chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--CPS students log on at much higher rates than the spring, but attendance down from previous years

About four of every five Chicago Public Schools students logged on for the first week of school , a markedly higher rate than in the spring despite first-day attendance still dipping from previous years in a sign of the continued challenges of remote learning , figures released Friday by the district show .
The early engagement levels are a promising start for a school system in which barely half of students attended online classes three or more days per week after the coronavirus pandemic forced buildings to close in the spring .
Yet the first week was a mixed bag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attendance than previous years ’ district-wide average , while a handful of schools still had less than half their students log on .
The results reflect a varying degree of success in bridging a stubborn technology gap and creating an online learning plan that is achievable for working-families who are juggling students ’ classes with parents ’ jobs .
CPS released data from the first three days of this school year in an unusually transparent move Friday that showed 84.2 % of registered students attended remote classes Tuesday , down from an average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years .
Attendance district-wide rose the second day of school and then reached 90.2 % by Thursday as school staffers and district employees continued outreach to families about registration , free internet offerings and computer distribution .
Of CPS ’ 513 non-charter schools , there were 19 that drew fewer than half their students for the first day of school , and 157 schools had less than a quarter of their students log on .
Where there was work to be done at some schools , there was also success at others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an average of 35 % of students engaged online at least once a week after remote learning started in earnest in April , according to CPS records .
Only 18.9 % of DePriest students were online three or more days per week , 5.9 % logged on five days a week and there was not a single day in the spring when more than half of kids attended classes .
This week , 77 % of DePriest students attended virtual classes for the first day of school , and by Friday there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the school — who still hadn ’ t logged in at all , principal Latasha Geverola said .
“ I almost fainted , ” Geverola said of when she first saw the engagement this week .
“ I was like , ‘ Yes , yes.
’ And 77 is not the best number .
But for the level of outreach that we made , I ’ ll take a 77 for the first week .
And I ’ m going to shoot for a 90 the second week .
“ You don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in people ’ s lives , ” she said .
“ We ’ re in the middle of a pandemic , and any given time , 10 different things could be going on in these people ’ s homes .
And the fact that they got online says that they ’ re dedicated and that they ’ re trying .
Of course we ’ ll want more than 84 [ district-wide ] , of course we ’ ll want to shoot for 100 , but that ’ s progress.
” DePriest staffers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still hasn ’ t connected with classes , Geverola said , and problems range from delays in internet installation to grandparents serving as guardians and not immediately understanding the technology .
The school fielded 200 calls the first day of school from families asking for help fixing password problems or other computer struggles .
A teacher at a West Side high school said he also was seeing far higher attendance in his classes than in the spring .
He said the message that students have to be in class has apparently gotten through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for me , ” said the teacher , who asked that his name not be used .
“ Much better so far.
” CPS CEO Janice Jackson acknowledged attendance was lower than previous years but said she was encouraged by the district ’ s outreach efforts .
District officials said hundreds of employees called the families of almost 21,000 students in recent weeks to let them know about resources available to them .
“ The overwhelming majority of our students showed up ready and eager to learn on the first day of school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ and I am so proud of our staff and school communities who have been working tirelessly over the summer to ensure families had what they need to log-in on day one .
”

UPDATE: This story has been corrected to reflect that of CPS’ 513 non-charter schools, 157 had three-quarters or less of their students log into classes on the first day of school last week.
About four of every five Chicago Public Schools students logged on for the first week of school, a markedly higher rate than in the spring despite first-day attendance still dipping from previous years in a sign of the continued challenges of remote learning, figures released Friday by the district show.
The early engagement levels are a promising start for a school system in which barely half of students attended online classes three or more days per week after the coronavirus pandemic forced buildings to close in the spring.
Yet the first week was a mixed bag, with dozens of schools drawing better attendance than previous years’ district-wide average, while a handful of schools still had less than half their students log on.
The results reflect a varying degree of success in bridging a stubborn technology gap and creating an online learning plan that is achievable for working-families who are juggling students’ classes with parents’ jobs.
CPS released data from the first three days of this school year in an unusually transparent move Friday that showed 84.2% of registered students attended remote classes Tuesday, down from an average first-day attendance of 94.3% the previous four years.
Attendance district-wide rose the second day of school and then reached 90.2% by Thursday as school staffers and district employees continued outreach to families about registration, free internet offerings and computer distribution.
Of CPS’ 513 non-charter schools, there were 19 that drew fewer than half their students for the first day of school, and 157 schools had less than three-quarters of their students log on.
‘I almost fainted’
Where there was work to be done at some schools, there was also success at others.
At DePriest Elementary in Austin, an average of 35% of students engaged online at least once a week after remote learning started in earnest in April, according to CPS records. Only 18.9% of DePriest students were online three or more days per week, 5.9% logged on five days a week and there was not a single day in the spring when more than half of kids attended classes.
This week, 77% of DePriest students attended virtual classes for the first day of school, and by Friday there were only 20 students — about 4% of the school — who still hadn’t logged in at all, principal Latasha Geverola said.
“I almost fainted,” Geverola said of when she first saw the engagement this week. “I was like, ‘Yes, yes.’ And 77 is not the best number. But for the level of outreach that we made, I’ll take a 77 for the first week. And I’m going to shoot for a 90 the second week.
“You don’t know what’s going on in people’s lives,” she said. “We’re in the middle of a pandemic, and any given time, 10 different things could be going on in these people’s homes. And the fact that they got online says that they’re dedicated and that they’re trying. Of course we’ll want more than 84 [district-wide], of course we’ll want to shoot for 100, but that’s progress.”
DePriest Elementary in Austin Google
DePriest staffers are in contact with every family that still hasn’t connected with classes, Geverola said, and problems range from delays in internet installation to grandparents serving as guardians and not immediately understanding the technology. The school fielded 200 calls the first day of school from families asking for help fixing password problems or other computer struggles.
A teacher at a West Side high school said he also was seeing far higher attendance in his classes than in the spring. He said the message that students have to be in class has apparently gotten through.
“Numbers are many times higher for me,” said the teacher, who asked that his name not be used. “Much better so far.”
CPS CEO Janice Jackson acknowledged attendance was lower than previous years but said she was encouraged by the district’s outreach efforts. District officials said hundreds of employees called the families of almost 21,000 students in recent weeks to let them know about resources available to them.
“The overwhelming majority of our students showed up ready and eager to learn on the first day of school,” Jackson said in a statement, “and I am so proud of our staff and school communities who have been working tirelessly over the summer to ensure families had what they need to log-in on day one.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, Robert Quinn could (eventually) give Bears NFL’s best pass rush

The Bears ’ defense was still very good last season , but it didn ’ t have quite the ferocity and danger that scared the rest of the NFL in 2018 .
That ’ s what they want to get back to — and then some .
After watching Khalil Mack smothered by double- and triple-teams while playing without another significant pass rusher to draw some attention , Bears general manager Ryan Pace decided to go all out .
Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks was expected to return from a dislocated elbow without any lingering concerns , so that would restore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hicks and Leonard Floyd from 2018 , but he was thinking bigger .
“ It all starts with affecting the quarterback — hitting the quarterback , getting after the quarterback , affecting his timing , ” Pace said .
“ It makes your whole defense better .
If you hit the quarterback , your corners are better , your safeties are better , and it ’ s just such a value position.
” So rather than settle for another year of Floyd , a player he drafted ninth overall who declined in sacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three in 899 snaps last season , he replaced him with one of the most dominant pass rushers of the past decade : Robert Quinn .
It was costly ( Quinn ’ s five-year , $ 70 million deal was the second-biggest contract for any free agent this year ) and risky ( he ’ s a 10th-year veteran who hasn ’ t played more than 60 percent of his team ’ s defensive snaps the last five seasons ) , but the upside was irresistible .
Pace essentially prioritized that move , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next two seasons , over ponying up for a player like tight end Austin Hooper ( $ 42 million over four years ) or quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ( $ 63 million over three ) .
Even with some concerns , Quinn is enticing .
He had 11.5 sacks , 22 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles for the Cowboys last season .
Pair that with Mack and Hicks , who combined for 20 sacks last time they played a full season together , and the Bears could have the best pass rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s just gon na be fun being out there with a guy that ’ s going 110 miles per hour on the other side , and I can ’ t wait , ” Mack said of Quinn .
“ I don ’ t know what it ’ s gon na bring , but I know it ’ s gon na be fun.
” The “ fun ” Mack imagined is probably on hold for at least a week as Quinn deals with an ankle injury .
He did not practice leading up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be inactive Sunday .
The Bears will likely use journeyman Barkevious Mingo in Quinn ’ s place , as well as James Vaughters and rookie Trevis Gipson .
Mingo has 10 career sacks in 95 games , and the other two will be looking for their first .
When the Bears were rocking in 2018 , they were third in the NFL with 50 sacks — about one every 13 dropbacks by the opponent .
There ’ s a correlation between that and leading the league in interceptions ( 27 ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top-four in opponent completion percentage ( 61.3 ) , passer rating ( 72.9 ) and third-down conversions ( 34.3 percent ) .
The difference between very good and very dangerous was illustrated last season , when the Bears were a top-10 overall defense but ranked 23rd in sacks with 32 .
The effect was that they dropped at least five spots in the rankings — many more , in some cases — in all five aforementioned statistics .
If Quinn returns and plays merely at the level he did last season , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did two years ago .
“ When you take the pass rush that we have ... and when you couple that with guys who have ball skills in the secondary ... those balls are going to get thrown up , ” Pace said .
“ With a defense that can generate that kind of pass rush , that can equate to a lot of turnovers .
”

