chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Chicago restaurants can have restricted indoor dining starting next week, Mayor Lightfoot says (LIVE

Chicago restaurants can have restricted indoor dining starting next week, Mayor Lightfoot says (LIVE UPDATES)

Mayor Lightfoot says indoor dining in Chicago can begin June 26 , but with limits Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday announced indoor restaurants will be able to reopen next Friday , the same day the state enters Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s Phase 4 of reopening .
The mayor in a release said restaurants , bars , breweries and other eating and drinking establishments can open on June 26 , “ to align with the state ’ s plan to move to Phase 4 on the same day.
” The mayor also announced restaurants will be open to 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 50 people per room or floor .
Customers must also be seated at tables 6 feet apart with 10 people or fewer per table .
And seating at bars will be limited to a maximum of two hours per party .
The state plans to reveal its safety guidance for indoor restaurants next week .
Last week , Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she anticipated indoor restaurants , museums and gyms could reopen on July 1 .
Lightfoot has repeatedly said she could not come to an agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial difficulties the industry is facing .
But Pritzker ’ s plan allows all indoor restaurants to reopen June 26 .
Read the full report from Tina Sfondeles here .
5:31 p.m. Hand sanitizer on dashboard erupts into flames in Waukegan A bottle of hand sanitizer left on a car ’ s dashboard erupted into flames in north suburban Waukegan Thursday , badly damaging the car .
Authorities believe that heat from the sunlight partly caused the fire , Waukegan Fire Department spokesman Steven Lenzi said in a statement .
“ It appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer was enough to cause the ignition , ” Lenzi said .
The fire appeared to extinguish itself due to lack of oxygen before firefighters arrived in the 400 block of Pioneer Road , Lenzi said .
No one was hurt .
Read the full report from David Struett here .
An appeals court Friday upheld most of a federal judge ’ s order requiring widespread coronavirus testing and other measures to control the spread of COVD-19 at the Cook County Jail .
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied most of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the court to pause the preliminary injunction ordered by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly in April after a class-action lawsuit was brought against Dart on behalf of detainees .
However , the 7th Circuit Court said that while Dart is appealing that injunction , the sheriff ’ s office will no longer be prevented from holding detainees in double cells or in group housing .
But the sheriff ’ s office has said it won ’ t use double cells and will continue to social distance detainees while appealing .
A spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not immediately able to comment Friday .
Sarah Grady , an attorney for the detainees , said she hopes the sheriff ’ s office follows through on that promise , saying advocates are concerned that if detainees are housed in close quarters new coronavirus cases could rise .
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here .
Another 44 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois as health officials on Friday announced the latest batch of 692 confirmed cases .
With the state still managing to avoid the massive case spikes seen in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total of 6,580 deaths have now been attributed to the virus in Illinois .
The latest reports bring the state ’ s total confirmed cases to 135,470 , almost five months since the first person tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois .
Another 1,000 are considered to have been “ probable ” cases , while an additional 204 deaths haven ’ t been officially added to the Illinois toll because those people were never tested .
Still , the recovery rate inched up to 94 % with the latest figures , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state last tallied more than 1,000 new cases in a single day , according to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
And that ’ s as testing capacity has expanded statewide .
More than 27,000 test results were reported Friday , and about 1.3 million people have been tested overall .
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here .
3:07 p.m. Pandemic keeps plumbers busy ; housebound clients mean ‘ a lot more toilets being flushed ’ Plumbers say they ’ re busier than ever thanks to the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the time the past few months .
“ It ’ s more use of the toilets , ” says Tom Mascari , president of Mendel Plumbing & Heating in St. Charles .
“ Handles are breaking , valves inside need to be replaced.
” “ We ’ ve been working seven days a week , 10- , 12- , 14-hour shifts , ” says Jose Rivera , owner of A Solution Sewer & Plumbing in Bridgeview .
“ By the time I get home , it ’ s a shower , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve been incredibly busy — beyond belief , ” says William Taylor , owner of Four Seasons Sewer & Plumbing , 6807 W. Irving Park Rd .
“ There ’ s a lot more toilets being flushed.
” Pre-pandemic , “ You ’ re using the bathroom facilities in the morning before you go to work or school and then in the evening , ” says Brian Wilk , owner of Bishop Heating , Plumbing and Cooling in Des Plaines .
But with people stuck at home , “ You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some clogs have been caused by people , perhaps worried about toilet paper shortages , who instead did what plumbers will tell you is a big no-no : They used paper towels or wipes that are advertised as flushable but don ’ t dissolve like T.P .
And sometimes kids , bored with being home so long , toss things in to the toilet that aren ’ t meant to be tossed into the toilet .
Read the full story from Maureen O ’ Donnell here .
2:25 p.m .
Hiring rose in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still high WASHINGTON — Employers added jobs in 46 states last month , evidence that the U.S. economy ’ s surprise hiring gain in May was spread broadly across the country — in both states that began reopening their economies early and those that did so only later .
Unemployment rates fell in 38 states , rose in three and were largely unchanged in nine , the Labor Department said Friday .
The disparities ranged from Nevada , with the highest rate ( 25.3 % ) , Hawaii ( 22.6 % ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 5.2 % , the lowest ) and Utah ( 8.5 % ) .
The overall U.S. unemployment rate in May was a still-high 13.3 % , a decline from 14.7 % in April .
As a whole , the figures illustrate the unusually broad nature of the recession , with all states enduring unemployment rates that soared in April as the coronavirus forced business closures and then generally fell in May but remained painfully high .
During the 2008-2009 Great Recession , by contrast , some Midwestern states such as Iowa and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yet this time in May , Iowa ’ s unemployment rate was a high 10 % and North Dakota ’ s 9.1 % .
1:06 p.m. You can stop cleaning your groceries , but hugs are still risky : Ezike For months , Dr. Ngozi Ezike has been the state ’ s go-to for public health guidance as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s chief advisor on Illinois ’ response to COVID-19 .
Sun-Times reporter Tina Sfondeles asked about her personal do ’ s and don ’ ts , and how she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Here ’ s her Cliff ’ s Notes version .
Hugging your mother : “ I would visit her , but I would not hug her ” – At least a year Visiting a parent who is over 65 : At least a year Visiting a parent who is over 65 with pre-existing conditions : At least a year “ or wait ‘ til there ’ s a cure.
” Going to an indoor restaurant : “ Maybe ” three months to a year .
Putting away groceries without cleaning them : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more Read the full list from Tina Sfondeles here .
A Schaumburg DMV that reopened earlier this month was closed this week after an employee tested positive for COVID-19 .
The Schaumburg drivers services facility will remain closed until July 2 “ out of an abundance of caution , ” according to a statement Friday from Secretary of State Jesse White ’ s office .
The public is not “ directly impacted by this situation , ” state health officials said .
Employees will be quarantined for two weeks while the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is cleaned according to federal guidelines .
The Schaumburg facility reopened June 2 after a statewide shutdown of all driver facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic in late March .
Click here for a list of nearby driving facilities that remain open .
9:41 a.m .
Masks will be required in all University of Illinois classrooms next year In-person instruction will take place in the fall at the University of Illinois , with COVID-19 safety precautions in place to protect students if the state has moved into Phase IV of its reopening schedule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t or can ’ t return to the central Illinois campus can take classes online , according to the university .
Those who have signed up to live in university housing or freshmen required to live on campus will have to submit special documentation and receive approval to learn from a distance .
In announcing the plans , Chancellor Robert Jones said there will be as much in-person instruction and residential occupancy as restrictions of space , health and safety allows .
Classes will be in spaces that allow adequate social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an added precaution , face coverings will be required in all instructional spaces and classrooms .
Similar plans are being put into place for Illinois ’ campuses in Chicago and Springfield , according to university officials .
7:57 a.m. Hugs , haircuts , handshakes — Dr. Ezike ’ s do ’ s and don ’ t ’ s .
( Spoiler alert : Handshake time frame ‘ between a year and never again ’ ) Dr. Ngozi Ezike didn ’ t let her kids see their friends until this week .
And that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with masks .
She ’ s all for outdoor dining with the safety guidance she helped craft .
And she got a manicure behind plexiglass from a woman who has done her nails for 15 years .
“ Not now .
Between a year and never again , ” the head of the Illinois Department of Public Health told the Sun-Times in a wide-ranging interview about her personal do ’ s and don ’ ts as she helps Illinois navigate through the pandemic .
“ No , we can show love virtually .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year or two , ” she said .
For months , Ezike has been the state ’ s go-to for public health guidance as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s chief advisor on Illinois ’ response to COVID-19 .
7:03 a.m .
Unique Chicago COVID-19 virus linked to early cases in China A unique COVID-19 virus that spread through Chicago appears to link directly to an early outbreak in China and may not spread as easily and as rapidly as the virus prevalent in New York and elsewhere in the U.S. , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study of genetic makeup of the coronavirus in Chicago , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine researchers discovered a unique type that is more likely to be found locally than other parts of the country .
The goal of better understanding the genetic difference in virus outbreaks is to use that information to develop effective vaccines .
After studying the genetic makeup of dozens of virus samples of nearly 90 people , the Northwestern researchers determined that there were three main types of the virus found locally .
Almost 60 percent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus that is prevalent in New York , which has been traced to Europe .
• State health officials on Thursday said another 55 people have died in Illinois of COVID-19 , as another 593 people tested positive for the coronavirus .
• New research suggests a unique COVID-19 virus spread through Chicago earlier this year , linked directly to an early outbreak in China , which may not spread as easily and as rapidly as the virus prevalent in New York and elsewhere in the U.S. • Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
6:47 p.m. Illinois politicians start to get serious about fundraising as the state reopens As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process , some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers .
For the past few months , most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising .
The global pandemic , accompanied by an international economic crash , made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass , inappropriate and even dangerous .
Eventually , some folks began hosting online fundraisers .
It ’ s an election year , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , for a price , contributors could pay for a password to attend Zoom events and support their candidates of choice .
Several candidates also began dialing for dollars .
But April was not a good month for campaigns .
$ 2.87 million in A-1 reports ( contributions of $ 1,000 or over ) were filed in April .
That ’ s about a third of the $ 7.7 million reported in April of 2016 , a similar election cycle .
Just $ 3.6 million in A-1 contributions were reported this May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 15.5 million reported in May of 2016 .
8:13 a.m. A ‘ last responder ’ s ’ COVID-19 message : ‘ If they won ’ t listen to a doctor , maybe they ’ ll listen to an undertaker ’ In a normal month , Symonds ’ Funeral Home in north suburban Highwood handles five to eight funerals .
As the COVID-19 pandemic peaked here in May , that number jumped to 44 .
The vast majority of those were COVID cases , said Irving Symonds III , the second-generation funeral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ starting to see his workload ease slightly .
“ It ’ s still busy .
It ’ s not like what it was .
We really got slammed , ” said Symonds , who spent much of May with families lined up outside his office door seeking to make arrangements while he got only three hours sleep per night trying to keep up with the work .
As Illinois continues with its reopening process and life returns to some semblance of normal , it would be a tragedy if people failed to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been dealing with is real — and continues to be real .
And I can ’ t think of any place better to bring home that point than a funeral home , where death gets about as real as real can get .
“ We ’ re the last responders , ” said Symonds , drawing on a reference to his profession that has been popularized during this pandemic .
Read the full commentary from columnist Mark Brown on a local funeral home operator at the front lines of COVID-19 .

