chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--I have learned to wear a mask against the pandemic called racism

We wear the mask that grins and lies , It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes — Paul Laurence Dunbar I was born in a pandemic , shaped in the waters of strife , separated from my mother ’ s life-yielding placenta , thrust into a world infected by hate .
I am black and male .
Born in the USA .
I wear the mask .
I can not leave home without it .
This is a matter of survival .
I have learned to wear the mask .
Not the one that fits over my nose and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The mask that pretends that I am not who I am .
The mask that makes my male blackness less threatening , more palatable .
That projects a veiled image of me .
The pandemic called coronavirus is not my first dance .
It will not be my last .
I am well- acquainted with the pandemic that is racism .
With that unique strand of race-based hate in this land of the pilgrim ’ s pride , stricken since 1619 by the indelible curse called slavery .
A resistant virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago in the ancestral African blood of the Middle Passage and stamps 21st century racism ’ s DNA .
American Racism .
It is an inescapable virus .
It lives in the air all around me with infectious , injurious droplets of hate .
And yet , I can not relent in my desperation to not succumb .
I am by nature a mostly life-long practitioner of social distancing , wary of shopping , of going to certain restaurants or neighborhoods even in this my hometown — or to stores , beaches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am the only mask wearer .
I have lived through the pandemic called poverty .
Through the deadly virus called black male homicide by black males .
Through state-sanctioned murder by cop .
Through the pandemic called racial hate — whose potentially fatal impact is evidenced by the recent deer-hunter-style slaying of Ahmaud Arbery , allegedly by two white men while he jogged in a neighborhood in Georgia .
This only reiterates my need to remain vigilant .
Racism manifests in two forms .
One is a slap .
Overt .
In your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Discrimination .
The second kind is as invisible as the wind .
It gusts and billows .
You can not always anticipate it or discern its source .
You incorporate it into your life .
This debt we pay to human guile ; With torn and bleeding hearts we smile I am Ralph Ellison ’ s “ Invisible Man.
” As he writes , “ I am a man of substance , of flesh and bone , fiber and liquid — and I might even be said to possess a mind .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ because people refuse to see me.
” A Chicago native son , I was born here in Bigger Thomas ’ town with roots that stretch to the land of Kunta Kinte .
I am W.E.B .
Du Bois ’ black two-headed creature : “ ... An American , a Negro ; two souls , two thoughts , two unreconciled strivings ; two warring ideals in one dark body , whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.
” I am innocent blood crying for justice from premature graves .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Philando Castile .
I am Eric Garner , Tamir Rice , Laquan McDonald and Trayvon Martin .
I am brother to Sandra Bland , Atatiana Jefferson and Breonna Taylor .
And I am haunted by Malcolm X ’ s words that “ America ’ s greatest crime against the black man was not slavery or lynching , but that he was taught to wear a mask of self-hate and self-doubt.
” And I am determined to live through this pandemic called coronavirus , holding fast to the mentality and mechanisms by which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ none more critical than having learned to don the mask .

We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes — Paul Laurence Dunbar
I was born in a pandemic, shaped in the waters of strife, separated from my mother’s life-yielding placenta, thrust into a world infected by hate.
I am black and male. Born in the USA. I wear the mask. I cannot leave home without it. This is a matter of survival.
I have learned to wear the mask. Not the one that fits over my nose and mouth snugly and held at my ears. The mask that pretends that I am not who I am. The mask that makes my male blackness less threatening, more palatable. That projects a veiled image of me.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
The pandemic called coronavirus is not my first dance. It will not be my last. I am well- acquainted with the pandemic that is racism. With that unique strand of race-based hate in this land of the pilgrim’s pride, stricken since 1619 by the indelible curse called slavery. A resistant virus, it was bathed more than 400 years ago in the ancestral African blood of the Middle Passage and stamps 21st century racism’s DNA.
American Racism. It is an inescapable virus. It lives in the air all around me with infectious, injurious droplets of hate. And yet, I cannot relent in my desperation to not succumb.
I am by nature a mostly life-long practitioner of social distancing, wary of shopping, of going to certain restaurants or neighborhoods even in this my hometown — or to stores, beaches, public pools and other places where I am the only mask wearer.
I am a survivor.
I have lived through the pandemic called poverty. Through the deadly virus called black male homicide by black males. Through state-sanctioned murder by cop. Through the pandemic called racial hate — whose potentially fatal impact is evidenced by the recent deer-hunter-style slaying of Ahmaud Arbery, allegedly by two white men while he jogged in a neighborhood in Georgia. This only reiterates my need to remain vigilant.
Racism manifests in two forms. One is a slap. Overt. In your face. A racist insult or joke. Discrimination.
The second kind is as invisible as the wind. It gusts and billows. You cannot always anticipate it or discern its source. You incorporate it into your life.
It is anonymous, everyday racism. Institutional. Systemic.
This debt we pay to human guile;
With torn and bleeding hearts we smile
I am Ralph Ellison’s “Invisible Man.” As he writes, “I am a man of substance, of flesh and bone, fiber and liquid — and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me.”
A Chicago native son, I was born here in Bigger Thomas’ town with roots that stretch to the land of Kunta Kinte.
I am W.E.B. Du Bois’ black two-headed creature: “...An American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.”
I am innocent blood crying for justice from premature graves. I am Emmett Till.
I am Botham Jean and Philando Castile. I am Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Laquan McDonald and Trayvon Martin. I am brother to Sandra Bland, Atatiana Jefferson and Breonna Taylor.
I am Ahmaud Arbery.
And I am haunted by Malcolm X’s words that “America’s greatest crime against the black man was not slavery or lynching, but that he was taught to wear a mask of self-hate and self-doubt.”
And I am determined to live through this pandemic called coronavirus, holding fast to the mentality and mechanisms by which I have learned to survive, perhaps none more critical than having learned to don the mask.
I wear the mask.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
Email John Fountain at Author@johnwfountain.com


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Downstate judge blasts Pritzker’s stay-at-home-order: ‘Americans don’t get ruled’ (LIVE UPDATES)

