chicagosun-times--2020-11-20--Madigan was supposed to be different, and was for many years. Until now.

On Page 9 of last week ’ s federal indictment of four people accused of conspiring to bribe House Speaker Michael Madigan with favors from ComEd is this heading : “ Defendants and Relevant Individuals.
” But the first person listed is not one of the defendants .
“ Public Official A was the Speaker of the House of Representatives , ” the list begins .
The feds don ’ t just throw these things together like some college freshman who ’ s late with a term paper .
Indictments , particularly in political cases , are often carefully crafted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , it obviously ain ’ t good when you ’ re at the very top of the government ’ s defendant list and you ’ re not even a defendant .
It ’ s also not exactly great when your former consigliere and most trusted friend Mike McClain is indicted along with other once-powerful people in your orbit for conspiring to bribe you .
And that ’ s a big reason why we ’ ve seen so many House Democrats declare in the past several days that they will not vote to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including attorneys I ’ ve spoken with , appear to agree with McClain ’ s lawyer that the feds are “ attempting to rewrite the law on bribery and criminalize long-recognized legitimate , common , and normal lobbying activity into some new form of crime.
” They may have a valid legal point .
McClain and the others might be able to beat this rap .
I don ’ t know .
I ’ ve seen others make that claim and fail .
But , c ’ mon , the stuff in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” or “ normal , ” at least outside Madigan ’ s 13th Ward .
The amount of time spent obsessing over 10 summer internships for kids in Madigan ’ s ward ( some of whom didn ’ t even qualify ) bordered on farce .
My “ favorite ” part of the indictment was when ComEd was essentially warned not to count those interns against the number of patronage jobs the company was doling out to the ward .
And how many political organizations successfully install precinct captains into no-show contract jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , how many state legislators think they can install someone on a utility ’ s board of directors ?
Like any unfettered , unquestioned bureaucracy , they took their mission to an absurd extreme .
And , this time , it resulted in indictments .
Up until now , Madigan has been the most adaptive and adept politician I ’ ve ever seen .
You don ’ t stick around for 48 years by remaining stagnant , I suppose .
He began his career as a typical tough-on-crime , socially conservative , Southwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since become pro-choice , voted for both gay marriage and to abolish the death penalty and backed up the Black Caucus in its difficult years-long effort to block criminal penalty enhancement legislation .
He spent years defending the rights of trial lawyers , then pushed through a medical malpractice reform bill when the issue started hurting his members .
He went after the public employee unions over their pensions when he felt he had to , then united all unions like never before when the state elected an anti-union governor .
At his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed to “ change the culture ” in the House during the 2018 sexual harassment scandals .
He saved his own skin at a time when lots of folks thought he wouldn ’ t make it through .
But he has insisted since the ComEd scandal broke that he believes it ’ s not only his right to help people find jobs and contracts , it ’ s actually his duty .
There would be no change to that particular culture he created .
There ’ d be no “ evolving ” as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other issues .
And for good reason .
Madigan ’ s machine is old school .
It runs on patronage .
And he needs a lot of patronage to keep his huge machine humming .
He ’ s always on the hunt for opportunities , and his people love him for taking care of them , and are fiercely and forever loyal .
But patronage is supposed to be a means to an end of running successful political campaigns , and it unfortunately appeared to become an end in and of itself .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ComEd ’ s deferred prosecution agreement , and that DPA led to last week ’ s indictments of his close associates , and those indictments led to an even larger member revolt which appears , as I write this , to be about to remove the gavel from Madigan ’ s hands .
The old-timers said that Dan Rostenkowski , George Ryan and others got themselves in trouble because they didn ’ t change with the times .
Madigan was supposed to be different .
And he actually was for many years .
@ @ @

On Page 9 of last week’s federal indictment of four people accused of conspiring to bribe House Speaker Michael Madigan with favors from ComEd is this heading: “Defendants and Relevant Individuals.”
But the first person listed is not one of the defendants. “Public Official A was the Speaker of the House of Representatives,” the list begins.
The feds don’t just throw these things together like some college freshman who’s late with a term paper. Indictments, particularly in political cases, are often carefully crafted in order to send a message. So, it obviously ain’t good when you’re at the very top of the government’s defendant list and you’re not even a defendant.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
It’s also not exactly great when your former consigliere and most trusted friend Mike McClain is indicted along with other once-powerful people in your orbit for conspiring to bribe you.
And that’s a big reason why we’ve seen so many House Democrats declare in the past several days that they will not vote to re-elect Speaker Madigan
Quite a few people, including attorneys I’ve spoken with, appear to agree with McClain’s lawyer that the feds are “attempting to rewrite the law on bribery and criminalize long-recognized legitimate, common, and normal lobbying activity into some new form of crime.”
They may have a valid legal point. McClain and the others might be able to beat this rap. I don’t know. I’ve seen others make that claim and fail.
But, c’mon, the stuff in the indictment isn’t “common” or “normal,” at least outside Madigan’s 13th Ward.
The amount of time spent obsessing over 10 summer internships for kids in Madigan’s ward (some of whom didn’t even qualify) bordered on farce. My “favorite” part of the indictment was when ComEd was essentially warned not to count those interns against the number of patronage jobs the company was doling out to the ward.
And how many political organizations successfully install precinct captains into no-show contract jobs in this day and age? Also, how many state legislators think they can install someone on a utility’s board of directors?
Like any unfettered, unquestioned bureaucracy, they took their mission to an absurd extreme. And, this time, it resulted in indictments.
Up until now, Madigan has been the most adaptive and adept politician I’ve ever seen. You don’t stick around for 48 years by remaining stagnant, I suppose.
He began his career as a typical tough-on-crime, socially conservative, Southwest Side Irish Catholic. He’s since become pro-choice, voted for both gay marriage and to abolish the death penalty and backed up the Black Caucus in its difficult years-long effort to block criminal penalty enhancement legislation. He spent years defending the rights of trial lawyers, then pushed through a medical malpractice reform bill when the issue started hurting his members. He went after the public employee unions over their pensions when he felt he had to, then united all unions like never before when the state elected an anti-union governor.
At his most recent low point, Madigan quickly committed to “change the culture” in the House during the 2018 sexual harassment scandals. He saved his own skin at a time when lots of folks thought he wouldn’t make it through.
But he has insisted since the ComEd scandal broke that he believes it’s not only his right to help people find jobs and contracts, it’s actually his duty. There would be no change to that particular culture he created. There’d be no “evolving” as he’d done on so many other issues. And for good reason.
Madigan’s machine is old school. It runs on patronage. And he needs a lot of patronage to keep his huge machine humming. He’s always on the hunt for opportunities, and his people love him for taking care of them, and are fiercely and forever loyal.
But patronage is supposed to be a means to an end of running successful political campaigns, and it unfortunately appeared to become an end in and of itself.
The favors culture Madigan created led to ComEd’s deferred prosecution agreement, and that DPA led to last week’s indictments of his close associates, and those indictments led to an even larger member revolt which appears, as I write this, to be about to remove the gavel from Madigan’s hands.
The old-timers said that Dan Rostenkowski, George Ryan and others got themselves in trouble because they didn’t change with the times. Madigan was supposed to be different. And he actually was for many years. Until now.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Jeremy Colliton, entering third season as coach, hopes to nourish Blackhawks’ rediscovered work ethi