The Bears’ defense was still very good last season, but it didn’t have quite the ferocity that scared the rest of the NFL in 2018.
That’s what they want to get back to — and then some.
After watching Khalil Mack smothered by double teams and triple teams while playing without another significant pass rusher to draw some attention, general manager Ryan Pace went all out. Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks was expected to return from a dislocated elbow without any lingering concerns, so that would restore the Bears’ trio of Mack, Hicks and Leonard Floyd, but he was thinking bigger.
“It all starts with affecting the quarterback — hitting the quarterback, getting after the quarterback, affecting his timing,” Pace said. “It makes your whole defense better. If you hit the quarterback, your corners are better, your safeties are better, and it’s just such a value position.”
So rather than settle for another year of Floyd, whom Pace drafted ninth overall, he replaced him with one of the most dominant pass rushers of the past decade: Robert Quinn. Floyd had declined in sacks four consecutive years and bottomed out at three in 899 snaps last season.
The move was costly (Quinn’s five-year, $70 million deal was the second-biggest contract for any free agent this year) and risky (he’s a 10th-year veteran who hasn’t played more than 60% of his team’s defensive snaps the last five seasons), but the upside was irresistible.
Pace essentially prioritized that move, which guarantees Quinn $30.1 million for the next two seasons, over ponying up for a player such as tight end Austin Hooper ($42 million over four years) or quarterback Teddy Bridgewater ($63 million over three).
Even with some concerns, Quinn is enticing. He had 11½ sacks, 22 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles for the Cowboys last season. Pair that with Mack and Hicks, who combined for 20 sacks the last time they played a full season together, and the Bears could have the best pass rush in the league.
“It’s just gonna be fun being out there with a guy that’s going 110 miles per hour on the other side, and I can’t wait,” Mack said of Quinn. “I don’t know what it’s gonna bring, but I know it’s gonna be fun.”
The “fun” Mack imagined is probably on hold for at least a week as Quinn deals with an ankle injury. He did not practice leading up to the trip to Detroit and is expected to be inactive Sunday.
The Bears likely will use journeyman Barkevious Mingo in Quinn’s place, as well as James Vaughters and rookie Trevis Gipson. Mingo has 10 career sacks in 95 games, and the other two will be looking for their first.
When the Bears were rocking in 2018, they were third in the NFL with 50 sacks — about one every 13 dropbacks by the opponent. There’s a correlation between that and leading the league in interceptions (27) and total takeaways (36) and being top four in opponent completion percentage (61.3), passer rating (72.9) and third-down conversions (34.3%).
The difference between very good and very dangerous was illustrated last season, when the Bears were a top-10 overall defense but ranked 23rd in sacks with 32. The effect was that they dropped at least five spots in the rankings — many more, in some cases — in all five aforementioned statistics.
If Quinn returns and plays merely at the level he did last season, the defense should look a lot more like it did two years ago.
“When you take the pass rush that we have . . . and when you couple that with guys who have ball skills in the secondary . . . those balls are going to get thrown up,” Pace said. “With a defense that can generate that kind of pass rush, that can equate to a lot of turnovers.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--Eric Trump’s take: President’s son tells Mayor Lightfoot, ‘we truly appreciate you,’ and ‘we’re all

Eric Trump’s take: President’s son tells Mayor Lightfoot, ‘we truly appreciate you,’ and ‘we’re all rooting for Chicago’

President Donald Trump rarely passes up an opportunity to bash Mayor Lori Lightfoot or the city she leads , but when looting and vandalism destroyed some downtown properties , his middle son took a kinder , gentler approach .
Eric Trump called the mayor ’ s efforts to reach out to him “ incredibly kind ” and “ a class act , ” ensuring her , “ we ’ re all rooting for Chicago.
” That ’ s according to two text messages from the president ’ s son released by Lightfoot ’ s office Friday .
Both allude to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump .
Officials with the mayor ’ s office were not immediately available for comment .
In one text , dated June 1 , Eric Trump says he ’ s thinking of the mayor and appreciated her call over the weekend .
“ I really appreciated your call on Saturday — it was incredibly kind , ” the text reads .
“ I have passed along your support to our team and residences .
Please know , I and we truly appreciate you .
Eric.
” The mayor ’ s call apparently came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city saw this summer at the end of May during protests against the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer .
The text was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request and first reported by WTTW .
During the civil unrest that erupted in Chicago , a heavy police presence — as well as raised bridges — blocked off many of the access points to Trump Tower .
At least 135 downtown businesses saw windows broken or fires set to their properties during the turmoil .
Shopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 79th , 87th and 95th streets , were targeted by looters , with entire strip malls torn apart .
In another text , dated July 24 , Eric Trump texted to say he appreciated the mayor ’ s call , “ which was a class act.
” “ I only imagine how difficult the situation is but know we are all rooting for Chicago … I hope you are well .
Eric T. ” President Donald Trump had spoken to the mayor two days before to discuss the 200 federal agents he planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s texts are a sharp contrast to his father ’ s tweets and remarks .
Since he first ran for the White House , the president has repeatedly treated Chicago as a punching bag , comparing it to Afghanistan , and warning he would stop the violence plaguing the city if local leaders fail .
Just last month , during a visit to Kenosha , Wisconsin , President Trump took a shot at Chicago and other cities led by Democrats .
“ Obviously , that ’ s been a disaster — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again , radical-left Democrat , ” the president said .
Lightfoot has not shied away from taking potshots of her own .
In late May , shortly before looting and unrest broke out in Chicago , the Democratic mayor accused the Republican president of trying to “ foment violence ” in his response to Minneapolis demonstrators .
“ We see the game he ’ s playing because it ’ s so transparent and he ’ s not very good at it .
He wants to show failures on the part of Democratic local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ base .
His goal is to polarize , to destabilize local government and inflame racist urges .
And we can absolutely not let him prevail , ” Lightfoot said .
“ I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump .
It ’ s two words : It begins with F and ends with YOU .
”

President Donald Trump rarely passes up an opportunity to bash Mayor Lori Lightfoot or the city she leads, but when looting and vandalism destroyed some downtown properties, his middle son took a kinder, gentler approach.
Eric Trump called the mayor’s efforts to reach out to him “incredibly kind” and “a class act,” ensuring her, “we’re all rooting for Chicago.”
That’s according to two text messages from the president’s son released by Lightfoot’s office Friday. Both allude to a call the mayor made to Eric Trump.
In one text, dated June 1, Eric Trump says he’s thinking of the mayor and appreciated her call over the weekend.
“I really appreciated your call on Saturday — it was incredibly kind,” the text reads. “I have passed along your support to our team and residences. Please know, I and we truly appreciate you. Eric.”
Eric Trump, center, winks from the stage, flanked by his brother Donald Trump Jr. and Kimberly Guilfoyle, during the final day of the Republican National Convention last month. Brendan Smialowski / AFP via Getty Images file
The mayor’s call came in the midst of the first wave of widespread looting the city saw this summer at the end of May during protests against the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer.
The text was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request and first reported by WTTW.
During the civil unrest that erupted in Chicago, a heavy police presence — as well as raised bridges — blocked off many of the access points to Trump Tower. At least 135 downtown businesses saw windows broken or fires set to their properties during the turmoil.
Shopping centers, including those near 35th, 79th, 87th and 95th streets, were targeted by looters, with entire strip malls torn apart.
In another text, dated July 24, Eric Trump texted to say he appreciated the mayor’s call, “which was a class act.”
“I only imagine how difficult the situation is but know we are all rooting for Chicago … I hope you are well. Eric T.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks during a news conference in Englewood on the first day back to school Tuesday. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
President Donald Trump had spoken to the mayor two days before to discuss the 200 federal agents he planned to send to the city.
In a statement, a spokesman for Lightfoot said, “on Saturday, May 30, the Mayor and her team affirmatively reached out to a number of businesses, residential condominiums, and non-profits to update them on various public safety measures being taken in the wake of violent protests.”
“Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, was one of the people the Mayor reached to provide an update on precautionary public safety efforts the City was taking in the Central Business District, and to advise that the City would not bear sustained costs associated with Trump Tower,” the spokesman’s statement continued. “Subsequently, Eric Trump sent the Mayor two text messages to which the Mayor did not respond.”
Eric Trump’s texts are a sharp contrast to his father’s tweets and remarks.
Since he first ran for the White House, the president has repeatedly treated Chicago as a punching bag, comparing it to Afghanistan, and warning he would stop the violence plaguing the city if local leaders fail.
Just last month, during a visit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, President Trump took a shot at Chicago and other cities led by Democrats.
“Obviously, that’s been a disaster — Chicago — total disaster — with, again, radical-left Democrat,” the president said.
Lightfoot has not shied away from taking potshots of her own.
In late May, shortly before looting and unrest broke out in Chicago, the Democratic mayor accused the Republican president of trying to “foment violence” in his response to Minneapolis demonstrators.
“We see the game he’s playing because it’s so transparent, and he’s not very good at it. He wants to show failures on the part of Democratic local leaders to throw red meat to his base. His goal is to polarize, to destabilize local government and inflame racist urges. And we can absolutely not let him prevail,” Lightfoot said.
“I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump. It’s two words: It begins with F and ends with YOU.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--As Starved Rock grows crowded during pandemic, why not expand?