In a fiery speech Friday afternoon , a downstate judge denounced Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s stay-at-home order but granted a temporary restraining order from the governor ’ s action only for an individual business and its owner , rather than broadening it across the state .
Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney complained that Pritzker had not followed his own rules : “ When laws do not apply to those who make them , people are not being governed , they are being ruled.
” McHaney was referring to Pritzker ’ s family traveling during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Americans don ’ t get ruled.
” The judge mocked the order , echoing popular complaints , and said , “ if I go to Wal-Mart , I won ’ t get COVID .
But if I go to church , I will.
” At his daily news briefing , Pritzker said , “ it ’ s clear that the judge in Clay County has his own political agenda.
” Read the full story by Jon Seidel here .
5:45 p.m.
Here ’ s which Chicago businesses and places will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lori Lightfoot on Friday laid out her hopes for which businesses , parks and other places will be able to start reopening next month .
While she didn ’ t give specific dates , she said various businesses will be able to open throughout the summer with strict social distancing , limited capacity and other precautions .
Click here for the full rundown by Dave Newbart .
Health officials on Friday announced the latest 110 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Illinois , along with 2,758 newly confirmed cases of the disease across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois ’ death toll to 4,715 and the case tally to 105,444 , though most of those who have contracted the virus over the last four months have recovered .
More than half of the COVID-19 deaths were in May .
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
2:02 p.m. Cicero nursing home where 10 died from coronavirus says current residents test negative Officials at a Cicero nursing home where nine residents and one worker died from complications related to the coronavirus said all current residents at the facility recently tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MultiCare Center , which underwent a court-ordered inspection after it was sued by the town of Cicero for allegedly not following health guidelines , said two rounds of independent testing by Chicago-based Simple Laboratories showed that none of the residents have the virus .
Read the full story by Matthew Hendrickson here .
1:24 p.m. Chicago on track to ‘ cautiously reopen ’ starting in early June , Lightfoot says Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Friday the city is on track to move on to the “ cautiously reopen ” third phase of reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lakefront could still be a ways away .
That prediction sees the city transition from phase two , which entails city residents staying home , to the cautiously reopen phase , which will still require strict physical distancing but would allow for some industries to start reopening .
Specific guidelines will be released next week and will include details on how businesses can maintain safe working spaces and conditions .
Businesses that are allowed to reopen at limited capacity in early June include outdoor dining for restaurants and coffee shops , hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shops , childcare centers , park facilities , libraries , office-based jobs and hotels and other lodging among other things .
Read this developing story by Rachel Hinton here .
12:11 p.m. Chicago clergy on seeking God in the age of COVID : ‘ The church has left the building ’ As Chicago wrestles along with the rest of America about how best to reopen , clergy of diverse faiths across the city and suburbs say the reopening debate has turned a spotlight on the changing face of religion in the era of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by forced technological pivots , will affect how America worships long after congregants return en masse to the church edifice .
“ We ’ ve always taught that the church is not the building but people who gather in it , so this has been a challenge for the membership to grow up and now live the faith , ” said the Rev .
Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church in Auburn Gresham .
“ It has also pushed churches to think outside the box about how we are supporting members while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only the start of the challenges .
“ This has truly been a challenge for churches , I think a challenge financially , ” Pfleger said .
“ And what has also been challenging is the fellowshiping part of worship service .
It ’ s not just the actual service and ritual that we do in our churches , synagogues and mosques .
There ’ s the other part , the public gathering of believers .
“ But at the other end of this has been an opportunity .
To use an old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building.
’ ” Read the full story from Maudlyne Ihejirika here .
11 40 a.m .
Some restaurateurs say they don ’ t want to open yet When Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Thursday that she doesn ’ t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week , some restaurant owners were upset , saying they were banking on the plan Gov .
J.B. Pritzker had outlined , which would allow for patio dining starting May 29 .
But Dave Miller , co-owner of Baker Miller in Lincoln Square @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are actually in the minority .
Miller credited Lightfoot for “ making decisions that are best for the city and viewing the city as separate from the state.
” “ I think it shows a lot of wisdom , and I really respect her decision , ” said Miller .
Miller ’ s restaurant has found some success pivoting to a take-out spot , and he ’ s in no rush to open his dining room or patio .
Deeply concerned about continued spread , he said Baker Miller likely won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is developed .
“ Just because the law lets you doesn ’ t mean it ’ s wise and that consumers are going to do it , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the thing that these people are pushing for , but I don ’ t really get the point because consumers are not going to eat out on a patio.
” Read the full story by Tom Schuba here .
10:32 a.m. What will offices look like when on-site work resumes in Chicago ?
One thing that seems certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular that “ WFH ” is part of our messaging shorthand , will endure , experts on workplace trends say .
What else is ahead ?
When people get back to the office , they ’ re going to notice changes , mostly those that are easiest to make .
Masks could be required gear , made available to those who lack them .
Deep-cleaning crews will be purposely visible .
And there will be signs and floor markers attesting to the need for social distancing .
Fussier places might designate one-way pathways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checks .
Do you do it for everybody or just for visitors ?
Who is responsible — the tenant or the landlord — especially if something goes wrong ?
Then , there are the dreaded elevators .
For buildings that can afford it , some are trying a “ destination dispatch ” system that summons one whenever you scan your way in , perhaps using your smartphone .
The elevator knows your floor and takes you there , no buttons needed .
Some buildings might enforce a limit of four or even two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full report from David Roeder here .
9:52 a.m. Recording Academy artists put new spin on John Prine ’ s ‘ Angel From Montgomery ’ for charity The Recording Academy has released a new recording of John Prine ’ s “ Angel From Montgomery ” with proceeds going to support the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund .
Prine died in April at age 73 from complications associated with the coronavirus .
A two-time Grammy winner , the Recording Academy announced in December that Prine would be honored with a 2020 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , musicians and engineers who also are elected leaders in the Recording Academy , including singer-songwriter Christine Albert , Brandon Bush of Sugarland , John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band and Jeff Powell , an acclaimed Memphis engineer/producer .
A sixth CTA employee has died from the coronavirus , the agency announced Thursday .
The employee was a bus driver who joined the CTA in 1997 , the CTA said in a statement .
“ At CTA , we are very much a family and we offer our deepest condolences to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr said .
“ We join with all of Chicago in appreciation of this employee ’ s dedication to our city and our CTA customers.
” The announcement comes two days after the agency said a fifth employee had died of the virus , a bus driver who joined the CTA in 2012 .
7:12 a.m. A ‘ slap in the face ’ or a wise decision ?
Restaurateurs split on Lightfoot ’ s move to keep patios closed Doug Dunlay was “ absolutely thrilled ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that restaurants could start serving customers on their patios as soon as May 29 , the day his current stay-at-home order expires .
Dunlay , the owner of Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park , said he and his team immediately sprang into action and started mapping out the restaurant ’ s patio to adhere to the state ’ s social distancing guidelines .
After struggling for months after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold , he said the announcement marked “ the first time we actually had any hope.
” So when Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week , Dunlay said he felt as if she “ pulled the carpet out from under us.
” “ I think it ’ s short-sighted and I think it ’ s a slap in the face or a gut punch , ” said Dunlay .
Read the full story by Tom Schuba here .
The Cook County Board approved a plan to waive fees on late property tax bills and extended the county ’ s disaster proclamation at its Thursday meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and allowing Board President Toni Preckwinkle the power to make some unchecked , emergency decisions for another three months .
Some commissioners still questioned the finer points of the plans — as well as the need to extend the county ’ s disaster proclamation until the end of September .
At Thursday ’ s meeting , he and Commissioner Bridget Gainer , D-Chicago , were the only no votes on the measure , despite other commissioners calling into question why such a long extension was needed .
Read the full story by Rachel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Famer , Knicks legend and Georgetown basketball coach Patrick Ewing has tested positive for COVID-19 .
• Hecky Powell , rib king and Evanston icon , has died at 71 after being exposed to the coronavirus .
• State health officials on Thursday announced 87 more people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois while an additional 2,268 tested positive for the virus .
That raised the state ’ s death toll to 4,607 and the overall statewide case tally to 102,686 since the virus first hit Illinois four months ago .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Chicago Police Department , 506 are officers and 27 are civilian employees , police said .
• Another employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk ’ s office has tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the overall total to 25 .
• Seven more employees of Cook County ’ s Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19 .
• Graffiti artist Ralphy ‘ Redr ’ Campos dies of COVID-19 at 38 : ‘ He really had a great heart ’ 6:42 p.m. What we leave behind and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As the city moves cautiously to re-open its isolation doors next week in the wake of a COVID-19 fatalities decline , expect an eraser to appear .
It ’ s not a stretch to consider new hustle and bustle to eradicate the following : • The sound of birds ALL day .
• The actual noise of wheeled grocery store carts ; the language of muffled “ mask ” speech .
• Wildflowers given a chance to sow before the Spring mow on public property .
• The actual sound of our Windy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We know how to help control COVID-19 ’ s spread once we leave home ; we just have to do it As Chicago and other big cities make plans for emerging from pandemic-induced cocooning , we face a simple decision .
We can give up a measure of personal choice and get the coronavirus under control reasonably quickly .
Or we can refuse to make common-sense accommodations and then face recurring outbreaks for years .
Much of the developed world has chosen the first option .
The United States is quite capable of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent the past few weeks speaking with business leaders , government officials , medical experts and technologists about what it ’ ll take to put the pandemic behind us .
7:13 a.m. Students with special needs shouldn ’ t become second-class Americans during a pandemic Chicago Public Schools has a long history of shortchanging children with special needs .
It has taken years of activism , judges ’ rulings and monitoring by independent watchdogs to force progress on this front .
The district can ’ t be allowed to backslide now , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs deserve access to an education that is equal in quality to that of any other child .
We support a CPS policy that requires teachers and clinicians to revise learning plans for special education students to incorporate home-based remote learning .
For all its limitations , remote learning is the “ new normal ” for now , in Chicago and across the country , and likely will continue into the fall in some fashion .
Read the full editorial by Chicago Sun-Times editorial board here .
6:18 a.m .
Stuck at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — since April Linda Benavides and her husband , Manuel , slept at O ’ Hare International Airport Wednesday night .
In Terminal 1 , near baggage claim .
At least they tried to sleep , until 2:30 a.m. , when the police kicked them out , again .
They went to sleep on the Blue Line .
Or tried to .
“ There was a party on the train , ” she said .
“ The Blue Line is bad .
Drug addicts.
” Most likely they will be back at O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or trying to , leaning against each other , using their jackets as blankets .
They ’ ve slept at O ’ Hare most nights for the past month .
A good place to sleep , Linda said , because the bathrooms are right there .
But not exactly pleasant .
Read the full commentary from columnist Neil Steinberg here .

