chicagosun-times--2020-12-29--Nearly a third of first CPS staffers scheduled to return to schools asked to work from home or take

Nearly a third of first CPS staffers scheduled to return to schools asked to work from home or take leave — but most rejected

Most of the Chicago Public Schools teachers and staffers who are scheduled to return to classrooms next week for the first time in nine months have tacitly agreed to do so — but almost a third of them requested to work from home or take a leave of absence .
The district ended up rejecting most of those requests , according to CPS data released Tuesday on the 7,002 pre-kindergarten and special education cluster program employees who were told to return to work Jan. 4 following the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic closure .
Two-thirds of those employees — 4,684 of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or accommodations .
Another 2,010 employees applied to stay home or take leave .
The district granted 861 of those requests and rejected 1,149 others , or about 16 % of all returning workers .
An additional 308 requests are pending , according to CPS .
The 7,002 pre-K and cluster employees make up the first wave of returning CPS workers , followed by K-8 teachers Jan. 25 .
Hybrid in-person learning for K-8 students is scheduled to resume Feb. 1 .
CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton noted about 79 % of the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t ask for any accommodations or received them .
All 527 employees who requested leaves of absence due to a personal underlying health condition were granted it .
“ Health and safety are the district ’ s highest priorities , and accommodations for remote work have been granted to all teachers and staff who have documented medical conditions as defined by the CDC , and where possible , accommodations were also granted to staff who live with someone with a high-risk medical condition , or who face child care challenges , ” Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 790 employees who made requests because they reported living with someone who has a serious medical condition — and therefore would be more vulnerable to COVID-19 — only 148 requests were approved , or about 19 % of them , while 642 were rejected .
The district said it ’ s revisiting that number , though , because the initial request process “ did not distinguish between individuals living with medically-vulnerable individuals and those who are caregivers.
” Primary caregivers will be prioritized in a new process .
“ While the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caregiver requests will be granted a remote work accommodation , we expect that we will grant the vast majority of their requests , ” CPS said in a statement .
The district also received 513 requests from employees who reported issues finding childcare accommodations ; just 59 were approved , and 454 were rejected .
The Chicago Teachers Union has pushed back against the district ’ s reopening plan , arguing it puts workers at risk while the pandemic rages on .
In a statement , the union noted many requests are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about returning didn ’ t request accommodations because they knew they were sure to be rejected .
“ So the fact that about 70 % of members asked to return on Jan. 4 did not request a leave is not an indication of confidence in CPS ’ plan .
It ’ s an indication that CPS is forcing them to choose between safety and livelihood , and they can not afford to sacrifice their livelihoods , ” CTU leaders said .
D ’ Andrea Clark ’ s request to work from home because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But days before Christmas , she got another message from CPS stating her request was void , leaving her unsure about what she will do next week .
“ I ’ m hoping that CPS , as well as our mayor , makes the right decision , ” said Clark , who works as a special education classroom assistant at John B. Drake Elementary near Bronzeville .
“ I don ’ t know what I can do.
” Since Monday , Clark has called the district and her union , SEIU Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about why her request that was initially granted was later denied .
In the 60616 Zip code where the school is located , more than 2,400 people have tested positive for the virus and 55 deaths were related to COVID-19 , according to statistics from the city .
She doesn ’ t want to take a leave of absence because she provides for her three children and has to pay her mortgage .
She already spent most of November sick with COVID-19 that required a hospital visit .
Although she has since tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headaches and lingering effects to the left side of her face .
Clark is worried about news of a new strain of the virus .
And working with diverse learners makes it difficult to social distance , because she would have to change diapers for some students and hold the hands of others , she said .
“ I know my babies need help , ” Clark said , referring to the students she works with .
“ They need me to be there one on one , sometimes they just need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I know my babies need it , but it ’ s too much of a risk for my babies , and it ’ s too much of a risk for me.
” Naomi Byrd , a special education classroom assistant at William K. New Sullivan Elementary School in the Bush neighborhood , is still waiting to hear if her request to continue working remotely was approved or denied .
Byrd is the primary caretaker for her mother who is over 80 and has a heart condition , and she is concerned going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at risk .
The school is located in the 60617 Zip code where more than 5,600 residents have tested positive for the virus and 109 deaths were related to COVID-19 , according to statistics from the city .
Byrd said she was told about 16 diverse learning students will return to school , but some will be students she hasn ’ t worked with before .
She is considering taking a leave of absence if her request is denied , but that will also likely mean she will have to recalculate her retirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if I get [ COVID ] , I can give it to her , ” Byrd said , referring to her elderly mother .
“ She has some years left , I don ’ t want to do anything to bring it back.
” Elvia Malagón ’ s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

Most of the Chicago Public Schools teachers and staffers who are scheduled to return to classrooms next week for the first time in nine months have tacitly agreed to do so — but almost a third of them requested to work from home or take a leave of absence.
The district ended up rejecting most of those requests, according to CPS data released Tuesday on the 7,002 pre-kindergarten and special education cluster program employees who were told to return to work Jan. 4 following the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic closure.
Two-thirds of those employees — 4,684 of them — didn’t ask for leave or accommodations.
Another 2,010 employees applied to stay home or take leave. The district granted 861 of those requests and rejected 1,149 others, or about 16% of all returning workers. An additional 308 requests are pending, according to CPS.
The 7,002 pre-K and cluster employees make up the first wave of returning CPS workers, followed by K-8 teachers Jan. 25. Hybrid in-person learning for K-8 students is scheduled to resume Feb. 1.
CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton noted about 79% of the first wave of returning employees either didn’t ask for any accommodations or received them. All 527 employees who requested leaves of absence due to a personal underlying health condition were granted it.
“Health and safety are the district’s highest priorities, and accommodations for remote work have been granted to all teachers and staff who have documented medical conditions as defined by the CDC, and where possible, accommodations were also granted to staff who live with someone with a high-risk medical condition or who face child care challenges,” Bolton said.
District reconsidering requests from caregivers
But of the 790 employees who made requests because they reported living with someone who has a serious medical condition — and therefore would be more vulnerable to COVID-19 — only 148 requests were approved, or about 19% of them, while 642 were rejected.
The district said it’s revisiting that number, though, because the initial request process “did not distinguish between individuals living with medically vulnerable individuals and those who are caregivers.” Primary caregivers will be prioritized in a new process.
“While the district cannot guarantee every one of these caregiver requests will be granted a remote work accommodation, we expect that we will grant the vast majority of their requests,” CPS said in a written statement.
The school system also received 513 requests from employees who reported issues finding childcare accommodations; 59 were approved, and 454 were rejected.
The Chicago Teachers Union has pushed back against the district’s reopening plan, arguing it puts workers at risk while the pandemic rages on.