The number of visitors who showed up each month this summer at Starved Rock State Park rivaled the totals the park normally saw over an entire year two decades ago .
Many of those visitors had been going a little stir-crazy at home during the pandemic .
They were looking to sequester safely in the great outdoors .
But in doing so , they put a big strain on the trails and facilities in a park that Condé Nast Traveler in 2018 rated the most beautiful place in all of Illinois .
It would be nice if Illinois could spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenic area , easing the crunch while turning no one away .
And as it happens , there is an obvious solution .
Two years ago , the state purchased about 2,600 acres — roughly the size of Starved Rock State Park — right next to the iconic park .
The newly purchased site is also close to the nearby 1,938-acre Matthiessen State Park and the 234-acre Margery Carlson Nature Preserve .
The scenic land , bisected by the Vermilion River , has trails on it that could be made handicapped-accessible , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not .
It could add to the area ’ s reputation as a Midwestern jewel of nature .
But the land remains closed to the public .
When the previous owner , Lone Star Industries , ended its mining operations and sold the land , employees there already were using the trails for recreation .
The acreage includes a lake , a waterfall , bluffs and the Wildcat Rapids , the state ’ s only stretch of rafting-suitable whitewater .
People hike their way into the site now , but at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conservation officer .
Right now would be an excellent time for the state , which invested $ 11 million to buy the land in 2018 through the state ’ s Open Land Trust , to open at least some of it to the public .
When the state announced the land purchase with much fanfare , officials envisioned campgrounds , restored forests , canoe and kayak access , cross country skiing , fishing , wildlife habitat and picnic areas .
And the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it is actively “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yet so far , the whole thing remains off limits .
“ After the state acquired the property , it has been curiously quiet about what the plans are , ” one conservationist told us .
We get that at a time when the state has big budget problems , it might not be able to open up the 2,600 acres all at once .
As the DNR points out , access points for rescue personnel and staff are needed .
Signs and guard rails must be installed .
Trails must be inspected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removed .
But the land can be accessed from existing parking lots , which generally are a major expense for opening public parkland .
Existing restrooms also are conveniently situated .
“ After the state acquired the property , it has been curiously quiet about what the plans are.
” This should make it easier for the state to undertake a “ soft opening , ” in which visitors would be invited to use those areas that are the safest and most accessible .
Other parts of the new parkland that are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in need of major construction , such as campgrounds , could be opened later .
Because the existing parking lots sometimes fill up even now , the combined parks wouldn ’ t necessarily be able to accommodate many more visitors at the busiest times .
But those who do come could really spread out .
The peak of this year ’ s outdoors season is coming to a close , but expanding the acreage open to the public could be considered by the Legislature when crafting next year ’ s state budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed for cleanup after heavy storms on Aug. 10 .
And now , we ’ re hearing suggestions that , even after the cleanup , some trails need to be closed to allow them to recover from overuse .
That would make it all the harder for people who are eager to a break loose from home confinement during the pandemic to get out and enjoy , safely , the best of nature that Illinois has to offer .
Why not open up more scenic land instead ?

The number of visitors who showed up each month this summer at Starved Rock State Park rivaled the totals the park normally saw over an entire year two decades ago.
Many of those visitors had been going a little stir-crazy at home during the pandemic. They were looking to sequester safely in the great outdoors. But in doing so, they put a big strain on the trails and facilities in a park that Condé Nast Traveler in 2018 rated the most beautiful place in all of Illinois.
It would be nice if Illinois could spread all those new visitors over a larger scenic area, easing the crunch while turning no one away. And as it happens, there is an obvious solution.
Editorials bug Editorials
Two years ago, the state purchased about 2,600 acres — roughly the size of Starved Rock State Park — right next to the iconic park. The newly purchased site is also close to the nearby 1,938-acre Matthiessen State Park and the 234-acre Margery Carlson Nature Preserve.
The scenic land, bisected by the Vermilion River, has trails on it that could be made handicapped-accessible, which most of Starved Rock’s trails are not. It could add to the area’s reputation as a Midwestern jewel of nature. But the land remains closed to the public.
A “Do Not Enter” sign is posted on land the state has purchased near Starved Rock State Park. Patrick Frisbie/Sun-Times
When the previous owner, Lone Star Industries, ended its mining operations and sold the land, employees there already were using the trails for recreation. The acreage includes a lake, a waterfall, bluffs and the Wildcat Rapids, the state’s only stretch of rafting-suitable whitewater.
People hike their way into the site now, but at the risk of a $195 ticket from a conservation officer.
Right now would be an excellent time for the state, which invested $11 million to buy the land in 2018 through the state’s Open Land Trust, to open at least some of it to the public. When the state announced the land purchase with much fanfare, officials envisioned campgrounds, restored forests, canoe and kayak access, cross country skiing, fishing, wildlife habitat and picnic areas. And the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says it is actively “reviewing and charting” the property.
Yet so far, the whole thing remains off limits.
“After the state acquired the property, it has been curiously quiet about what the plans are,” one conservationist told us.
The Wildcat Rapids on the Vermilion River. | Patrick Frisbie/for the Sun-Times 1 of 5 2 of 5 Matthiessen State Park | Dale Bowman/Sun-Times 3 of 5 A winter scene at Starved Rock State Park’s Wildcat Canyon. | Sun-Times Library 4 of 5 French Canyon at Starved Rock State Park. | Illinois Department of Natural Resources 5 of 5
We get that at a time when the state has big budget problems, it might not be able to open up the 2,600 acres all at once. As the DNR points out, access points for rescue personnel and staff are needed. Signs and guard rails must be installed. Trails must be inspected and perhaps upgraded. Debris must be removed.
But the land can be accessed from existing parking lots, which generally are a major expense for opening public parkland. Existing restrooms also are conveniently situated.
“After the state acquired the property, it has been curiously quiet about what the plans are.”
This should make it easier for the state to undertake a “soft opening,” in which visitors would be invited to use those areas that are the safest and most accessible. Other parts of the new parkland that are more remote, require extra safety investment or are in need of major construction, such as campgrounds, could be opened later.
Because the existing parking lots sometimes fill up even now, the combined parks wouldn’t necessarily be able to accommodate many more visitors at the busiest times. But those who do come could really spread out.
The peak of this year’s outdoors season is coming to a close, but expanding the acreage open to the public could be considered by the Legislature when crafting next year’s state budget.
Starved Rock and Matthiessen were temporarily closed for cleanup after heavy storms on Aug. 10. And now, we’re hearing suggestions that, even after the cleanup, some trails need to be closed to allow them to recover from overuse.
That would make it all the harder for people who are eager to a break loose from home confinement during the pandemic to get out and enjoy, safely, the best of nature that Illinois has to offer.
Why not open up more scenic land instead?
Even though it is not open to the public, a bridge over the Vermilion River is a popular hiking destination on land the state owns near Starved Rock State Park that could be used to expand the park area. Patrick Frisbie/Sun-Times
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--With late start to fall term, some local universities learn from others’ COVID mistakes

For a small subset of local universities with later fall start dates than many schools around the country , waiting to mid- to late-September has had an added benefit this year .
The ever-changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic has rendered every additional day critical to adapting their fall plans , and allowed them to learn from the experience of universities that started last month , according to these schools .
“ We always said we were going to follow developments up until the day we started , ” said Luke Figora , senior associate vice president and chief risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We saw a number of different things , developments at colleges and universities across the country having some challenges.
” Northwestern , DePaul University and the University of Chicago all follow academic quarters , with start dates ranging from Sept. 9 at DePaul to Sept. 29 at UChicago .
These later start dates have allowed schools to glean lessons from other universities in Chicago and across the nation , drawing insight from their COVID-19 responses and adjusting accordingly .
On Aug. 28 , just shy of three weeks before Northwestern ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ university announced it was recommending all freshmen and sophomores not return to campus to greatly lower the number of students in residence halls and school buildings .
Figora told the Sun-Times that university officials made the decision a day earlier , conclusing that the move was necessary in light of “ headlines of thousands of kids in quarantine ” at other schools , as well as a rising number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois and suburban Cook County .
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , more than 700 people tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 95 % of those cases among students .
The state ’ s flagship school , with a twice-weekly mandatory testing plan , had been a model for higher education institutions across the country .
Northwestern originally provided students the choice of whether they felt comfortable returning to campus , Figora said , but not enough students opted for staying home to sufficiently reduce the density of students on campus .
“ As we saw numbers start to true up , it didn ’ t create as much de-densification in the undergraduate population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became more clear to us that having fewer students on campus would be helpful to navigate this storm.
” UChicago Provost Ka Yee C. Lee also noted that officials were drawing lesson from other schools in an Aug. 26 announcement laying out testing , contact tracing and isolation frameworks for the fall .
“ We will continue to assess the pandemic as it evolves to determine whether we need to change course , ” Lee said in the announcement .
“ We are also closely monitoring the experiences of other universities — their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to campus.
” DePaul senior Alyssa Isberto visited campus for work Tuesday on the eve of the first day of classes .
With all her classes and extracurriculars online , Isberto ’ s job is the only thing bringing her to campus .
The 21-year-old typically commutes to campus from Skokie , she said .
Campus was “ completely dead ” Tuesday , Isberto said , with communal couches replaced by single seats and sparse numbers of students walking around .
“ It ’ s so different from what I was used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also student body president .
Still , “ I missed it , I ’ m not going to lie.
” Isberto has served on the student engagement committee of the Restarting Campus Operations Task Force this summer .
Even starting a couple weeks later than other universities has allowed DePaul to evaluate what is — and isn ’ t — working at other schools , Isberto said .
The school has doubled down on a campus pledge encouraging students not to host or attend parties , Isberto said , referencing a spike in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dame following an off-campus party .
“ We all have friends from other schools — Loyola UIC , Northwestern , ” Isberto said .
“ When we talk to one another and other students , seeing how their university is doing with their COVID-19 response , when we like a certain idea , we see if it can get implemented at DePaul .
”