Gov. J.B. Pritzker faced more legal action surrounding his stay-at-home order with litigation in a Clay County court. President Trump deemed churches essential and called for them to be opened, but locally Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot stood firm in their opposition at this time.
Here’s what happened in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago and around the state.
News
An activist with Northside Action For Justice along with a dozen other protest outside Gov. Pritzker’s Chicago home demanding those in long term care facilities get resources amid the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, May 22, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
8:35 p.m. Disinfected dice, but no buffets: Las Vegas casinos getting ready to roll
LAS VEGAS — Free parking, but no valet service. Bartenders, blackjack dealers and waiters wearing masks. Hand sanitizer everywhere.
Yes, dice will roll, cards will be dealt and slot machines will beckon. But poker rooms? Closed.
Tourists returning to Las Vegas will see changes since gambling stopped in mid-March for the first time ever to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
The stakes could not be higher, said Robert Lang, executive director of the Brookings Mountain West think tank at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
“Las Vegas can never be known as the place where people go and get sick,” he said.
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has set a tentative June 4 date for reopening casinos. The Democratic governor said in a statement Friday that Nevada has continued to see decreasing cases of the coronavirus and hospitalizations of COVID-19 when some restrictions began to be eased nearly two weeks ago.
Read the full story by The Associated Press.
7:30 p.m. Nursing homes now account for half of all Illinois coronavirus deaths; protesters gather at Pritzker’s house
An activist with Northside Action For Justice along with a dozen other protest outside Gov. Pritzker’s Chicago home demanding those in long term care facilities get resources amid the coronavirus pandemic, Friday, May 22, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Nursing homes now account for more than half of all coronavirus deaths in Illinois, according to a data analysis by the Chicago Sun-Times.
That updated tally came as a dozen people gathered Friday at Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Chicago home to protest his oversight of long-term care facilities.
Nursing homes reported 1,583 new COVID-19 cases and 395 new deaths in the past week, according to data released Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
A Sun-Times count of state totals stands at 2,368 deaths and 14,799 confirmed cases at long-term care facilities since the pandemic started. The figures released by the state show lower totals, however, because officials have stopped including in their public data 74 facilities that have not had a new case in the past 28 days, an IDPH spokeswoman said Friday.
Read the full story by Nader Issa and Tyler LaRiviere here.
5:45 p.m. Here’s which Chicago businesses and places will be able to start reopening next month
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday laid out her hopes for which businesses, parks and other places will be able to start reopening next month.
While she didn’t give specific dates, she said various businesses will be able to open throughout the summer with strict social distancing, limited capacity and other precautions.
Click here for the full rundown by Dave Newbart.
4:30 p.m. Downstate judge blasts Pritzker’s stay-at-home-order: ‘Americans don’t get ruled’
In a fiery speech Friday afternoon, a downstate judge denounced Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order but granted a temporary restraining order from the governor’s action only for an individual business and its owner, rather than broadening it across the state.
Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney complained that Pritzker had not followed his own rules: “When laws do not apply to those who make them, people are not being governed, they are being ruled.” McHaney was referring to Pritzker’s family traveling during the pandemic.
McHaney followed that comment by saying, “Americans don’t get ruled.”
The judge mocked the order, echoing popular complaints, and said, “if I go to Wal-Mart, I won’t get COVID. But if I go to church, I will.”
At his daily news briefing, Pritzker said, “it’s clear that the judge in Clay County has his own political agenda.”
Read the full story by Jon Seidel here.
2:45 p.m. 110 more Illinois coronavirus deaths with potential church showdown looming
Health officials on Friday announced the latest 110 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in Illinois, along with 2,758 newly confirmed cases of the disease across the state.
The latest coronavirus casualties raised Illinois’ death toll to 4,715 and the case tally to 105,444, though most of those who have contracted the virus over the last four months have recovered.
More than half of the COVID-19 deaths were in May.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
2:02 p.m. Cicero nursing home where 10 died from coronavirus says current residents test negative
Officials at a Cicero nursing home where nine residents and one worker died from complications related to the coronavirus said all current residents at the facility recently tested negative for COVID-19.
The City View MultiCare Center, which underwent a court-ordered inspection after it was sued by the town of Cicero for allegedly not following health guidelines, said two rounds of independent testing by Chicago-based Simple Laboratories showed that none of the residents have the virus.
Read the full story by Matthew Hendrickson here.
1:24 p.m. Chicago on track to ‘cautiously reopen’ starting in early June, Lightfoot says
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Friday the city is on track to move on to the “cautiously reopen” third phase of reopening plans by early June, though reopening the lakefront could still be a ways away.
That prediction sees the city transition from phase two, which entails city residents staying home, to the cautiously reopen phase, which will still require strict physical distancing but would allow for some industries to start reopening.
Specific guidelines will be released next week and will include details on how businesses can maintain safe working spaces and conditions.
Businesses that are allowed to reopen at limited capacity in early June include outdoor dining for restaurants and coffee shops, hair and nail salons as well as barber shops, childcare centers, park facilities, libraries, office-based jobs and hotels and other lodging among other things.
Read this developing story by Rachel Hinton here.
12:11 p.m. Chicago clergy on seeking God in the age of COVID: ‘The church has left the building’
As Chicago wrestles along with the rest of America about how best to reopen, clergy of diverse faiths across the city and suburbs say the reopening debate has turned a spotlight on the changing face of religion in the era of COVID-19.
That new face, etched by forced technological pivots, will affect how America worships long after congregants return en masse to the church edifice.
“We’ve always taught that the church is not the building but people who gather in it, so this has been a challenge for the membership to grow up and now live the faith,” said the Rev. Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina Catholic Church in Auburn Gresham. “It has also pushed churches to think outside the box about how we are supporting members while being disconnected physically.”
That’s only the start of the challenges.
“This has truly been a challenge for churches, I think a challenge financially,” Pfleger said. “And what has also been challenging is the fellowshiping part of worship service. It’s not just the actual service and ritual that we do in our churches, synagogues and mosques. There’s the other part, the public gathering of believers.
“But at the other end of this has been an opportunity. To use an old tagline, ‘The church has left the building.’ ”
Read the full story from Maudlyne Ihejirika here.
11 40 a.m. Some restaurateurs say they don’t want to open yet
When Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Thursday that she doesn’t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week, some restaurant owners were upset, saying they were banking on the plan Gov. J.B. Pritzker had outlined, which would allow for patio dining starting May 29.
But Dave Miller, co-owner of Baker Miller in Lincoln Square, said those pushing to reopen now are actually in the minority.
Miller credited Lightfoot for “making decisions that are best for the city and viewing the city as separate from the state.”
“I think it shows a lot of wisdom, and I really respect her decision,” said Miller.
Miller’s restaurant has found some success pivoting to a take-out spot, and he’s in no rush to open his dining room or patio. Deeply concerned about continued spread, he said Baker Miller likely won’t reopen until a vaccine or herd immunity is developed.
“Just because the law lets you doesn’t mean it’s wise and that consumers are going to do it,” he said. “That’s the thing that these people are pushing for, but I don’t really get the point because consumers are not going to eat out on a patio.”
Read the full story by Tom Schuba here.
10:32 a.m. What will offices look like when on-site work resumes in Chicago?
One thing that seems certain: The work-from-home phenomenon, now so popular that “WFH” is part of our messaging shorthand, will endure, experts on workplace trends say.
What else is ahead? When people get back to the office, they’re going to notice changes, mostly those that are easiest to make. Masks could be required gear, made available to those who lack them. Deep-cleaning crews will be purposely visible. And there will be signs and floor markers attesting to the need for social distancing. Fussier places might designate one-way pathways.
There is less clarity over temperature checks. Do you do it for everybody or just for visitors? Who is responsible — the tenant or the landlord — especially if something goes wrong?
Then, there are the dreaded elevators. For buildings that can afford it, some are trying a “destination dispatch” system that summons one whenever you scan your way in, perhaps using your smartphone. The elevator knows your floor and takes you there, no buttons needed. Some buildings might enforce a limit of four or even two people to an elevator.
Read the full report from David Roeder here.
9:52 a.m. Recording Academy artists put new spin on John Prine’s ‘Angel From Montgomery’ for charity
The Recording Academy has released a new recording of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” with proceeds going to support the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund.
Prine died in April at age 73 from complications associated with the coronavirus. A two-time Grammy winner, the Recording Academy announced in December that Prine would be honored with a 2020 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award.
The new recording features artists, musicians and engineers who also are elected leaders in the Recording Academy, including singer-songwriter Christine Albert, Brandon Bush of Sugarland, John Driskell Hopkins of Zac Brown Band and Jeff Powell, an acclaimed Memphis engineer/producer.
Read the full story here.
8:43 a.m. 6th CTA employee dies of COVID-19
A sixth CTA employee has died from the coronavirus, the agency announced Thursday.
The employee was a bus driver who joined the CTA in 1997, the CTA said in a statement.
“At CTA, we are very much a family and we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this beloved employee,” CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr said. “We join with all of Chicago in appreciation of this employee’s dedication to our city and our CTA customers.”
The announcement comes two days after the agency said a fifth employee had died of the virus, a bus driver who joined the CTA in 2012.
Read the full story here.
7:12 a.m. A ‘slap in the face’ or a wise decision? Restaurateurs split on Lightfoot’s move to keep patios closed
Doug Dunlay was “absolutely thrilled” when Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that restaurants could start serving customers on their patios as soon as May 29, the day his current stay-at-home order expires.
Dunlay, the owner of Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, said he and his team immediately sprang into action and started mapping out the restaurant’s patio to adhere to the state’s social distancing guidelines. After struggling for months after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, he said the announcement marked “the first time we actually had any hope.”
So when Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Thursday that she doesn’t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week, Dunlay said he felt as if she “pulled the carpet out from under us.”
“I think it’s short-sighted and I think it’s a slap in the face or a gut punch,” said Dunlay.
Read the full story by Tom Schuba here.
5:50 a.m. County Board approves property tax relief plan, extension of disaster proclamation giving Preckwinkle emergency powers
The Cook County Board approved a plan to waive fees on late property tax bills and extended the county’s disaster proclamation at its Thursday meeting, providing some relief to property owners and allowing Board President Toni Preckwinkle the power to make some unchecked, emergency decisions for another three months.
Some commissioners still questioned the finer points of the plans — as well as the need to extend the county’s disaster proclamation until the end of September.
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, R-Palos Park, previously called the extension a “massive overreach.”
At Thursday’s meeting, he and Commissioner Bridget Gainer, D-Chicago, were the only no votes on the measure, despite other commissioners calling into question why such a long extension was needed.
Read the full story by Rachel Hinton here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
8:25 p.m. When others around the world don’t even have clean water and soap, we all pay the price
Without better basic hygiene around the globe, we are bound to be hit by another pandemic.
Yet the World Bank this week reported that some 3 billion people around the world don’t even have access to clean water and soap, the most basic and effective necessities for preventing the spread of disease, including the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Globally, 46% of schools don’t have hand-washing facilities with water and soap.
Germs, as we have come to appreciate so painfully during the current pandemic, respect no borders. A bug in China or Italy can circle the globe in no time, especially if billions of people can’t even wash their hands.
Read the full editorial by the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board.
6:42 p.m. What we leave behind and what we welcome as city moves toward reopening
An unexpected gift . . .
Pay attention!
As the city moves cautiously to re-open its isolation doors next week in the wake of a COVID-19 fatalities decline, expect an eraser to appear.
Expect change.
It’s not a stretch to consider new hustle and bustle to eradicate the following:
A very quiet morning.
The sound of birds ALL day.
The actual noise of wheeled grocery store carts; the language of muffled “mask” speech.
Wildflowers given a chance to sow before the Spring mow on public property.
The actual sound of our Windy City’s wind.
Silence beyond six feet.
Big-time family time.
Read columnist Michael Sneed’s full list and column here.
10:29 a.m. We know how to help control COVID-19’s spread once we leave home; we just have to do it
As Chicago and other big cities make plans for emerging from pandemic-induced cocooning, we face a simple decision.
We can give up a measure of personal choice and get the coronavirus under control reasonably quickly. Or we can refuse to make common-sense accommodations and then face recurring outbreaks for years.
Much of the developed world has chosen the first option. The United States is quite capable of choosing the second.
I’ve spent the past few weeks speaking with business leaders, government officials, medical experts and technologists about what it’ll take to put the pandemic behind us.
Click here to read Ed Zotti’s takeaways.
7:13 a.m. Students with special needs shouldn’t become second-class Americans during a pandemic
Chicago Public Schools has a long history of shortchanging children with special needs. It has taken years of activism, judges’ rulings and monitoring by independent watchdogs to force progress on this front.
The district can’t be allowed to backslide now, even during a pandemic. Children with special needs deserve access to an education that is equal in quality to that of any other child.
We support a CPS policy that requires teachers and clinicians to revise learning plans for special education students to incorporate home-based remote learning. For all its limitations, remote learning is the “new normal” for now, in Chicago and across the country, and likely will continue into the fall in some fashion.
Read the full editorial by Chicago Sun-Times editorial board here.
6:18 a.m. Stuck at home? Try living at O’Hare — since April
Linda Benavides and her husband, Manuel, slept at O’Hare International Airport Wednesday night. In Terminal 1, near baggage claim. At least they tried to sleep, until 2:30 a.m., when the police kicked them out, again. They went to sleep on the Blue Line.
Or tried to.
“There was a party on the train,” she said. “The Blue Line is bad. Drug addicts.”
Most likely they will be back at O’Hare tonight, sleeping there again, or trying to, leaning against each other, using their jackets as blankets.
They’ve slept at O’Hare most nights for the past month. A good place to sleep, Linda said, because the bathrooms are right there. But not exactly pleasant.
Read the full commentary from columnist Neil Steinberg here.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--What we leave behind and what we welcome as city moves toward reopening