Jeremy Colliton, entering third season as coach, hopes to nourish Blackhawks’ rediscovered work ethic

Jeremy Colliton vividly remembers the night that has become his defining news conference as coach of the Blackhawks .
Oct. 24 , 2019 .
The ‘ ‘ it ’ s not the combos ’ ’ night .
The Hawks had fallen to 2-4-2 with a pitiful 4-1 home loss to the Flyers minutes earlier .
Colliton , usually mellow and composed , was visibly frustrated .
He gave the closest thing to a rant he has given , insisting the line combinations — a much-discussed subject around that time — didn ’ t matter , considering how lazy the Hawks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been repeated hundreds of times since , sometimes painting Colliton in a positive light , sometimes in a negative one .
Even now , with the Hawks ’ tumultuous 2019-20 season in the rearview mirror , Colliton ’ s emotion changes markedly when he reflects on it .
‘ ‘ The point that I was trying to make is work ethic and competitiveness and team-first decisions , that ’ s what helps you win , ’ ’ Colliton said this week .
‘ ‘ If you don ’ t have that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ ‘ Are [ lines ] important ?
Are they something we still talk about all the time ?
Yes .
If they didn ’ t matter , we wouldn ’ t change things around , trying to look for a spark .
But there is no spark if there is no work ethic.
’ ’ As Colliton has become more established and comfortable as an NHL coach , his willingness to criticize his team has grown .
Outside of Oct. 24 , he repeatedly insisted through the first few months of last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the right things and were close to a breakthrough .
Now , looking back , he admitted his players were neglecting some fundamental aspects of hockey .
In that context , the ‘ ‘ combos ’ ’ rant makes much more sense .
‘ ‘ We weren ’ t competitive enough , ’ ’ he said bluntly .
‘ ‘ We didn ’ t have the commitment .
We didn ’ t have the work ethic away from the puck .
We didn ’ t have discipline with shift length and puck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what adds up to winning .
‘ ‘ We took a step around Christmas .
We improved .
We got better as the second half went on , and then we took another step come summertime .
We need the group we have [ now ] to continue that.
’ ’ One major factor in the Hawks ’ improvement as last season went along was Colliton ’ s decision last November to abandon — for the second and final time — the ‘ ‘ overload ’ ’ defensive scheme he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Hawks ’ strong-side wing would collapse down low in the defensive zone , giving the Hawks a four-on-three advantage in that area — essentially ‘ ‘ overloading ’ ’ it .
That conservative tactic provided insurance if a defenseman lost his mark , but it left only the weak-side wing ready to counterattack .
‘ ‘ Because we did that , we had a tough time getting out of ‘ D ’ zone with numbers , ’ ’ Colliton said .
‘ ‘ In order to not turn the puck over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to throw it away [ via dump-ins ] because we didn ’ t have enough numbers or speed to get through [ the neutral zone ] .
’ ’ Colliton switched to a more standard system of defending three-on-three down low , with both wingers available to counterattack .
But doing so put a lot of pressure on the defensemen and low center because they had no backup if they lost their marks .
In the end , the Hawks rejuvenated their offense , but they also gave up the most shots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the coming season , however , Colliton said he plans to stick with the higher-risk , higher-reward system the Hawks finished last season employing .
He thinks the additions the Hawks made this offseason , bringing in reliable defensive centers Mattias Janmark and Lucas Wallmark and hulking defensive defenseman Nikita Zadorov , will make them better-suited to handle three-on-three coverage .
‘ ‘ The teams that have success , they ’ re able to control the pace and tempo of the game by playing in the offensive zone , ’ ’ he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , you need guys that are competitive , hard-working , responsible , play on the right side of the puck .
Those guys can add that to our group .
The more of them that you have , it pushes everyone in the right direction .
It ’ s some peer pressure.
’ ’ Colliton ’ s ability to balance his hockey philosophies with the Hawks ’ strengths and weaknesses — and ultimately make the latter a priority — serves as another example of his growth as a coach .
Still the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nears his 36th birthday , Colliton has led the Hawks for 137 regular-season games and nine playoff games .
Those postseason appearances , in particular , gave him valuable wisdom about adapting against an opponent and properly preparing his team .
‘ ‘ I ’ ve come up with ideas , by going through that process , of things we might want to try in the future , ’ ’ he said .
‘ ‘ That experience is only going to help me going forward.
’ ’ So for better or worse , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawks brought in around this time in 2018 .
He has gained immense experience and knowledge , but he also has blown through his honeymoon period and picked up some haters in the fan base — a group he often must dodge on Twitter , a platform he otherwise lauds as informative and worthwhile .
While awaiting 2021 — which will be his third season and his third unconventionally scheduled season as the Hawks ’ coach , although he adamantly avoids griping about that — Colliton has occupied himself by coaching his 8- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said even that has been personally valuable .
‘ ‘ Anytime you get out of your comfort zone and do things that are different , they help you develop , ’ ’ he said , before adding with a smile : ‘ ‘ It ’ s been fun to try to convince 6-year-olds you ’ ve got to bend your knees.
’ ’ And Colliton expects plenty more lessons to trickle out of the months — and years — to come .
‘ ‘ I feel like I ’ m a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I ’ m never going to be a finished product , ’ ’ he said .
‘ ‘ If that learning stops , then I think you ’ re done .
’ ’