Another 44 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois as health officials on Friday announced the latest batch of 692 confirmed cases.
With the state still managing to avoid the massive case spikes seen in other states with loosening coronavirus restrictions, a total of 6,580 deaths have now been attributed to the virus in Illinois.
The latest reports bring the state’s total confirmed cases to 135,470, almost five months since the first person tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois.
Here’s what else happened in Chicago and around the state as the coronavirus pandemic continued.
News
8:56 p.m. Mayor Lightfoot says indoor dining in Chicago can begin June 26, but with limits
This is a file photo of Dolo restaurant in the Chinatown neighborhood. Indoor dining at Chicago restaurants — limited to 25% capacity — can begin June 26, the city announced Friday. Colin Boyle/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday announced indoor restaurants will be able to reopen next Friday, the same day the state enters Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Phase 4 of reopening.
The mayor in a release said restaurants, bars, breweries and other eating and drinking establishments can open on June 26, “to align with the state’s plan to move to Phase 4 on the same day.”
The mayor also announced restaurants will be open to 25% capacity, with a maximum capacity of 50 people per room or floor. Customers must also be seated at tables 6 feet apart with 10 people or fewer per table. And seating at bars will be limited to a maximum of two hours per party.
The state plans to reveal its safety guidance for indoor restaurants next week. Last week, Chicago Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said she anticipated indoor restaurants, museums and gyms could reopen on July 1.
Lightfoot has repeatedly said she could not come to an agreement with Pritzker about indoor dining and noted the financial difficulties the industry is facing. But Pritzker’s plan allows all indoor restaurants to reopen June 26.
Read the full report from Tina Sfondeles here.
8:02 p.m. AMC Theaters now will require masks, reversing policy after strong backlash
LOS ANGELES — The nation’s largest movie theater chain changed its position on mask-wearing less than a day after the company became a target on social media for saying it would defer to local governments on the issue.
AMC Theaters CEO Adam Aron said Friday that its theaters will require patrons to wear masks upon reopening, which will begin in mid-July. Customers who don’t wear masks won’t be admitted or allowed to stay.
“We think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests,” Aron said. “It is clear from this response that we did not go far enough on the usage of masks.”
Rival chain Regal followed AMC’s lead. Spokesman Richard Grover said Friday that moviegoers must wear masks in all its theaters as well.
5:31 p.m. Hand sanitizer on dashboard erupts into flames in Waukegan
A bottle of hand sanitizer left on a car’s dashboard erupted into flames in north suburban Waukegan Thursday, badly damaging the car.
Authorities believe that heat from the sunlight partly caused the fire, Waukegan Fire Department spokesman Steven Lenzi said in a statement.
“It appears sunlight shining through the windshield onto the sanitizer was enough to cause the ignition,” Lenzi said.
The fire appeared to extinguish itself due to lack of oxygen before firefighters arrived in the 400 block of Pioneer Road, Lenzi said. No one was hurt.
Read the full report from David Struett here.
4:25 p.m. Appeals court upholds federal judge’s coronavirus orders at Cook County Jail
An appeals court Friday upheld most of a federal judge’s order requiring widespread coronavirus testing and other measures to control the spread of COVD-19 at the Cook County Jail.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals denied most of a motion filed by Sheriff Tom Dart that asked the court to pause the preliminary injunction ordered by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly in April after a class-action lawsuit was brought against Dart on behalf of detainees.
However, the 7th Circuit Court said that while Dart is appealing that injunction, the sheriff’s office will no longer be prevented from holding detainees in double cells or in group housing. But the sheriff’s office has said it won’t use double cells and will continue to social distance detainees while appealing.
A spokesman for the sheriff’s office was not immediately able to comment Friday.
Sarah Grady, an attorney for the detainees, said she hopes the sheriff’s office follows through on that promise, saying advocates are concerned that if detainees are housed in close quarters new coronavirus cases could rise.
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here.
3:45 p.m. Latest Illinois coronavirus numbers: 44 more deaths, 692 new cases
Another 44 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois as health officials on Friday announced the latest batch of 692 confirmed cases.
With the state still managing to avoid the massive case spikes seen in other states with loosening coronavirus restrictions, a total of 6,580 deaths have now been attributed to the virus in Illinois.
The latest reports bring the state’s total confirmed cases to 135,470, almost five months since the first person tested positive for the coronavirus in Illinois.
Another 1,000 are considered to have been “probable” cases, while an additional 204 deaths haven’t been officially added to the Illinois toll because those people were never tested.
Still, the recovery rate inched up to 94% with the latest figures, which also marked two full weeks since the state last tallied more than 1,000 new cases in a single day, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
And that’s as testing capacity has expanded statewide. More than 27,000 test results were reported Friday, and about 1.3 million people have been tested overall.
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here.
3:07 p.m. Pandemic keeps plumbers busy; housebound clients mean ‘a lot more toilets being flushed’
Plumbers say they’re busier than ever thanks to the coronavirus pandemic keeping most of us at home most of the time the past few months.
“It’s more use of the toilets,” says Tom Mascari, president of Mendel Plumbing & Heating in St. Charles. “Handles are breaking, valves inside need to be replaced.”
“We’ve been working seven days a week, 10-, 12-, 14-hour shifts,” says Jose Rivera, owner of A Solution Sewer & Plumbing in Bridgeview. “By the time I get home, it’s a shower, and off to bed I go.”
“We’ve been incredibly busy — beyond belief,” says William Taylor, owner of Four Seasons Sewer & Plumbing, 6807 W. Irving Park Rd. “There’s a lot more toilets being flushed.”
Pre-pandemic, “You’re using the bathroom facilities in the morning before you go to work or school and then in the evening,” says Brian Wilk, owner of Bishop Heating, Plumbing and Cooling in Des Plaines. But with people stuck at home, “You’re getting more clogged drain lines.”
Some clogs have been caused by people, perhaps worried about toilet paper shortages, who instead did what plumbers will tell you is a big no-no: They used paper towels or wipes that are advertised as flushable but don’t dissolve like T.P.
And sometimes kids, bored with being home so long, toss things in to the toilet that aren’t meant to be tossed into the toilet.
2:25 p.m. Hiring rose in 46 states in May yet jobless rates still high
WASHINGTON — Employers added jobs in 46 states last month, evidence that the U.S. economy’s surprise hiring gain in May was spread broadly across the country — in both states that began reopening their economies early and those that did so only later.
Unemployment rates fell in 38 states, rose in three and were largely unchanged in nine, the Labor Department said Friday. The disparities ranged from Nevada, with the highest rate (25.3%), Hawaii (22.6%) and Michigan (21.2%) to Nebraska (5.2%, the lowest) and Utah (8.5%). The overall U.S. unemployment rate in May was a still-high 13.3%, a decline from 14.7% in April.
As a whole, the figures illustrate the unusually broad nature of the recession, with all states enduring unemployment rates that soared in April as the coronavirus forced business closures and then generally fell in May but remained painfully high. During the 2008-2009 Great Recession, by contrast, some Midwestern states such as Iowa and North Dakota managed to avoid high unemployment. Yet this time in May, Iowa’s unemployment rate was a high 10% and North Dakota’s 9.1%.
Read the full report here.
1:06 p.m. You can stop cleaning your groceries, but hugs are still risky: Ezike
For months, Dr. Ngozi Ezike has been the state’s go-to for public health guidance as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s chief advisor on Illinois’ response to COVID-19. Sun-Times reporter Tina Sfondeles asked about her personal do’s and don’ts, and how she and her family are handling COVID-19 precautions. Here’s her Cliff’s Notes version.
Handshakes:“At least a year”
Hugs from friends:“A year or two”
Hugging your mother:“I would visit her, but I would not hug her” – At least a year
Visiting a parent who is over 65:At least a year
Visiting a parent who is over 65 with pre-existing conditions:At least a year “or wait ‘til there’s a cure.”
Going to an indoor restaurant: “Maybe” three months to a year.
Putting away groceries without cleaning them:Now
Attending a wedding:A year or more
Going to church:A year or more
Read the full list from Tina Sfondeles here.
12:04 p.m. Schaumburg DMV closes again after employee contracts coronavirus
A Schaumburg DMV that reopened earlier this month was closed this week after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The Schaumburg drivers services facility will remain closed until July 2 “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a statement Friday from Secretary of State Jesse White’s office.
The public is not “directly impacted by this situation,” state health officials said. Employees will be quarantined for two weeks while the building, at 1227 E. Golf Rd., is cleaned according to federal guidelines.
The Schaumburg facility reopened June 2 after a statewide shutdown of all driver facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic in late March.
Click here for a list of nearby driving facilities that remain open.
9:41 a.m. Masks will be required in all University of Illinois classrooms next year
In-person instruction will take place in the fall at the University of Illinois, with COVID-19 safety precautions in place to protect students if the state has moved into Phase IV of its reopening schedule, officials said Thursday.
Students who don’t or can’t return to the central Illinois campus can take classes online, according to the university. Those who have signed up to live in university housing or freshmen required to live on campus will have to submit special documentation and receive approval to learn from a distance.
In announcing the plans, Chancellor Robert Jones said there will be as much in-person instruction and residential occupancy as restrictions of space, health and safety allows. Classes will be in spaces that allow adequate social distancing between students and professors. As an added precaution, face coverings will be required in all instructional spaces and classrooms.
Similar plans are being put into place for Illinois’ campuses in Chicago and Springfield, according to university officials.
Read the full story here.
7:57 a.m. Hugs, haircuts, handshakes — Dr. Ezike’s do’s and don’t’s. (Spoiler alert: Handshake time frame ‘between a year and never again’)
Dr. Ngozi Ezike didn’t let her kids see their friends until this week.
And that was a carefully supervised backyard get-together — with masks.
She’s all for outdoor dining with the safety guidance she helped craft. And she got a manicure behind plexiglass from a woman who has done her nails for 15 years.
But handshakes?
“Not now. Between a year and never again,” the head of the Illinois Department of Public Health told the Sun-Times in a wide-ranging interview about her personal do’s and don’ts as she helps Illinois navigate through the pandemic.
A hug from a friend?
“No, we can show love virtually. I think that might be for a year or two,” she said.
For months, Ezike has been the state’s go-to for public health guidance as Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s chief advisor on Illinois’ response to COVID-19.
Read the full story from reporter Tina Sfondeles.
7:03 a.m. Unique Chicago COVID-19 virus linked to early cases in China
A unique COVID-19 virus that spread through Chicago appears to link directly to an early outbreak in China and may not spread as easily and as rapidly as the virus prevalent in New York and elsewhere in the U.S., according to new research.
In a preliminary study of genetic makeup of the coronavirus in Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine researchers discovered a unique type that is more likely to be found locally than other parts of the country. The goal of better understanding the genetic difference in virus outbreaks is to use that information to develop effective vaccines.
After studying the genetic makeup of dozens of virus samples of nearly 90 people, the Northwestern researchers determined that there were three main types of the virus found locally.
Almost 60 percent of the samples studied were closely related to the virus that is prevalent in New York, which has been traced to Europe.
Reporter Brett Chase has the full story.
New cases
State health officials on Thursday said another 55 people have died in Illinois of COVID-19, as another 593 people tested positive for the coronavirus.
New research suggests a unique COVID-19 virus spread through Chicago earlier this year, linked directly to an early outbreak in China, which may not spread as easily and as rapidly as the virus prevalent in New York and elsewhere in the U.S.
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19.
Analysis & Commentary
6:47 p.m. Illinois politicians start to get serious about fundraising as the state reopens
As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process, some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers.
For the past few months, most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising. The global pandemic, accompanied by an international economic crash, made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass, inappropriate and even dangerous.
Eventually, some folks began hosting online fundraisers. It’s an election year, after all, and elections cost money. So, for a price, contributors could pay for a password to attend Zoom events and support their candidates of choice.
Several candidates also began dialing for dollars. But April was not a good month for campaigns. $2.87 million in A-1 reports (contributions of $1,000 or over) were filed in April. That’s about a third of the $7.7 million reported in April of 2016, a similar election cycle.
Just $3.6 million in A-1 contributions were reported this May, which is about a fifth of the $15.5 million reported in May of 2016.
Read Rich Miller’s full column here.
8:13 a.m. A ‘last responder’s’ COVID-19 message: ‘If they won’t listen to a doctor, maybe they’ll listen to an undertaker’
In a normal month, Symonds’ Funeral Home in north suburban Highwood handles five to eight funerals.
As the COVID-19 pandemic peaked here in May, that number jumped to 44.
The vast majority of those were COVID cases, said Irving Symonds III, the second-generation funeral home operator who is only just now starting to see his workload ease slightly.
“It’s still busy. It’s not like what it was. We really got slammed,” said Symonds, who spent much of May with families lined up outside his office door seeking to make arrangements while he got only three hours sleep per night trying to keep up with the work.
As Illinois continues with its reopening process and life returns to some semblance of normal, it would be a tragedy if people failed to keep in mind that what we’ve been dealing with is real — and continues to be real.
And I can’t think of any place better to bring home that point than a funeral home, where death gets about as real as real can get.
“We’re the last responders,” said Symonds, drawing on a reference to his profession that has been popularized during this pandemic.
Read the full commentary from columnist Mark Brown on a local funeral home operator at the front lines of COVID-19.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--The Chicago Park District should lead our city in a little straight talk about Columbus

