The problem is , he has no degree and no car and aspires to nothing more than work in fast food part time .
We took him in to help him get through a bad divorce , and now it seems like he ’ ll never be able to leave .
He doesn ’ t make enough money to support himself and has no ambition for completing his education .
My husband is convinced there is no path for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m supporting all three of us , this has become a serious bone of contention .
How can I improve this situation ?
— FRUSTRATED IN FLORIDA DEAR FRUSTRATED : You should not be supporting all three of you .
Be prepared to be the “ bad guy ” and stop the gravy train now .
Your husband ’ s best friend ’ s career limitations should not be your problem , so give him a deadline to leave and insist upon it , with the help of your husband .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you may need the help of a lawyer for guidance .
DEAR ABBY : When I had my two children in my 40s , I had zero idea of how hard it would be .
One has autism ; the other has ADHD .
My child with ADHD is very self-confident and refuses to do what we ask him to do .
He ’ s 15 and very smart , but he ’ s not able to take care of himself .
When do you stop being “ the parent ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenting is much harder than anything I ’ ve ever done .
— DIFFICULT IN TEXAS DEAR DIFFICULT : Some parents start teaching their children to be independent well before their teens by giving them responsibilities .
Others do it as their children mature and feel that by age 18 or 21 their supervision is no longer necessary .
There are also parents who feel their job is never over and encourage their adult children to remain dependent into their 30s , 40s and beyond .
Unfortunately , parenthood doesn ’ t come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision about when and how to step back is up to you and their father , if he is present in their lives .
DEAR ABBY : I have four nieces I adore .
As they ’ re getting older , preteen to teen , I give them checks for birthdays and holidays .
I have told them I do it because I want them to learn about banking , saving money for college , as well as enjoying some of it .
My grandmother did the same for me when I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how I learned to manage the money I have .
I have noticed , though , that my nieces haven ’ t deposited their checks .
I mentioned it to them a few times and their mom said they would , but they haven ’ t .
It has been five months now .
Should I just give them cash in the future and forget about the banking and money-management lesson ?
— LESSONS LEARNED IN WASHINGTON DEAR LESSONS : If this is the first time you have noticed the checks haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible that they have been lost or misplaced .
If this isn ’ t the first time , then ask their mother how SHE would prefer you give your nieces the money in the future , because it ’ s possible that she hasn ’ t set up accounts for them .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely Wedding.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My husband’s best friend lives with us, and I love him like a brother. The problem is, he has no degree and no car and aspires to nothing more than work in fast food part time. We took him in to help him get through a bad divorce, and now it seems like he’ll never be able to leave.
He doesn’t make enough money to support himself and has no ambition for completing his education. My husband is convinced there is no path for him to better himself. Since I’m supporting all three of us, this has become a serious bone of contention. How can I improve this situation? — FRUSTRATED IN FLORIDA
DEAR FRUSTRATED: You should not be supporting all three of you. Be prepared to be the “bad guy” and stop the gravy train now. Your husband’s best friend’s career limitations should not be your problem, so give him a deadline to leave and insist upon it, with the help of your husband. If that doesn’t solve your problem, you may need the help of a lawyer for guidance.
DEAR ABBY: When I had my two children in my 40s, I had zero idea of how hard it would be. One has autism; the other has ADHD. My child with ADHD is very self-confident and refuses to do what we ask him to do. He’s 15 and very smart, but he’s not able to take care of himself.
When do you stop being “the parent” and let them take care of themselves? Parenting is much harder than anything I’ve ever done. — DIFFICULT IN TEXAS
DEAR DIFFICULT: Some parents start teaching their children to be independent well before their teens by giving them responsibilities. Others do it as their children mature and feel that by age 18 or 21 their supervision is no longer necessary. There are also parents who feel their job is never over and encourage their adult children to remain dependent into their 30s, 40s and beyond.
Unfortunately, parenthood doesn’t come with a rule book, so the decision about when and how to step back is up to you and their father, if he is present in their lives.
DEAR ABBY: I have four nieces I adore. As they’re getting older, preteen to teen, I give them checks for birthdays and holidays. I have told them I do it because I want them to learn about banking, saving money for college, as well as enjoying some of it. My grandmother did the same for me when I was their age, and that’s how I learned to manage the money I have.
I have noticed, though, that my nieces haven’t deposited their checks. I mentioned it to them a few times and their mom said they would, but they haven’t. It has been five months now. Should I just give them cash in the future and forget about the banking and money-management lesson? — LESSONS LEARNED IN WASHINGTON
DEAR LESSONS: If this is the first time you have noticed the checks haven’t been cashed, it’s possible that they have been lost or misplaced. If this isn’t the first time, then ask their mother how SHE would prefer you give your nieces the money in the future, because it’s possible that she hasn’t set up accounts for them.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-08-30--2 Chicago police officers, suspect wounded in West Side shootout