As the city moves cautiously to re-open its isolation doors next week in the wake of a COVID-19 fatalities decline , expect an eraser to appear .
It ’ s not a stretch to consider new hustle and bustle to eradicate the following : • The sound of birds ALL day .
• The actual noise of wheeled grocery store carts ; the language of muffled “ mask ” speech .
• Wildflowers given a chance to sow before the Spring mow on public property .
• The actual sound of our Windy City ’ s wind .
• People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The time during the workweek when we actually heard our doorbell ring ; answered our own door ; and had an extended , uninterrupted conversation with a close friend .
• The mea culpa moment , as a Catholic , of attending Sunday mass via TV at home , with a cup of coffee and a great sermon from the top hat , Cardinal Blase Cupich .
• The seismic shift from horizontal to vertical , when elevators in our city ’ s concrete canyon come alive .
• And the gift during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life in rural America or small town , USA , where restaurants are rare , elevators are non-existent and no one hires dog walkers .
Here ’ s what will soon be back barring the scientific possibility coronavirus clubs us this Fall .
• And yikes !
Remembering that every piece of unpackaged food in a grocery store has probably been touched by someone ’ s hand .
• Cautiously reopening Chicago is a good thing ; so are eyes not having to weep for virus victims .
But let ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Just saying .
Never forget to be grateful for the little things .
Chicago attorney Bill Coulson , a World War II expert who has written extensively about the Pacific War campaign , chimed in with his take on health care workers during the coronavirus epidemic .
“ The soldier may suffer instant lethal consequence , but health care people are selfless and courageous by sacrificing themselves for a cause bigger than themselves , ” he said .
“ Their courage is amazing .
Their focus on the job is absolute ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers , they have fierce determination to succeed .
Defeat is not an option .
“ All in all , they are an analogy for a brave soldier.
” Coulson , who is isolating with wife , Beth — a former Illinois state representative for the North Shore ( 1997-2011 ) — in the wilds of Wisconsin , became smitten with the beauty of isolated island World War II sites in the Pacific Ocean .
“ It was so stunning to see these beautiful settings where brave men on both sides of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how such horrible things happened in this paradise , ” added Coulson , who , along with his wife , has been visiting these hard-to-get places for the past 10 years .
“ To be able to dig in that dirt and find war history you can ’ t find anyplace else because of how hard these islands are to access.
” Coulson made headlines himself a few years back returning a long lost dog tag to the grandson of a soldier who fought in Guadalcanal ’ s infamous Alligator Creek Battle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ me on the beach where the charge took place and sold me a rusty piece of metal for $ 11 .
It was not fake .
Still had the serial number and name , Everett Hancock , ” he said .
“ No specific address.
” “ We were eventually able to deliver it to his grandson , Milton , in Wilmington , North Carolina.
” And so it goes in the world of heroes .
And that includes men like Coulson , a man who cared enough to bring a dead soldier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tone : In addition to the 10 best movies since WWII selected by columnist Richard Roeper , here are Sneed ’ s three favorite World War II movies from the 1940s- early 1950s : “ Battleground ” starring Van Johnson ; “ They were Expendable , ” starring Robert Montgomery and John Wayne ; and “ Stalag 17 , ” starring William Holden .
.
.
.
Saturday ’ s birthdays : Drew Carey , 62 ; Jewel , 46 ; Joan Collins , 87. .
.
.
Sunday ’ s birthdays : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 82 ; and Tracy McGrady , 41 .

An unexpected gift . . .
Pay attention!
As the city moves cautiously to re-open its isolation doors next week in the wake of a COVID-19 fatalities decline, expect an eraser to appear.
Expect change.
It’s not a stretch to consider new hustle and bustle to eradicate the following:
A very quiet morning.
The sound of birds ALL day.
The actual noise of wheeled grocery store carts; the language of muffled “mask” speech.
Wildflowers given a chance to sow before the Spring mow on public property.
The actual sound of our Windy City’s wind.
Silence beyond six feet.
Big-time family time.
People actually walking their OWN dogs.
The friendly street “nod” from muffled masked strangers.
The time during the workweek when we actually heard our doorbell ring; answered our own door; and had an extended, uninterrupted conversation with a close friend.
The mea culpa moment, as a Catholic, of attending Sunday mass via TV at home, with a cup of coffee and a great sermon from the top hat, Cardinal Blase Cupich.
The seismic shift from horizontal to vertical, when elevators in our city’s concrete canyon come alive.
And the gift during our isolation of a tiny window into life in rural America or small town, USA, where restaurants are rare, elevators are non-existent and no one hires dog walkers.
Here’s what will soon be back barring the scientific possibility coronavirus clubs us this Fall.
Jobs.
Traffic.
Noise.
Cars everywhere.
The parking pandemic.
And yikes! Remembering that every piece of unpackaged food in a grocery store has probably been touched by someone’s hand.
Cautiously reopening Chicago is a good thing; so are eyes not having to weep for virus victims.
But let’s not forget the little gifts during this nightmare.
Just saying. Never forget to be grateful for the little things.
. . . before Memorial Day
I am nowhere near the cemetery where my father is buried under the “headstone” of his choice: a simple U.S. Army grave marker stating his name and his battleground: WWII.
“Keep it simple,” he told us. “I don’t want money spent on a fancy headstone. A military marker will do.”
So it was.
As I’ve written over the years, my father, Richard E. Sneed, was a war hero; a winner of the Distinguished Flying Cross and a slough of U.S. Army Air Corps ribbons and medals as an airplane turret gunner in the Pacific campaign.
So on the eve of Memorial Day Monday, when we honor soldiers defending our country, it’s time to acknowledge another powerful version of heroism.
The men and women who are soldiers in our midst.
The nurses, doctors, health care workers, police officers, firemen, paramedics and free food providers fighting to protect us.
Bravo.
Chicago attorney Bill Coulson, a World War II expert who has written extensively about the Pacific War campaign, chimed in with his take on health care workers during the coronavirus epidemic.
“The soldier may suffer instant lethal consequence, but health care people are selfless and courageous by sacrificing themselves for a cause bigger than themselves,” he said. “Their courage is amazing. Their focus on the job is absolute ... which soldiers have to have. Like soldiers, they have fierce determination to succeed. Defeat is not an option.
“All in all, they are an analogy for a brave soldier.”
Coulson, who is isolating with wife, Beth — a former Illinois state representative for the North Shore (1997-2011) — in the wilds of Wisconsin, became smitten with the beauty of isolated island World War II sites in the Pacific Ocean.
“It was so stunning to see these beautiful settings where brave men on both sides of the war were killed and maimed; amazing how such horrible things happened in this paradise,” added Coulson, who, along with his wife, has been visiting these hard-to-get places for the past 10 years.
“To be able to dig in that dirt and find war history you can’t find anyplace else because of how hard these islands are to access.”
Coulson made headlines himself a few years back returning a long lost dog tag to the grandson of a soldier who fought in Guadalcanal’s infamous Alligator Creek Battle.
Long lost dog tag to the grandson of a soldier who fought in Guadalcanal’s infamous Alligator Creek Battle. Provided photo.
“A young fisherman came up to me on the beach where the charge took place and sold me a rusty piece of metal for $11. It was not fake. Still had the serial number and name, Everett Hancock,” he said. “No specific address.”
“We were eventually able to deliver it to his grandson, Milton, in Wilmington, North Carolina.”
And so it goes in the world of heroes.
And that includes men like Coulson, a man who cared enough to bring a dead soldier’s life full circle.
Sneedlings . . .
Movie tone: In addition to the 10 best war movies since WWII selected by columnist Richard Roeper, here are Sneed’s three favorite World War II movies from the 1940s- early 1950s: “Battleground” starring Van Johnson; “They were Expendable,” starring Robert Montgomery and John Wayne; and “Stalag 17,” starring William Holden. . . . Saturday’s birthdays: Drew Carey, 62; Jewel, 46; Joan Collins, 87. . . . Sunday’s birthdays: Patti LaBelle, 76; Tommy Chong, 82; and Tracy McGrady, 41.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Two high-ranking CPD officers demoted amid department restructuring