When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the “ New World , ” on an island in what is now the Bahamas , he was desperate to obtain two things : Columbus needed both , in abundance , to persuade the Spanish monarchs who financed his first voyage to pay for a second .
In one report , Columbus wrote that he would bring “ as much gold as they need .
.
.
and as many slaves as they ask.
” Columbus and his men enslaved the native Taino , ordering them to deliver a certain amount of gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands cut off .
Hundreds of Taino were sent back to Europe as slaves .
“ Let us in the name of the Holy Trinity go on sending all the slaves that can be sold , ” Columbus wrote in another letter .
Many of the enslaved died on the voyage or upon reaching Europe .
Even a cursory look at the historic record on Columbus makes clear why so many Americans no longer view him as the heroic explorer they learned about in grade school .
Armed with new historical evidence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of being commemorated with statues .
They are calling for those statues to be removed , just as statues of Confederate generals have been taken down in the South in recent weeks .
Here in Chicago , vandals recently defaced statues of Columbus , and anti-Columbus protesters squared off with Italian Americans who were determined to protect the statues as a matter of ethnic pride .
The Chicago Park District must step in and resolve the dispute .
The statues are public property , located in public parks .
It ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two sides together .
Let ’ s have some straight talk , in a formal setting , about Columbus and his legacy .
And let ’ s do so in a way that makes clear , however one might judge Columbus , that this town cherishes the contributions of Italians Americans to our city and country .
Let ’ s have some straight talk , in a formal setting , about Columbus and his legacy .
And let ’ s do so in a way that makes clear , however one might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the contributions of Italians Americans to our city and country .
As Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Thursday , tearing down the statues right this moment would be unnecessarily “ divisive , ” but it ’ s long past time for “ honest , hard conversations about the real truths of our history.
” We can do this , as a city , with mutual respect .
By now , most Americans know that Columbus certainly did not “ discover ” the so-called “ New World , ” where indigenous people had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He never even set foot in North America .
On his four trips to the New World , he and his men routinely practiced extreme cruelty in their dealings with the indigenous natives they encountered , killing anybody who rebelled and displaying the dead bodies to discourage further rebellion .
Columbus ’ voyages opened up the Americas to centuries of exploitation , death and misery for millions of native peoples at the hands of Europeans .
As the Harvard University historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote in a multivolume biography of the explorer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enslavement and killing ] initiated by Columbus and pursued by his successors resulted in complete genocide.
” Morison wrote that way back in 1942 .
On the other side of this dispute are Italian Americans who view Columbus , born in Genoa , Italy , as a courageous explorer whose historical importance is beyond disputed .
Columbus ’ voyages marked the real beginning of the great transatlantic exchange , they argue , and statues of him — as well as streets and parks named for him — are legitimate symbols of Italian pride @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the creation of the printing press in terms of things of importance for humanity , ” Louis Rago , president of the Italian American Human Relations Foundation in Chicago , told us .
Along those lines , we ’ d like to make two last points .
First , while it ’ s probably clear from the tone of this editorial that we ’ re skeptical of continued efforts to celebrate Columbus , we would never equate statues of Confederate generals with statues of Columbus .
Those Confederate statues , every one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , were erected not soon after the Civil War but decades later , as instruments of racist social control in the Jim Crow era .
The Confederate statues were , in part , intentional symbols of white supremacy , pure and simple .
Chicago ’ s Columbus statues , in contrast — while they offend millions of Americans today — were erected only to celebrate healthy ethnic pride , pure and simple .
Secondly , Italian Americans , as much or more so than other European immigrants , have themselves felt the sting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those of darker skin , once ranked not much higher than Black Americans in the racist social hierarchy of this country .
The first Columbus Day in the United States was celebrated in 1892 , barely more than a year after 11 Italian immigrants were lynched in New Orleans .
What is Chicago to do about those two statues of Columbus ?
And how do we do it in a spirit of healing and unity ?
The Chicago Park District has a job to do .