Jeremy Colliton vividly remembers the night that has become his defining news conference as coach of the Blackhawks.
Oct. 24, 2019. The ‘‘it’s not the combos’’ night.
The Hawks had fallen to 2-4-2 with a pitiful 4-1 home loss to the Flyers minutes earlier. Colliton, usually mellow and composed, was visibly frustrated. He gave the closest thing to a rant he has given, insisting the line combinations — a much-discussed subject around that time — didn’t matter, considering how lazy the Hawks’ effort had been.
That quote has been repeated hundreds of times since, sometimes painting Colliton in a positive light, sometimes in a negative one.
Even now, with the Hawks’ tumultuous 2019-20 season in the rearview mirror, Colliton’s emotion changes markedly when he reflects on it.
‘‘The point that I was trying to make is work ethic and competitiveness and team-first decisions, that’s what helps you win,’’ Colliton said this week. ‘‘If you don’t have that as a base, nothing else matters.
‘‘Are [lines] important? Are they something we still talk about all the time? Yes. If they didn’t matter, we wouldn’t change things around, trying to look for a spark. But there is no spark if there is no work ethic.’’
As Colliton has become more established and comfortable as an NHL coach, his willingness to criticize his team has grown.
Outside of Oct. 24, he repeatedly insisted through the first few months of last season that the Hawks were doing almost all the right things and were close to a breakthrough.
Now, looking back, he admitted his players were neglecting some fundamental aspects of hockey. In that context, the ‘‘combos’’ rant makes much more sense.
‘‘We weren’t competitive enough,’’ he said bluntly. ‘‘We didn’t have the commitment. We didn’t have the work ethic away from the puck. We didn’t have discipline with shift length and puck management and all those things. That’s what adds up to winning.
‘‘We took a step around Christmas. We improved. We got better as the second half went on, and then we took another step come summertime. We need the group we have [now] to continue that.’’
One major factor in the Hawks’ improvement as last season went along was Colliton’s decision last November to abandon the ‘‘overload’’ defensive scheme he had tried to operate.
In that system, the Hawks’ strong-side wing would collapse down low in the defensive zone, giving the Hawks a four-on-three advantage in that area — essentially ‘‘overloading’’ it. That conservative tactic provided insurance if a defenseman lost his mark, but it left only the weak-side wing ready to counterattack.
‘‘Because we did that, we had a tough time getting out of ‘D’ zone with numbers,’’ Colliton said. ‘‘In order to not turn the puck over, it was forcing us to have to throw it away [via dump-ins] because we didn’t have enough numbers or speed to get through [the neutral zone].’’
Colliton switched to a more standard system of defending three-on-three down low, with both wingers available to counterattack. But doing so put a lot of pressure on the defensemen and low center because they had no backup if they lost their marks. In the end, the Hawks rejuvenated their offense, but they also gave up the most shots and scoring chances in the league.
In the coming season, however, Colliton said he plans to stick with the higher-risk, higher-reward system the Hawks finished last season employing. He thinks the additions the Hawks made this offseason, bringing in reliable defensive centers Mattias Janmark and Lucas Wallmark and hulking defensive defenseman Nikita Zadorov, will make them better-suited to handle three-on-three coverage.
‘‘The teams that have success, they’re able to control the pace and tempo of the game by playing in the offensive zone,’’ he said. ‘‘In order to do that, you need guys that are competitive, hard-working, responsible, play on the right side of the puck. Those guys can add that to our group. The more of them that you have, it pushes everyone in the right direction. It’s some peer pressure.’’
Colliton’s ability to balance his hockey philosophies with the Hawks’ strengths and weaknesses — and ultimately make the latter a priority — serves as another example of his growth as a coach.
Still the NHL’s youngest coach as he nears his 36th birthday, Colliton has led the Hawks for 137 regular-season games and nine playoff games. Those postseason appearances, in particular, gave him valuable wisdom about adapting against an opponent and properly preparing his team.
‘‘I’ve come up with ideas, by going through that process, of things we might want to try in the future,’’ he said. ‘‘That experience is only going to help me going forward.’’
So for better or worse, Colliton is no longer the newbie the Hawks brought in around this time in 2018. He has gained immense experience and knowledge, but he also has blown through his honeymoon period and picked up some haters in the fan base — a group he often must dodge on Twitter, a platform he otherwise lauds as informative and worthwhile.
While awaiting 2021 — which will be his third season and his third unconventionally scheduled season as the Hawks’ coach, although he adamantly avoids griping about that — Colliton has occupied himself by coaching his 8- and 6-year-old kids’ youth teams. He said even that has been personally valuable.
‘‘Anytime you get out of your comfort zone and do things that are different, they help you develop,’’ he said, before adding with a smile: ‘‘It’s been fun to try to convince 6-year-olds you’ve got to bend your knees.’’
And Colliton expects plenty more lessons to trickle out of the months — and years — to come.
‘‘I feel like I’m a better coach now than I was last year, but I’m never going to be a finished product,’’ he said. ‘‘If that learning stops, then I think you’re done.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--For ‘Mr. Rick,’ my brother from another mother

This one is for “ Mr .
Rick ” — a gregarious , bespectacled white guy in his 80 ’ s with an effervescent laugh who will always be my older brother from another mother .
I miss seeing him on Thursdays , waiting inside a classroom , brimming with the infectious joy of a kid in a candy store .
I miss hearing the children with toothy smiles , percolating with excitement as they spy him from the hallway .
Never mind that Mr. Rick and I met just six years ago through what we have both since come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mutual mission to hopefully make some small difference .
Our story began after I wrote a column asking men to join me in reading to the children at south suburban Matteson Elementary School , believing that our presence might not only assist with literacy but also help fill the gap for much-needed male mentors .
“ Looking for a few good men , ” I wrote , honestly hoping that Black men would answer the call to Real Men Read at Matteson , a predominantly Black school , though Mr. Rick would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more important than the color of a man ’ s skin , what ’ s needed for mentoring Black children is the content of his heart .
Mr. Rick , or Richard Siska , showed up one bright Thursday morning .
He was the first .
And for a while , he was the only .
We were ebony and ivory .
Plainly dressed and dripping with the enthusiasm of a newly minted grandpa , he said he had stumbled upon my column .
“ I was like , ‘ Hey , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he quipped .
“ ‘ I can do that.
’ ” And so he did .
On many mornings , it was just Mr. Rick and me .
Then others joined .
Some came and went .
In times of my discouragement over the absence of other men , Mr. Rick ’ s presence was enough to help me keep the faith .
He became a one-man public relations machine known to pester public officials and show up at village meetings , recruiting and extolling the virtues of our program .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even stood on the street with signs .
News traveled .
The news cameras came .
So did the men .
On rare Thursdays , we had as many as 40 .
Indeed they came from near and far , though eventually drizzling to a core group .
From two , we grew to the “ Magnificent Seven , ” to the “ Faithful Dozen ” or so , who showed up come rain or shine , snow or sleet .
Men like Melvin Wormely , Kevin Callahan , Don Denton , Herbert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and others too numerous to name .
Through surgeries , chemo , and radiation .
In sickness and in health… Also among them , Gregory Huelsman , Matteson ’ s principal , who inherited and fully embraced the program , and young male scholars from Southland College Preparatory Charter High School — thanks to Superintendent Dr. Blondean Y. Davis , also Southland ’ s CEO , who has always supported our vision of literacy and male mentorship .
We ’ ve come a long way — delayed , in some ways , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remote learning — but not denied .
In fact , our Thursday sessions are now online as a growing vibrant video library that allows us to reach children district-wide — and potentially across America .
This evolution , and also the publicity generated , is drawing new readers — for which we are thankful .
Still , something is missing .
An injury this summer has kept Mr. Rick so far from joining us in our recording sessions .
But I just want my brother to know that I — that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without you .
I love you , man .
Happy Thanksgiving .
Get well soon .