Two high-ranking Chicago police officials who supervise major narcotics investigations were demoted this week as Supt .
David Brown continues to reorganize the department .
Ronald Kimble was removed as commander of the Narcotics Division and his supervisor , William Bradley , was removed as deputy chief of the new Criminal Networks Group , according to department sources .
They were returned to the rank of lieutenant and assigned to patrol districts on the North and Northwest sides , sources said .
They declined to comment Friday .
The mayor ’ s office also declined to comment on the demotions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who will replace Kimble and Bradley .
Officers and sergeants working under Kimble and Bradley said they wonder if the demotions signal a de-emphasis on major narcotics investigations .
It ’ s common for new superintendents to shake up their command staff .
Still , at an unrelated news conference Friday , Brown declined to say why he demoted the men .
“ I did take personnel actions this week and I won ’ t have any further comment on that , ” Brown said .
Sources said Kimble appeared to irritate Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her and police bosses shortly before he was demoted .
Neither Kimble nor Bradley , or any other high-ranking police officials , have put in papers for retirement recently , an official said .
Department sources said the Narcotics Division had come under scrutiny from the mayor ’ s office after an audit found heavy overtime spending .
One of Brown ’ s first moves as superintendent was to change how overtime is authorized .
An order issued last month requires officers to have overtime requests approved by a supervisor with the rank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , the police department spent more than $ 130 million on overtime , much to the chagrin of Lightfoot .
“ We can ’ t keep living in a world where the police department blows its overtime budget year in and year out by $ 100 million , ” the mayor said last month .
“ The Chicago Police Department has the highest sworn head count that it ’ s had probably in decades — 13,400 .
There should be no reason why , in this environment , that we are exceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have more resources at our disposal .
It raises the questions of how are those resources being deployed.
” State court prosecutions involving narcotics have been on the back burner during the pandemic .
In March , the Illinois State Police said it was limiting the number of employees in the agency ’ s forensic science labs , which test narcotics .
Evidence in violent crimes took priority in the lab ; narcotics testing was halted , officials said .
After state police suspended the drug tests , the Cook County State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was temporarily halting prosecutions in narcotics cases .
In a statement Friday , the state police said its lab began accepting evidence in all cases earlier this month .
A spokeswoman for the state ’ s attorney ’ s office didn ’ t respond to questions about the status of narcotics prosecutions .

Two high-ranking Chicago police officials who supervise major narcotics investigations were demoted this week as Supt. David Brown continues to reorganize the department.
Ronald Kimble was removed as commander of the Narcotics Division and his supervisor, William Bradley, was removed as deputy chief of the new Criminal Networks Group, according to department sources.
They were returned to the rank of lieutenant and assigned to patrol districts on the North and Northwest sides, sources said. They declined to comment Friday.
The mayor’s office also declined to comment on the demotions.
It wasn’t immediately clear who will replace Kimble and Bradley.
Officers and sergeants working under Kimble and Bradley said they wonder if the demotions signal a de-emphasis on major narcotics investigations.
It’s common for new superintendents to shake up their command staff. Still, at an unrelated news conference Friday, Brown declined to say why he demoted the men.
“I did take personnel actions this week and I won’t have any further comment on that,” Brown said.
Sources said Kimble appeared to irritate Mayor Lori Lightfoot in a meeting Monday between her and police bosses shortly before he was demoted.
Chicago Police Supt. David Brown. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Neither Kimble nor Bradley, or any other high-ranking police officials, have put in papers for retirement recently, an official said.
Department sources said the Narcotics Division had come under scrutiny from the mayor’s office after an audit found heavy overtime spending.
One of Brown’s first moves as superintendent was to change how overtime is authorized. An order issued last month requires officers to have overtime requests approved by a supervisor with the rank of deputy chief or higher.
In 2019, the police department spent more than $130 million on overtime, much to the chagrin of Lightfoot.
“We can’t keep living in a world where the police department blows its overtime budget year in and year out by $100 million,” the mayor said last month.
“The Chicago Police Department has the highest sworn head count that it’s had probably in decades — 13,400. There should be no reason why, in this environment, that we are exceeding overtime budgets by $100 million when we have more resources at our disposal. It raises the questions of how are those resources being deployed.”
State court prosecutions involving narcotics have been on the back burner during the pandemic.
In March, the Illinois State Police said it was limiting the number of employees in the agency’s forensic science labs, which test narcotics. Evidence in violent crimes took priority in the lab; narcotics testing was halted, officials said.
After state police suspended the drug tests, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office said it was temporarily halting prosecutions in narcotics cases.
In a statement Friday, the state police said its lab began accepting evidence in all cases earlier this month. Asked about the status of narcotics prosecutions, a spokeswoman for the state’s attorney’s office said: “The State’s Attorney’s Office continues to prosecute felony narcotics offenses on a case by case basis when appropriate and supported by the evidence.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Patrick Ewing says he tested positive for COVID-19

Georgetown coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing revealed on Twitter Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ share that I have tested positive for COVID-19 .
This virus is serious and should @ @ @ @ @ ” Ewing wrote in a tweet .
“ I want to encourage everyone to stay @ @ @ @ @ yourselves and your loved ones .
Now more than ever , I want to thank @ @ @ @ @ on the front lines.
” Ewing is currently in isolation and under hospital care , @ @ @ @ @ which also said that no other members of the Georgetown ’ s men ’ s @ @ @ @ @ for the virus .
Ewing , an 11-time NBA All-Star , chose to make his @ @ @ @ @ emphasize the virus can affect anyone .
“ I ’ ll be fine , ” @ @ @ @ @ we will all get through this .
”

Georgetown coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Patrick Ewing revealed on Twitter Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly,” Ewing wrote in a tweet. “I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. Now more than ever, I want to thank the healthcare workers and everyone on the front lines.”
I want to share that I have tested positive for COVID-19. This virus is serious and should not be taken lightly. I want to encourage everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves and your loved ones. pic.twitter.com/a2fMuhIZyG — Patrick Ewing (@CoachEwing33) May 22, 2020
Ewing is currently in isolation at a local hopsital, according to his statement, which also said that no other members of the Georgetown men’s basketball program have tested positive for the virus.
Ewing, an 11-time NBA All-Star, chose to make his positive test result public to emphasize the virus can affect anyone.
“I’ll be fine,” he wrote, “and we will all get through this.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Family suspects foul play in apparent hanging of Cook County Jail detainee: ‘He didn’t have ... suic

Family suspects foul play in apparent hanging of Cook County Jail detainee: ‘He didn’t have ... suicide on his mind’

A detainee of Cook County Jail died of an apparent suicide Thursday in his holding cell , although his family has doubts about the circumstances of his death .
Trumell K. Holmes , 31 , died after hanging himself at the Southwest Side jail complex , according to the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
His death was ruled a suicide .
Shortly after 9 p.m. , staff performing a security check in the jail ’ s maximum security tier found Holmes alone and unresponsive with a bedsheet wrapped around his neck tied to the door , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office spokesman Matt Walberg .
The staff tried to revive him , but he was pronounced dead at 11:47 p.m. , Walberg said .
Holmes was booked into the jail Jan. 14 for a domestic violence charge and held on $ 5,000 bail , Walberg said .
On April 22 , his bond was reduced to home electronic monitoring , but he remained in custody because he didn ’ t have a suitable place to stay , Walberg said .
Diane Gardner , Holmes ’ great aunt , said she doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and suspects someone may have killed him .
“ I don ’ t believe he harmed himself , ” Gardner told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ He didn ’ t have nothing about suicide on his mind , ” she said , adding that he spoke to his sisters just days earlier .
Gardner said the news of her nephew ’ s death was painful .
“ It happens .
It hurts when you lose a person in your family , ” she said .
Holmes has three previous felony convictions , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was sentenced to 6 years in prison , Walberg said .
He was also sentenced to 3 years for a 2017 attempted residential burglary case , and got 2-years probation in 2008 for another residential burglary .
The sheriff ’ s office is conducting a death investigation with the assistance of the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Taskforce , Walberg said .
The most recent suicide at the jail happened in November 2019 , when a 26-year-old man died from complication of hanging himself , according to the medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gomez was found with injuries from a suicide attempt inside his cell , and died at Mt .
Sinai Hospital several days later , the sheriff ’ s office said at the time .
In April 2019 , the family of a former Marine who hanged himself at the jail was awarded a $ 1.7 settlement from the county after the relatives argued the Afghanistan War veteran should have been more closely monitored .