For a small subset of local universities with later fall start dates than many schools around the country, waiting to mid- to late-September has had an added benefit this year.
The ever-changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic has rendered every additional day critical to adapting their fall plans, and allowed them to learn from the experience of universities that started last month, according to these schools.
“We always said we were going to follow developments up until the day we started,” said Luke Figora, senior associate vice president and chief risk and compliance officer at Northwestern University. “We saw a number of different things, developments at colleges and universities across the country having some challenges.”
Northwestern, DePaul University and the University of Chicago all follow academic quarters, with start dates ranging from Sept. 9 at DePaul to Sept. 29 at UChicago. These later start dates have allowed schools to glean lessons from other universities in Chicago and across the nation, drawing insight from their COVID-19 responses and adjusting accordingly.
On Aug. 28, just shy of three weeks before Northwestern’s start of classes Sept. 16, the university announced it was recommending all freshmen and sophomores not return to campus to greatly lower the number of students in residence halls and school buildings.
Figora told the Sun-Times that university officials made the decision a day earlier, conclusing that the move was necessary in light of “headlines of thousands of kids in quarantine” at other schools, as well as a rising number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois and suburban Cook County.
At the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, more than 700 people tested positive between Aug. 24 and Sept. 2, with 95% of those cases among students. The state’s flagship school, with a twice-weekly mandatory testing plan, had been a model for higher education institutions across the country.
Northwestern originally provided students the choice of whether they felt comfortable returning to campus, Figora said, but not enough students opted for staying home to sufficiently reduce the density of students on campus.
“As we saw numbers start to true up, it didn’t create as much de-densification in the undergraduate population,” Figora said. “It became more clear to us that having fewer students on campus would be helpful to navigate this storm.”
UChicago Provost Ka Yee C. Lee also noted that officials were drawing lesson from other schools in an Aug. 26 announcement laying out testing, contact tracing and isolation frameworks for the fall.
“We will continue to assess the pandemic as it evolves to determine whether we need to change course,” Lee said in the announcement. “We are also closely monitoring the experiences of other universities — their challenges as well as successes in returning to campus.”
‘Completely dead’
DePaul senior Alyssa Isberto visited campus for work Tuesday on the eve of the first day of classes. With all her classes and extracurriculars online, Isberto’s job is the only thing bringing her to campus. The 21-year-old typically commutes to campus from Skokie, she said.
Campus was “completely dead” Tuesday, Isberto said, with communal couches replaced by single seats and sparse numbers of students walking around.
“It’s so different from what I was used to,” said Isberto, who is also student body president. Still, “I missed it, I’m not going to lie.”
Isberto has served on the student engagement committee of the Restarting Campus Operations Task Force this summer. Even starting a couple weeks later than other universities has allowed DePaul to evaluate what is — and isn’t — working at other schools, Isberto said.
The school has doubled down on a campus pledge encouraging students not to host or attend parties, Isberto said, referencing a spike in coronavirus cases at the University of Notre Dame following an off-campus party.
“We all have friends from other schools — Loyola UIC, Northwestern,” Isberto said. “When we talk to one another and other students, seeing how their university is doing with their COVID-19 response, when we like a certain idea, we see if it can get implemented at DePaul.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--Facing federal tax charge, state Sen. Terry Link resigns

Ending a 24-year legislative career , state Sen Terry Link , D-Vernon Hills , has resigned nearly a month after being hit with a federal tax charge .
Link ’ s resignation goes into effect at 9 a.m. Saturday .
In August , Link was charged in federal court with filing a false income tax return for the year 2016 , claiming his income was $ 264,450 even though he knew his total income “ substantially exceeded that amount.
” Link could not be reached for comment Friday .
State Senate President Don Harmon issued a terse statement , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and working with a new senator from Lake County .
We ’ ve got a lot of work to do for the people of Illinois.
” The case against Link , 73 , is just one piece of a winding federal corruption probe into city and state politicians that appears to have been rekindled following a stretch of quiet after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic .
In July , prosecutors charged ComEd with bribery in a case that implicated House Speaker Michael Madigan , who has not been criminally charged and denies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also charged in a bribery case involving the politically connected red-light camera company SafeSpeed .
Presta pleaded not guilty .
There ’ s also speculation that Link was involved in the downfall of a fellow state lawmaker , former Rep. Luis Arroyo .
He has denied being the unnamed senator who turned on Arroyo and wore a wire for the feds after a source confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that Link was the same senator who had been caught submitting false income tax returns to the IRS , expected to be charged for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ d earn him some leniency at sentencing .
The feds ’ investigations have also led to charges against former state Sen. Martin Sandoval , and Sen. Thomas Cullerton , who remains in office .
Both are Democrats .
First elected to the state Senate in 1996 , Link is a longtime advocate of gambling expansion , finally securing a Waukegan casino with the sweeping law signed by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker last year .
Link was the head of the Lake County Democratic Party from 1992 until stepping down last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ex-President Barack Obama , dating back to the days when the two served together in the state Senate .
Obama even mentioned Link in his 2016 speech to the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield .
Though Link ran for mayor of Waukegan in 2013 , he finished last in a three-way Democratic primary .
Link is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday .

Ending a 24-year legislative career, state Sen Terry Link offered his resignation on Friday, nearly a month after being hit with a federal tax charge.
The Vernon Hills Democrat’s resignation goes into effect at 9 a.m. Saturday.
In August, Link was charged in federal court with filing a false income tax return for the year 2016, claiming his income was $264,450 even though he knew his total income “substantially exceeded that amount.”
Link could not be reached for comment Friday.
State Senate President Don Harmon issued a terse statement, saying only “I look forward to welcoming and working with a new senator from Lake County. We’ve got a lot of work to do for the people of Illinois.”
The case against Link, 73, is just one piece of a winding federal corruption probe into city and state politicians that appears to have been rekindled following a quiet stretch after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
In July, prosecutors charged ComEd with bribery in a case that implicated House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has not been criminally charged and denies wrongdoing.
Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta was also charged in a bribery caseinvolving the politically connected red-light camera company SafeSpeed. Presta pleaded not guilty.
There’s also speculation that Link was involved in the downfall of a fellow state lawmaker, former Rep. Luis Arroyo.
Link has denied being the unnamed senator who turned on Arroyo and wore a wire for the feds after a source confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that Link was the same senator who had been caught submitting false income tax returns to the IRS, expected to be charged for it, and cooperated because he hoped it’d earn him some leniency at sentencing.
The feds’ investigations have also led to charges against former state Sen. Martin Sandoval, and Sen. Thomas Cullerton, who remains in office. Both are Democrats.
First elected to the state Senate in 1996, Link is a longtime advocate of gambling expansion, finally securing a Waukegan casino with the sweeping law signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last year.
Link was the head of the Lake County Democratic Party from 1992 until stepping down last month. He is a former poker buddy of ex-President Barack Obama, dating back to the days when the two served together in the state Senate.
Obama even mentioned Link in his 2016 speech to the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield. Though Link ran for mayor of Waukegan in 2013, he finished last in a three-way Democratic primary.
Link is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--Plumbers union proposes offices, parking for Near West Side

For years , as development swept through the neighborhood , people who live and work on the Near West Side have wondered what could happen to property owned by Local 130 of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers and Technical Engineers union .
Running along the 1300 blocks of Washington to Randolph streets west of Ada Street , the site includes a training center and auditorium the plumbers use routinely and make available for community events .
But the property is dominated by a surface parking lot , an obvious development candidate in an area transformed by new construction .
Wednesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council a zoning change that would allow construction on the site .
Plans call for a seven-story parking garage for more than 500 cars on Randolph and a six-story office building on Ada .
The union ’ s training center and auditorium would remain .
The filing triggers a series of meetings involving the union and community groups , with residents ’ opinions to be forwarded to Ald .
Walter Burnett Jr. , whose 27th Ward includes the area .
The proposal could be revised , or neighborhood opposition could block it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a zoning category called a planned development would go before the Chicago Plan Commission and the City Council .
Local 130 ’ s zoning application does not indicate it has enlisted any developer or general contractor to assist with the project .
The union ’ s leadership and their zoning attorneys could not be reached for comment Friday .
The Chicago-based OKW Architects produced renderings included in the zoning application .
Carla Agostinelli , executive director of the West Loop Community Organization , said the group ’ s development committee will start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she was pleased the project seeks to address a shortage of parking in an area that has become increasingly congested , at least before COVID-19 .
“ Parking is the golden nugget of the West Loop , ” she said .
“ But at this point , we ’ re uncertain of what the community reaction will be.
” She said it ’ s not known how much of the parking will be available to residents , or at what price .
Agostinelli said if life returns to normal , residents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s an aversion to public transit .
The plumbers , longtime anchors on the Near West Side , have made their parking lot available for festivals and events .
“ They ’ ve been wonderful community partners , ” she said .
The zoning application said Local 130 has owned the property since 1925 .
The proposed office building on Ada would include 205,000 square feet .
It ’ s not known if the plumbers have any commitments for renting space in the building .
Especially in a troubled economy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after tenants are secured .
Reached Friday , Burnett said he wasn ’ t sure if the project can proceed as planned .
He declined to discuss specifics , referring questions to the city ’ s Department of Planning and Development .
A department spokesman declined to comment .