In a statement, the union noted many requests are still outstanding, while many other teachers concerned about returning didn’t request accommodations because they knew they were sure to be rejected.
“So the fact that about 70% of members asked to return on Jan. 4 did not request a leave is not an indication of confidence in CPS’ plan. It’s an indication that CPS is forcing them to choose between safety and livelihood, and they cannot afford to sacrifice their livelihoods,” CTU leaders said.
Staff waits, worries
D’Andrea Clark’s request to work from home because she has lung disease was originally approved. But days before Christmas, she got another message from CPS stating her request was void, leaving her unsure about what she will do next week.
“I’m hoping that CPS, as well as our mayor, makes the right decision,” said Clark, who works as a special education classroom assistant at John B. Drake Elementary near Bronzeville. “I don’t know what I can do.”
D’Andrea Clark Provided
Since Monday, Clark has called the district and her union, SEIU Local 73, trying to get more information about why her request that was initially granted was later denied.
In the 60616 Zip code where the school is located, more than 2,400 people have tested positive for the virus and 55 deaths were related to COVID-19, according to statistics from the city. She doesn’t want to take a leave of absence because she provides for her three children and has to pay her mortgage.
She already spent most of November sick with COVID-19 that required a hospital visit. Although she has since tested negative, she continues to deal with headaches and lingering effects to the left side of her face.
Clark is worried about news of a new strain of the virus. And working with diverse learners makes it difficult to social distance, because she would have to change diapers for some students and hold the hands of others, she said.
“I know my babies need help,” Clark said, referring to the students she works with. “They need me to be there one on one, sometimes they just need a little hug from me. Believe me, I know my babies need it, but it’s too much of a risk for my babies, and it’s too much of a risk for me.”
Naomi Byrd, a special education classroom assistant at William K. New Sullivan Elementary School in the Bush neighborhood, is still waiting to hear if her request to continue working remotely was approved or denied. Byrd is the primary caretaker for her mother who is over 80 and has a heart condition, and she is concerned going back to school will put her mother at risk.
The school is located in the 60617 Zip code where more than 5,600 residents have tested positive for the virus and 109 deaths were related to COVID-19, according to statistics from the city.
Naomi Byrd Provided
Byrd said she was told about 16 diverse learning students will return to school, but some will be students she hasn’t worked with before. She is considering taking a leave of absence if her request is denied, but that will also likely mean she will have to recalculate her retirement plans.
“My biggest fear is if I get [COVID], I can give it to her,” Byrd said, referring to her elderly mother. “She has some years left, I don’t want to do anything to bring it back.”
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-29--Illinois’ COVID-19 positivity rate creeps up again (LIVE UPDATES)

Illinois ’ positivity rate creeps up as coronavirus kills 106 more residents Illinois ’ COVID-19 testing positivity rate inched upward for a third straight day Tuesday as state public health officials announced the virus has killed 106 additional residents and spread to 5,644 more .
The new cases were confirmed among 66,786 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health , raising the state ’ s average positivity rate over the last week to 7.4 % .
That ’ s increased from 6.8 % over the weekend , but is still down from over 10 % this time last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s health team has warned of a potential increase in cases and positivity due to transmission at holiday gatherings , but it would take a few weeks for that to show up in the data , experts say .
Generally , though , the state ’ s key COVID-19 metrics have gradually improved since Thanksgiving following a record-breaking resurgence .
4:34 p.m. First reported U.S. case of COVID-19 variant found in Colorado DENVER — The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that ’ s been seen in the United Kingdom has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jared Polis announced Tuesday .
The coronavirus variant was found in a man in his 20s who is in isolation southeast of Denver and has no travel history , state health officials said .
The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the virus variant , and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified .
Scientists in the U.K. believe the new virus variant is more contagious than previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2 .
The vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against the variant , Colorado health officials said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are investigating other potential cases and performing contract tracing to determine the spread of the variant throughout the state .
4 p.m. City ’ s top public health official opens first mass vaccination site , gets jab herself The city ’ s top public health official rolled up her sleeve for the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday as she opened Chicago ’ s first mass vaccination site at Malcolm X College .
“ I ’ m wonderful !
” said Dr. Allison Arwady , commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health , moments after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t even feel it .
I ’ m so pleased right now.
” The site is open by appointment only for health care workers who aren ’ t affiliated with a hospital .
Initially , the Malcolm X site is expected to vaccinate “ a few hundred ” people each day , Arwady said .
The vaccinations are free , she said .
Beginning in late February or early spring , older city residents — as well as corrections workers , educators , transit workers , grocery store employees — can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arwady said .
“ Please note that we are working to roll out this vaccine as fast and as safely as we possibly can , ” she said .
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here .
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats ’ push to immediately bring President Donald Trump ’ s demand for bigger $ 2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote , saying the chamber would “ begin a process ” to address the issue .
Pressure is mounting on the Republican-led Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelmingly on Monday to meet the president ’ s demand to increase the checks from $ 600 as the virus crisis worsens .
A growing number of Republicans , including two senators in runoff elections on Jan. 5 in Georgia , have said they will support the larger amount .
But most GOP senators oppose more spending , even if they are also wary of bucking Trump .
The outcome is highly uncertain heading into the rare holiday-week session .
“ There ’ s one question left today : Do Senate Republicans join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2,000 checks ?
” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to vote .
The Chicago Transit Authority plans to offer free disposable face masks on several city bus routes .
The pilot program will place mask dispensers at the front of nearly 200 buses on 20 different routes , the CTA said Tuesday .
Routes with high ridership were chosen for the program , including the # 56 Milwaukee , # 91 Austin and # 77 Belmont buses .
Through the pilot program , the CTA hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand the dispensers to the rest of its 129 bus routes and rail stations .
Riders are required by law to wear face masks on CTA property .
Read the full story from Sophie Sherry here .
12:56 p.m. Nearly a third of CPS staffers scheduled to return to schools next week asked to work from home or take leave — but most rejected Most of the Chicago Public Schools teachers and staffers who are scheduled to return to classrooms next week for the first time in nine months haven ’ t raised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district — but almost a third of them requested to work from home or take a leave of absence .
That ’ s according to data released by the district Tuesday on the 7,002 pre-kindergarten and special education cluster program employees who were asked to return to work Jan. 4 after the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic closure .
Two-thirds of those employees — 4,684 of them — didn ’ t ask for leave or accommodations .
Another 2,010 employees did apply to stay home or take leave .
The district granted 861 of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or about 16 % of all returning workers .
An additional 308 requests are pending , according to CPS .
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here .