This one is for “Mr. Rick”— a gregarious, bespectacled white guy in his 80’s with an effervescent laugh who will always be my older brother from another mother.
I miss seeing him on Thursdays, waiting inside a classroom, brimming with the infectious joy of a kid in a candy store. I miss hearing the children with toothy smiles, percolating with excitement as they spy him from the hallway.
“Misssss-terrrrr Riiiiiick!”
Mr. Rick flashes a wide grin, waving to “our” babies, to “our” children.
Never mind that Mr. Rick and I met just six years ago through what we have both since come to see as fate — drawn by a mutual mission to hopefully make some small difference.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
Our story began after I wrote a column asking men to join me in reading to the children at south suburban Matteson Elementary School, believing that our presence might not only assist with literacy but also help fill the gap for much-needed male mentors.
“Looking for a few good men,” I wrote, honestly hoping that Black men would answer the call to Real Men Read at Matteson, a predominantly Black school, though Mr. Rick would teach me an invaluable lesson: That more important than the color of a man’s skin, what’s needed for mentoring Black children is the content of his heart.
Mr. Rick, or Richard Siska, showed up one bright Thursday morning. He was the first. And for a while, he was the only. We were ebony and ivory.
Plainly dressed and dripping with the enthusiasm of a newly minted grandpa, he said he had stumbled upon my column. “I was like, ‘Hey, I’m not doing anything,’ ” he quipped. “ ‘I can do that.’ ”
And so he did. On many mornings, it was just Mr. Rick and me. Then others joined. Some came and went. In times of my discouragement over the absence of other men, Mr. Rick’s presence was enough to help me keep the faith.
He became a one-man public relations machine known to pester public officials and show up at village meetings, recruiting and extolling the virtues of our program.
Of course, I wrote again. We even stood on the street with signs. News traveled. The news cameras came. So did the men. On rare Thursdays, we had as many as 40.
Indeed they came from near and far, though eventually drizzling to a core group. From two, we grew to the “Magnificent Seven,” to the “Faithful Dozen” or so, who showed up come rain or shine, snow or sleet.
Men like Melvin Wormely, Kevin Callahan, Don Denton, Herbert Hopkins, Gabriel Wallace, Regis Browder, and others too numerous to name. Through surgeries, chemo, and radiation. In sickness and in health…
Also among them, Gregory Huelsman, Matteson’s principal, who inherited and fully embraced the program, and young male scholars from Southland College Preparatory Charter High School — thanks to Superintendent Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, also Southland’s CEO, who has always supported our vision of literacy and male mentorship.
We’ve come a long way — delayed, in some ways, by the pandemic that has relegated schools to remote learning — but not denied. In fact, our Thursday sessions are now online as a growing vibrant video library that allows us to reach children district-wide — and potentially across America.
This evolution, and also the publicity generated, is drawing new readers — for which we are thankful. Still, something is missing.
An injury this summer has kept Mr. Rick so far from joining us in our recording sessions.
But I just want my brother to know that I — that we — would not be where we are without you. I love you, man. Happy Thanksgiving. Get well soon.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
Email John Fountain at Author@johnwfountain.com


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--‘Black Narcissus’: Himalayas consume the newly arrived nuns in a striking FX miniseries