When Christopher Columbus first set foot in the “New World,” on an island in what is now the Bahamas, he was desperate to obtain two things:
Gold and slaves.
Columbus needed both, in abundance, to persuade the Spanish monarchs who financed his first voyage to pay for a second. In one report, Columbus wrote that he would bring “as much gold as they need . . . and as many slaves as they ask.”
Columbus and his men enslaved the native Taino, ordering them to deliver a certain amount of gold every three months — or have their hands cut off. Hundreds of Taino were sent back to Europe as slaves.
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“Let us in the name of the Holy Trinity go on sending all the slaves that can be sold,” Columbus wrote in another letter.
Many of the enslaved died on the voyage or upon reaching Europe.
Even a cursory look at the historic record on Columbus makes clear why so many Americans no longer view him as the heroic explorer they learned about in grade school. Armed with new historical evidence, they no longer believe Columbus is worthy of being commemorated with statues. They are calling for those statues to be removed, just as statues of Confederate generals have been taken down in the South in recent weeks.
Here in Chicago, vandals recently defaced statues of Columbus, and anti-Columbus protesters squared off with Italian Americans who were determined to protect the statues as a matter of ethnic pride.
The Chicago Park District must step in and resolve the dispute. The statues are public property, located in public parks. It’s the park district’s responsibility to bring the two sides together.
Time for straight talk
Let’s have some straight talk, in a formal setting, about Columbus and his legacy. And let’s do so in a way that makes clear, however one might judge Columbus, that this town cherishes the contributions of Italians Americans to our city and country.
Let’s have some straight talk, in a formal setting, about Columbus and his legacy. And let’s do so in a way that makes clear, however one might judge Columbus, that this town cherishes the contributions of Italians Americans to our city and country.
As Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Thursday, tearing down the statues right this moment would be unnecessarily “divisive,” but it’s long past time for “honest, hard conversations about the real truths of our history.”
We can do this, as a city, with mutual respect.
The real Columbus
By now, most Americans know that Columbus certainly did not “discover” the so-called “New World,” where indigenous people had been living for centuries before he popped up. He never even set foot in North America.
On his four trips to the New World, he and his men routinely practiced extreme cruelty in their dealings with the indigenous natives they encountered, killing anybody who rebelled and displaying the dead bodies to discourage further rebellion.
Columbus’ voyages opened up the Americas to centuries of exploitation, death and misery for millions of native peoples at the hands of Europeans.
As the Harvard University historian Samuel Eliot Morison wrote in a multivolume biography of the explorer: “The cruel policy [of enslavement and killing] initiated by Columbus and pursued by his successors resulted in complete genocide.”
Morison wrote that way back in 1942.
On the other side of this dispute are Italian Americans who view Columbus, born in Genoa, Italy, as a courageous explorer whose historical importance is beyond disputed. Columbus’ voyages marked the real beginning of the great transatlantic exchange, they argue, and statues of him — as well as streets and parks named for him — are legitimate symbols of Italian pride.
“His voyages were next to the creation of the printing press in terms of things of importance for humanity,” Louis Rago, president of the Italian American Human Relations Foundation in Chicago, told us.
An unfair lumping together
Along those lines, we’d like to make two last points.
First, while it’s probably clear from the tone of this editorial that we’re skeptical of continued efforts to celebrate Columbus, we would never equate statues of Confederate generals with statues of Columbus.
Those Confederate statues, every one of which richly deserves to be torn down, were erected not soon after the Civil War but decades later, as instruments of racist social control in the Jim Crow era. The Confederate statues were, in part, intentional symbols of white supremacy, pure and simple.
Chicago’s Columbus statues, in contrast — while they offend millions of Americans today — were erected only to celebrate healthy ethnic pride, pure and simple.
Secondly, Italian Americans, as much or more so than other European immigrants, have themselves felt the sting of bigotry. Italian immigrants, especially those of darker skin, once ranked not much higher than Black Americans in the racist social hierarchy of this country.
Consider this:
The first Columbus Day in the United States was celebrated in 1892, barely more than a year after 11 Italian immigrants were lynched in New Orleans.
What is Chicago to do about those two statues of Columbus? And how do we do it in a spirit of healing and unity?
The Chicago Park District has a job to do.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Carlos Ruiz Zafón, ‘Shadow of the Wind’ author, dead at 55

MADRID — Carlos Ruiz Zafón , whose wildly popular 2001 novel “ The Shadow of the Wind ” led to three sequels and made him one of the world ’ s most beloved Spanish authors , has died .
He was 55 .
His Spanish publisher , Planeta , said in a statement Friday that Zafón died in Los Angeles .
It gave no cause of death , but Zafón was known to have cancer .
“ One of the most read and admired Spanish authors worldwide has left us , ” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important mark in modern literature .
Thank you for letting us travel through your stories.
” “ The Shadow of the Wind , ” a literary thriller from 2001 , was the first in his series “ The Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
” The novel , set in Barcelona and mingling reality , fantasy and romance , recounts the son of a bookshop owner ’ s quest to find the works of a mysterious author and to learn who has been destroying them .
“ Every book , every volume you see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zafón wrote in the novel in a quote that many were posting on social media after his death .
“ The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it .
Every time a book changes hands , every time someone runs his eyes down its pages , its spirit grows and strengthens.
” The sprawling , detailed storytelling and world-building led some to compare Zafón to Dickens and Tolstoy .
And the book ’ s worldwide popularity as a work of Spanish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its 2004 translation into English , heavily praised and promoted by Stephen King , made Zafón an international literary superstar .
He would spend the next 16 years writing three sequels featuring the same literature-obsessed protagonist Daniel Sempere : 2008 ’ s “ The Angel ’ s Game , ” 2011 ’ s “ The Prisoner of Heaven , ” and 2017 ’ s “ The Labyrinth of Spirits.
” “ Zafón ’ s writing is sumptuous and dark and epic , ” author Livia Llewellyn wrote on Twitter Friday .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those novels I return to every couple of years because it ’ s everything I love about writing and what it can when created by an absolute master.
” Zafón ’ s works have been translated into more than 50 languages , according to Planeta , and have won numerous prizes .
Born in Barcelona in 1964 , the son of an insurance salesman , Zafón worked as a publicist before becoming a full-time writer .
He first gained notice in 1993 with a horror-mystery novel for young adults , “ The Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trilogy along with 1994 ’ s “ The Midnight Palace ” and 1995 ’ s “ The Watcher in the Shadows.
” Zafón was also an accomplished amateur pianist and composer — he humbly called it his “ hobby ” — who would sometimes play at his public readings and discussions .
He moved from Barcelona to Los Angeles in the 1990s and briefly worked as a screenwriter , but had far greater success by returning to novels .
He split his time between the two cities for the rest of his life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ website called “ Why I Write , ” Zafón said it was because he had no other choice .
“ I am in the business of storytelling , ” he wrote .
“ I always have been , always will be .
It is what I ’ ve been doing since I was a kid .
Telling stories , making up tales , bringing life to characters , devising plots , visualizing scenes and staging sequences of events , images , words and sounds that tell a story .
All in exchange for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear , and a little of your time and attention .
”