Live music venue owners and theaters , shuttered since March due to mandated pandemic shutdowns , are counting on their slice of $ 15 billion in funding allocated in Congress ’ latest COVID-19 relief bill , which was signed into law Sunday night by President Donald Trump .
Venues in Chicago are competing with their counterparts across the country — from Broadway to Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Stages Act funding , which is seen by many in the industry as the light at the end of the tunnel for independently owned clubs , concert halls and theaters .
Without these funds , it ’ s been estimated that nearly 90 % of the country ’ s independent live music venues would close in the near future , leaving the state of music , tours and the industry at large in jeopardy .
“ This has been an unsustainable predicament and position for any business , with no income , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single drink sold for 10 months .
So that ’ s why the relief package is so important and why we are so appreciative and grateful it passed , ” said Joe Shanahan , founder of Metro Chicago on the city ’ s North Side .
The $ 15 billion is intended to provide grants to , according to the legislation , “ eligible live venue operators or promoters , theatrical producers , live performing arts organization operators , museum operators , motion picture theater operators , or talent representatives who demonstrate at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” 10:40 a.m. 2 more Cook County court employees test positive for COVID-19 Two more employees of the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge tested positive for COVID-19 .
One employee works at the adult probation department at the Skokie Courthouse , the chief judge ’ s office announced Tuesday .
The other employee works for the administrative staff at the Markham Courthouse .
Also , a resident of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the total cases at the Near West Side facility to 93 staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pandemic , the office said .
Read the full story from David Struett here .
9:42 a.m. Shedd penguins ’ field trips bring a little joy to the world Like other major cultural institutions in Chicago , the Shedd Aquarium closed to the public more than once during the coronavirus pandemic .
And since people couldn ’ t get inside the Shedd , the Shedd reached out to the people — with some little , waddling ambassadors .
The Shedd ’ s first penguins arrived in 1991 with the opening of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve visited other exhibits in the aquarium .
But the birds ’ first offsite trip came in June , to the Field Museum , which was still closed to the public at the time .
Video of the penguins pacing past Sue the T. Rex was a hit online .
After that , Shedd trainers took the Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins to a few other famous Chicago sites .
They needed the exercise , after all , and the sites were empty , or nearly .
Read the full story from Grace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase COVID checks to $ 2K The House voted overwhelmingly Monday to increase COVID-19 relief checks to $ 2,000 , meeting President Donald Trump ’ s demand for bigger payments and sending the bill to the GOP-controlled Senate , where the outcome is uncertain .
Democrats led passage , 275-134 , their majority favoring additional assistance , but dozens of Republicans joined in approval .
Congress had settled on smaller $ 600 payments in a compromise over the big year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law .
Democrats favored higher payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his GOP allies in a difficult spot .
The vote deeply divided Republicans who mostly resist more spending .
But many House Republicans joined in support , preferring to link with Democrats rather than buck the outgoing president .
Senators were set to return to session Tuesday , forced to consider the measure .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared , “ Republicans have a choice : Vote for this legislation or vote to deny the American people ” the assistance she said they need during the pandemic .
• Illinois reported 105 deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and probable cases of the virus Monday .
The death toll rose to 16,074 since the pandemic began nine months ago .
• With two new cases reported , a total of 230 employees of the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge have tested positive for COVID-19 , out of about 2,600 total staff members .
• As of Saturday night , 4,083 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19 , with 905 of those patients in intensive-care units and 497 on ventilators , officials said .
5:40 p.m. As medical doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools is essential and safe The COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst public health crises of our lifetimes .
Over the past 10 months , healthcare and public health professionals have worked tirelessly to overcome the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 has presented .
The magnitude of cases and deaths COVID-19 has been devastating , and we are still far from the finish line in ending this pandemic .
Another serious consequence of this pandemic is the effect it has had on school age children .
The educational , psychological and financial hardships of remote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and their families , and those children with educational or behavioral challenges have been even more seriously affected .
We can not understate the serious psychological harm that prolonged virtual school has had on many children .
We are seeing an epidemic of serious psychological illness that has reached a crisis point .
Furthermore , lack of daytime structure and lack of access to school amenities such as hot lunches , especially for younger students from disadvantaged communities , has had significant health consequences .
Read the full open letter from 17 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I purposely declutter my social circle ?
Verena Graupmann , associate professor of psychological science at DePaul University , has been researching how social distancing in the United States and Germany affects an individual ’ s self-esteem and their sense of belonging and meaning .
“ Part of this is natural and we are all getting used to the situation .
We want to reach out to the people we know and love , ” Graupmann said .
“ In the beginning , we were all reaching out to our people but many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are on Zoom or phone meetings all day , so it ’ s overwhelming .
I imagine there is a bit of fatigue with virtual calls.
” I can relate .
I ’ ve lost count of my virtual calls over these last nine months .
I cringe at the thought of scheduling a Zoom meeting .
“ Social distancing is forcing us to be selective of who we spend our time with , and it is almost making us more mindful about your life and who you want in it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost like an antidote for social media .
We are usually over-included in people ’ s lives and we know too many people that it ’ s hard to keep track of.
” Read the full column from Manny Ramos here .

The city’s top public health official rolled up her sleeve for the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday as she opened Chicago’s first mass vaccination site at Malcolm X College.
Here’s what else happened today in coronavirus-related news.
News
8:55 p.m. Illinois’ positivity rate creeps up as coronavirus kills 106 more residents
Registered nurse Jana Kendall puts on her PPE before tending to a COVID-19 patient in an emergency room at a California hospital. Jae C. Hong/AP Photo (file)
Illinois’ COVID-19 testing positivity rate inched upward for a third straight day Tuesday as state public health officials announced the virus has killed 106 additional residents and spread to 5,644 more.
The new cases were confirmed among 66,786 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health, raising the state’s average positivity rate over the last week to 7.4%. That’s increased from 6.8% over the weekend, but is still down from over 10% this time last month.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s health team has warned of a potential increase in cases and positivity due to transmission at holiday gatherings, but it would take a few weeks for that to show up in the data, experts say.
Generally, though, the state’s key COVID-19 metrics have gradually improved since Thanksgiving following a record-breaking resurgence.
Read the full story here.
4:34 p.m. First reported U.S. case of COVID-19 variant found in Colorado
DENVER — The first reported U.S. case of the COVID-19 variant that’s been seen in the United Kingdom has been discovered in Colorado, Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday.
The coronavirus variant was found in a man in his 20s who is in isolation southeast of Denver and has no travel history, state health officials said.
The Colorado State Laboratory confirmed the virus variant, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was notified.
Scientists in the U.K. believe the new virus variant is more contagious than previously identified strains of the SARS-CoV-2. The vaccines being given now are thought to be effective against the variant, Colorado health officials said in a news release.