For years, as development swept through the neighborhood, people who live and work on the Near West Side have wondered what could happen to property owned by Local 130 of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers and Technical Engineers union.
Running along the 1300 blocks of Washington to Randolph streets west of Ada Street, the site includes a training center and auditorium the plumbers use routinely and make available for community events. But the property is dominated by a surface parking lot, an obvious development candidate in an area transformed by new construction.
Wednesday, the plumbers union proposed to the City Council a zoning change that would allow construction on the site. Plans call for a seven-story parking garage for more than 500 cars on Randolph and a six-story office building on Ada. The union’s training center and auditorium would remain.
The filing triggers a series of meetings involving the union and community groups, with residents’ opinions to be forwarded to Ald. Walter Burnett Jr., whose 27th Ward includes the area. The proposal could be revised, or neighborhood opposition could block it.
If Burnett supports it, the proposal for a zoning category called a planned development would go before the Chicago Plan Commission and the City Council.
Local 130’s zoning application does not indicate it has enlisted any developer or general contractor to assist with the project. The union’s leadership and their zoning attorneys could not be reached for comment Friday.
The Chicago-based OKW Architects produced renderings included in the zoning application.
Carla Agostinelli, executive director of the West Loop Community Organization, said the group’s development committee will start reviewing the proposal in October. She said she was pleased the project seeks to address a shortage of parking in an area that has become increasingly congested, at least before COVID-19.
“Parking is the golden nugget of the West Loop,” she said. “But at this point, we’re uncertain of what the community reaction will be.” She said it’s not known how much of the parking will be available to residents, or at what price.
Agostinelli said if life returns to normal, residents and employers might use cars more heavily if there’s an aversion to public transit. The plumbers, longtime anchors on the Near West Side, have made their parking lot available for festivals and events.
“They’ve been wonderful community partners,” she said. The zoning application said Local 130 has owned the property since 1925.
The proposed office building on Ada would include 205,000 square feet. It’s not known if the plumbers have any commitments for renting space in the building. Especially in a troubled economy, developers prefer to building office space only after tenants are secured.
Reached Friday, Burnett said he wasn’t sure if the project can proceed as planned. He declined to discuss specifics, referring questions to the city’s Department of Planning and Development. A department spokesman declined to comment.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-12--Blackhawks’ chance to draft top goalie Jaroslav Askarov depends on teams picking before them

Last year , the Blackhawks essentially controlled their NHL draft destiny with the No .
3 pick .
With Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko virtually guaranteed to go first and second , as they eventually did , the Hawks were able to start the domino chain by choosing Kirby Dach out of a number of viable candidates .
This year , the Hawks won ’ t have nearly as much control .
Holding the No .
17 pick in the draft , which will take place Oct. 6-7 — just over three weeks away — the field of options from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose the franchise ’ s newest top prospect will be greatly affected by the many teams picking beforehand .
With a massive crop of solid forward prospects projected to go roughly in the middle of the first round — from Seth Jarvis , Connor Zary , Noel Gunler and Dylan Holloway to Dawson Mercer , Hendrix Lapierre , Rodion Amirov and Jan Mysak , the list goes on and on — the Hawks should regardless be able to land a solid player in their pipeline ’ s area of greatest need .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jaroslav Askarov falls into their lap .
In such a deep and largely positionally homogenous draft class , Askarov is a wild card .
He ’ s a goalie , which are rarely chosen in the first round due their unpredictable , years-long development curves prior to becoming NHL-ready .
He catches with his right hand , a rare preference used by only six NHL goalies this season ( only one , Colorado ’ s Pavel Francouz , was a regular ) .
He ’ s Russian and currently playing in the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where many NHL-drafted players spend their entire careers without ever coming to North America .
But he ’ s also been lauded by many as a potential cornerstone goalie , in the same vein as Montreal ’ s Carey Price ( drafted fifth in 2005 ) and Tampa Bay ’ s Andrei Vasilevskiy ( 19th in 2012 ) .
“ He is such a monster in the crease , as good as any goalie I ’ ve seen at his age going post to post , ” Chris Peters wrote in ESPN ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seventh .
“ Askarov has the chance to be the best goalie of his generation , ” wrote Ryan Kennedy in The Hockey News ’ final draft rankings , putting him 10th .
The Askarov hype was actually even higher before a mediocre showing in the IIHF World Junior Championship last winter , when he recorded an .877 save percentage in five games .
Yet his numbers in other competitions have been stellar , including a .920 save percentage in 18 games for his usual club team , SKA-Neva St. Petersburg , last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six games in the 2018-19 U-18 World Junior Championship .
Plus , the 2020-21 Russian hockey season is already underway , so he ’ ll be adding to his statistical sample size soon .
For the Hawks , landing an 18-year-old goalie with a ceiling as high as Askarov would be a monumental addition .
Rockford IceHogs goalies Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen , while talented and decently likely to make it to the NHL in the near future , are not exactly young at 26 and 25 years old , respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only goalies in the pipeline .
2019 sixth-round pick Dominic Basse is years away from relevance , and the Hawks opted not to sign promising 2018 sixth-rounder Alexis Gravel to a pro contract this summer .
2016 third-rounder Wouter Peeters didn ’ t pan out , nor did 2010 second-rounder Kent Simpson .
In fact , the Hawks haven ’ t drafted a goalie who has eventually made it to the NHL since , of course , Corey Crawford in 2003 .
Unless general manager Stan Bowman trades up higher in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Askarov will be gobbled up before the Hawks come up to the podium — er , Zoom screen — at 17th .
The good news is that the Sabres ( picking eighth ) , Panthers ( 12th ) and Canadiens ( 16th ) each already own elite goalie prospects , and the Hurricanes ( 13th ) and Oilers ( 14th ) have also spent a lot of draft capital on goalies recently .
Those teams may not be especially inclined to gamble on Askarov .
The bad news is that Wild ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Predators ( 11th ) and Maple Leafs ( 15th ) have not yet invested in a clear goalie of the future , and will likely be quite intrigued by Askarov .
So it ’ s possible he could fall to the Hawks , but it ’ s not a good bet .
Until he ’ s officially off the board , though , Askarov is a near-certain bet to be the most discussed prospect outside of the top few .
The Russian netminder stands out like a blue jay in a flock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but certainly different — and his fate come Oct. 6 might well set the trend for the rest of the night .

Last year, the Blackhawks essentially controlled their NHL draft destiny with the No. 3 pick.
With Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko virtually guaranteed to go first and second, as they eventually did, the Hawks were able to start the domino chain by choosing Kirby Dach out of a number of viable candidates.
This year, the Hawks won’t have nearly as much control.
Holding the No. 17 pick in the draft, which will take place Oct. 6-7 — just over three weeks away — the field of options from which Hawks scouting director Mark Kelley will choose the franchise’s newest top prospect will be greatly affected by the many teams picking beforehand.
With a massive crop of solid forward prospects projected to go roughly in the middle of the first round — from Seth Jarvis, Connor Zary, Noel Gunler and Dylan Holloway to Dawson Mercer, Hendrix Lapierre, Rodion Amirov and Jan Mysak, the list goes on and on — the Hawks should regardless be able to land a solid player in their pipeline’s area of greatest need.
That is, unless consensus top goaltending prospect Yaroslav Askarov falls into their lap.
In such a deep and largely positionally homogenous draft class, Askarov is a wild card. He’s a goalie, which are rarely chosen in the first round due their unpredictable, years-long development curves prior to becoming NHL-ready.
He catches with his right hand, a rare preference used by only six NHL goalies this season (only one, Colorado’s Pavel Francouz, was a regular).
He’s Russian and currently playing in the second division beneath the Kontinental Hockey League, where many NHL-drafted players spend their entire careers without ever coming to North America.
But he’s also been lauded by many as a potential cornerstone goalie, in the same vein as Montreal’s Carey Price (drafted fifth in 2005) and Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy (19th in 2012).
“He is such a monster in the crease, as good as any goalie I’ve seen at his age going post to post,” Chris Peters wrote in ESPN’s final draft rankings, putting him seventh.
“Askarov has the chance to be the best goalie of his generation,” wrote Ryan Kennedy in The Hockey News’ final draft rankings, putting him 10th.
The Askarov hype was actually even higher before a mediocre showing in the IIHF World Junior Championship last winter, when he recorded an .877 save percentage in five games.
Yet his numbers in other competitions have been stellar, including a .920 save percentage in 18 games for his usual club team, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg, last season and a .916 save percentage in six games in the 2018-19 U-18 World Junior Championship. Plus, the 2020-21 Russian hockey season is already underway, so he’ll be adding to his statistical sample size soon.
For the Hawks, landing an 18-year-old goalie with a ceiling as high as Askarov would be a monumental addition.
Rockford IceHogs goalies Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen, while talented and decently likely to make it to the NHL in the near future, are not exactly young at 26 and 25 years old, respectively.
And those two guys are basically the only goalies in the pipeline. 2019 sixth-round pick Dominic Basse is years away from relevance, and the Hawks opted not to sign promising 2018 sixth-rounder Alexis Gravel to a pro contract this summer. 2016 third-rounder Wouter Peeters didn’t pan out, nor did 2010 second-rounder Kent Simpson.
In fact, the Hawks haven’t drafted a goalie who has eventually made it to the NHL since, of course, Corey Crawford in 2003.
Unless general manager Stan Bowman trades up higher in the first round, though, the odds are that Askarov will be gobbled up before the Hawks come up to the podium — er, Zoom screen — at 17th.
The good news is that the Sabres (picking eighth), Panthers (12th) and Canadiens (16th) each already own elite goalie prospects, and the Hurricanes (13th) and Oilers (14th) have also spent a lot of draft capital on goalies recently. Those teams may not be especially inclined to gamble on Askarov.
The bad news is that Wild (9th), Jets (10th), Predators (11th) and Maple Leafs (15th) have not yet invested in a clear goalie of the future, and will likely be quite intrigued by Askarov.
So it’s possible he could fall to the Hawks, but it’s not a good bet.
Until he’s officially off the board, though, Askarov is a near-certain bet to be the most discussed prospect outside of the top few.
The Russian netminder stands out like a blue jay in a flock of cardinals — not necessarily better, but certainly different — and his fate come Oct. 6 might well set the trend for the rest of the night.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-12--Dear Abby: My plans with friend are spoiled when she’s handed her grandkids without warning