MADRID — Carlos Ruiz Zafón, whose wildly popular 2001 novel “The Shadow of the Wind” led to three sequels and made him one of the world’s most beloved Spanish authors, has died. He was 55.
His Spanish publisher, Planeta, said in a statement Friday that Zafón died in Los Angeles. It gave no cause of death, but Zafón was known to have cancer.
“One of the most read and admired Spanish authors worldwide has left us,” Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on Twitter. “Carlos Ruiz Zafón... leaves an important mark in modern literature. Thank you for letting us travel through your stories.”
“The Shadow of the Wind,” a literary thriller from 2001, was the first in his series “The Cemetery of Forgotten Books.”
The novel, set in Barcelona and mingling reality, fantasy and romance, recounts the son of a bookshop owner’s quest to find the works of a mysterious author and to learn who has been destroying them.
“Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul,” Zafón wrote in the novel in a quote that many were posting on social media after his death. “The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.”
The sprawling, detailed storytelling and world-building led some to compare Zafón to Dickens and Tolstoy. And the book’s worldwide popularity as a work of Spanish literature brought him comparisons to Cervantes.
Its 2004 translation into English, heavily praised and promoted by Stephen King, made Zafón an international literary superstar.
He would spend the next 16 years writing three sequels featuring the same literature-obsessed protagonist Daniel Sempere: 2008’s “The Angel’s Game,” 2011’s “The Prisoner of Heaven,” and 2017’s “The Labyrinth of Spirits.”
“Zafón’s writing is sumptuous and dark and epic,” author Livia Llewellyn wrote on Twitter Friday. “The Shadow of the Wind is one of those novels I return to every couple of years because it’s everything I love about writing and what it can when created by an absolute master.”
Zafón’s works have been translated into more than 50 languages, according to Planeta, and have won numerous prizes.
Born in Barcelona in 1964, the son of an insurance salesman, Zafón worked as a publicist before becoming a full-time writer.
He first gained notice in 1993 with a horror-mystery novel for young adults, “The Prince of Mist.” It would become a trilogy along with 1994’s “The Midnight Palace” and 1995’s “The Watcher in the Shadows.”
Zafón was also an accomplished amateur pianist and composer — he humbly called it his “hobby” — who would sometimes play at his public readings and discussions.
He moved from Barcelona to Los Angeles in the 1990s and briefly worked as a screenwriter, but had far greater success by returning to novels. He split his time between the two cities for the rest of his life.
In a personal essay on his website called “Why I Write,” Zafón said it was because he had no other choice.
“I am in the business of storytelling,” he wrote. “I always have been, always will be. It is what I’ve been doing since I was a kid. Telling stories, making up tales, bringing life to characters, devising plots, visualizing scenes and staging sequences of events, images, words and sounds that tell a story. All in exchange for a penny, a smile or a tear, and a little of your time and attention.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Illinois politicians start to get serious about fundraising as the state reopens

As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process , some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers .
For the past few months , most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising .
The global pandemic , accompanied by an international economic crash , made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass , inappropriate and even dangerous .
Eventually , some folks began hosting online fundraisers .
It ’ s an election year , after all , and elections cost money .
So , for a price , contributors could pay for a password to attend Zoom events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Several candidates also began dialing for dollars .
But April was not a good month for campaigns .
$ 2.87 million in A-1 reports ( contributions of $ 1,000 or over ) were filed in April .
That ’ s about a third of the $ 7.7 million reported in April of 2016 , a similar election cycle .
Just $ 3.6 million in A-1 contributions were reported this May , which is about a fifth of the $ 15.5 million reported in May of 2016 .
June ’ s A-1s were showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is well below the $ 8.2 million reported during the same period four years ago .
If all goes well , the governor ’ s reopening plan will allow for gatherings of up to 50 people ( far more than the current 10 ) starting June 26 , and some politicos are taking advantage .
Rep. Lisa Hernandez ( D-Cicero ) hosts an annual golf outing to mark her birthday .
This year ’ s fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for July 28 at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont .
Tickets range from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 for a “ platinum sponsorship.
” “ We ’ re not doing anything inside , ” Rep. Hernandez told me .
She said she usually has a dinner during what had been an all-day event , but not this year .
She ’ ll still have a margarita tent set up at the 9th hole and food will be available , but nothing inside .
The Pritzker administration released detailed Phase 3 golfing guidelines in late May , which , among other things , permitted foursomes and restricted golf carts to just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same household .
Phase 4 golfing guidelines had not yet been issued when I spoke with Hernandez , and she said she ’ ll need to wait until that happens before she can finalize her preparations .
Rep. Hernandez will not be the first legislator to hold an in-person fundraising event since the crisis began .
I checked around and it looks like Rep. Ryan Spain ( R-Peoria ) might be the first to try to go back to in-person fundraising .
Rep. Spain ’ s golf outing is scheduled for July 13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady has a Springfield fundraiser scheduled two days later at a popular local beer garden .
“ All CDC social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed , ” reads the Brady event invite .
Tickets , ranging in price from $ 250 to $ 10,000 , will therefore be limited , the invite notes .
Rep. Mike Halpin ( D-Rock Island ) has a golf outing on July 30 .
Democratic Sens .
Dave Koehler and Tony Munoz are holding August events .
Republican Sens .
Jason Barickman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also holding August events .
Several other folks are likely to schedule events in August and September , numerous sources say .
But will people show up ?
Rep. Hernandez , for one , says she ’ s not worried if people decide not to come .
“ If it ’ s a small group , it ’ s small , ” she said .
“ It ’ s OK. ” Hernandez has no general election opponent .
Money is tight , so her event may well be on the small side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning are undoubtedly much safer than indoor events .
And wearing masks really does work to halt the spread of COVID-19 .
Hospitalizations are a two-to-three week lagging indicator , and three weeks after the massive civil rights protests began , Illinois hospitalizations were actually declining .
That ’ s probably because most protesters wore face coverings .
But make no mistake , there is real risk here , albeit relatively small for outdoor gatherings .
If somebody catches the virus at a campaign fundraiser , the unlucky candidate is gon na be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The state has pushed the virus curve down so low that the risks of overrunning our hospitals with sick patients are no longer immediately dire .
So , go for it if you want .
Just please be careful out there .
You can not possibly raise enough money to overcome the negative publicity of spreading the virus ( and possibly killing people ) at your event .
Strictly police your fundraiser to make sure you don ’ t wind up a casualty yourself , physically and/or politically .
It just ain ’ @ @ @ @

As Illinois slowly begins the reopening process, some state legislators have decided to start hosting in-person fundraisers.
For the past few months, most legislative incumbents and challengers have abandoned fundraising. The global pandemic, accompanied by an international economic crash, made the idea of raising campaign money seem crass, inappropriate and even dangerous.
Eventually, some folks began hosting online fundraisers. It’s an election year, after all, and elections cost money. So, for a price, contributors could pay for a password to attend Zoom events and support their candidates of choice.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
Several candidates also began dialing for dollars. But April was not a good month for campaigns. $2.87 million in A-1 reports (contributions of $1,000 or over) were filed in April. That’s about a third of the $7.7 million reported in April of 2016, a similar election cycle.
Just $3.6 million in A-1 contributions were reported this May, which is about a fifth of the $15.5 million reported in May of 2016.
June’s A-1s were showing $1.8 million on June 18, which is well below the $8.2 million reported during the same period four years ago.
If all goes well, the governor’s reopening plan will allow for gatherings of up to 50 people (far more than the current 10) starting June 26, and some politicos are taking advantage.
Rep. Lisa Hernandez (D-Cicero) hosts an annual golf outing to mark her birthday. This year’s fundraiser is tentatively scheduled for July 28 at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont. Tickets range from $750 for a foursome to $5,000 for a “platinum sponsorship.”
“We’re not doing anything inside,” Rep. Hernandez told me. She said she usually has a dinner during what had been an all-day event, but not this year. She’ll still have a margarita tent set up at the 9th hole and food will be available, but nothing inside.
The Pritzker administration released detailed Phase 3 golfing guidelines in late May, which, among other things, permitted foursomes and restricted golf carts to just one person unless riders were from the same household. Phase 4 golfing guidelines had not yet been issued when I spoke with Hernandez, and she said she’ll need to wait until that happens before she can finalize her preparations.
Rep. Hernandez will not be the first legislator to hold an in-person fundraising event since the crisis began.
I checked around and it looks like Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) might be the first to try to go back to in-person fundraising. Rep. Spain’s golf outing is scheduled for July 13, according to the House Republican Organization.
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady has a Springfield fundraiser scheduled two days later at a popular local beer garden.
“All CDC social distancing guidelines will be strictly followed,” reads the Brady event invite. Tickets, ranging in price from $250 to $10,000, will therefore be limited, the invite notes.
Rep. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) has a golf outing on July 30. Democratic Sens. Dave Koehler and Tony Munoz are holding August events. Republican Sens. Jason Barickman, Don Dewitte and Sue Rezin are also holding August events. Several other folks are likely to schedule events in August and September, numerous sources say.
But will people show up? Rep. Hernandez, for one, says she’s not worried if people decide not to come. “If it’s a small group, it’s small,” she said. “It’s OK.” Hernandez has no general election opponent. Money is tight, so her event may well be on the small side.
Outdoor events like the one Hernandez is planning are undoubtedly much safer than indoor events. And wearing masks really does work to halt the spread of COVID-19. Hospitalizations are a two-to-three week lagging indicator, and three weeks after the massive civil rights protests began, Illinois hospitalizations were actually declining. That’s probably because most protesters wore face coverings.
But make no mistake, there is real risk here, albeit relatively small for outdoor gatherings. If somebody catches the virus at a campaign fundraiser, the unlucky candidate is gonna be in for some absolutely horrible publicity.
The state has pushed the virus curve down so low that the risks of overrunning our hospitals with sick patients are no longer immediately dire. So, go for it if you want.
Just please be careful out there. You cannot possibly raise enough money to overcome the negative publicity of spreading the virus (and possibly killing people) at your event. Strictly police your fundraiser to make sure you don’t wind up a casualty yourself, physically and/or politically. It just ain’t worth it.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Man charged with fighting with employee, customers at Lake View Jewel-Osco