Public health officials are investigating other potential cases and performing contract tracing to determine the spread of the variant throughout the state.
Read the full story here.
4 p.m. City’s top public health official opens first mass vaccination site, gets jab herself
The city’s top public health official rolled up her sleeve for the coronavirus vaccine Tuesday as she opened Chicago’s first mass vaccination site at Malcolm X College.
“I’m wonderful!” said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner for the Chicago Department of Public Health, moments after getting the jab. “Honestly, can’t even feel it. I’m so pleased right now.”
The site is open by appointment only for health care workers who aren’t affiliated with a hospital. Initially, the Malcolm X site is expected to vaccinate “a few hundred” people each day, Arwady said. The vaccinations are free, she said.
Beginning in late February or early spring, older city residents — as well as corrections workers, educators, transit workers, grocery store employees — can expect to be offered the vaccine, Arwady said.
“Please note that we are working to roll out this vaccine as fast and as safely as we possibly can,” she said.
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here.
2 p.m. Sen. Mitch McConnell, Senate GOP block Democrats’ push for $2K relief checks
WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats’ push to immediately bring President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote, saying the chamber would “begin a process” to address the issue.
Pressure is mounting on the Republican-led Senate to follow the House, which voted overwhelmingly on Monday to meet the president’s demand to increase the checks from $600 as the virus crisis worsens. A growing number of Republicans, including two senators in runoff elections on Jan. 5 in Georgia, have said they will support the larger amount. But most GOP senators oppose more spending, even if they are also wary of bucking Trump.
The outcome is highly uncertain heading into the rare holiday-week session.
“There’s one question left today: Do Senate Republicans join with the rest of America in supporting $2,000 checks?” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said as he made a motion to vote.
Read the full story here.
1:49 p.m. CTA buses to offer free disposable masks
The Chicago Transit Authority plans to offer free disposable face masks on several city bus routes.
The pilot program will place mask dispensers at the front of nearly 200 buses on 20 different routes, the CTA said Tuesday.
Routes with high ridership were chosen for the program, including the #56 Milwaukee, #91 Austin and #77 Belmont buses.
Through the pilot program, the CTA hopes to learn about mask demand and possibly expand the dispensers to the rest of its 129 bus routes and rail stations. Riders are required by law to wear face masks on CTA property.
Read the full story from Sophie Sherry here.
12:56 p.m. Nearly a third of CPS staffers scheduled to return to schools next week asked to work from home or take leave — but most rejected
Most of the Chicago Public Schools teachers and staffers who are scheduled to return to classrooms next week for the first time in nine months haven’t raised any qualms about doing so with the district — but almost a third of them requested to work from home or take a leave of absence.
That’s according to data released by the district Tuesday on the 7,002 pre-kindergarten and special education cluster program employees who were asked to return to work Jan. 4 after the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic closure.
Two-thirds of those employees — 4,684 of them — didn’t ask for leave or accommodations.
Another 2,010 employees did apply to stay home or take leave. The district granted 861 of those requests and rejected 1,149 of them, or about 16% of all returning workers. An additional 308 requests are pending, according to CPS.
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here.
12 p.m. ‘Endlessly grateful’ local venue owners welcome COVID-19 relief funding: ‘Finally..a glimmer of light’
Live music venue owners and theaters, shuttered since March due to mandated pandemic shutdowns, are counting on their slice of $15 billion in funding allocated in Congress’ latest COVID-19 relief bill, which was signed into law Sunday night by President Donald Trump.
Venues in Chicago are competing with their counterparts across the country — from Broadway to Hollywood — for the bill’s Save Our Stages Act funding, which is seen by many in the industry as the light at the end of the tunnel for independently owned clubs, concert halls and theaters. Without these funds, it’s been estimated that nearly 90% of the country’s independent live music venues would close in the near future, leaving the state of music, tours and the industry at large in jeopardy.
“This has been an unsustainable predicament and position for any business, with no income, not a single ticket, not a single drink sold for 10 months. So that’s why the relief package is so important and why we are so appreciative and grateful it passed,” said Joe Shanahan, founder of Metro Chicago on the city’s North Side.
The $15 billion is intended to provide grants to, according to the legislation, “eligible live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theater operators, or talent representatives who demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in revenues.”
Read the full story here.
10:40 a.m. 2 more Cook County court employees test positive for COVID-19
Two more employees of the Cook County Office of the Chief Judge tested positive for COVID-19.
One employee works at the adult probation department at the Skokie Courthouse, the chief judge’s office announced Tuesday.
The other employee works for the administrative staff at the Markham Courthouse.
Also, a resident of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total cases at the Near West Side facility to 93 staff members and 77 residents since the start of the pandemic, the office said.
Read the full story from David Struett here.
9:42 a.m. Shedd penguins’ field trips bring a little joy to the world
Like other major cultural institutions in Chicago, the Shedd Aquarium closed to the public more than once during the coronavirus pandemic.
And since people couldn’t get inside the Shedd, the Shedd reached out to the people — with some little, waddling ambassadors.
The Shedd’s first penguins arrived in 1991 with the opening of the Oceanarium. Since then, they’ve visited other exhibits in the aquarium. But the birds’ first offsite trip came in June, to the Field Museum, which was still closed to the public at the time.
Video of the penguins pacing past Sue the T. Rex was a hit online.
After that, Shedd trainers took the Magellanic and Rockhopper penguins to a few other famous Chicago sites. They needed the exercise, after all, and the sites were empty, or nearly.
Read the full story from Grace Asiegbu here.
6:02 a.m. House votes to increase COVID checks to $2K
The House voted overwhelmingly Monday to increase COVID-19 relief checks to $2,000, meeting President Donald Trump’s demand for bigger payments and sending the bill to the GOP-controlled Senate, where the outcome is uncertain.
Democrats led passage, 275-134, their majority favoring additional assistance, but dozens of Republicans joined in approval. Congress had settled on smaller $600 payments in a compromise over the big year-end relief bill Trump reluctantly signed into law. Democrats favored higher payments, but Trump’s push put his GOP allies in a difficult spot.
The vote deeply divided Republicans who mostly resist more spending. But many House Republicans joined in support, preferring to link with Democrats rather than buck the outgoing president. Senators were set to return to session Tuesday, forced to consider the measure.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared, “Republicans have a choice: Vote for this legislation or vote to deny the American people” the assistance she said they need during the pandemic.
Read more here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
5:40 p.m. As medical doctors, we believe reopening Chicago’s schools is essential and safe
The COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst public health crises of our lifetimes. Over the past 10 months, healthcare and public health professionals have worked tirelessly to overcome the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 has presented.