Imagine the hubbub caused by the feature film “ Black Narcissus ” upon its release in 1947 .
An erotic British psychological thriller about an order of Anglican nuns who try to establish a school and hospital deep in the Himalayas , what ?
And there ’ s a handsome and charming rogue who stirs up feelings of longing in some of the nuns , really ?
Starring Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodagh and David Farrar as the dashing Mr. Dean , “ Black Narcissus ” ( which refers to the name of a perfume ) was condemned by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called it “ an affront to religion and religious life.
” Nevertheless , “ Black Narcissus ” was a critical and commercial hit and won Academy Awards for cinematography and art direction .
Now comes the three-part FX limited series “ Black Narcissus , ” which is based on the best-selling novel by Rumer Godden ( as was the 1947 film ) , and though the material won ’ t be as shocking or titillating to viewers as it surely was in the mid-20th century , this is a worthy remake which remains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ material and is filled with stunningly beautiful visuals , hauntingly effective sequences and deeply moving performances , most notably from Gemma Arterton as Sister Clodagh and Alessandro Nivola as Mr. Dean .
“ Black Narcissus ” is set in the British-controlled India of 1934 .
In Darjeeling , the kindly but firm Mother Dorothea ( the late , great Diana Rigg ) informs the ambitious young Sister Clodagh she ’ ll be the Sister Superior at a new school and mission in a former palace in Mopu , tucked deep into the Himalayas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve already seen hints that some strange and disturbing things have happened in this locale ; in fact , a group of German monks abandoned the palace just a year ago , without explanation .
Mysterious forces might be at work there , discouraging the presence of proselytizing outsiders .
Director Charlotte Bruus Christensen ( who also serves as cinematographer ) paints with gorgeous tones in creating a mystical , sometimes beautiful , often haunting tableau , from the cavernous palace to the heavenly mountains to the colorful costumery of the locals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nuns in their all-white outfits , their heads covered , large crosses swaying from their necks , their faces pinched and nearly expressionless .
( They can ’ t even shake hands , as any and all kind of touching is prohibited . )
Alessandro Nivola ’ s Mr. Dean , looking and sounding for all the world like an Indiana Jones knockoff , is the general ’ s representative and all-around go-to man for the sisters , whether it ’ s remodeling the palace or helping them communicate with the locals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for tutoring .
From the moment Mr. Dean meets Sister Clodagh , there ’ s a kind of Bogie-Hepburn vibe in their back-and-forth , as he ’ s amused by her rigid demeanor and delights in getting overly familiar in their conversation , while she feigns indignation at his lack of manners but is clearly feeling some kind of stirring deep within .
( As we see in sun-dappled flashback glimpses , before Sister Clodagh became a nun , there was a man — and they were deeply , passionately in love .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ other nuns become almost possessed by their environment .
Sister Philippa ( Karen Bryson ) , assigned to growing the mission ’ s garden , is so taken with the beauty and the splendor of her surroundings and so unfamiliar with experiencing anything approaching joy that she is shaken to the core and wants to leave .
Sister Ruth ( Aisling Franciosi ) is haunted by dreams that feel more like visions , lashes out at Sister Clodagh and becomes obsessed with Mr. Dean .
Even a visit from Mother Dorothea and Father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does little to still the winds of discontent and trouble swirling about the mission .
And there ’ s a romance brewing the local general ’ s nephew , Dilip Rai ( Chaneil Kular ) , and a village girl named Kanchi ( Dipika Kunwar ) that will cause great scandal if discovered .
“ Black Narcissus ” has much to say about the class system in India , early 20th century patriarchy and the last vestiges of British rule over India , which ended in 1947 but was still the order of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story .
At times it ’ s an uneven mix of cultural period piece , forbidden romances and horror film , but it will hold your interest over the course of its binge-worthy , three-episode arc , and leave you hopeful for a follow-up , as the stories of Sister Clodagh , Mr. Dean and others are brimming with potential for further adventures .

Imagine the hubbub caused by the feature film “Black Narcissus” upon its release in 1947. An erotic British psychological thriller about an order of Anglican nuns who try to establish a school and hospital deep in the Himalayas, what? And there’s a handsome and charming rogue who stirs up feelings of longing in some of the nuns, really?
Starring Deborah Kerr as Sister Clodagh and David Farrar as the dashing Mr. Dean, “Black Narcissus” (which refers to the name of a perfume) was condemned by the Catholic National Legion of Decency, which called it “an affront to religion and religious life.” Nevertheless, “Black Narcissus” was a critical and commercial hit and won Academy Awards for cinematography and art direction.
‘Black Narcissus’
Untitled A three-episode miniseries airing from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday on FX and available Tuesday on Hulu.
Now comes the three-part FX limited series “Black Narcissus,” which is based on the best-selling novel by Rumer Godden (as was the 1947 film), and though the material won’t be as shocking or titillating to viewers as it surely was in the mid-20th century, this is a worthy remake which remains faithful to the themes of the original material and is filled with stunningly beautiful visuals, hauntingly effective sequences and deeply moving performances, most notably from Gemma Arterton as Sister Clodagh and Alessandro Nivola as Mr. Dean.
“Black Narcissus” is set in the British-controlled India of 1934. In Darjeeling, the kindly but firm Mother Dorothea (the late, great Diana Rigg) informs the ambitious young Sister Clodagh she’ll be the Sister Superior at a new school and mission in a former palace in Mopu, tucked deep into the Himalayas. In a startling prologue, we’ve already seen hints that some strange and disturbing things have happened in this locale; in fact, a group of German monks abandoned the palace just a year ago, without explanation. Mysterious forces might be at work there, discouraging the presence of proselytizing outsiders.
Director Charlotte Bruus Christensen (who also serves as cinematographer) paints with gorgeous tones in creating a mystical, sometimes beautiful, often haunting tableau, from the cavernous palace to the heavenly mountains to the colorful costumery of the locals, which is in stark contrast to the nuns in their all-white outfits, their heads covered, large crosses swaying from their necks, their faces pinched and nearly expressionless. (They can’t even shake hands, as any and all kind of touching is prohibited.)
Alessandro Nivola’s Mr. Dean, looking and sounding for all the world like an Indiana Jones knockoff, is the general’s representative and all-around go-to man for the sisters, whether it’s remodeling the palace or helping them communicate with the locals, including the children who come daily for tutoring. From the moment Mr. Dean meets Sister Clodagh, there’s a kind of Bogie-Hepburn vibe in their back-and-forth, as he’s amused by her rigid demeanor and delights in getting overly familiar in their conversation, while she feigns indignation at his lack of manners but is clearly feeling some kind of stirring deep within. (As we see in sun-dappled flashback glimpses, before Sister Clodagh became a nun, there was a man — and they were deeply, passionately in love.)
The presence of Mr. Dean (Alessandro Nivola), a representative of the local general, is disruptive at the mission. FX
Meanwhile, a few of the other nuns become almost possessed by their environment. Sister Philippa (Karen Bryson), assigned to growing the mission’s garden, is so taken with the beauty and the splendor of her surroundings and so unfamiliar with experiencing anything approaching joy that she is shaken to the core and wants to leave. Sister Ruth (Aisling Franciosi) is haunted by dreams that feel more like visions, lashes out at Sister Clodagh and becomes obsessed with Mr. Dean. Even a visit from Mother Dorothea and Father Roberts (the invaluable Jim Broadbent) does little to still the winds of discontent and trouble swirling about the mission. And there’s a romance brewing the local general’s nephew, Dilip Rai (Chaneil Kular), and a village girl named Kanchi (Dipika Kunwar) that will cause great scandal if discovered.
“Black Narcissus” has much to say about the class system in India, early 20th century patriarchy and the last vestiges of British rule over India, which ended in 1947 but was still the order of the day during the time period of this story. At times it’s an uneven mix of cultural period piece, forbidden romances and horror film, but it will hold your interest over the course of its binge-worthy, three-episode arc, and leave you hopeful for a follow-up, as the stories of Sister Clodagh, Mr. Dean and others are brimming with potential for further adventures.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Red alert: Why are the Bears awful inside the 20?