Two Chicago police officers were shot and the suspected shooter was wounded by police Sunday after a traffic stop in Homan Square on the West Side .
The shooting happened at 2:33 a.m. in the 3300 block of West Polk Street , according to Chicago police .
In a news conference outside Stroger Hospital , CPD Supt .
David Brown said the officers conducted a traffic stop near Spaulding and Polk and spotted a gun in the vehicle .
The officers broke the vehicle ’ s windows after the suspect , who appeared to have moved from the front seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get out of the car .
A struggle ensued .
During the struggle , the suspect shot one officer in the shoulder and one in the side , Brown said .
A third officer returned fire and hit the suspect .
Brown said both officers who were shot were wearing body cameras and the footage is being reviewed .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot praised the officers ’ supervisor for driving them to Stroger Hospital .
“ Their supervisor brought them here and probably saved their lives , ” Lightfoot said .
One officer was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dr. Hadyn Hollister said at the news conference .
He is undergoing surgery Sunday morning .
The other officer was shot once and was listed in good condition .
Both officers are men in their early 20s who have been on the job for two years , Brown said .
They are part of the department ’ s summer mobile patrol unit .
The suspect was taken via ambulance to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in critical condition , but has been stabilized , Chicago Fire Department officials said .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom Ahern wrote that the suspect ’ s weapon was recovered at the scene and posted a photo of a handgun with an extended magazine .
Civilian Office of Police Accountability spokesman Ephraim Eaddy said COPA is investigating the shooting , but did not provide additional details Sunday morning .
In her remarks outside the hospital , Lightfoot referred to the recent movement to defund the police department but stressed the role of police in maintaining public safety .
“ Now , there are some who would say we don ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through other means , ” Lightfoot said .
“ I want to be clear-eyed that when we have this most-important discussion , we do it on the basis of facts and context .
“ And I know having been around law enforcement for a very long time and been around the heroic men and women of the Chicago Police Department , the only people who are qualified based upon their training , supervision and courage to respond to a person with a gun ... to respond when our residents are in danger , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the police .
So we should have that discussion , but let ’ s be clear-eyed about what the dangers are that not only exist for our residents , but also for law enforcement .
“ On Saturday morning , a CPD officer was hit by a stolen vehicle in Hyde Park , authorities said .
The officer fired his weapon , but no one was hit .
Earlier this month , another officer was shot while responding to a domestic dispute in Lawndale on the West Side .
Anthony Marks was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Less than a week before that , a detainee who allegedly concealed a gun during transport to a Northwest Side police station opened fire and wounded three officers .
Lovelle Jordan , in turn , was shot multiple times at the 25th District police station , 5555 W. Grand Ave. , police said .
Jordan , 25 , faces six counts of attempted murder .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Two Chicago cops were shot and the suspected gunman was wounded by police early Sunday after a traffic stop in the Homan Square neighborhood on the West Side.
The shooting happened at 2:33 a.m. in the 3300 block of West Polk Street after officers pulled over a vehicle that matched a description for an earlier call about a person driving around with a gun, according to Chicago police.
Speaking outside the emergency room at Stroger Hospital — where both officers were being treated — police Supt. David Brown said the officers spotted a gun in the vehicle during the stop.
They broke the windows after the suspect, who appeared to have moved from the front seat to the back seat, refused to get out.
A struggle ensued and the suspect shot both officers, Brown said. A third officer arrived and returned fire, hitting the suspect, the superintendent said.
Brown said the injured officers were “wearing body cams” and that the shooting is “being reviewed.” Both are men in their early 20s who have been on the job for about two years.
They are part of the department’s summer mobile patrol unit, a group of 200-plus officers Brown assembled in May to address crime “hot spots” citywide.
One officer was shot twice on the left side and was in serious condition, Stroger Hospital Dr. Hadyn Hollister said. He underwent surgery for lung and abdominal injuries, and was still in hospital care Sunday evening, police said.
The other officer suffered a gunshot wound to his left shoulder and was in good condition, Hollister said. He was released from the hospital Sunday afternoon.
CPD Officers salute their fellow Officer as he leaves Stroger Hospital today after being shot in the line of duty overnight. #ChicagoPolice pic.twitter.com/v08Pt8YdpW — Tom Ahern (@TomAhernCPD) August 30, 2020
The suspect was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in fair condition. Authorities expect all three to survive.
Civilian Office of Police Accountability spokesman Ephraim Eaddy said the agency is investigating the shooting, which is standard practice in any case where officers shoot anybody. The officers involved will be placed on administrative duties for 30 days, police said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot joined Brown early Sunday in addressing the news media as other officers gathered outside the hospital. She praised the officers’ supervisor for getting on the scene quickly and driving them to Stroger.
“Their supervisor brought them here and probably saved their lives,” Lightfoot said.
In a tweet Sunday morning, police spokesman Tom Ahern said a weapon was recovered at the scene and posted a photo of a handgun with an extended magazine.
Offender’s Firearm recovered at scene of two Officers shot at Polk & Spaulding this AM pic.twitter.com/Los3wbZEWC — Tom Ahern (@TomAhernCPD) August 30, 2020
Lightfoot said the incident is evidence that “defunding” the police department would be a bad idea. Calls to slash funding for law enforcement have been amplified amid a nationwide reckoning over race prompted by the May killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man who died after a police officer pressed a knee on his neck in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The most recent flashpoint happened last Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where police shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake in the back as he tried to get in a car that contained three of his children. Blake, who is also Black, is expected to survive but is paralyzed from the waist down.
“Now, there are some who would say we don’t need the police, and safety can be accomplished through other means,” Lightfoot said.
“And I know having been around law enforcement for a very long time and been around the heroic men and women of the Chicago Police Department, the only people who are qualified based upon their training, supervision and courage to respond to a person with a gun — to respond when our residents are in danger — the only people qualified to do that are the police.
“So we should have that discussion” about police reform, Lightfoot continued, “but let’s be clear-eyed about what the dangers are that not only exist for our residents — but also for law enforcement.”
Later Sunday morning, the activist group Good Kids Mad City compared Chicago’s police force to a street gang following the shootout.
“The only difference between them & gang is that CPD has the entire criminal legal system behind them,” said Good Kids Mad City, which has helped lead the push to defund the city’s police department.
“We shoot, we get killed or jail time,” the group added. “They shoot & get paid desk duty!”
Earlier this month, police said another officer-involved shootout in Englewood prompted massive looting in the downtown area.
On Aug. 9, 20-year-old Latrell Allen allegedly opened fire on officers as they chased him through an alley in the 5700 block of South Racine, police said. The officers then returned fire and struck Allen, who was later charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
The shooting gave way to an hourslong standoff between police and neighborhood residents. Though police said a gun was recovered at the scene, Allen’s brother disputed the official narrative and denied his brother shot at the cops. Unlike with Sunday’s shooting, those officers weren’t equipped with body cameras.
Related Dozens call for defunding of Chicago police at City Hall rally
Sunday’s exchange of gunfire marks the third time police officers have been shot in Chicago in recent weeks.
On Aug. 5, another officer was shot while responding to a domestic dispute in Lawndale on the West Side. Anthony Marks was charged with attempted murder in that incident.
Less than a week before that, a detainee who allegedly concealed a gun during transport to a Northwest Side police station opened fire and wounded three officers. Lovelle Jordan, in turn, was shot multiple times at the 25th District police station, 5555 W. Grand Ave., police said. Jordan, 25, faces six counts of attempted murder.
And on Saturday morning, a cop was hit by a stolen vehicle in Hyde Park, authorities said. That officer fired his weapon, but no one was hit.
Superintendent Brown addresses concerned officers and provides an update on the two officers who were shot while conducting a traffic stop overnight. pic.twitter.com/pl6U4Z5btT — Chicago Police (@Chicago_Police) August 30, 2020
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-30--When pro athletes boycott games, they show disrespect for fans and their sport