A 36-year-old New York City man has been charged with starting a fight after he was confronted for allegedly shoplifting @ @ @ @ @ store .
Anthony Green , who was stabbed and cut by broken glass during Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ shoved a woman after a Jewel-Osco employee stopped him for shoplifting , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ punch a 42-year-old man .
That man pulled out a pocket knife and slashed Green @ @ @ @ @ said .
Green left the store , in the 3500 block of North Broadway , @ @ @ @ @ climbed back inside the business , police said .
He then allegedly punched another man @ @ @ @ @ the broken window .
Green walked to a hospital , where he was arrested , @ @ @ @ @ charged with aggravated battery to a merchant and criminal damage to property , as well @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 36-year-old New York City man has been charged with starting a fight after he was confronted for allegedly shoplifting at a Lake View grocery store.
Anthony Green, who was stabbed and cut by broken glass during Wednesday’s incident, first shoved a woman after a Jewel-Osco employee stopped him for shoplifting, authorities said.
He allegedly went on to punch a 42-year-old man. That man pulled out a pocket knife and slashed Green in self defense, police said.
Green left the store, in the 3500 block of North Broadway, but broke a window and climbed back inside the business, police said. He then allegedly punched another man while being chased out of the broken window.
Green walked to a hospital, where he was arrested, police said.
Green was charged with aggravated battery to a merchant and criminal damage to property, as well as three misdemeanor battery counts.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Cook County Land Bank Authority needs to take steps to avoid conflicts, auditors find

An audit by an outside accounting firm released Friday found that Cook County Land Bank Authority officials haven ’ t documented what they ’ ve done to avoid conflicts of interest on land deals involving the county agency .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle ordered the examination by the firm RSM after the Chicago Sun-Times reported last fall that the land bank accepted the donation of a dilapidated building owned by Chester Wilson , chief of staff to Ald .
Carrie Austin ( 34th ) , wiped out more than $ 200,000 that Wilson owed in back property taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson business partner .
Robert Rose Jr. , the county agency ’ s executive director , responded at the time to the newspaper ’ s findings by calling the Wilson deal an “ absolute aberration ” that never should have been allowed to happen but declined to rescind it .
In a 17-page report that focused on whether the agency follows its own policies and procedures , the auditors said the land bank needs to take steps to avoid similar conflicts .
The firm , which is being paid $ 145,000 for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to document its research of potential buyers of properties the agency has seized or purchased and to create an objective system for determining who to choose when there are multiple bidders .
Though the auditors looked only at land bank transactions that occurred between June and November 2019 , the issue of how to decide among multiple bidders had come up in October 2018 , when the land bank sold a home in Oak Lawn to one of its own staffers even though it had two other offers .
Rose fired that staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant , last February after the Sun-Times found she ’ d gotten homestead property tax exemptions on that property and two others .
State law allows homeowners to take only one such tax break .
The auditors also took note of a “ lack of documentation over award decisions , ” which they said “ could be seen by the public as a significant process which lacks transparency and thus accountability.
” Since 2014 , the land bank has bought or seized and then sold about 1,000 vacant properties , largely in economically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rehabilitate them .
At a land bank authority meeting Friday , Rose characterized the findings as “ the growing pains of going from a small organization to a large organization .
But the integrity and the work that we do , I feel vindicated in this report in terms of what it says about that.
” Preckwinkle said , “ I am confident that the land bank will put procedures in place to quickly address the audit ’ s findings and recommendations.
” The land bank still faces a broader inquiry by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , also prompted by the Sun-Times report on Wilson ’ s dealings .

An audit by an outside accounting firm released Friday found that Cook County Land Bank Authority officials haven’t documented what they’ve done to avoid conflicts of interest on land deals involving the county agency.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle ordered the examination by the firm RSM after the Chicago Sun-Times reported last fall that the land bank accepted the donation of a dilapidated building owned by Chester Wilson, chief of staff to Ald. Carrie Austin (34th), wiped out more than $200,000 that Wilson owed in back property taxes, then sold the building to a Wilson business partner.
Robert Rose Jr., the county agency’s executive director, responded at the time to the newspaper’s findings by calling the Wilson deal an “absolute aberration” that never should have been allowed to happen but declined to rescind it.
In a 17-page report that focused on whether the agency follows its own policies and procedures, the auditors said the land bank needs to take steps to avoid similar conflicts.
The firm, which is being paid $145,000 for the audit, said the land bank needs to document its research of potential buyers of properties the agency has seized or purchased and to create an objective system for determining who to choose when there are multiple bidders.
Though the auditors looked only at land bank transactions that occurred between June and November 2019, the issue of how to decide among multiple bidders had come up in October 2018, when the land bank sold a home in Oak Lawn to one of its own staffers even though it had two other offers.
Rose fired that staff member, Natasha Cornog, his own assistant, last February after the Sun-Times found she’d gotten homestead property tax exemptions on that property and two others. State law allows homeowners to take only one such tax break.
The auditors also took note of a “lack of documentation over award decisions,” which they said “could be seen by the public as a significant process which lacks transparency and thus accountability.”
Since 2014, the land bank has bought or seized and then sold about 1,000 vacant properties, largely in economically distressed neighborhoods, to buyers who agree to rehabilitate them.
At a land bank authority meeting Friday, Rose characterized the findings as “the growing pains of going from a small organization to a large organization. But the integrity and the work that we do, I feel vindicated in this report in terms of what it says about that.”
Preckwinkle said, “I am confident that the land bank will put procedures in place to quickly address the audit’s findings and recommendations.”
The land bank still faces a broader inquiry by the Cook County inspector general’s office, also prompted by the Sun-Times report on Wilson’s dealings.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Man punched by driver sues Lyft; alleges poor screening let driver get rehired, kick taxi driver to

Man punched by driver sues Lyft; alleges poor screening let driver get rehired, kick taxi driver to death

Poor screening by ride-hailing giant Lyft allowed the hiring of a violent driver who attacked an attorney catching a ride to Wrigley Field two years ago , according to a lawsuit filed Friday .
Scott Gore , 56 , an attorney who lives in Lake View , wanted his Lyft driver to take a different route to avoid traffic as he neared the ballpark July 1 , 2018 .
The request sparked an argument ; the driver , Fangqi Lu , challenged Gore to fight .
“ Hit me and I ’ ll sue , ” Gore said .
Lu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , knocking him to the ground , and driving away , the lawsuit claims .
The lawsuit accuses Lyft of failing to properly screen and train its drivers , noting Lu was driving on an expired license at the time .
Gore filed a complaint with Lyft and the Chicago Police Department .
Lyft deactivated Lu from its online platform , essentially firing him , two weeks after the attack .
But Lu , 31 at the time , was not deterred .
On Aug. 1 , he used the driver ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to reapply to Lyft .
According to the suit , Lyft missed a number of red flags that would have uncovered the fraud .
Despite using his friend ’ s driver ’ s license , Lu used the same social security number , cell phone number , email address , license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number associated with his previous account that Lyft had deactivated .
Lyft failed to spot the fraud and activated Lu .
Lu also drove with Uber at the time .
And on Sept. 2 , 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roundhouse-kicked a taxi driver in the head as he walked away from Lu at an intersection just west of downtown .
The taxi driver , Anis Tungekar , 64 , died from his injuries .
The violent encounter was captured by nearby security cameras .
In the wake of Tungekar ’ s death , a Sun-Times investigation revealed Lyft failed to properly follow a warning system meant to weed out violent drivers .
Lyft failed to notify the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection — the city agency overseeing the ride-hailing industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Gore .
Lyft was fined the maximum amount — $ 10,000 .
Had the city received notification from Lyft , it would have warned other ride-hailing companies , including Uber , about Lu .
Lu ’ s fatal kick to Tungekar while driving for Uber occurred two months after he punched Gore .
“ Accountability is the key to change , ” said Gore ’ s attorney , Mike Gallagher .
“ Lyft ’ s repeated failures at multiple levels resulted in the beating of one client , and the death of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hold Lyft accountable by providing injured victims their day in court , and call on city officials to join the effort to bring needed change through long overdue accountability measures.
” In addition to Lyft , Lu is also named in the suit filed Friday .
But there ’ s little chance he ’ ll appear at legal proceedings .
He ’ s fled to China and faces murder charges in Cook County .
The United States and China have no extradition treaty , so there ’ s little hope of bringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police have said .