Brandon Parker , one of receiver Allen Robinson ’ s agents , took to Twitter during the Bears ’ loss to the Vikings on Monday night .
“ Throw [ Robinson ] the damn ball in the red zone !
JUST ONCE !
My goodness , ” Parker wrote .
He continued , in other Tweets , to praise quarterback Nick Foles , slam the offensive line and say Robinson should be the Bears ’ first option inside the opposing 20 yard line “ 99 % of the time.
” The Bears , he wrote , “ the only team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t throw the ball to their best receiver in the red zone .
“ WHAT ’ S REALLY GOING ON ?
” he wrote .
It ’ s a good question to ask about the Bears ’ entire red zone offense .
They ’ ve scored touchdowns on 48.15 % of their red-zone trips , the second-worst success rate in the league — ahead of only the Jets .
In November , only the Jets and Cowboys have been less successful than the Bears , who have a 50 % rate this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week digging into exactly why .
Quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo was tasked with bringing his red-zone observations to head coach Matt Nagy , pass-game coordinator Dave Ragone and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor .
“ I give my suggestions and we all come together and smooth out those ideas , ” DeFilippo said .
“ Those guys bring in their ideas.
” There are obvious reasons for their struggles .
The Bears ’ offense is atrocious when it has the ball on the other 80 yards of the field , too ; they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards per game .
The only team behind them is — you guessed it — the Jets .
The tight space in the red zone requires accuracy from the quarterback — something that both Foles and Mitch Trubisky have struggled with this season .
Foles ’ seven red zone touchdowns rank 25th , while Trubisky ’ s four rank 31st .
Teams need a dangerous rushing attack to bully their way into the end zone ; the Bears , by contrast , have two rushing touchdowns this year — and one was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have time to change if something ’ s not working — or , if something ’ s working , do more of it , ” Ragone said .
“ The reality is , right , we need to get better in situational football – third down and red area .
I mean , that ’ s obvious … We ’ re not oblivious to it.
” That sounds a lot like Nagy ’ s “ I ’ m-not-an-idiot ” response to the Bears needing to run better .
He said that more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still haven ’ t fixed their rushing problem .
It ’ s the job of Robinson ’ s agent to stump for him , particularly in a contract year .
Each touchdown , in theory , bumps the price of his next paycheck — be it this offseason or , if the Bears hand him the franchise tag , the one after that .
But he ’ s right : Robinson is the Bears ’ best offensive weapon .
He ranks second in the league with 95 targets , yet somehow only has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tight end Jimmy Graham is tied for second in the NFL with 13 targets inside the opposing 20 .
Receiver Anthony Miller is second on the team with eight .
Running back David Montgomery and receiver Darnell Mooney have five each .
Robinson is the first player opponents try to take away .
Bears coaches , though , have to find creative ways to get him the ball in the red zone .
It ’ s damning that they ’ ve played 10 games and still haven ’ t figured out how .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there helps the red zone , then that ’ s something that we obviously need to look at and get better at , ” Ragone said .
“ But that goes for everything we ’ re doing offensively .
There ’ s no one , obviously , happy where we ’ re at .
There ’ s things we can definitely improve on .
”

Brandon Parker, one of receiver Allen Robinson’s agents, took to Twitter during the Bears’ loss to the Vikings on Monday.
“Throw [Robinson] the damn ball in the red zone! JUST ONCE! My goodness,” Parker wrote.
He continued, in other Tweets, to praise quarterback Nick Foles, slam the offensive line and say Robinson should be the Bears’ first option inside the opposing 20-yard line “99% of the time.” He wrote that the Bears are “the only team in the league” that won’t throw the ball to their best receiver in the red zone.
“WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON?” he wrote.
It’s a good question to ask about the Bears’ entire red-zone offense.
They’ve scored touchdowns on 48.15% of their red-zone trips, the second-worst success rate in the league — ahead of only the Jets. In November, only the Jets and Cowboys have been less successful than the Bears, who have a 50% rate this month.
The Bears are spending the bye week digging into exactly why. Quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo was tasked with bringing his red-zone observations to coach Matt Nagy, pass-game coordinator Dave Ragone and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor.
“I give my suggestions, and we all come together and smooth out those ideas,” DeFilippo said. “Those guys bring in their ideas.”
There are obvious reasons for their struggles. The Bears’ offense is atrocious when it has the ball on the other 80 yards of the field, too. It ranks 31st in the league with 300.9 yards per game. The only team worse is — you guessed it — the Jets.
The tight space in the red zone requires accuracy from the quarterback — something that both Foles and Mitch Trubisky have struggled with this season. Foles’ seven red-zone touchdowns rank 25th, while Trubisky’s four rank 31st.
Teams need a dangerous rushing attack to bully their way into the end zone. But the Bears have just two rushing touchdowns this year — and one was a one-yard sneak by Foles.
“You still have time to change if something’s not working. Or, if something’s working, do more of it,” Ragone said. “The reality is, we need to get better in situational football — third down and red area. I mean, that’s obvious. We’re not oblivious to it.”
That sounds a lot like Nagy’s “I’m-not-an-idiot” response to the Bears needing to run better. He said that more than a year ago, and the Bears still haven’t fixed their rushing problem.
It’s the job of Robinson’s agent to stump for him, particularly in a contract year. Each touchdown, in theory, bumps the price of his next paycheck — be it this offseason or, if the Bears hand him the franchise tag, the one after that. But he’s right: Robinson is the Bears’ best offensive weapon. He ranks second in the league with 95 targets, yet somehow has only seven targets in the red zone.
Tight end Jimmy Graham is tied for second in the NFL with 13 targets inside the opposition’s 20. Receiver Anthony Miller is second on the team with eight. Running back David Montgomery and receiver Darnell Mooney have five each.
Robinson is the first player opponents try to take away. But Bears coaches have to find creative ways to get him the ball in the red zone. It’s damning that they’ve played 10 games and still haven’t figured out how.
“If getting Allen more touches down there helps the red zone, then that’s something that we obviously need to look at and get better at,” Ragone said. “But that goes for everything we’re doing offensively. There’s no one, obviously, happy where we’re at. There’s things we can definitely improve on.”
NOTE: The Bears reinstated rookie guard Lachavious Simmons from the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday, 13 days after he tested positive for the coronavirus while the Bears were in Nashville, Tennessee.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--NFL Draft 2021: How will Bears navigate QB class?