I am writing to express my disappointment with professional sports regarding the decision made by some teams to refuse to compete as a form of protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
These athletes must appreciate the fact that this tragic incident is still under investigation .
The entire truth has not been revealed yet .
Justice and due process are as important as fighting against racism and police misconduct .
There are many people who are sick or injured and recuperating either at home or in hospitals and look forward to watching great athletes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Those of us blessed enough to enjoy good health , but are worried about catching the coronavirus , can use the enjoyment of pro sports to forget about our fears .
It is sad that some of these great athletes do not appreciate this .
I would like to see Major League Baseball levy very steep fines on all of the players of both the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins for going onto the field and then , after a moment of silence to honor the first African American in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refuse to play by walking off the field .
They disrespected the game as well as the fans .
Your recent editorial on electronic monitoring states : “ An electronic monitoring system that frees accused murderers from jail while they await trial is fundamentally absurd.
” This statement reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the bail system and the role that electronic monitoring plays in that system .
When determining whether an individual will be released prior to trial , rather than being held in jail without bail , a court must make an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the strength of the proof against the individual and whether that person would pose a threat if released .
If the court determines that the person should not be released , then electronic monitoring is not even considered .
The person remains confined until trial unless he or she later persuades the court that pre-trial release is appropriate .
Electronic monitoring is considered as a condition of release only if the court has first determined that release is appropriate .
Once that determination has been made , the court must determine if there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assure the defendant ’ s presence at trial .
A bond amount may be secured by the individual ’ s own recognizance ( I-Bond ) , or by posting either the full amount ( C-Bond ) or 10 % of the bond ( D-Bond ) .
Electronic monitoring may or may not be added as an additional condition of release .
Determinations of the conditions of release are made on an individual basis with the goal of assuring the defendant ’ s presence at trial .
Thus , there is no basis for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released while they await trial .
The determination to release was a separate decision made before the conditions of release were decided .
Electronic monitoring is an extra condition of release added to a bond .
In May 2019 , Chief Judge Tim Evans of the Circuit Court of Cook County issued a report on the general bail reform procedures that went into effect in September 2017 .
The report concluded that the increased release of defendants resulting from the reforms did not increase the threat to public safety .
In April 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Institute reaffirmed the validity of Evans ’ report .
Contrary to the Sun-Times ’ editorial , electronic monitoring neither frees accused murderers nor is it absurd .