A detainee of Cook County Jail died of an apparent suicide Thursday in his holding cell, although his family has doubts about the circumstances of his death.
Trumell K. Holmes, 31, died after hanging himself at the Southwest Side jail complex, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. His death was ruled a suicide.
Shortly after 9 p.m., staff performing a security check in the jail’s maximum security tier found Holmes alone and unresponsive with a bedsheet wrapped around his neck tied to the door, according to a statement from Cook County sheriff’s office spokesman Matt Walberg.
The staff tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at 9:47 p.m., Walberg said.
Holmes was booked into the jail Jan. 14 for a domestic violence charge and held on $5,000 bail, Walberg said.
On April 22, his bond was reduced to home electronic monitoring, but he remained in custody because he didn’t have a suitable place to stay, Walberg said.
Diane Gardner, Holmes’ great aunt, said she doesn’t believe he hanged himself, and suspects someone may have killed him.
“I don’t believe he harmed himself,” Gardner told the Chicago Sun-Times. “He didn’t have nothing about suicide on his mind,” she said, adding that he spoke to his sisters just days earlier.
Gardner said the news of her nephew’s death was painful.
“It happens. It hurts when you lose a person in your family,” she said.
Holmes has three previous felony convictions, including a 2009 armed robbery conviction for which he was sentenced to 6 years in prison, Walberg said. He was also sentenced to 3 years for a 2017 attempted residential burglary case, and got 2-years probation in 2008 for another residential burglary.
The sheriff’s office is conducting a death investigation with the assistance of the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Taskforce, Walberg said.
The most recent suicide at the jail happened in November 2019, when a 26-year-old man died from complication of hanging himself, according to the medical examiner’s office.
In May 2019, Giovanny Gomez was found with injuries from a suicide attempt inside his cell, and died at Mt. Sinai Hospital several days later, the sheriff’s office said at the time.
In April 2019, the family of a former Marine who hanged himself at the jail was awarded a $1.7 settlement from the county after the relatives argued the Afghanistan War veteran should have been more closely monitored.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Crayola launches ‘Colors of the World’ skin tone crayons

No more green , red or blue people .
Crayola is launching a box of crayons with different skin tones for children to “ accurately color themselves into the world.
” “ Colors of the World ” crayons , the company said in a statement , includes 24 new crayons designed to mirror and represent over 40 different skin tones .
“ With the world growing more diverse than ever before , Crayola hopes our new Colors of the World crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance , ” said Crayola CEO Rich Wuerthele @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new Colors of the World crayons to advance inclusion within creativity and impact how kids express themselves.
” The crayons themselves will be wrapped in a gradient skin tone label with the color name in English , Spanish and French , and a realistic color name — such as Light Golden , Deep Almond and Medium Deep Rose .
The new Crayola “ Colors of the World ” crayons will be available in July in a 24- and 32-count pack .
The 32-count crayon pack ( featuring the 24 new colors plus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be sold exclusively at Walmart and is available for pre-order at Walmart.com .
Cayola made the announcement on Wednesday to coincide with the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development .

No more green, red or blue people. Crayola is launching a box of crayons with different skin tones for children to “accurately color themselves into the world.”
“Colors of the World” crayons, the company said in a statement, includes 24 new crayons designed to mirror and represent over 40 different skin tones.
“With the world growing more diverse than ever before, Crayola hopes our new Colors of the World crayons will increase representation and foster a greater sense of belonging and acceptance,” said Crayola CEO Rich Wuerthele in the statement. ”We want the new Colors of the World crayons to advance inclusion within creativity and impact how kids express themselves.”
The “Colors of the World” crayons color palette. Crayola
The crayons themselves will be wrapped in a gradient skin tone label with the color name in English, Spanish and French, and a realistic color name — such as Light Golden, Deep Almond and Medium Deep Rose.
The new Crayola “Colors of the World” crayons will be available in July in a 24- and 32-count pack. The 32-count crayon pack (featuring the 24 new colors plus four hair and four eye colors), will be sold exclusively at Walmart and is available for pre-order at Walmart.com.
Cayola made the announcement on Wednesday to coincide with the United Nations World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-23--Dear Abby: Our teen son keeps hanging out with girl who broke his heart

DEAR ABBY : My son , a high school senior , was in a relationship with a young woman who broke up with him and began dating his best friend .
He was heartbroken .
She played him into being friends and tells him he ’ s her best friend , but her actions prove otherwise .
His father and I comforted him as best we could , but he still has feelings for her .
It was a tough breakup for him , and he says he can ’ t understand why he feels this way for her .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ time keeping our opinions to ourselves .
We are not happy with him still being around her and try to discourage it as much as possible .
We all attend the same church , from which I ’ ve offered to remove myself , but my son says no .
We limit the time he gets to be around her , but she has begun flaunting other dates in front of him , which is making it hard for us to be cordial toward her .
How can I help my boy heal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s my youngest , the last one ready to venture out to college , and I want him to have a fresh start for the new journey .
— HEAVY-HEARTED MOM DEAR MOM : Some lessons in life people must learn for themselves , and this is one of them .
As much as you wish to help your son heal his heart , he ’ s going to have to arrive at the realization that there ’ s more pain than pleasure associated with the girl who rejected him .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not before .
College will provide him an opportunity to meet new people and cultivate new interests .
Being in a new environment will also help .
In the meantime , be patient , refrain from saying anything nasty ( as tempting as it might be ) about his former girlfriend and keep your son as busy as you can .
DEAR ABBY : I have been married to the same woman for 34 years .
We have raised two great kids .
The problem is , my wife does not show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intimacy .
I understand she has been through menopause , but is this the new normal ?
For me it is a lonely , cold existence .
Most nights she won ’ t even share the same bed with me .
She also does not respond well to talking about things .
Must I live the rest of my life this way ?
— ROOMMATE IN VIRGINIA DEAR ROOMMATE : Your problem is less about the lack of affection and intimacy in your marriage and far more about the lack of communication your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a problem can ’ t be discussed , there is no way to arrive at a solution or a compromise .
If you haven ’ t told her how lonely and isolated you feel , start there .
What ’ s happening is not fair to you .
This is something that should be discussed with her doctor because there may be a medical solution if sex is painful for her .
However , if it is more complicated than that , recognize that you need more help than I can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper column , and ask your doctor or insurance company to refer you to a licensed marriage and family therapist for the answers you are seeking .
If your wife refuses to go with you , go without her .
TO MY MUSLIM READERS : It is time for the breaking of the Ramadan fast .
Happy Eid al-Fitr , everyone .
— ABBY 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets : “ Abby ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My son, a high school senior, was in a relationship with a young woman who broke up with him and began dating his best friend. He was heartbroken. She played him into being friends and tells him he’s her best friend, but her actions prove otherwise.
His father and I comforted him as best we could, but he still has feelings for her. It was a tough breakup for him, and he says he can’t understand why he feels this way for her. We as parents are having a hard time keeping our opinions to ourselves. We are not happy with him still being around her and try to discourage it as much as possible.
We all attend the same church, from which I’ve offered to remove myself, but my son says no. We limit the time he gets to be around her, but she has begun flaunting other dates in front of him, which is making it hard for us to be cordial toward her.
How can I help my boy heal his heart and move on? He’s my youngest, the last one ready to venture out to college, and I want him to have a fresh start for the new journey. — HEAVY-HEARTED MOM
DEAR MOM: Some lessons in life people must learn for themselves, and this is one of them. As much as you wish to help your son heal his heart, he’s going to have to arrive at the realization that there’s more pain than pleasure associated with the girl who rejected him. That is when he will move on, not before.
College will provide him an opportunity to meet new people and cultivate new interests. Being in a new environment will also help. In the meantime, be patient, refrain from saying anything nasty (as tempting as it might be) about his former girlfriend and keep your son as busy as you can.
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to the same woman for 34 years. We have raised two great kids. The problem is, my wife does not show, respond to or initiate any affection or intimacy. I understand she has been through menopause, but is this the new normal? For me it is a lonely, cold existence. Most nights she won’t even share the same bed with me. She also does not respond well to talking about things. Must I live the rest of my life this way? — ROOMMATE IN VIRGINIA
DEAR ROOMMATE: Your problem is less about the lack of affection and intimacy in your marriage and far more about the lack of communication your wife allows you to have with her. If a problem can’t be discussed, there is no way to arrive at a solution or a compromise.
If you haven’t told her how lonely and isolated you feel, start there. What’s happening is not fair to you. This is something that should be discussed with her doctor because there may be a medical solution if sex is painful for her.
However, if it is more complicated than that, recognize that you need more help than I can give you in a letter or a newspaper column, and ask your doctor or insurance company to refer you to a licensed marriage and family therapist for the answers you are seeking. If your wife refuses to go with you, go without her.
TO MY MUSLIM READERS: It is time for the breaking of the Ramadan fast. Happy Eid al-Fitr, everyone. — ABBY
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.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-05-23--Car hits CTA bus after shots fired in Woodlawn: police

Two people were injured when a car crashed into a CTA bus Friday after someone fired gunshots in Woodlawn on the South Side .
A 27-year-old man was driving at 10:32 a.m. in the 6300 block of South Greenwood Avenue when someone got out of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and shot at him , according to Chicago police .
The driver was not hit , but the shooter followed him and fired again in the 6300 block of South Stony Island Avenue , police said .
The man got out of his car to avoid the gunshots and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6200 block of South Stony Island .
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition with a bruised left arm , police said .
The bus driver , a 40-year-old woman , was taken to the same hospital for observation , also in good condition .
There were no passengers aboard the bus at the time of the crash , according to police .
No one was hit by gunfire .
No arrests have been reported as Area One detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Two people were injured when a car crashed into a CTA bus Friday after someone fired gunshots in Woodlawn on the South Side.
A 27-year-old man was driving at 10:32 a.m. in the 6300 block of South Greenwood Avenue when someone got out of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and shot at him, according to Chicago police.
The driver was not hit, but the shooter followed him and fired again in the 6300 block of South Stony Island Avenue, police said. The man got out of his car to avoid the gunshots and the car hit a parked bus in the 6200 block of South Stony Island.
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition with a bruised left arm, police said. The bus driver, a 40-year-old woman, was taken to the same hospital for observation, also in good condition.
There were no passengers aboard the bus at the time of the crash, according to police. No one was hit by gunfire.
No arrests have been reported as Area One detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-23--Person found dead in fire at Wicker Park coach house

One person was found dead at the scene of a fire Saturday in Wicker Park .
Crews responded to the @ @ @ @ @ a coach house in the 2100 block of West Potomac Avenue , according to Chicago @ @ @ @ @ One adult , whose age and gender were not immediately known , was found unresponsive @ @ @ @ @ the scene , authorities said .
The person ’ s cause of death is under @ @ @ @ @ .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not released details about the @ @ @ @ @ since been put out , but the cause is being investigated by the fire department @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .

A woman was found dead at the scene of a fire Saturday in Wicker Park.
Crews responded to the fire about 2:30 a.m. at a coach house in the 2100 block of West Potomac Avenue, according to Chicago police and fire officials.
The 77-year-old was found unresponsive inside and pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
She was identified as Geraldine Joan Baginski, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy to determine the case and manner of her death was pending.
Her cause of death is under investigation by Area Two detectives.
The fire has since been put out, but the cause is being investigated by the fire department and by CPD arson detectives, authorities said.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-23--Foles gold? Bears need quarterback to thrive, be bridge to 2022 season

If this works out , that is .
In an attempt to correct his blunder of trading up to draft quarterback Mitch Trubisky second overall in 2017 , Pace might have found the perfect plan at quarterback .
It all hinges on newcomer Nick Foles .
As long as he proves superior to Trubisky — even better if he proves , dare we dream , good — the Bears have an excellent path forward at the most important position on the field .
They ’ re counting on Foles being their bridge to the future .
The essential question for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it have someone who can play reasonably well until the next franchise quarterback takes over in 2022 ?
If Foles is the answer , the Bears have remarkably solid footing at a position that has troubled them for much of the last century .
The ideal outcome is to get two acceptable seasons out of Foles , let Trubisky leave next spring and pick the next quarterback in the first round of the 2021 draft .
That would mean the Bears get an immediate upgrade over Trubisky ’ s disastrous play last season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million guaranteed to Foles over the next three seasons , a mentor in place for the first two years of the next quarterback ’ s career and they operate well below budget at the priciest position in the game .
There ’ s mutual optimism between Foles and the team that a reunion with coach Matt Nagy , an assistant coach for Foles in 2012 and ’ 16 , will pay off .
“ We knew there were going to be a lot of options at quarterback in this free-agency period , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to increase competition there , ” Pace said after bypassing Teddy Bridgewater , Marcus Mariota , Cam Newton and several others .
“ When we got to Nick .
.
.
a talented player , and the fact that he ’ s played in some big games and performed well in those big games , that carries a lot of weight .
“ Then you have a lot of people in our building that are comfortable with him as a person and his makeup , which made the decision easier .
That all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a target for us and someone we wanted to aggressively go get.
” Conversely , it ’ s a mess if Foles is a dud .
Then the Bears likely would have to put the franchise tag on Trubisky and pay at least $ 35 million for two frustrating quarterbacks — Trubisky isn ’ t worth that massive salary-cap hit even at his best — in 2021 .
Only two teams , the Colts and Cowboys , are paying that much in 2020 .
While much can change in the upcoming college football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are expected to be four quarterbacks worth taking in the first round next year .
Clemson ’ s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State ’ s Justin Fields are contenders to go No .
1 , followed by Georgia ’ s Jamie Newman and possibly Texas A & M ’ s Kellen Mond .
A playoff appearance this season would leave the Bears drafting no higher than 18th next year , so they ’ ll probably have to trade up to get their guy .
That might be doable .
After two years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draft picks , they have all their future selections intact other than a fourth- and seventh-round pick in 2021 .
Additionally , OverTheCap projects they could get four compensatory picks next year because of free-agent defections .
Again , though , the Foles trade has to work out for any of that to have a chance to fall into place .
The alternatives are holding on to both quarterbacks at a ridiculous cost in 2021 , riding it out with Foles whether he ’ s good or not , or exploring a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s either of the last two options , Pace might be long gone by then .
He ’ s already on notice after Trubisky played so badly in 2019 — 17 touchdowns , 10 interceptions and a 27th-ranked 83 passer rating — that the Bears had no hesitation in declining his fifth-year option .
The battle between Foles and Trubisky looks like a coin flip .
Trubisky hasn ’ t impressed anyone after three seasons in the league , but Foles rarely has been good enough to hold a starting job during his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason the Bears are his fifth team .
“ He ’ s had those trajectories , but you know what else he ’ ll say ?
” Nagy said .
“ That you really wouldn ’ t want it any other way , because he ’ s probably learned the most from [ that adversity ] and there ’ s been different times that he ’ s been humbled .
.
.
but he ’ s overcome that .
“ So I feel like it has made him a stronger person on and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to his peers , to his coaches , to his teammates .
All of us talk about adversity , and he ’ s had a lot .
He ’ s also been at the top , so going from the top to the bottom and in between , I think he ’ s just excited to be around good people and help the team out.
” Just one year ago , the Jaguars had a similar thought as the Bears .
Has that ever been a good thing , by the way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Jaguars ?
They believed Foles , who won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles , was ready to be a full-time starter and signed him to a four-year , $ 88 million deal .
They wanted out of it in a matter of months and were widely praised for getting a fourth-round pick from the Bears for him in March .
Some thought the Jaguars would have to staple one of their own picks to Foles to extract themselves from his contract .
Nagy thinks he can get much more out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if he ’ s right , the Bears will have flipped the outlook of their quarterback room from bleak to bright .

Ryan Pace is a genius.
If this works out, that is.
In an attempt to correct his blunder of trading up to draft quarterback Mitch Trubisky second overall in 2017, the Bears general manager might have found the perfect plan at quarterback.
It all hinges on newcomer Nick Foles. As long as he proves superior to Trubisky — even better if he proves, dare we dream, good — the Bears have an excellent path forward at the most important position on the field. They’re counting on Foles being their bridge to the future.
The essential question for the franchise is now clear: Does it have someone who can play reasonably well until the next franchise quarterback takes over in 2022? If Foles is the answer, the Bears have remarkably solid footing at a position that has troubled them for much of the last century.
The ideal outcome is to get two acceptable seasons out of Foles, let Trubisky leave next spring and pick the next quarterback in the first round of the 2021 draft.
That would mean the Bears get an immediate upgrade over Trubisky’s disastrous play last season, good use of the $21 million guaranteed to Foles over the next three seasons, a mentor in place for the first two years of the next quarterback’s career and they operate well below budget at the priciest position in the game.
There’s mutual optimism between Foles and the team that a reunion with coach Matt Nagy, an assistant coach for Foles in 2012 and ’16, will pay off.
“We knew there were going to be a lot of options at quarterback in this free-agency period, so we knew we would have an opportunity to increase competition there,” Pace said after bypassing Teddy Bridgewater, Marcus Mariota, Cam Newton and several others. “When we got to Nick . . . a talented player, and the fact that he’s played in some big games and performed well in those big games, that carries a lot of weight.
“Then you have a lot of people in our building that are comfortable with him as a person and his makeup, which made the decision easier. That all kind of came together to make him a target for us and someone we wanted to aggressively go get.”
Conversely, it’s a mess if Foles is a dud. Then the Bears likely would have to put the franchise tag on Trubisky and pay at least $35 million for two frustrating quarterbacks — Trubisky isn’t worth that massive salary-cap hit even at his best — in 2021. Only two teams, the Colts and Cowboys, are paying that much in 2020.
While much can change in the upcoming college football season, assuming there is one, there are expected to be four quarterbacks worth taking in the first round next year. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields are contenders to go No. 1, followed by Georgia’s Jamie Newman and possibly Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond.
A playoff appearance this season would leave the Bears drafting no higher than 18th next year, so they’ll probably have to trade up to get their guy.
That might be doable. After two years of dealing with a ransacked stock of draft picks, they have all their future selections intact other than a fourth- and seventh-round pick in 2021. Additionally, OverTheCap projects they could get four compensatory picks next year because of free-agent defections.
Again, though, the Foles trade has to work out for any of that to have a chance to fall into place. The alternatives are holding on to both quarterbacks at a ridiculous cost in 2021, riding it out with Foles whether he’s good or not, or exploring a more thorough rebuilding project. If it’s either of the last two options, Pace might be long gone by then.
He’s already on notice after Trubisky played so badly in 2019 — 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 27th-ranked 83 passer rating — that the Bears had no hesitation in declining his fifth-year option.
The battle between Foles and Trubisky looks like a coin flip. Trubisky hasn’t impressed anyone after three seasons in the league, but Foles rarely has been good enough to hold a starting job during his eight-year career. There’s a reason the Bears are his fifth team.
“He’s had those trajectories, but you know what else he’ll say?” Nagy said. “That you really wouldn’t want it any other way, because he’s probably learned the most from [that adversity] and there’s been different times that he’s been humbled . . . but he’s overcome that.
“So I feel like it has made him a stronger person on and off the field. And that multiplies to his peers, to his coaches, to his teammates. All of us talk about adversity, and he’s had a lot. He’s also been at the top, so going from the top to the bottom and in between, I think he’s just excited to be around good people and help the team out.”
Just one year ago, the Jaguars had a similar thought as the Bears. Has that ever been a good thing, by the way, to be on the same wavelength as the Jaguars? They believed Foles, who won Super Bowl LII with the Eagles, was ready to be a full-time starter and signed him to a four-year, $88 million deal.
They wanted out of it in a matter of months and were widely praised for getting a fourth-round pick from the Bears for him in March. Some thought the Jaguars would have to staple one of their own picks to Foles to extract themselves from his contract.
Nagy thinks he can get much more out of Foles than the Jaguars did, and if he’s right, the Bears will have flipped the outlook of their quarterback room from bleak to bright.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-23--Southeast Side fire injures 1, displaces 4

One person was hurt and four others were displaced by a fire Saturday on the Southeast Side .
The fire @ @ @ @ @ in the 3500 block of East 95th Street , according to the Chicago Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ to Trinity Hospital in fair-to-serious condition .
The blaze displaced four people , fire officials @ @ @ @ @ of Human Services has been contacted to assist the residents with housing .