Poor screening by ride-hailing giant Lyft allowed the hiring of a violent driver who attacked an attorney catching a ride to Wrigley Field two years ago, according to a lawsuit filed Friday.
Scott Gore, 56, who lives in Lake View, wanted his Lyft driver to take a different route to avoid traffic as he neared the ballpark July 1, 2018. The request sparked an argument; the driver, Fangqi Lu, challenged Gore to fight.
“Hit me and I’ll sue,” Gore said. Lu responded by punching Gore in the face, knocking him to the ground, and driving away, the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit accuses Lyft of failing to properly screen and train its drivers, noting Lu was driving on an expired license at the time.
Gore filed a complaint with Lyft and the Chicago Police Department. Lyft deactivated Lu from its online platform, essentially firing him, two weeks after the attack.
But Lu, 31 at the time, was not deterred. On Aug. 1, he used the driver’s license of a friend, Bing Liu, to reapply to Lyft. According to the suit, Lyft missed a number of red flags that would have uncovered the fraud.
Despite using his friend’s driver’s license, Lu used the same Social Security number, cell phone number, email address, license plate number and Vehicle Identification Number associated with his previous account that Lyft had deactivated.
Lyft failed to spot the fraud and activated Lu.
Lu also drove with Uber at the time. And on Sept. 2, 2018, following a traffic dispute, he roundhouse-kicked a taxi driver in the head as he walked away from Lu at an intersection just west of downtown. The taxi driver, Anis Tungekar, 64, died from his injuries. The violent encounter was captured by nearby security cameras.
In the wake of Tungekar’s death, a Sun-Times investigation revealed Lyft failed to properly follow a warning system meant to weed out violent drivers.
Lyft failed to notify the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection — the city agency overseeing the ride-hailing industry — of Lu’s violent encounter with Gore. Lyft was fined the maximum amount — $10,000.
Had the city received notification from Lyft, it would have warned other ride-hailing companies, including Uber, about Lu.
Lu’s fatal kick to Tungekar while driving for Uber occurred two months after he punched Gore.
“Accountability is the key to change,” said Gore’s attorney, Mike Gallagher. “Lyft’s repeated failures at multiple levels resulted in the beating of one client, and the death of another. ... I will continue fighting to hold Lyft accountable by providing injured victims their day in court, and call on city officials to join the effort to bring needed change through long overdue accountability measures.”
A spokeswoman for Lyft didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
In addition to Lyft, Lu is also named in the suit filed Friday. But there’s little chance he’ll appear at legal proceedings. He’s fled to China and faces murder charges in Cook County.
The United States and China have no extradition treaty, so there’s little hope of bringing Lu back to face trial, Chicago police have said.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-19--Child among 6 injured in Lake Shore Drive hit-and-run crash on South Side

Lanes were closed on Lake Shore Drive Friday after six people , including a child , were hurt in a @ @ @ @ @ Side .
A collision between two vehicles happened about 2:30 p.m. in the 5700 block @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago police said .
A child was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital @ @ @ @ @ five adults were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , Chicago Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ was in serious-to-critical condition , another was in good-to-fair condition and three others were in @ @ @ @ @ lanes on Lake Shore Drive were closed at 57th Street for the investigation , police @ @

Lanes were closed on Lake Shore Drive Friday after six people, including a child, were hurt in a hit-and-run crash on the South Side.
A collision between two vehicles happened about 2:30 p.m. in the 5700 block of South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago police said.
A child was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in serious-to-critical condition, and five adults were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago Fire Department officials said. One person was in serious-to-critical condition, another was in good-to-fair condition and three others were in fair-to-serious condition.
All southbound lanes on Lake Shore Drive were closed at 57th Street for the investigation, police said.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Dear Abby: How should man tell his wife that he’s gay?

DEAR ABBY : My wife and I have been married for a year .
Recently , I have been questioning my sexuality and have realized that I am gay .
I have been trying to think of different ways of telling her , but I don ’ t want to hurt her .
Please help .
— COMING OUT IN OHIO DEAR COMING OUT : You are right : You must tell your wife , and the sooner , the better .
She may — or may not — be shocked and possibly angry .
During the talk , make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her , her attractiveness or femininity .
Afterward , suggest she contact the Straight Spouse Network for support if she feels the need .
It ’ s an organization founded many years ago by Amity Pierce Buxton , Ph.D. , to support heterosexual spouses of LGBTQ mates .
Your wife can find it online at straightspouse.org , and I highly recommend it .
DEAR ABBY : My son has been married three times .
After each divorce , he has expected me to distance myself from the ex ’ s children .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this is driving us apart .
My son says it ’ s them or him !
I ’ m heartbroken and want to maintain a relationship with both .
Help !
— FOREVER GRANDMA DEAR GRANDMA : That your son would deny his stepchildren contact with a loving grandmother because he ’ s angry with their mother is terrible .
You may wish to maintain a relationship with them , but because of your son ’ s current mindset , it may not be possible .
Since you asked me to weigh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting on the fence .
Maintain a relationship with them regardless of their “ step ” status .
They need you .
They need the validation that they are loved , which you can provide .
As to your inflexible son , I can see why he has such terrible luck with women .
It appears he still has a lot of growing up to do .
DEAR ABBY : I am an introvert , which may be hard to believe since I am the sixth child in a family of 10 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ My problem is how to handle people who call and think I should be happy to chat about nothing of interest to me .
During the pandemic this has become a major problem .
— NOT INTERESTED IN VIRGINIA DEAR NOT INTERESTED : Your problem isn ’ t unique .
During this period of social isolation , social contact can be crucial in combatting depression .
I ’ m hearing from people who say , “ Every day is exactly the same as the last one .
I have nothing to say to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends , etc .
I ’ m bored stiff , and I have become a boring person.
” It is important that you allot some time to those who are reaching out , but it doesn ’ t mean you must be a prisoner to long conversations .
Tell the caller you ’ re glad they are adjusting and maintaining their sanity .
If you see something noteworthy on television , in your online research or a book you are reading , share it .
But no law says you must remain on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participate in them every day .
Consider rationing them instead .
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 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I have been married for a year. Recently, I have been questioning my sexuality and have realized that I am gay. I have been trying to think of different ways of telling her, but I don’t want to hurt her. Please help. — COMING OUT IN OHIO
DEAR COMING OUT: You are right: You must tell your wife, and the sooner, the better. She may — or may not — be shocked and possibly angry. During the talk, make clear that this has nothing to do with her, her attractiveness or femininity. Afterward, suggest she contact the Straight Spouse Network for support if she feels the need. It’s an organization founded many years ago by Amity Pierce Buxton, Ph.D., to support heterosexual spouses of LGBTQ mates. Your wife can find it online at straightspouse.org, and I highly recommend it.
DEAR ABBY: My son has been married three times. After each divorce, he has expected me to distance myself from the ex’s children. I have been Grandma to them, and this is driving us apart. My son says it’s them or him! I’m heartbroken and want to maintain a relationship with both. Help! — FOREVER GRANDMA
DEAR GRANDMA: That your son would deny his stepchildren contact with a loving grandmother because he’s angry with their mother is terrible. You may wish to maintain a relationship with them, but because of your son’s current mindset, it may not be possible.
Since you asked me to weigh in, my advice is to stop sitting on the fence. Maintain a relationship with them regardless of their “step” status. They need you. They need the validation that they are loved, which you can provide. As to your inflexible son, I can see why he has such terrible luck with women. It appears he still has a lot of growing up to do.
DEAR ABBY: I am an introvert, which may be hard to believe since I am the sixth child in a family of 10. I enjoy talking with my siblings. My problem is how to handle people who call and think I should be happy to chat about nothing of interest to me. During the pandemic this has become a major problem. — NOT INTERESTED IN VIRGINIA
DEAR NOT INTERESTED: Your problem isn’t unique. During this period of social isolation, social contact can be crucial in combatting depression. I’m hearing from people who say, “Every day is exactly the same as the last one. I have nothing to say to my spouse, my children, my friends, etc. I’m bored stiff, and I have become a boring person.”
It is important that you allot some time to those who are reaching out, but it doesn’t mean you must be a prisoner to long conversations. Tell the caller you’re glad they are adjusting and maintaining their sanity. If you see something noteworthy on television, in your online research or a book you are reading, share it. But no law says you must remain on these phone calls for long periods or participate in them every day. Consider rationing them instead.
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.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Grow up, Chicago Teachers Union, and stop with the Trumpian tweets