I am writing to express my disappointment with professional sports regarding the decision made by some teams to refuse to compete as a form of protest against the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
These athletes must appreciate the fact that this tragic incident is still under investigation. The entire truth has not been revealed yet. Justice and due process are as important as fighting against racism and police misconduct.
There are many people who are sick or injured and recuperating either at home or in hospitals and look forward to watching great athletes compete, to forget about their condition. Those of us blessed enough to enjoy good health but are worried about catching the coronavirus can use the enjoyment of pro sports to forget about our fears.
It is sad that some of these great athletes do not appreciate this.
I would like to see Major League Baseball levy very steep fines on all of the players of both the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins for going onto the field and then, after a moment of silence to honor the first African American in the major leagues, Jackie Robinson, refuse to play by walking off the field. They disrespected the game as well as the fans.
Antonio Acevedo, West Town
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.
Defending electronic monitoring
Your recent editorial on electronic monitoring states: “An electronic monitoring system that frees accused murderers from jail while they await trial is fundamentally absurd.” This statement reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the bail system and the role that electronic monitoring plays in that system.
When determining whether an individual will be released prior to trial, rather than being held in jail without bail, a court must make an individual determination and consider factors such as the strength of the proof against the individual and whether that person would pose a threat if released.
If the court determines that the person should not be released, then electronic monitoring is not even considered. The person remains confined until trial unless he or she later persuades the court that pre-trial release is appropriate.
Electronic monitoring is considered as a condition of release only if the court has first determined that release is appropriate.
Once that determination has been made, the court must determine if there is a bond amount that would reasonably assure the defendant’s presence at trial. A bond amount may be secured by the individual’s own recognizance (I-Bond), or by posting either the full amount (C-Bond) or 10% of the bond (D-Bond).
Electronic monitoring may or may not be added as an additional condition of release. Determinations of the conditions of release are made on an individual basis with the goal of assuring the defendant’s presence at trial.
Thus, there is no basis for blaming electronic monitoring for accused murderers being released while they await trial. The determination to release was a separate decision made before the conditions of release were decided. Electronic monitoring is an extra condition of release added to a bond.
In May 2019, Chief Judge Tim Evans of the Circuit Court of Cook County issued a report on the general bail reform procedures that went into effect in September 2017. The report concluded that the increased release of defendants resulting from the reforms did not increase the threat to public safety. In April 2020, a study by the non-profit JFA Institute reaffirmed the validity of Evans’ report.
Contrary to the Sun-Times’ editorial, electronic monitoring neither frees accused murderers nor is it absurd.
William J. Nissen, attorney, Lake Forest