The magnitude of cases and deaths COVID-19 has been devastating, and we are still far from the finish line in ending this pandemic.
Another serious consequence of this pandemic is the effect it has had on school age children.
The educational, psychological and financial hardships of remote learning have had serious consequences for our children and their families, and those children with educational or behavioral challenges have been even more seriously affected. We cannot understate the serious psychological harm that prolonged virtual school has had on many children. We are seeing an epidemic of serious psychological illness that has reached a crisis point.
Furthermore, lack of daytime structure and lack of access to school amenities such as hot lunches, especially for younger students from disadvantaged communities, has had significant health consequences.
Read the full open letter from 17 Chicago physicians here.
7:34 a.m. Did I purposely declutter my social circle?
Verena Graupmann, associate professor of psychological science at DePaul University, has been researching how social distancing in the United States and Germany affects an individual’s self-esteem and their sense of belonging and meaning.
“Part of this is natural and we are all getting used to the situation. We want to reach out to the people we know and love,” Graupmann said. “In the beginning, we were all reaching out to our people but many of us have been working from home and are on Zoom or phone meetings all day, so it’s overwhelming. I imagine there is a bit of fatigue with virtual calls.”
I can relate. I’ve lost count of my virtual calls over these last nine months. I cringe at the thought of scheduling a Zoom meeting.
“Social distancing is forcing us to be selective of who we spend our time with, and it is almost making us more mindful about your life and who you want in it,” Graupmann said. “It is almost like an antidote for social media. We are usually over-included in people’s lives and we know too many people that it’s hard to keep track of.”
Read the full column from Manny Ramos here.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-29--5 inches of snow possible as storm hits Chicago

The season ’ s first major snowstorm pushed through the Chicago area Tuesday evening , causing headaches for drivers as airlines canceled hundreds of flights at city airports .
The snow reached downtown Chicago just after 4 p.m. and could continue to fall at up to two inches per hour , according to the National Weather Service .
Between 3 and 5 inches could fall on the North Side , while suburban counties north and west could see between 5 and 8 inches , according to the weather service .
The rate of snowfall should diminish after 7 p.m. Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the evening , the weather service said .
A winter weather advisory expires 9 a.m. Wednesday in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana .
Forecasters warned that the snow would move in quickly and limit visibility to just a few blocks in a matter of minutes .
The snow will transition Tuesday night into mixed precipitation , including freezing rain , especially in the city and western suburbs .
The mix of snow and ice might cause “ fairly hazardous conditions for much of the area , ” weather service meteorologist Todd Kluber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at O ’ Hare and Midway airports , though delays at both remain under 15 minutes , according to the Chicago Department of Aviation .
At O ’ Hare , 139 flights had been canceled as of 5:10 p.m. , while 71 were canceled at Midway .
Chicago deployed 287 snow plows and salt spreaders to deal with the storm , according to the Department of Streets and Sanitation .
The trucks will focus on major roads and Lake Shore Drive through Wednesday morning .
In the suburbs , Cook County ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would monitor 1,500 miles of roads ahead of the storm .
The department advised travelers to keep an emergency kit in their vehicles in case they breakdown during the storm .
On New Year ’ s Day , another snow system is expected to hit the Chicago area with snowfall beginning in the pre-dawn hours , Kluber said .
Friday ’ s storm will likely bring less snowfall , but more freezing rain .
So far this season , the area has seen only .9 inches of snow , the weather service said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gone this long with less than 1 inch of total snow , the most recent being 2012-2013 .

The season’s first major snowstorm pushed through the Chicago area Tuesday evening, causing headaches for drivers as airlines canceled hundreds of flights at city airports.
The snow reached downtown Chicago just after 4 p.m. and dropped 3.2 inches at Midway Airport by Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.
O’Hare International Airport measured 2.6 inches, while areas north and west saw much higher totals. Rockford Airport counted 6.2 inches of snow, the largest snowfall its seen in nearly two years, the weather service said.
The heaviest snowfall passed Chicago by 7 p.m., but chances of snow and freezing rain remained through Wednesday morning, especially in the city and western suburbs, the weather service said.
A family walks toward State Street on Randolph as a snow storm batters Chicago, Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A winter weather advisory was set to expire 9 a.m. Wednesday in northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Forecasters warned the snow would move in quickly and limit visibility to just a few blocks in a matter of minutes.
More than 260 flights were canceled at O’Hare and Midway airports as a result of the storm, though average delays at both stayed under 15 minutes, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation. At O’Hare, 191 flights had been canceled as of 8:40 p.m., while 73 were canceled at Midway.
Illinois State Police reported at least thirty crashes on area expressways between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sgt. Delila Garcia said. However, the actual number of crashes was likely higher due to the activation of an “emergency snow plan,” in which reports are only immediately generated for crashes resulting in injuries or if vehicles are not drivable.
RPD handles snow related crash at 6:30 PM at 1st and 31st Street. Vehicle slid off roadway. Female/21 of Cicero was not injured. Please use caution as roadways are snow covered and slick. pic.twitter.com/0Zz4xh3REJ — Riverside Police (@PDRiverside) December 30, 2020
Chicago deployed 287 snow plows and salt spreaders to deal with hazardous road conditions, according to the Department of Streets and Sanitation. The trucks were focusing on major roads and Lake Shore Drive through Wednesday morning.
In the suburbs, Cook County’s Department of Transportation and Highways said it would monitor 1,500 miles of roads ahead of the storm and advised travelers to keep an emergency kit in their vehicles in case they break down.
On New Year’s Day, another snow system is expected to hit the Chicago area with snowfall beginning in the pre-dawn hours, weather service meteorologist Todd Kluber said. Friday’s storm will likely bring less snowfall but more freezing rain.
So far this season, the area had seen only .9 inches of snow before Tuesday’s storm, the weather service said. Only six other winters since 1884 have gone this long with less than 1 inch of total snow, the most recent being 2012-2013.
[Recovery Forecast] Wednesday afternoon through Thursday look good for snow and ice clearing efforts. Another round of wintry mix is shaping up for Friday. Dry (and warmer) conditions are expected thereafter. #ilwx #inwx pic.twitter.com/rCaUmoxbD8 — NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) December 29, 2020
Contributing: Sam Kelly, David Struett


chicagosun-times--2020-12-29--As medical doctors, we believe reopening Chicago’s schools is essential and safe

The COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst public health crises of our lifetimes .
Over the past 10 months , healthcare and public health professionals have worked tirelessly to overcome the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 has presented .
The magnitude of cases and deaths COVID-19 has been devastating , and we are still far from the finish line in ending this pandemic .
Another serious consequence of this pandemic is the effect it has had on school age children .
The educational , psychological and financial hardships of remote learning have had serious consequences for our children and their families , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenges have been even more seriously affected .