The Bears are bad — but not bad enough .
Were the season to end today , they ’ d draft No .
16 overall on April 29 — far too late to land Clemson ’ s Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State ’ s Justin Fields , quarterbacks who will be the top two picks if they leave college .
If the Bears pick a passer — and they should , as Nick Foles has proved he ’ s not a realistic starter next year — they ’ ll be forced to squint and project and evaluate the next tier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier — North Dakota State ’ s Trey Lance and Alabama ’ s Mac Jones — have so little experience , though , that investing in them is risky .
This season , there are fewer data points than ever .
NFL teams aren ’ t attending games or visiting college practices , making information-gathering — or even casual conversations with a player ’ s coach , family and friends — more difficult .
Game tape matters .
So does sample size .
Just ask Bears fans .
“ Mitch Trubisky had only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said this week .
“ It ’ s a red flag .
“ With Mac and Trey , they have the talent .
There ’ s no question they have the ability.
” Jones has started 10 games since Tua Tagovailoa dislocated his hip a year ago this week .
Surrounded by NFL-caliber blockers , runners and receivers , he has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season .
Lance had one of the best 2019 seasons — at any level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 287 passes without an interception and won the FCS title game ’ s Most Outstanding Player award .
He played one game this season — a showcase against Central Arkansas booked by the Bison , whose conference season was moved to the spring — before turning pro .
He finished his career 17-0 .
Lance is a redshirt sophomore who won ’ t turn 21 until the week after the draft .
He has one year of FCS experience .
When he reports to training camp next year , he will have played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And he could be drafted in the top half of the first round .
“ That ’ s something we ’ ve never had before , ” Kiper said .
“ And we ’ ll probably never have again.
” The Bears have to sort through it all .
“ It ’ s never been easy , and it never will be easy , to evaluate quarterbacks , ” Kiper said .
“ Even with all the resources , [ teams ] still make big , huge mistakes .
“ I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Deshaun ] Watson and [ Patrick ] Mahomes — that ’ s not really fair at this stage , but it was a case where Mitch only had 13 starts .
“ You live from experience .
You learn from experience .
Now I think people are going to look at that — for Lance and Mac Jones.
” Lawrence has been the projected 2021 No .
1 overall pick for more than a calendar year .
His season was disrupted last month when he tested positive for the coronavirus , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fields , the favorite to be selected second overall , threw 41 touchdown passes and three interceptions last year after transferring from Georgia .
He has played three games this season because of the Big Ten ’ s late start .
“ They ’ re the givens , ” Kiper said .
“ They ’ re the two guys that you know a lot about.
’ ’ Despite the Big Ten starting its season late , Fields will have plenty of film by the end of the year , especially if the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are in the college playoffs .
“ For Trevor and Justin Fields , I don ’ t think [ experience ] is going to be a concern , ” Kiper said .
“ For Trevor and Mac Jones , that will be a concern.
” The winless Jets are on pace to draft first overall .
They ’ d almost certainly take Lawrence — and trade their own quarterback .
Sam Darnold has struggled since being selected with the third pick of the 2018 draft , posting a 78.3 passer rating and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a sprained right shoulder and might not play again this season .
“ They ’ re gon na have to trade him , ” Kiper said .
“ That makes it very interesting to teams like the Bears.
” Darnold isn ’ t broken .
At 23½ , he ’ s seven months younger than Joe Burrow , the No .
1 pick in the last draft .
Teams will lean on their scouting reports from when Darnold left USC , rather than his showing in a toxic Jets environment .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looking at a quarterback : Would you be better off with Sam Darnold than Trey Lance , Sam Darnold than Mac Jones ?
” Kiper said .
What would he cost ?
In April 2019 , the Cardinals drafted quarterback Kyler Murray first and traded 2018 first-rounder Josh Rosen to the Dolphins .
They got a late second-round pick ( No .
62 ) and a 2020 fifth-rounder .
Perhaps Darnold fetches a second- and a fourth-round pick , Kiper said .
“ Would you rather have to give up a 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then you [ use ] a first to help your quarterback ?
’ ’ Kiper said .
“ That ’ s something everybody in that position is thinking about right now.
” In an uncertain season , the stakes of drafting the right QB are as high as ever .
“ This is either gon na make you or break you , ” Kiper said .
The rest of the projected draft class has an extensive body of work .
Texas senior Sam Ehlinger has thrown more than 1,400 college passes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 900 .
BYU junior Zach Wilson has thrown more than 700 .
Florida senior Kyle Trask has more than 600 and will be 23 by draft day .
Neither has the potential of Lance or Jones .
But they have experience , which is comforting for any general manager whose job is on the line .
Some of the NFL ’ s greatest quarterbacks were flawed prospects .
Neither Tom Brady , Drew Brees nor Russell Wilson was drafted in the first round .
Some thought Lamar Jackson , the reigning MVP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming out of college .
As if it weren ’ t hard enough already , the draft is a crapshoot this year .
Now the Bears have to navigate it .
“ It ’ s not like this is a perfect science , ” Kiper said .