chicagosun-times--2020-08-30--Crews battle extra-alarm fire at Pullman factory

An extra-alarm fire caused a roof collapse Sunday at a factory in Pullman on the South Side .
The blaze @ @ @ @ @ in the 1000 block of East 103rd Street , according to the Chicago Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ was ordered because it was unclear what was inside the factory .
The incident was @ @ @ @ @ and the roof of the building fell in , officials said .
The fire was @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , the fire department said .
No injuries were reported , and crews remained @ @ @ @ @ hot spots .

An extra-alarm fire caused a roof collapse Sunday at a factory in Pullman on the South Side.
The blaze was reported about 12:30 a.m. in the 1000 block of East 103rd Street, according to the Chicago Fire Department. A hazardous materials response was ordered because it was unclear what was inside the factory.
The incident was upgraded to a two-alarm fire and the roof of the building fell in, officials said.
The fire was under control shortly after 2:30 a.m., the fire department said. No injuries were reported, and crews remained at the scene putting out hot spots.
Update 2-11 @ 1001 E. 103rd St. No injuries reported at this time, All companies working 4-1-8 pic.twitter.com/9QsulHSUVw — Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) August 30, 2020


chicagosun-times--2020-08-30--Boy missing from Englewood found safely

Boy missing from Englewood found safely

My officers did nothing wrong in allowing teen gunman to walk away after allegedly killing 2 protesters , Kenosha police @ @ @ @ @ nothing to suggest this individual was involved in any criminal behavior , ’ Chief Dan @ @ @ @ @ circumstances his officers faced .

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


chicagosun-times--2020-08-29--1 killed as Trump supporters, protesters clash in Portland