DEAR ABBY : I have a serious issue with my best girlfriend .
We make plans together , adult plans , and then at the last minute , her kids drop the young grandkids off for her to babysit , curtailing any plans we have together .
The past few times , we have changed our plans to a “ kids ” activity .
I have an extremely busy client load , and I ’ m losing income by accommodating my friend ’ s time constraints , which revolve around making her husband ’ s lunch and dinner .
Although @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am a widow ) , I do understand why she has her priorities .
If her grandkids are there when we have plans , she asks me to pick them up fast food on the way over — on my dime .
I have kids and grandkids myself , and they are important to me .
I ’ m tired of being held hostage by her adult children who I feel are using her and taking advantage of the “ drop-in day care ” with Nana .
How can I talk to her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
I have intentionally NOT made plans with my grandkids if she and I have plans , and I would love some reciprocity .
— THROWN UNDER THE BUS DEAR THROWN : If this happened occasionally , I would advise you to cut your friend some slack .
However , because this happens often , tell her your dates with her are carefully scheduled , and when she changes them at the last minute , it has a negative impact on you economically .
Point out that when you make dates with her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have to arrange for another babysitter unless it is an emergency .
And , if the last-minute changes continue , see her less often and arrange to socialize with other friends who appreciate your situation .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m about to be 22 .
I have been talking to a man around my age for almost six months now .
He tells me how special I am and how much I mean to him , but says he isn ’ t ready for a relationship .
We go on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people .
He says putting a “ title ” on us will give him accountability he doesn ’ t want .
He claims to be over his ex , but he often mentions her .
I know he was still conversing with her when we first started talking , but he lied about it .
I ’ m not rushing a relationship because I know it takes time to get to know someone , but I want to know if he can see a future with me , and that is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have attachment issues and don ’ t want to let him go , but I can ’ t help but feel as if I am not good enough for him ( which he says is not the case ) .
Should I move on or wait and see what the future holds ?
— IMPATIENT IN ILLINOIS DEAR IMPATIENT : Stop allowing your insecurity issues to affect your common sense .
You are both young , and your relationship has been going on for only six months .
He has been honest by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a relationship or the titles that go with one .
He may not answer your questions about a future because he doesn ’ t know the answer , so stop pushing him .
He may be more focused on work at this point than romance , and frankly , so should you be .
If nothing has changed in another six months , consider dating others then .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 . )

DEAR ABBY: I have a serious issue with my best girlfriend. We make plans together, adult plans, and then at the last minute, her kids drop the young grandkids off for her to babysit, curtailing any plans we have together. The past few times, we have changed our plans to a “kids” activity.
I have an extremely busy client load, and I’m losing income by accommodating my friend’s time constraints, which revolve around making her husband’s lunch and dinner. Although I’m single now (I am a widow), I do understand why she has her priorities. If her grandkids are there when we have plans, she asks me to pick them up fast food on the way over — on my dime.
I have kids and grandkids myself, and they are important to me. I’m tired of being held hostage by her adult children who I feel are using her and taking advantage of the “drop-in day care” with Nana. How can I talk to her about our time being important, too? I have intentionally NOT made plans with my grandkids if she and I have plans, and I would love some reciprocity. — THROWN UNDER THE BUS
DEAR THROWN: If this happened occasionally, I would advise you to cut your friend some slack. However, because this happens often, tell her your dates with her are carefully scheduled, and when she changes them at the last minute, it has a negative impact on you economically. Point out that when you make dates with her, you let your children know they will have to arrange for another babysitter unless it is an emergency. And, if the last-minute changes continue, see her less often and arrange to socialize with other friends who appreciate your situation.
DEAR ABBY: I’m about to be 22. I have been talking to a man around my age for almost six months now. He tells me how special I am and how much I mean to him, but says he isn’t ready for a relationship. We go on dates and do not have relations with other people. He says putting a “title” on us will give him accountability he doesn’t want.
He claims to be over his ex, but he often mentions her. I know he was still conversing with her when we first started talking, but he lied about it. I’m not rushing a relationship because I know it takes time to get to know someone, but I want to know if he can see a future with me, and that is a question he will not answer.
I have attachment issues and don’t want to let him go, but I can’t help but feel as if I am not good enough for him (which he says is not the case). Should I move on or wait and see what the future holds? — IMPATIENT IN ILLINOIS
DEAR IMPATIENT: Stop allowing your insecurity issues to affect your common sense. You are both young, and your relationship has been going on for only six months.
He has been honest by admitting he isn’t ready for a relationship or the titles that go with one. He may not answer your questions about a future because he doesn’t know the answer, so stop pushing him. He may be more focused on work at this point than romance, and frankly, so should you be. If nothing has changed in another six months, consider dating others then.
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--2020-09-12--Man found fatally shot in River West

Man found fatally shot in River West

A man was killed in a shooting Saturday in River West .
Officers responding to reports of shots fired found @ @ @ @ @ ground with a gunshot wound to his back about 3:20 a.m. in the 700 block @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago police .
He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital , where he @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not released details about @ @ @ @ @ is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and @ @ @ @ @ homicides .

A man was killed in a shooting Saturday in River West.
Officers responding to reports of shots fired found him on the ground with a gunshot wound to his back about 3:20 a.m. in the 700 block of North Morgan Street, according to Chicago police.
He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as 34-year-old Patrick L. Clinton, of Austin.
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-12--Bears need Khalil Mack — and his new ‘mindset’ — to shine again

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was supposed to talk after practice Friday .
The news conference was postponed , then eventually canceled , leaving his interview total for the 2020 calendar year to one 12-minute session in mid-August .
On Zoom .
While riding a Peloton bike .
It ’ s clear he likes it this way .
Since he arrived in Chicago — and even during his four years with the Raiders — Mack has been more interested in working than talking .
And even less interested in talking about his work .
This year , though , his preference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For the Bears to be the team they want to be , Mack must be the star they traded for .
Last year , he wasn ’ t .
It drives him .
“ Only thing that ’ s different is my mindset , ” he said last month .
“ I don ’ t really know what to call it .
“ I don ’ t talk about it much .
I ’ d rather let my play do the talking for me.
” By his high standards , last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the NFL ’ s highest-paid defensive player , Mack had 8½ sacks , eight tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits — his lowest totals since his rookie year in 2014 .
† In 2018 , Mack had a sack on 1.6 % of the snaps he played .
Last year : 0.9 % .
† In Mack ’ s first 12 games as a Bear , he had 12½ sacks .
In the 19 since — 18 regular-season games and the playoff loss to the Eagles — he has 8½ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was injured last year — “ Playing this game , you deal with all types of stuff , ” he said — and defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano confirmed as much Thursday when asked why he was primed for a better season than in 2019 .
“ He feels great , he looks great , ” Pagano said .
“ He ’ s moving around really well .
I think just the health part of it and him being 100 % right now , and then , you know , just eager to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , if you will .
‘ ‘ He ’ s got a chip on his shoulder , and I know he ’ s really excited to go.
” Mack was officially limited in practice with a knee problem this week and is questionable for the game Sunday .
But the Bears seem confident he ’ ll play — and that he ’ ll be better off than he was for most of last season .
He wasn ’ t the only one hurt last year .
Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined to miss 22 games with serious injuries .
So why were Mack ’ s stats down last year ?
“ It ’ s complicated to answer because I think the injuries we had on defense really affected him , ” general manager Ryan Pace said .
“ I think when Akiem is injured and Roquan ’ s injured or Trevathan and different things we ’ re going though with our defensive line , I think it affects Khalil , you know ?
“ And the attention , he ’ s always going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But even more when that happens.
” Pace made two bold moves on St. Patrick ’ s Day to try to divert that attention away from Mack .
First , he admitted defeat and cut his own 2016 first-round pick , outside linebacker Leonard Floyd , who had only seven sacks in the two years he lined up opposite Mack .
He then agreed to give veteran Robert Quinn a five-year , $ 70 million contract .
Quinn immediately became the best pass rusher Mack has ever played alongside .
Quinn has averaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mack has never had a teammate post more than eight in a season — and Bruce Irvin did that once , in 2017 , with the Raiders .
Quinn ’ s impact for this season is already hazy , though — he didn ’ t practice all week because of an ankle injury and is doubtful for the Lions game .
He was brought along slowly during training camp in the wake of what the Bears called a personal issue .
“ I don ’ t really see a ceiling for this group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Whatever we want , that ’ s what we ’ re going to get .
That ’ s what we ’ re working toward right now , getting caught up after being behind all these months .
And it doesn ’ t seem like there ’ s been any drop-off .
“ We picked it right back up , and from here on out , it ’ s just going to be about going out and having fun and not really setting expectations .
And that ’ s the group we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not really setting any expectations.
” Those expectations , though , are real .
He feels them .
“ I can ’ t speak enough about the offseason that he ’ s had , the way he ’ s approached this training camp , the shape he ’ s in right now , ” Pace said .
Mack didn ’ t spend the Bears ’ offseason staring into his laptop from an office chair .
He participated in Zoom meetings while lifting weights or doing cardio .
“ Every meeting we had , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he was working out , ” outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said .
“ I have to make the assumption that every time everybody spoke with him — it was over FaceTime — he was continuously working out.
” Even during his one interview .
“ That ’ s how he is all the time , ” Pace said .
“ It ’ s constantly what can make him a better football player .
So when he ’ s not [ at Halas Hall ] , he ’ s investing in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s private chefs , massage therapists and additional workouts.
” That ethic continued once players reported to Halas Hall for training camp .
“ You know , ” rookie outside linebacker Trevis Gipson said with amazement , “ he stays after his weightlifting times to lift weights even more.
” After rookie offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons had his welcome-to-the-NFL moment when trying to block Mack in practice , coach Matt Nagy checked on him in the cafeteria .
In a country drawl , Simmons told Nagy how difficult it was to block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said , “ it ’ s going to make me better.
” When the Bears traded for Mack two years ago , Nagy was immediately impressed by how his intensity spread through the team .
That holds true today .
Nagy pointed to a camp drill last month in which Mack , seeing that Monachino was busy , put a blocking pad on his arm and taught his teammates the finer points of a pass-rush move .
“ That ’ s just who he is , ” Nagy said .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love that about him.
” Pace quoted a phrase the Bears put on their team T-shirts in 2018 : “ Obsessed to be the best.
” “ That ’ s him to a T , ’ ’ he said , “ and it affects our whole team.
” Just think what Mack can do on Sundays with , to use his words , a new “ mindset.
” His brother Ledarius , who spent training camp with the Bears , trained with Khalil for four months at his Glencoe home .
He sensed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mack won ’ t say it outright .
“ All I see in his eyes , ” Ledarius Mack said , “ is he wants to win .
”