The same day the Quaker Oats Co. “ retired ” its Aunt Jemima brand , the Chicago Teachers Union dispatched a tweet bearing a demeaning portrayal of Chicago ’ s first Black female and LGBTQ mayor .
Even in this era of racial awakening , some would trade one hateful symbol of degradation for another .
The CTU trotted out the tweet last Wednesday , aimed at its Enemy No .
1 .
Mimicking a Scooby Doo cartoon , the image depicted Mayor Lori Lightfoot , tied up and dressed in a police uniform , unmasked as a white cop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above her with scornful looks .
It includes the phrase , “ Y ’ all too much sometimes ” and hashtags that call for defunding police and removing the police from schools .
The criticism rolled in from a union leader , the Anti-Defamation League and even Toni Preckwinkle , the Cook County board president and a staunch CTU ally .
On Thursday morning , I asked Lightfoot for her reaction at an unrelated press conference .
It is “ clearly racist , ” she said , though she acknowledged she had not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard a description .
“ It ’ s certainly disappointing when a group that professes to be educators , people who are in our classrooms , teaching our young people , would engage in these kinds of really deeply offensive and disappointing tactics , ” she added .
CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates tweeted that the criticism avoids the “ real issue , ” and that the focus should be on “ real outrage [ about ] real racism & injustice.
” In a follow-up statement , CTU spokeswoman Chris Geovanis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it always has been , to stir the powerful from their slumber and stand steadfast behind those Black people — and especially young Black leaders — in their struggle for a new Chicago built on real justice , not broken promises and failed policies.
” She added , “ To every demand this mayor and this administration has offered a resounding ‘ no.
’ ” By Thursday night , the original tweet had been deleted .
The CTU backed Preckwinkle over Lightfoot in the heated 2019 mayoral runoff .
Preckwinkle was trounced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vicious 11-day teachers strike , a debilitating battle that nobody won .
Lightfoot is not an enemy of Black folk .
Like Davis-Gates , she has lived the oppression of being Black in America .
Lightfoot ran on a racial equity platform .
She entered the race for mayor and took on the racially tone-deaf Rahm Emanuel when few others would .
Certainly , she has not moved quickly enough to push forward the crucial consent decree on policing reform .
And Lightfoot made inexplicable errors in the handling of protests and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
But she has been unequivocal in her commitment to changing police culture and ending bad policing .
In the last decade , the CTU has earned national recognition for its advocacy of social justice .
Under the leadership of Karen Lewis , the union strived to move beyond the traditional money demands of organized labor .
It became a force for educational changes that would benefit low-income children and children of color : smaller class sizes ; boosting the arts , language , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing , and social services in the schools .
The CTU has lost some battles ; now , it can ’ t seem to get past them .
If you differ with the mayor on policy , so be it .
But be big enough and adult enough to engage in civil debate .
That ugly tweet demeaned and undermined the union and all its causes .
As I write this on Juneteenth , commemorating June 19 , 1865 when slavery in the United States completely ended , know that Black people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oppressors .
Laura Washington is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and a political analyst for ABC 7-Chicago .

The same day the Quaker Oats Co. “retired” its Aunt Jemima brand, the Chicago Teachers Union dispatched a tweet bearing a demeaning portrayal of Chicago’s first Black female and LGBTQ mayor.
Even in this era of racial awakening, some would trade one hateful symbol of degradation for another.
The CTU trotted out the tweet last Wednesday, aimed at its Enemy No. 1.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
Mimicking a Scooby Doo cartoon, the image depicted Mayor Lori Lightfoot, tied up and dressed in a police uniform, unmasked as a white cop in disguise. Other white characters hover above her with scornful looks. It includes the phrase “Y’all too much sometimes” and hashtags that call for defunding police and removing the police from schools.
How Trumpian.
The criticism rolled in from a union leader, the Anti-Defamation League and even Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Board president and a staunch CTU ally.
On Thursday morning, I asked Lightfoot for her reaction at an unrelated press conference.
It is “clearly racist,” she said, though she acknowledged she had not seen the actual tweet but had heard a description.
“It’s certainly disappointing when a group that professes to be educators, people who are in our classrooms, teaching our young people, would engage in these kinds of really deeply offensive and disappointing tactics,” she added.
Mayor Lightfoot criticized a tweet from the CTU as “clearly racist.”
CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates tweeted that the criticism avoids the “real issue,” and that the focus should be on “real outrage [about] real racism & injustice.”
In a follow-up statement, CTU spokeswoman Chris Geovanis said, “Our intent was, as it always has been, to stir the powerful from their slumber and stand steadfast behind those Black people — and especially young Black leaders — in their struggle for a new Chicago built on real justice, not broken promises and failed policies.”
She added, “To every demand this mayor and this administration has offered a resounding ‘no.’”
By Thursday night, the original tweet had been deleted.
The CTU backed Preckwinkle over Lightfoot in the heated 2019 mayoral runoff. Preckwinkle was trounced. Then the union and Lightfoot fought through a vicious 11-day teachers strike, a debilitating battle that nobody won.
Lightfoot is not an enemy of Black folk. Like Davis-Gates, she has lived the oppression of being Black in America. Lightfoot ran on a racial equity platform. She entered the race for mayor and took on the racially tone-deaf Rahm Emanuel when few others would.
Certainly, she has not moved quickly enough to push forward the crucial consent decree on policing reform. And Lightfoot made inexplicable errors in the handling of protests and looting in Chicago, in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
But she has been unequivocal in her commitment to changing police culture and ending bad policing.
In the last decade, the CTU has earned national recognition for its advocacy of social justice. Under the leadership of Karen Lewis, the union strived to move beyond the traditional money demands of organized labor.
It became a force for educational changes that would benefit low-income children and children of color: smaller class sizes; boosting the arts, language, and physical education; and ensuring library, nursing, and social services in the schools.
The CTU has lost some battles; now, it can’t seem to get past them. If you differ with the mayor on policy, so be it. But be big enough and adult enough to engage in civil debate.
That ugly tweet demeaned and undermined the union and all its causes.
As I write this on Juneteenth, commemorating June 19, 1865, when slavery in the United States completely ended, know that Black people can never succumb to the tactics of their oppressors.
Laura Washington is a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and a political analyst for ABC 7-Chicago.
Follow Laura Washington on Twitter @mediadervish


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Woman shot through window of Humboldt Park home

A 64-year-old woman was injured Saturday when someone fired gunshots outside her Humboldt Park home .
She was inside the @ @ @ @ @ the 1000 block of North Lawndale Avenue when bullets came through her window , according @ @ @ @ @ woman was hit in the arm and taken to Norwegian American Hospital in fair condition @ @ @ @ @ did not appear to be the shooter ’ s intended target .
No one is @ @ @ @ @ detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides @

A 64-year-old woman was injured Saturday when someone fired gunshots outside her Humboldt Park home.
She was inside the home at 12:49 a.m. in the 1000 block of North Lawndale Avenue when bullets came through her window, according to Chicago police.
The woman was hit in the arm and taken to Norwegian American Hospital in fair condition, police said. She did not appear to be the shooter’s intended target.
No one is in custody as Area Four detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Boy, 17, grazed in Little Italy shooting

A teenage boy was grazed by a bullet Saturday in Little Italy on the Near West Side .
The 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ on South Loomis Street when a gold sedan approached and he felt pain , according @ @ @ @ @ suffered a graze wound to the left side of his rib cage and was taken @ @ @ @ @ good condition , police said .
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage boy was grazed by a bullet Saturday in Little Italy on the Near West Side.
The 17-year-old was driving about 12:45 a.m. on South Loomis Street when a gold sedan approached and he felt pain, according to Chicago police.
He suffered a graze wound to the left side of his rib cage and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Police seek vehicles in fatal West Chesterield shooting

Police are asking for the public ’ s help identifying two vehicles wanted in connection with a fatal shooting Thursday @ @ @ @ @ South Side .
Robert Foreman , 26 , was outside with a group at 12:02 @ @ @ @ @ of South Indiana Avenue when someone in a black vehicle pulled up and fired shots @ @ @ @ @ was hit twice in each thigh and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago police .
Foreman lived in West Chesterfield , the Cook County medical @ @ @ @ @ .
An autopsy ruled his death a homicide .
Police released photos of two vehicles @ @ @ @ @ the homicide .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Two detectives at 312-747-8271 @

Police are asking for the public’s help identifying two vehicles wanted in connection with a fatal shooting Thursday in West Chesterfield on the South Side.
Robert Foreman, 26, was outside with a group at 12:02 a.m. in the 8800 block of South Indiana Avenue when someone in a black vehicle pulled up and fired shots, authorities said.
He was hit twice in each thigh and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died, according to Chicago police.
Foreman lived in West Chesterfield, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
Police released photos of two vehicles being sought in connection with the homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call Area Two detectives at 312-747-8271.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-20--Reports: Former Cubs SS Addison Russell signing with KBO team

Former Cubs shortstop Addison Russell will sign a one-year contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO , according to @ @ @ @ @ Russell last year after he served a 40-game suspension for domestic violence .
He is @ @ @ @ @ Korea soon .
Jeeho Yoo , who covers the KBO for the Yonhap News Agency @ @ @ @ @ deal is for $ 530,000 .
In five seasons with the Cubs , Russell had @ @ @ @ @ with 60 home runs and 253 RBI .
He made the National League All-Star team @ @ @ @ @ posted career highs of 21 homers and 95 RBI .
That postseason , he homered @ @ @ @ @ Series against the Dodgers to help revive the Cubs ’ offense , and he hit @ @ @ @ @ 6 of the World Series against the Indians .

Former Cubs shortstop Addison Russell will sign a one-year contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO, according to ESPN. The Cubs non-tendered Russell last year after he served a 40-game suspension for domestic violence. He is expected to arrive in South Korea soon. According to the Yonhap News Agency, Russell’s deal is for $530,000.
In five seasons with the Cubs, Russell had a slash line of .242/.312/.392 with 60 home runs and 253 RBI. He made the National League All-Star team in 2016, when he posted career highs of 21 homers and 95 RBI. That postseason, he homered twice in the NL Championship Series against the Dodgers to help revive the Cubs’ offense, and he hit a grand slam in Game 6 of the World Series against the Indians.