PORTLAND , Ore. — One person was shot and killed late Saturday in Portland , Oregon , as a large caravan of President Donald Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter protesters clashed in the streets , police said .
It wasn ’ t clear if the shooting was linked to fights that broke out as a caravan of about 600 vehicles was confronted by protesters in the city ’ s downtown .
An Associated Press freelance photographer heard three gunshots and then observed police medics working on the body of the victim , who appeared to be a white man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gunfire from the area of Southeast 3rd Avenue and Southwest Alder Street .
They responded and located a victim with a gunshot wound to the chest .
Medical responded and determined that the victim was deceased , ” the Portland Police Bureau said in a statement .
Police did not release any additional details and were at the scene investigating late Saturday .
Portland has been the site of nightly protests for more than three months since the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Many of them end in vandalism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been arrested by local and federal law enforcement since late May .
The caravan arrived downtown just as a protest planned for Saturday was getting underway .
Police made several arrests before the shooting and advised residents to avoid the city core .
The chaotic scene came two days after Trump invoked Portland as a liberal city overrun with violence in a speech at the Republican National Convention as part of his “ law and order ” re-election campaign theme .
The caravan marked the third Saturday in a row that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump and other speakers at this week ’ s convention evoked a violent , dystopian future if Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden wins in November and pointed to Portland as a cautionary tale for what would be in store for Americans .
The pro-Trump rally ’ s organizer , who coordinated a similar caravan in Boise , Idaho , earlier in the week , said in a video posted on Twitter Saturday afternoon that attendees should only carry concealed weapons and the route was being kept secret for safety reasons .
The caravan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a suburban mall and drove as a group to the heart of Portland .
As they arrived in the city , protesters attempted to stop them by standing in the street and blocking bridges .
Videos from the scene showed sporadic fighting , as well as Trump supporters firing paintball pellets at opponents and using bear spray as counter-protesters threw things at the Trump caravan .
The shooting happened shortly before 9 p.m. Pacific , several hours after the caravan began arriving in Portland .
The Black Lives Matter demonstrations usually target police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have called for reductions in police budgets while the city ’ s mayor and some in the Black community have decried the violence , saying it ’ s counterproductive .
Early Saturday morning , fires set outside a police union building that is a frequent site for protests prompted police to declare a riot .
An accelerant was used to ignite a mattress and other debris that was laid against the door of the Portland Police Association building , police said in a statement .
At least one dumpster had also been set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The commotion followed a sit-in in the lobby of the Portland mayor ’ s condominium building Friday night .