We can not understate the serious psychological harm that prolonged virtual school has had on many children .
We are seeing an epidemic of serious psychological illness that has reached a crisis point .
Furthermore , lack of daytime structure and lack of access to school amenities such as hot lunches , especially for younger students from disadvantaged communities , has had significant health consequences .
In March 2020 , Chicago and Illinois at-large recognized the immediate threat that the community spread of COVID-19 posed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a facing a new virus with very little understanding of how it spread , how to prevent it and what risks the virus posed to children .
This was compounded by limited access to personal protective equipment , diagnostic tests and medications to treat and prevent COVID-19 .
For that reason , most schools went virtual .
However , we have learned a lot over the last 10 months about children safely returning to the classroom .
For example , we have discovered that in-school spread of COVID-19 is rare when proper precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now that children and especially young children of elementary school age are much less likely to transmit infection to adults than the other way around .
The American Academy of Pediatrics and many of the world ’ s most prestigious children ’ s hospitals published guidelines over the summer in an attempt to keep schools open .
Such rules have enabled many public , parochial and private schools in neighborhoods across Chicago and its suburbs to remain open for in-person learning over the last three months .
In our collective experience , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools that have fully enforced public health mitigation guidelines that had to close because of secondary transmission .
Simply put , layered mitigation strategies at schools have been proven effective .
The mitigation strategies are by now familiar to all .
Masks are worn by all individuals at school .
Students and teachers are spaced three- to six-feet apart .
Hand hygiene is consistently performed and environmental controls such as adequate ventilation is assured .
Children are kept together as much as possible in small classes ( pods ) , so that if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limited to a single class and not the entire grade or school .
Transition of children between classrooms and crowding of hallways is limited .
Lunch time is staggered , and lunches are often eaten in classrooms quickly and quietly .
Recess has been modified .
Parents are instructed not to send children with any COVID-19 compatible symptoms to school and are required to fill out a daily screener .
Contact tracing and quarantining of exposed children and family members is strictly enforced , and proper behavior outside of school is reinforced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ( such as symptomatic students or family members ) , either at school or locally , is also crucial .
The reality is that these strategies have been successfully implemented at many schools across Chicagoland .
Understanding that our children ’ s education is of vital importance , with the support of administration , teachers , students and parents , these schools have safely been open for in-person learning all school year .
The past few weeks have brought a ray of hope .
With vaccines being distributed to healthcare workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the general public , we now have a tool that has high potential to lead us back to the lives we knew before COVID-19 .
As vaccines become more widely available over the coming weeks to months , vaccination campaigns will also help maintain a safe school environment .
It is widely agreed upon by the medical community that in-person classroom learning is both optimal and safe using the layered mitigation strategies described above .
The healthcare professionals authoring this op-ed strongly advocate for schools to return to some form of in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We would be happy to help schools implement this vital and time sensitive recommendation for the benefit of our children .
Mary Dobbins MD , President , Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics ( representing the chapter )

The COVID-19 pandemic is among the worst public health crises of our lifetimes. Over the past 10 months, healthcare and public health professionals have worked tirelessly to overcome the unprecedented challenges COVID-19 has presented.
The magnitude of cases and deaths related to COVID-19 has been devastating, and we are still far from the finish line in ending this pandemic.
Another serious consequence of this pandemic is the effect it has had on school-age children.
Opinion bug Opinion
The educational, psychological and financial hardships of remote learning have had serious consequences for our children and their families, and those children with educational or behavioral challenges have been even more seriously affected. We cannot understate the serious psychological harm that prolonged virtual school has had on many children. We are seeing an epidemic of serious psychological illness that has reached a crisis point.
Furthermore, lack of daytime structure and lack of access to school amenities such as hot lunches, especially for younger students from disadvantaged communities, has had significant health consequences.
Opinion Newsletter
In March 2020, Chicago and Illinois recognized the immediate threat that the community spread of COVID-19 posed. At that time, we were a facing a new virus with very little understanding of how it spread, how to prevent it and what risks the virus posed to children. This was compounded by limited access to personal protective equipment, diagnostic tests and medications to treat and prevent COVID-19.
For that reason, most schools went virtual. However, we have learned a lot over the last 10 months about children safely returning to the classroom. For example, we have discovered that in-school spread of COVID-19 is rare when proper precautions are taken. Furthermore, we know now that children, and especially young children of elementary school age, are much less likely to transmit infection to adults than the other way around.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and many of the world’s most prestigious children’s hospitals published guidelines over the summer in an attempt to keep schools open. Such rules have enabled many public, parochial and private schools in neighborhoods across Chicago and its suburbs to remain open for in-person learning over the last three months. In our collective experience, there have been few, if any, schools that have fully enforced public health mitigation guidelines that had to close because of secondary transmission. Simply put, layered mitigation strategies at schools have been proven effective.
The mitigation strategies are by now familiar to all. Masks are worn by all individuals at school.
Students and teachers are spaced three- to six-feet apart. Hand hygiene is consistently performed and environmental controls such as adequate ventilation are assured. Children are kept together as much as possible in small classes (pods), so that if there is an exposure, it is limited to a single class and not the entire grade or school. Transition of children between classrooms and crowding of hallways is limited. Lunch time is staggered, and lunches are often eaten in classrooms quickly and quietly. Recess has been modified. Parents are instructed not to send children with any COVID-19 compatible symptoms to school and are required to fill out a daily screener. Contact tracing and quarantining of exposed children and family members is strictly enforced, and proper behavior outside of school is reinforced. Access to testing for those who require it (such as symptomatic students or family members), either at school or locally, is also crucial.
The reality is that these strategies have been successfully implemented at many schools across Chicagoland. Understanding that our children’s education is of vital importance, with the support of administration, teachers, students and parents, these schools have safely been open for in-person learning all school year.
The past few weeks have brought a ray of hope. With vaccines being distributed to healthcare workers and high-risk adults, and soon to follow to the general public, we now have a tool that has high potential to lead us back to the lives we knew before COVID-19. As vaccines become more widely available over the coming weeks to months, vaccination campaigns will also help maintain a safe school environment.
It is widely agreed upon by the medical community that in-person classroom learning is both optimal and safe using the layered mitigation strategies described above. The healthcare professionals authoring this op-ed strongly advocate for schools to return to some form of in-person learning as soon as possible. We would be happy to help schools implement this vital and time sensitive recommendation for the benefit of our children.