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack was supposed to talk after practice Friday. The news conference was postponed, then eventually canceled, leaving his interview total for the 2020 calendar year to one 12-minute session in mid-August. On Zoom. While riding a Peloton bike.
It’s clear he likes it this way. Since he arrived in Chicago — and even during his four years with the Raiders — Mack has been more interested in working than talking. And even less interested in talking about his work.
This year, though, his preference for silence can be interpreted as symbolic.
For the Bears to be the team they want to be, Mack must be the star they traded for. Last year, he wasn’t. It drives him.
“Only thing that’s different is my mindset,” he said last month. “I don’t really know what to call it.
“I don’t talk about it much. I’d rather let my play do the talking for me.”
By his high standards, last year’s stats were alarming:
† As the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player, Mack had 8½ sacks, eight tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits — his lowest totals since his rookie year in 2014.
† In 2018, Mack had a sack on 1.6% of the snaps he played. Last year: 0.9%.
† In Mack’s first 12 games as a Bear, he had 12½ sacks. In the 19 since — 18 regular-season games and the playoff loss to the Eagles — he has 8½.
Mack wouldn’t deny rumblings that he was injured last year — “Playing this game, you deal with all types of stuff,” he said — and defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano confirmed as much Thursday when asked why he was primed for a better season than in 2019.
“He feels great, he looks great,” Pagano said. “He’s moving around really well. I think just the health part of it and him being 100% right now, and then, you know, just eager to get out there and make amends for last year, if you will.
‘‘He’s got a chip on his shoulder, and I know he’s really excited to go.”
Mack was officially limited in practice with a knee problem this week and is questionable for the game Sunday. But the Bears seem confident he’ll play — and that he’ll be better off than he was for most of last season.
He wasn’t the only one hurt last year. Defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and inside linebackers Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan combined to miss 22 games with serious injuries.
So why were Mack’s stats down last year?
“It’s complicated to answer because I think the injuries we had on defense really affected him,” general manager Ryan Pace said. “I think when Akiem is injured and Roquan’s injured or Trevathan and different things we’re going though with our defensive line, I think it affects Khalil, you know?
“And the attention, he’s always going to have a lot of attention. But even more when that happens.”
Pace made two bold moves on St. Patrick’s Day to try to divert that attention away from Mack. First, he admitted defeat and cut his own 2016 first-round pick, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who had only seven sacks in the two years he lined up opposite Mack. He then agreed to give veteran Robert Quinn a five-year, $70 million contract.
Quinn immediately became the best pass rusher Mack has ever played alongside. Quinn has averaged 8.94 sacks in his nine-year career. Mack has never had a teammate post more than eight in a season — and Bruce Irvin did that once, in 2017, with the Raiders. Quinn’s impact for this season is already hazy, though — he didn’t practice all week because of an ankle injury and is doubtful for the Lions game. He was brought along slowly during training camp in the wake of what the Bears called a personal issue.
“I don’t really see a ceiling for this group,” Mack said last month. “Whatever we want, that’s what we’re going to get. That’s what we’re working toward right now, getting caught up after being behind all these months. And it doesn’t seem like there’s been any drop-off.
“We picked it right back up, and from here on out, it’s just going to be about going out and having fun and not really setting expectations. And that’s the group we were in 2018, not really knowing and not really setting any expectations.”
Those expectations, though, are real. He feels them.
“I can’t speak enough about the offseason that he’s had, the way he’s approached this training camp, the shape he’s in right now,” Pace said.
Mack didn’t spend the Bears’ offseason staring into his laptop from an office chair. He participated in Zoom meetings while lifting weights or doing cardio.
“Every meeting we had, he was in his weight room, and he was working out,” outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino said. “I have to make the assumption that every time everybody spoke with him — it was over FaceTime — he was continuously working out.”
Even during his one interview.
“That’s how he is all the time,” Pace said. “It’s constantly what can make him a better football player. So when he’s not [at Halas Hall], he’s investing in his body — you know, whether it’s private chefs, massage therapists and additional workouts.”
That ethic continued once players reported to Halas Hall for training camp.
“You know,” rookie outside linebacker Trevis Gipson said with amazement, “he stays after his weightlifting times to lift weights even more.”
After rookie offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons had his welcome-to-the-NFL moment when trying to block Mack in practice, coach Matt Nagy checked on him in the cafeteria. In a country drawl, Simmons told Nagy how difficult it was to block him.
“But Coach,” he said, “it’s going to make me better.”
When the Bears traded for Mack two years ago, Nagy was immediately impressed by how his intensity spread through the team. That holds true today. Nagy pointed to a camp drill last month in which Mack, seeing that Monachino was busy, put a blocking pad on his arm and taught his teammates the finer points of a pass-rush move.
“That’s just who he is,” Nagy said. “He’s rare. And I just love that about him.”
Pace quoted a phrase the Bears put on their team T-shirts in 2018: “Obsessed to be the best.”
“That’s him to a T,’’ he said, “and it affects our whole team.”
Just think what Mack can do on Sundays with, to use his words, a new “mindset.”
His brother Ledarius, who spent training camp with the Bears, trained with Khalil for four months at his Glencoe home.
He sensed the drive in him, even if Mack won’t say it outright.
“All I see in his eyes,” Ledarius Mack said, “is he wants to win.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-12--Man killed in West Englewood shooting

Man killed in West Englewood shooting

A man was found shot to death Saturday in West Englewood on the South Side .
Officers responding to reports @ @ @ @ @ the 34-year-old unresponsive on the ground shortly after midnight in the 6200 block of South @ @ @ @ @ said .
He had a gunshot wound to the back of his head and was @ @ @ @ @ , according to police .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not @ @ @ @ @ .
The man ’ s body could be seen covered with a sheet in the @ @ @ @ @ A large crowd gathered near the scene , with multiple people yelling for authorities to @ @ @ @ @ street .
Police said no one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man was found shot to death Saturday in West Englewood on the South Side.
Officers responding to reports of a person shot found the 34-year-old unresponsive on the ground shortly after midnight in the 6200 block of South Seeley Avenue, Chicago police said.
He had a gunshot wound to the back of his head and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Walter Leflora, of West Englewood.
The man’s body could be seen covered with a sheet in the street as officers investigated. A large crowd gathered near the scene, with multiple people yelling for authorities to remove his body from the street.
Chicago police investigate after a man was found shot to death Sept. 12, 2020, in West Englewood. Carly Behm/Sun-Times
An autopsy conducted Saturday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
Police said no one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-12--16-inch softball carries on in suburbs as pandemic shuts down park district leagues