PORTLAND, Ore. — A man who was fatally shot after supporters of President Donald Trump clashed with left-wing protesters on the streets of Portland, Oregon, was a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, its founder said Sunday.
Joey Gibson, head of the group based in Washington state, told The Associated Press the man who was shot to death Saturday night was a “good friend,” although he did not identify him.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler blamed each other for the violence. Trump called Wheeler a “fool” on Twitter and said to “Bring in the National Guard!” while Wheeler blamed Trump for creating such a toxic environment.
“It’s you who have created the hate and the division,” the Democratic mayor said of Trump. “You’ve tried to divide us more than any other figure in modern history. And now you want me to stop the violence that you helped create.”
Trump had earlier issued a flurry of tweets and retweets, including several blaming Wheeler for the death and one in which the president appeared to be encouraging his supporters to move into Portland. “GREAT PATRIOTS!” Trump wrote as he shared video of his supporters driving into Portland to confront the protesters.
Gibson said he was in Portland on Saturday night when the Trump supporters clashed with Black Lives Matter protesters downtown. Gibson arrived at the scene of the shooting shortly after it happened and video from the scene showed he was briefly corralled in a nearby gas station by angry protesters.
“I can’t say much right now. All I can do is verify that he was a good friend and a supporter of Patriot Prayer,” Gibson said of the shooting victim in a text exchange. He said he would make a fuller statement later Sunday.
Police issued a plea for any information related to the killing, including videos, photos or eyewitness accounts. The shooting happened about 15 minutes after a caravan of about 600 vehicles that were part of a pro-Trump rally left downtown.
It wasn’t clear if the shooting was related to the clashes between Trump supporters and counterprotesters in Portland, which has become a flashpoint in the national Black Lives Matter protests since George Floyd was killed in May and an increasing centerpiece in Trump’s law-and-order re-election campaign theme.
Police have not released any information about the case but said they were aware of videos on social media that showed the shooting.
“It is still early in this investigation, and I ask everyone to give the detectives time to do their important work before drawing conclusions about what took place,” said Police Chief Chuck Lovell. “If anyone can provide information about this case, I ask them to please reach out to our detectives. This violence is completely unacceptable and we are working diligently to find and apprehend the individual or individuals responsible.”
An Associated Press freelance photographer heard three gunshots and then saw police medics attending to the victim, who appeared to be a white man. The freelancer said the man was wearing a hat bearing the insignia of Patriot Prayer.
Police said the man was shot in the chest. He was not immediately identified. It’s unclear who shot him.
Portland has been the site of nightly protests for more than three months since the police killing of Floyd in Minneapolis. Many of them end in vandalism and violence, and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested by local and federal law enforcement since late May.
Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat who has feuded with Trump, said in a statement that Trump has “encouraged division and stoked violence” in American cities — now including Portland.
“But despite the President’s jeers and tweets, this is a matter of life and death. Whether it’s his completely incompetent response to the pandemic, where nearly 200,000 have died, or his outright encouragement of violence in our streets: it should be clear to everyone by now that no one is truly safe with Donald Trump as President,” Brown said.
In the two hours following the shooting, protesters gathered downtown and there was sporadic fighting and vandalism, police said. Ten people were arrested, police said.
The caravan had arrived downtown just as a planned protest was getting underway. The chaotic scene came two days after Trump invoked Portland as a liberal city overrun with violence in a speech at the Republican National Convention. The caravan marked the third Saturday in a row that Trump supporters have rallied in the city.
The right-wing group Patriot Prayer has a history in Portland and has repeatedly rallied supporters for pro-Trump rallies beginning in 2017. The group was founded by Gibson and is based in Washington state; supporters periodically cross into Oregon for rallies and marches.
Counterprotesters have squared off with Patriot Prayer and other right-wing groups such as the Proud Boys and the Three Percenters multiple times in the city since Trump’s election.
Photos and videos taken late Saturday show Gibson arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting, but it wasn’t immediately clear why he did so.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blamed local officials for failing “to protect their communities.”
“I’m asking Portland officials, so that’s the mayor, that’s the governor and that’s local law enforcement, to do their job to address any violent activity that is occurring in their streets,” Wolf told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”
Wolf said the federal government was prepared to send agents to Portland and other cities to protect federal buildings and assist police.
Wheeler cited people saying on social media they planned to come to Portland “to seek retribution” and called for them to stay away. “You of course have a constitutional right to be here, but we ask that you stay away,” he said.
Wheeler came under fire Sunday from some in his own city who have been angered by comments he made earlier this month criticizing violent demonstrators and saying they were helping Trump with his reelection. The mayor, who is also the police commissioner, has also been faulted for letting Portland police use tear gas on multiple occasions.
Several civil rights groups and protest coalitions called on Wheeler to resign. He is currently running for a second term.
“This could all have been prevented and there were 100 different decisions that could have led us on a different path,” said Bobbin Singh, executive director of the Oregon Justice Resource Center.
When federal agents increased their presence in downtown Portland in July, the city saw some of the largest protests of the summer, with thousands of people turning out nightly. The crowds dissipated after the agents withdrew and State Police agreed to protect federal buildings for a two-week period.
Trump and other speakers at last week’s Republican convention evoked a violent, dystopian future if Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden wins in November and pointed to Portland as a cautionary tale for what would be in store for Americans.
The pro-Trump rally’s organizer, who recently coordinated a similar caravan in Boise, Idaho, said in a video posted Saturday on Twitter that attendees should only carry concealed weapons and the route was being kept secret for safety reasons.
The caravan had gathered earlier in the day at a suburban mall and drove as a group to the heart of Portland. As they arrived in the city, protesters tried to stop them by standing in the street and blocking bridges.
Video from the scene showed sporadic fighting, as well as Trump supporters firing paintball pellets at opponents and using bear spray as counter-protesters threw things at the Trump caravan.
The Black Lives Matter demonstrations usually target police buildings and federal buildings. Some protesters have called for reductions in police budgets while the city’s mayor and some in the Black community have decried the violence.
Associated Press freelancer Paula Bronstein contributed.