Michael Angarone, DO, Division of Infectious Disease, Northwestern Medicine
Allison H. Bartlett MD, Section of Pediatric infectious Diseases, University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
Virginia DePaul MD, pediatrician, North Suburban Pediatrics
Cathy DiVincenzo MD, pediatrician, Kids First Pediatric Partners
Mary Dobbins MD, president, Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (representing the chapter)
David Dobkin MD, pediatrician, North Arlington Pediatrics
Daniel Evans MD, Internal Medicine, Northwestern Medicine
Shannon Galvin MD, Division of Infectious Disease, Northwestern Medicine
Mary C Hall MD, pediatrician, Kids Health Partners
Daniel Johnson MD, Chief, Section of Pediatric infectious Diseases, University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
Ben Katz MD, Pediatric Infectious Disease, Lurie Children’s Hospital
Valerie Kimball MD, pediatrician, Chicago Area Pediatrics
Latania K. Logan MD, MSPH, Chief, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rush University Children’s Hospital
James Mitchell MD, pediatrician, Section of Academic Pediatrics, University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital
James Olson MD, pediatrician, Kids Health Partners
Bruce Rowell MD, pediatrician, Lawndale Christian Health Center
Dov Shapiro MD, pediatrician, Associated Pediatric Partners
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Free Spirit Media senior Zachary Webster making his mark in music, media communication

Zachary Webster is determined to bring innovation to Chicago through the arts .
The 17-year-old high school senior at Gary Comer College Prep is a member of Free Spirit Media , an organization providing teens and young adults in communities on the city ’ s West and South Sides with a foundation in media literacy through hands-on media production experience .
The program offers in-school art education , after school programs , summer digital media courses and advanced creative workforce development programs .
Webster credits his motivation to create to a solid friend group and the network of other teens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put myself in a circle of people that have really great work ethic , ” Webster explains .
“ It pushes me forward to create amazing projects .
My friend group is business-oriented as well as artistic , so we all create different types of art.
” The art Webster is currently producing is music-driven , but he also enjoys other forms of storytelling like journalism , videography , documentaries and building websites .
“ What really interests me most is music , ” Webster says .
“ I am naturally into writing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It catches my interest because of how fast paced music can be and how fast paced you can push out content.
” “ I decided I was going to take my phone and headphones and make an EP [ extended playlist ] , ” Webster explains .
“ I studied how to release content on Apple Music , and in three days I successfully put out an EP .
Now some of those songs have over 10,000 plays .
It ’ s crazy how you can reach people all the way in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize that anything is possible if you have the right mindset and are willing to work toward that goal seriously.
” Developing a strong sense of self has been an ongoing journey for Webster — one that was pushed forward by one of his biggest inspirations , Chicago-born rapper Juice Wlrd who died at 21 last year after suffering cardiac arrest .
“ We came from the same community and shared a lot of the same struggles , ” Webster says .
“ To see someone like him have success and make such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general is inspiring .
He impacted so many lives and brought out the confidence in me to do the same.
” As a shy child growing up in south suburban Calumet Park , Webster was hesitant to speak up , did not want to be on camera and was nervous to receive lots of attention .
Now , with his newfound confidence , he is spearheading storytelling concepts with Free Spirit Media and dedicating his craft to enhancing the arts in Chicago .
“ I really want to change the sound of music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t want to add on to the same sound that has been going around .
I want music that pushes feelings out of you and creates a whole new identification for Chicago .
I want to be that mark on the world and make an impact.
” Working toward this goal has been challenging due to COVID-19 , but Webster is doing his best to stay positive and find ways to use the arts as a form of healing during the pandemic .
“ Art is a therapeutic thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have something to push out that others don ’ t know about , you can do it in an artistic way to gain awareness to that issue that people may have not known about before.
” Growing up , it was Webster ’ s sister ’ s love of drawing that sparked his own interest to learn more about art .
“ I was always around art , ” Webster explains .
“ I would literally stay up all night just studying music videos and listening to music to see what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me feel .
That ’ s why I love jazz so much .
Sometimes you don ’ t even need words , it ’ s about the feeling.
” Webster is also utilizing social media as a way to create meaningful music during coronavirus and keep in touch with others in the music world .
These relationships motivate Webster , as does his mother ’ s ongoing support .
She encourages his love of music and helps him work toward his ultimate goal of going to college to pursue a media career .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and start a record label , ” Webster says .
“ I am hoping I will be able to affect as many lives as I can with music .
I want to be more of a leader in my community .
That ’ s why it ’ s so important to tell young people , as cliche as it might sound , that you can do anything .
I used to not have the confidence in myself but once you put yourself to the test and put aside the negativity , you start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want as long as you take it and yourself seriously.
” Francesca Gattuso is a writer for the Sun-Times marketing department .

Zachary Webster is determined to bring innovation to Chicago through the arts.
The 17-year-old high school senior at Gary Comer College Prep is a member of Free Spirit Media, an organization providing teens and young adults in communities on the city’s West and South Sides with a foundation in media literacy through hands-on media production experience. The program offers in-school art education, after school programs, summer digital media courses and advanced creative workforce development programs.
Webster credits his motivation to create to a solid friend group and the network of other teens at Free Spirit Media.
“I put myself in a circle of people that have really great work ethic,” Webster explains. “It pushes me forward to create amazing projects. My friend group is business-oriented as well as artistic, so we all create different types of art.”
The art Webster is currently producing is music-driven, but he also enjoys other forms of storytelling like journalism, videography, documentaries and building websites.
“What really interests me most is music,” Webster says. “I am naturally into writing so this directly relates to my music. It catches my interest because of how fast paced music can be and how fast paced you can push out content.”
“I decided I was going to take my phone and headphones and make an EP [extended playlist],” Webster explains. “I studied how to release content on Apple Music, and in three days I successfully put out an EP. Now some of those songs have over 10,000 plays. It’s crazy how you can reach people all the way in Australia or China. It made me realize that anything is possible if you have the right mindset and are willing to work toward that goal seriously.”
Developing a strong sense of self has been an ongoing journey for Webster — one that was pushed forward by one of his biggest inspirations, Chicago-born rapper Juice Wlrd who died at 21 last year after suffering cardiac arrest.
The late rapper provided Webster with reassurance.
“We came from the same community and shared a lot of the same struggles,” Webster says. “To see someone like him have success and make such an impact on music and art in general is inspiring. He impacted so many lives and brought out the confidence in me to do the same.”
As a shy child growing up in south suburban Calumet Park, Webster was hesitant to speak up, did not want to be on camera and was nervous to receive lots of attention. Now, with his newfound confidence, he is spearheading storytelling concepts with Free Spirit Media and dedicating his craft to enhancing the arts in Chicago.
“I really want to change the sound of music in Chicago,” Webster says. “I don’t want to add on to the same sound that has been going around. I want music that pushes feelings out of you and creates a whole new identification for Chicago. I want to be that mark on the world and make an impact.”