One person was hurt and four others were displaced by a fire Saturday on the Southeast Side.
The fire was reported at 3:18 a.m. in the 3500 block of East 95th Street, according to the Chicago Fire Department. One adult was taken to Trinity Hospital in fair-to-serious condition.
The blaze displaced four people, fire officials said. The Illinois Department of Human Services has been contacted to assist the residents with housing.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-23--Teen boy shot multiple times in South Shore

A teenage boy was critically wounded in a shooting Saturday in South Shore on the South Side .
The 15-year-old @ @ @ @ @ 12:49 a.m. with the driver of a blue SUV , according to Chicago police .
@ @ @ @ @ and shot the teen in the face , chest and abdomen .
The boy was @ @ @ @ @ s Hospital in critical condition , police said .
No one is in custody as @ @ @ @ @ Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage boy was critically wounded in a shooting Saturday in South Shore on the South Side.
The 15-year-old got into an argument at 12:49 a.m. with the driver of a blue SUV, according to Chicago police. The driver then got out and shot the teen in the face, chest and abdomen.
The boy was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Garage burglaries reported in Little Village

Police are warning Southwest Side residents of two recent garage burglaries in Little Village .
The first happened between 8 @ @ @ @ @ 11 in the 2900 block of West 25th Place , Chicago police said in a @ @ @ @ @ between noon and 8 p.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of West Cermak Road , @ @ @ @ @ information is asked to call Area Four detectives at 312-746-8253 .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

Police are warning Southwest Side residents of two recent garage burglaries in Little Village.
The first happened between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. May 11 in the 2900 block of West 25th Place, Chicago police said in a community alert.
Another happened between noon and 8 p.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of West Cermak Road, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Four detectives at 312-746-8253.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--NHLPA approves going forward with 24-team playoff talks

The NHL Players ’ Association ’ s executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension , approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiated The NHLPA did not provide a breakdown of the vote of its 31 player representatives in making the announcement Friday night , a day after the proposal was presented to the union ’ s executive board .
In giving the format the green light , the NHLPA stressed several details still need to be negotiated before games can begin .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board of governors , which is expected to approve the plan in the next few days .
Once approved , the proposal effectively ends the season of the league ’ s bottom seven teams .
Under the plan proposed by the NHL/NHLPA Return To Play committee , the top four teams in each conference would play each other in a mini-tournament for seeding while the remaining 16 teams face off in a best-of-five series play-in round to set the final 16 to compete for the Stanley Cup .
The Blackhawks would qualify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Western Conference and face the Oilers .
Though the approval is considered significant , the task of establishing a path to getting players back on the ice remains challenging .
The next step would have the Return To Play committee sort out a host of other issues , ranging from health and safety protocols to determining where games will be played , with the league preparing to group teams in a select number of hub cities .
Las Vegas has become the city most mentioned as a potential site , particularly because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house numerous teams .
Other cities mentioned include Columbus , Ohio ; Nashville , Tennessee ; Raleigh , North Carolina ; St. Paul , Minnesota ; and Edmonton , Alberta .
Numerous other questions remain unanswered , including when players can return to their respective teams and what non-playoff teams will be allowed to do during what could potentially become a 10-month break between games .
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league has a plan in place , but stopped short of providing details by saying it would be premature to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All good questions and all questions with answers .
But not in a position to answer any of them at this point in time , ” Daly wrote in an email .
“ If and when we are in a position to make an announcement , we will try to make sure they are answered in that context.
” At the very least , the league has the framework of a plan on which to build off for the first time since the regular season was placed on pause on March 12 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ present .
It ’ s unclear how the league will address players ’ concerns over spending potentially lengthy stretches of time in self-isolation away from their families .
Both sides agree there is no ideal plan , while acknowledging the limitations they face because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic .
The NHL ’ s regular season was paused on March 12 , with 189 games remaining and its 31 teams having played an uneven number of games .
“ Obviously , it ’ s not ideal , but I think in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything be super traditional ?
” Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie said this week .
“ I think we all have to adapt and be willing to adapt and kind of realize that it ’ s not going to be this perfect , classic NHL playoffs .
I think for the situation we ’ re in , for a year , I think that ’ s fine.
” Under the proposed 24-team format , Montreal would be the final team to qualify in the East based on a slim points-percentage margin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .500 ) , the Canadiens edge out Buffalo , which had 68 points in 69 games ( .493 ) and would extend the league ’ s longest active playoff drought to a ninth consecutive season .
The difference in the West is much larger , with Chicago ( .514 ) beating out Anaheim ( .472 ) .
All three California teams would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96 .
A person with what would be one of the seven non-playoff teams told The AP the performance staff is already preparing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a long layoff .
“ Overall , I think players will be fine during the summer months , ” the person said , speaking on the condition of anonymity because the return to play format has not been approved .
“ Finding creative ways to keep them motivated in the fall will be the challenge.
” The NHL is open to having the playoffs extend into September and pushing the start of the 2020-21 season as late as January — or when fans can begin attending games in some capacity .
Whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Laine said Friday .
“ I just want to play , and I can do whatever format they decide , ” Laine said .
“ It ’ s just still hockey , but I don ’ t mind the format .
It ’ s not an issue for me.
” Carolina Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook said finishing the season and awarding the Stanley Cup would be a considerable feat .
“ In a year of such negativity and uncertainty , for you to have that kind of celebration , I feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you , your family , your team , your city , ” Martinook said .

The NHL Players’ Association’s executive committee authorized moving forward in talks with the league on returning to play from the coronavirus suspension, approving 24 teams making the playoffs with other aspects still to be negotiated
The NHLPA did not provide a breakdown of the vote of its 31 player representatives in making the announcement Friday night, a day after the proposal was presented to the union’s executive board. In giving the format the green light, the NHLPA stressed several details still need to be negotiated before games can begin.
The proposal will now go to the NHL board of governors, which is expected to approve the plan in the next few days. Once approved, the proposal effectively ends the season of the league’s bottom seven teams.
Under the plan proposed by the NHL/NHLPA Return To Play committee, the top four teams in each conference would play each other in a mini-tournament for seeding while the remaining 16 teams face off in a best-of-five series play-in round to set the final 16 to compete for the Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks would qualify as a No. 12 seed in the Western Conference and face the Oilers.
Though the approval is considered significant, the task of establishing a path to getting players back on the ice remains challenging.
The next step would have the Return To Play committee sort out a host of other issues, ranging from health and safety protocols to determining where games will be played, with the league preparing to group teams in a select number of hub cities.
Las Vegas has become the city most mentioned as a potential site, particularly because of its large concentration of hotels that could house numerous teams. Other cities mentioned include Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; St. Paul, Minnesota; and Edmonton, Alberta.
Numerous other questions remain unanswered, including when players can return to their respective teams and what non-playoff teams will be allowed to do during what could potentially become a 10-month break between games.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said the league has a plan in place, but stopped short of providing details by saying it would be premature to do so at this time.
“All good questions and all questions with answers. But not in a position to answer any of them at this point in time,” Daly wrote in an email. “If and when we are in a position to make an announcement, we will try to make sure they are answered in that context.”
At the very least, the league has the framework of a plan on which to build off for the first time since the regular season was placed on pause on March 12.
Games would likely be played without fans present. It’s unclear how the league will address players’ concerns over spending potentially lengthy stretches of time in self-isolation away from their families.
Both sides agree there is no ideal plan, while acknowledging the limitations they face because of the uncertainty created by the pandemic. The NHL’s regular season was paused on March 12, with 189 games remaining and its 31 teams having played an uneven number of games.
“Obviously, it’s not ideal, but I think in a time like this, how can anything be super traditional?” Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie said this week. “I think we all have to adapt and be willing to adapt and kind of realize that it’s not going to be this perfect, classic NHL playoffs. I think for the situation we’re in, for a year, I think that’s fine.”
Under the proposed 24-team format, Montreal would be the final team to qualify in the East based on a slim points-percentage margin. With 71 points in 71 games (.500), the Canadiens edge out Buffalo, which had 68 points in 69 games (.493) and would extend the league’s longest active playoff drought to a ninth consecutive season.
The difference in the West is much larger, with Chicago (.514) beating out Anaheim (.472). All three California teams would miss the playoffs for the first time since 1995-96.
A person with what would be one of the seven non-playoff teams told The AP the performance staff is already preparing workout programs for players during what will be a long layoff.
“Overall, I think players will be fine during the summer months,” the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the return to play format has not been approved. “Finding creative ways to keep them motivated in the fall will be the challenge.”
The NHL is open to having the playoffs extend into September and pushing the start of the 2020-21 season as late as January — or when fans can begin attending games in some capacity.
Whatever it takes, Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine said Friday.
“I just want to play, and I can do whatever format they decide,” Laine said. “It’s just still hockey, but I don’t mind the format. It’s not an issue for me.”
Carolina Hurricanes player representative Jordan Martinook said finishing the season and awarding the Stanley Cup would be a considerable feat.
“In a year of such negativity and uncertainty, for you to have that kind of celebration, I feel like it would be a big positive for you, your family, your team, your city,” Martinook said.