In a city that proudly clutches to the staples of its culture , it ’ s going to take more than a global pandemic to cancel a 16-inch softball season .
The slow-pitch , gloveless game is synonymous with Chicago — up there in the cultural pantheon with house music , Malört and arguments over which Harold ’ s is best .
And while the coronavirus forced the Chicago Park District to cancel the majority of their leagues , the top teams play on in nearby suburbs .
“ It ’ s difficult , I ’ m not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game , we ’ re figuring it out little by little , ” said George Bliss , a lifelong softball player who helps run the 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame .
“ If we have to play all the way to November or December when it ’ s snowing , we ’ re going to do it because we have to make up for lost time.
” The softball leagues operating in suburbs like Forest Park , Schaumburg , Cicero and Melrose Park are looking to the state for guidance as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bliss said .
Once Illinois entered Phase 4 of its coronavirus reopening plan , which allows for gatherings of 50 people or fewer , it was game on .
Softball , by nature , is more socially distanced than say , football or basketball .
Aside from plays at the bases , there isn ’ t much reason for players to come in close contact with each other .
Still , Bliss said , the local softball leagues are taking precautions to ensure the players ’ safety .
Dugouts have been fenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catchers and umpires are asked to wear face masks , while other players have been instructed not to shake hands or initiate contact at the bases .
These new rules were largely respected at a mid-August game in Forest Park .
Fist bumps were more commonly exchanged than high-fives , and instead of sitting in the dugouts , players on the hitting team stood in foul territory on the field .
But old habits die hard , and the coronavirus precautions weren ’ t totally bulletproof .
A few players could be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some catchers and umpires took the mask requirement more seriously than others .
So far , though , no players have contracted the virus and the season has gone on relatively smoothly , Bliss said , though a few longtime players and coaches decided to opt out of an abundance of caution .
In the event that someone did get COVID-19 , it would be up to the local league ’ s park district to decide how to move forward .
The players who have decided to power through with their seasons have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There ’ s less people out here , we can ’ t be in the dugout and we have to try and social distance as much as we can , but other than that it ’ s the same game and the same cast of characters , ” said Ralph Lawrence , shortstop for the Flashback .
About halfway through the season , most of the players have grown comfortable with the new normal and aren ’ t overly concerned with the risks associated with playing .
“ At first everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as time goes on you become more comfortable with things and understand what it ’ s about , ” said Jim Moretti , who plays for Lose Ones .
“ I would say if you took a poll of most of the guys , I don ’ t think they ’ re nervous.
” Though the top teams in the Chicago area have pushed forward in the suburban leagues , they ’ ve had to miss out on the usual tournaments that would keep them busy through the summer .
The biggest tournament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nationals on Labor Day weekend , went on in Highland , Indiana , where slightly relaxed coronavirus restrictions accommodated teams from Iowa and California , as well as Indiana and Illinois .
Amid all the changes , though , some things stay the same .
Postgame beers in Forest Park are at McGaffers — just make sure you ’ re on the patio .

In a city that proudly clutches to the staples of its culture, it’s going to take more than a global pandemic to cancel a 16-inch softball season.
The slow-pitch, gloveless game is synonymous with Chicago — up there in the cultural pantheon with house music, Malört and arguments over which Harold’s is best. And while the coronavirus forced the Chicago Park District to cancel the majority of their leagues, the top teams play on in nearby suburbs.
“It’s difficult, I’m not going to lie, but the people who love the game, we’re figuring it out little by little,” said George Bliss, a lifelong softball player who helps run the 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame. “If we have to play all the way to November or December when it’s snowing, we’re going to do it because we have to make up for lost time.”
The softball leagues operating in suburbs like Forest Park, Schaumburg, Cicero and Melrose Park are looking to the state for guidance as to whether it’s safe to play, Bliss said. Once Illinois entered Phase 4 of its coronavirus reopening plan, which allows for gatherings of 50 people or fewer, it was game on.
Softball, by nature, is more socially distanced than say, football or basketball. Aside from plays at the bases, there isn’t much reason for players to come in close contact with each other.
Still, Bliss said, the local softball leagues are taking precautions to ensure the players’ safety. Dugouts have been fenced off to encourage social distancing, and catchers and umpires are asked to wear face masks, while other players have been instructed not to shake hands or initiate contact at the bases.
These new rules were largely respected at a mid-August game in Forest Park. Fist bumps were more commonly exchanged than high-fives, and instead of sitting in the dugouts, players on the hitting team stood in foul territory on the field.
But old habits die hard, and the coronavirus precautions weren’t totally bulletproof. A few players could be seen spitting the occasional sunflower seed, and some catchers and umpires took the mask requirement more seriously than others.
So far, though, no players have contracted the virus and the season has gone on relatively smoothly, Bliss said, though a few longtime players and coaches decided to opt out of an abundance of caution. In the event that someone did get COVID-19, it would be up to the local league’s park district to decide how to move forward.
A Hexx player stands at the plate against the Flashback Sam Kelly/Sun-Times
The players who have decided to power through with their seasons have noticed a few differences from years prior.
“There’s less people out here, we can’t be in the dugout and we have to try and social distance as much as we can, but other than that it’s the same game and the same cast of characters,” said Ralph Lawrence, shortstop for the Flashback.
About halfway through the season, most of the players have grown comfortable with the new normal and aren’t overly concerned with the risks associated with playing.
“At first everyone was a little bit nervous, but as time goes on you become more comfortable with things and understand what it’s about,” said Jim Moretti, who plays for Lose Ones. “I would say if you took a poll of most of the guys, I don’t think they’re nervous.”
Though the top teams in the Chicago area have pushed forward in the suburban leagues, they’ve had to miss out on the usual tournaments that would keep them busy through the summer. The biggest tournament of all, however, the Major Nationals on Labor Day weekend, went on in Highland, Indiana, where slightly relaxed coronavirus restrictions accommodated teams from Iowa and California, as well as Indiana and Illinois.
Amid all the changes, though, some things stay the same. Postgame beers in Forest Park are at McGaffers — just make sure you’re on the patio.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-11--If the Cubs plan to have success in October, they need this Jon Lester

MILWAUKEE — The Cubs need this version of Jon Lester if they plan to have success down the stretch and into October .
The veteran left-hander turned in his best performance in September on Friday against the Brewers .
Coming into Friday ’ s start , Lester had been frustrated as he had not only been hit hard , but struggled to keep the Cubs in games .
He had reached the sixth inning once in his previous five starts .
But something changed as Lester , 36 , didn ’ t just look good in the Cubs ’ 1-0 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Brewers offense .
“ You always feel confident after you — I don ’ t want to say find something new — but you find something that kind of gets you back to normal , ” Lester said .
If his cutter is working effectively , it usually means good things , and his signature pitch came in handy as he used it on both the inside and outside corners and got hitters to chase it off the plate .
But what added to the his dominant performance was the use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking ball and changeup to go along with his cutter and was able to not only change speeds , but keep hitters off balance , leading to more success via the cutter/four-seam fastball .
“ Once he gets the fastball going and the cutter has a little more angle , it seems to lock in .
They go hand in hand , ” manager David Ross said .
“ When he has that fastball to his glove side and a cutter off that , the breaking ball seems to fall into place for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight batters over six scoreless innings , inducing a season-high 16 swings-and-misses , with 12 of the 16 whiffs coming via the cutter and four-seamer .
He allowed just three hits .
After his last outing against the Cardinals , Lester voiced concern about his confidence going forward as his recent results didn ’ t show the pitcher the Cubs needed him to be .
“ It wasn ’ t just the game plan , it was some adjustments needed to be made physically on the mound , ” Lester said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going on .
There was something going on and we really dove into some stuff over the last week .
I feel like we made some adjustments .
“ Obviously , the results were good tonight and , I don ’ t want to say we ’ ve reinvented the wheel or found some magical cure or anything , but the adjustments that we can made in my bullpen , the stuff just translated better and then we continued to work on that leading up to tonight.
” The confidence looked to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runner on third base and two outs .
Lester got Keston Hiura to chase a changeup down and out of the zone for the final out and ending the threat .
Following the strikeout , he let out a loud yell as he walked off the mound .
It was the first quality start for Lester since tossing six innings of one-run ball against Cleveland on Aug. 11 .
“ It seems like this season , I ’ ll get into situations and not pitch out of them .
It was nice to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
“ That was a big out for me in that situation .
”

MILWAUKEE — The Cubs need this version of Jon Lester if they plan to have success down the stretch and into October. The veteran left-hander turned in his best performance in September on Friday against the Brewers.
Coming into Friday’s start, Lester had been frustrated as he had not only been hit hard, but struggled to keep the Cubs in games. He had reached the sixth inning once in his previous five starts.
But something changed as Lester, 36, didn’t just look good in the Cubs’ 1-0 loss, he looked great and stymied the Brewers offense.
“You always feel confident after you — I don’t want to say find something new — but you find something that kind of gets you back to normal,” Lester said.
If his cutter is working effectively, it usually means good things, and his signature pitch came in handy as he used it on both the inside and outside corners and got hitters to chase it off the plate.
But what added to the his dominant performance was the use of secondary pitches. Lester mixed in his breaking ball and changeup to go along with his cutter and was able to not only change speeds, but keep hitters off balance, leading to more success via the cutter/four-seam fastball.
“Once he gets the fastball going and the cutter has a little more angle, it seems to lock in. They go hand in hand,” manager David Ross said. “When he has that fastball to his glove side and a cutter off that, the breaking ball seems to fall into place for him.”
Lester struck out a season-high eight batters over six scoreless innings, inducing a season-high 16 swings-and-misses, with 12 of the 16 whiffs coming via the cutter and four-seamer. He allowed just three hits.
After his last outing against the Cardinals, Lester voiced concern about his confidence going forward as his recent results didn’t show the pitcher the Cubs needed him to be.
“It wasn’t just the game plan, it was some adjustments needed to be made physically on the mound,” Lester said. “Just needed to figure out what was going on. There was something going on and we really dove into some stuff over the last week. I feel like we made some adjustments.
“Obviously, the results were good tonight and, I don’t want to say we’ve reinvented the wheel or found some magical cure or anything, but the adjustments that we can made in my bullpen, the stuff just translated better and then we continued to work on that leading up to tonight.”
The confidence looked to be back in the fifth inning with a runner on third base and two outs. Lester got Keston Hiura to chase a changeup down and out of the zone for the final out and ending the threat. Following the strikeout, he let out a loud yell as he walked off the mound.
It was the first quality start for Lester since tossing six innings of one-run ball against Cleveland on Aug. 11.
“It seems like this season, I’ll get into situations and not pitch out of them. It was nice to pitch out of some jams,” he said. “That was a big out for me in that situation.”