Working toward this goal has been challenging due to COVID-19, but Webster is doing his best to stay positive and find ways to use the arts as a form of healing during the pandemic.
“Art is a therapeutic thing,” Webster says. “If you have something to push out that others don’t know about, you can do it in an artistic way to gain awareness to that issue that people may have not known about before.”
Growing up, it was Webster’s sister’s love of drawing that sparked his own interest to learn more about art.
“I was always around art,” Webster explains. “I would literally stay up all night just studying music videos and listening to music to see what the lyrics were saying and how they made me feel. That’s why I love jazz so much. Sometimes you don’t even need words, it’s about the feeling.”
Webster is also utilizing social media as a way to create meaningful music during coronavirus and keep in touch with others in the music world.
These relationships motivate Webster, as does his mother’s ongoing support. She encourages his love of music and helps him work toward his ultimate goal of going to college to pursue a media career.
“I want to graduate from college and start a record label,” Webster says. “I am hoping I will be able to affect as many lives as I can with music. I want to be more of a leader in my community. That’s why it’s so important to tell young people, as cliche as it might sound, that you can do anything. I used to not have the confidence in myself but once you put yourself to the test and put aside the negativity, you start to realize you can do whatever you want as long as you take it and yourself seriously.”
Francesca Gattuso is a writer for the Sun-Times marketing department.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-30--Dear Abby: I shouldn’t have crush on the married guy, but I can’t help it

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m someone who doesn ’ t get noticed often by the opposite sex .
So when I do receive attention , it ’ s a very nice feeling .
The problem is , I am getting that attention from a man who is married .
In the beginning , I didn ’ t know he was married .
He doesn ’ t wear a ring , and he never mentioned a wife until one day while we were chatting , he let it slip .
I don ’ t think he meant for it to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I back off .
But for some reason , I ’ m not backing away from this .
I ’ m starting to have feelings for him .
I ’ m leaving it up to him , though .
If he flirts , I ’ ll flirt back .
When he comes on strong one day , the next day he feels guilty and backs off , but then we pick up right where we left off .
I ’ m not trying to paint him as the bad guy ; he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my opinion , anyway .
I know it ’ s wrong , and he hasn ’ t promised anything .
We haven ’ t had any physical contact other than the daily interaction .
But it ’ s messing with my emotions .
I don ’ t want to feel anything for him , but I can ’ t help it .
Help !
— DAZED & CONFUSED DEAR DAZED & CONFUSED : You may not want to feel anything for this married man , but you do .
And because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the opposite sex , ” the attention you ’ re receiving is like water on a parched flower .
( Funny how they always seem to pick the vulnerable ones . )
You may not have had physical contact with him ( yet ) , but you are playing with fire .
This is no longer an “ innocent ” flirtation .
Someone will get hurt if it continues , and that person is likely to be you .
Keep in mind that “ good guys ” don ’ t behave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have happened if he had been honest with you about his marital status .
DEAR ABBY : When I came out as gay , my parents rejected me .
It made my early 20s the most challenging period of my life .
I have tried to forgive them and move on , but they refuse to acknowledge the trauma they caused .
I was upset all over again last year when they felt sorry for a young adult and let him move in with them .
Mom never shuts up about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less fortunate .
They act like I have always been blessed and refuse to acknowledge any of the pain or bad things that have happened in my life .
How should I react to this ?
I ’ m on a good path now , no thanks to them , and my life has never been better .
But I don ’ t know if I can ever forgive them for being so helpful to a stranger and not their son .
Am I wrong to ask where my sympathy was ?
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you plan to hold a mirror up to your knee-jerk homophobic parents and expect honest introspection from them , I think you ’ ll be wasting your time .
It ’ s possible that they think their compassion for the stranger makes up for the way they treated you .
Whether you can forgive them for it depends solely upon you .
You are now on a constructive and rewarding path .
The validation you are seeking can be found there .
Your ability to forgive may come once you have distanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is less acute .
I have often advised that when parents are toxic , it ’ s important to build “ families of choice , ” and I sincerely hope that is what you are doing and will continue to do .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I’m someone who doesn’t get noticed often by the opposite sex. So when I do receive attention, it’s a very nice feeling. The problem is, I am getting that attention from a man who is married.
In the beginning, I didn’t know he was married. He doesn’t wear a ring, and he never mentioned a wife until one day while we were chatting, he let it slip. I don’t think he meant for it to happen.
When someone is married, I back off. But for some reason, I’m not backing away from this. I’m starting to have feelings for him. I’m leaving it up to him, though. If he flirts, I’ll flirt back. When he comes on strong one day, the next day he feels guilty and backs off, but then we pick up right where we left off.
I’m not trying to paint him as the bad guy; he’s honestly a really good guy — in my opinion, anyway. I know it’s wrong, and he hasn’t promised anything. We haven’t had any physical contact other than the daily interaction. But it’s messing with my emotions. I don’t want to feel anything for him, but I can’t help it. Help! — DAZED & CONFUSED
DEAR DAZED & CONFUSED: You may not want to feel anything for this married man, but you do. And because you “don’t get noticed much by the opposite sex,” the attention you’re receiving is like water on a parched flower. (Funny how they always seem to pick the vulnerable ones.)
You may not have had physical contact with him (yet), but you are playing with fire. This is no longer an “innocent” flirtation. Someone will get hurt if it continues, and that person is likely to be you. Keep in mind that “good guys” don’t behave the way he does, and this wouldn’t have happened if he had been honest with you about his marital status.
DEAR ABBY: When I came out as gay, my parents rejected me. It made my early 20s the most challenging period of my life. I have tried to forgive them and move on, but they refuse to acknowledge the trauma they caused.
I was upset all over again last year when they felt sorry for a young adult and let him move in with them. Mom never shuts up about how we should feel sorry for those less fortunate. They act like I have always been blessed and refuse to acknowledge any of the pain or bad things that have happened in my life.
How should I react to this? I’m on a good path now, no thanks to them, and my life has never been better. But I don’t know if I can ever forgive them for being so helpful to a stranger and not their son. Am I wrong to ask where my sympathy was? — SEEKING VALIDATION IN TEXAS
DEAR SEEKING: If you plan to hold a mirror up to your knee-jerk homophobic parents and expect honest introspection from them, I think you’ll be wasting your time. It’s possible that they think their compassion for the stranger makes up for the way they treated you. Whether you can forgive them for it depends solely upon you.
You are now on a constructive and rewarding path. The validation you are seeking can be found there. Your ability to forgive may come once you have distanced yourself enough that the pain they caused is less acute. I have often advised that when parents are toxic, it’s important to build “families of choice,” and I sincerely hope that is what you are doing and will continue to do.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.