The Bears are bad — but not bad enough.
Were the season to end today, they’d draft No. 16 overall on April 29 — far too late to land Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State’s Justin Fields, quarterbacks who will be the top two picks if they leave college.
If the Bears pick a passer — and they should, as Nick Foles has proved he’s not a realistic starter next year — they’ll be forced to squint and project and evaluate the next tier of passers.
The two in that tier — North Dakota State’s Trey Lance and Alabama’s Mac Jones — have so little experience, though, that investing in them is risky.
This season, there are fewer data points than ever. NFL teams aren’t attending games or visiting college practices, making information-gathering — or even casual conversations with a player’s coach, family and friends — more difficult.
Game tape matters. So does sample size. Just ask Bears fans.
“Mitch Trubisky had only 13 [college] starts, career,” ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said this week. “It’s a red flag.
“With Mac and Trey, they have the talent. There’s no question they have the ability.”
Jones has started 10 games since Tua Tagovailoa dislocated his hip a year ago this week. Surrounded by NFL-caliber blockers, runners and receivers, he has thrown 16 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season.
Lance had one of the best 2019 seasons — at any level of football — when he threw an NCAA-record 287 passes without an interception and won the FCS title game’s Most Outstanding Player award.
He played one game this season — a showcase against Central Arkansas booked by the Bison, whose conference season was moved to the spring — before turning pro. He finished his career 17-0.
Lance is a redshirt sophomore who won’t turn 21 until the week after the draft. He has one year of FCS experience. When he reports to training camp next year, he will have played one college game in 18 months.
And he could be drafted in the top half of the first round.
“That’s something we’ve never had before,” Kiper said. “And we’ll probably never have again.”
The Bears have to sort through it all.
“It’s never been easy, and it never will be easy, to evaluate quarterbacks,” Kiper said. “Even with all the resources, [teams] still make big, huge mistakes.
“I’m not going to bring up Trubisky over [Deshaun] Watson and [Patrick] Mahomes — that’s not really fair at this stage, but it was a case where Mitch only had 13 starts.
“You live from experience. You learn from experience. Now I think people are going to look at that — for Lance and Mac Jones.”
The top 2
Lawrence has been the projected 2021 No. 1 overall pick for more than a calendar year. His season was disrupted last month when he tested positive for the coronavirus, but he should return Saturday against Florida State.
Fields, the favorite to be selected second overall, threw 41 touchdown passes and three interceptions last year after transferring from Georgia. He has played three games this season because of the Big Ten’s late start.
“They’re the givens,” Kiper said. “They’re the two guys that you know a lot about.’’
Despite the Big Ten starting its season late, Fields will have plenty of film by the end of the year, especially if the Buckeyes play for the league title and are in the college playoffs.
“For Trevor and Justin Fields, I don’t think [experience] is going to be a concern,” Kiper said. “For Trevor and Mac Jones, that will be a concern.”
The Darnold factor
The winless Jets are on pace to draft first overall. They’d almost certainly take Lawrence — and trade their own quarterback.
Sam Darnold has struggled since being selected with the third pick of the 2018 draft, posting a 78.3 passer rating and an 11-21 record as a starter. He has a sprained right shoulder and might not play again this season.
“They’re gonna have to trade him,” Kiper said. “That makes it very interesting to teams like the Bears.”
Darnold isn’t broken. At 23½, he’s seven months younger than Joe Burrow, the No. 1 pick in the last draft.
Teams will lean on their scouting reports from when Darnold left USC, rather than his showing in a toxic Jets environment.
“Every team’s gotta decide, looking at a quarterback: Would you be better off with Sam Darnold than Trey Lance, Sam Darnold than Mac Jones?” Kiper said.
What would he cost? In April 2019, the Cardinals drafted quarterback Kyler Murray first and traded 2018 first-rounder Josh Rosen to the Dolphins. They got a late second-round pick (No. 62) and a 2020 fifth-rounder.
Perhaps Darnold fetches a second- and a fourth-round pick, Kiper said.
“Would you rather have to give up a 2 and a 4 to get Darnold, and then you [use] a first to help your quarterback?’’ Kiper said. “That’s something everybody in that position is thinking about right now.”
The crapshoot
In an uncertain season, the stakes of drafting the right QB are as high as ever.
“This is either gonna make you or break you,” Kiper said.
The rest of the projected draft class has an extensive body of work.
Texas senior Sam Ehlinger has thrown more than 1,400 college passes. Iowa State junior Brock Purdy claims more than 900.
BYU junior Zach Wilson has thrown more than 700. Florida senior Kyle Trask has more than 600 and will be 23 by draft day.
Neither has the potential of Lance or Jones. But they have experience, which is comforting for any general manager whose job is on the line. Some of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks were flawed prospects. Neither Tom Brady, Drew Brees nor Russell Wilson was drafted in the first round. Some thought Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP, would have to switch to receiver coming out of college.
As if it weren’t hard enough already, the draft is a crapshoot this year.
Now the Bears have to navigate it.
“It’s not like this is a perfect science,” Kiper said.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Lawndale man charged in liquor store shooting

A Lawndale man faces aggravated battery and weapons charges for his involvement in a shooting Wednesday at a neighborhood liquor store .
Larenz Simmons , 32 , was arrested Wednesday night at Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to the body , Chicago police announced Friday .
Simmons was allegedly one of three men who opened fire on a group outside a liquor store Wednesday , police said .
About 4:30 p.m. the men pulled up in a silver vehicle outside Brother 5 Food & Liquor store , 3009 W. Roosevelt Rd.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deputy Chief Ernest Cato said .
The gunmen then continued firing inside the liquor store before fleeing the scene , according to Cato .
A 29-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the body and a 22-year-old man was struck in the back and neck , police said .
Both were in critical condition .
Simmons was accidentally shot by one of the other offenders during the attack and brought to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment where he was later placed into custody , police said .
He faces one count of aggravated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another count of aggravated discharge silencer building .

A Lawndale man faces aggravated battery and weapons charges for his involvement in a shooting Wednesday at a neighborhood liquor store.
Larenz Simmons, 32, was arrested Wednesday night at Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was being treated for a gunshot wound to the body, Chicago police announced Friday.
Simmons was allegedly one of three men who opened fire on a group outside a liquor store Wednesday, police said.
About 4:30 p.m. the men pulled up in a silver vehicle outside Brother 5 Food & Liquor store, 3009 W. Roosevelt Rd., and began firing shots, Chicago Police Deputy Chief Ernest Cato said.
The gunmen then continued firing inside the liquor store before fleeing the scene, according to Cato.
A 29-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the body and a 22-year-old man was struck in the back and neck, police said. Both were in critical condition.
Simmons was accidentally shot by one of the other offenders during the attack and brought to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment where he was later placed into custody, police said.
He faces one count of aggravated battery and discharge of a weapon and another count of aggravated discharge silencer building.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Teen boy shot in Fernwood

Teen boy shot in Fernwood

A 17-year-old boy was shot Friday night in Fernwood on the Far South Side .
He was inside a home @ @ @ @ @ about 11:45 p.m. in the 10300 block of South Wallace Street when someone on the @ @ @ @ @ home , Chicago police said .
The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the left @ @ @ @ @ Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition , police said .
There is @ @ @ @ @ Area Two detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

A 17-year-old boy was shot Friday night in Fernwood on the Far South Side.
He was inside a home with a group of people about 11:45 p.m. in the 10300 block of South Wallace Street when someone on the sidewalk fired shots into the home, Chicago police said.
The boy suffered a gunshot wound to the left arm and was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition, police said.
There is no one in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--No. 19 Northwestern tops No. 10 Wisconsin to take control of Big Ten West

Peyton Ramsey threw two touchdown passes and No .
19 Northwestern shut down Graham Mertz and No .
10 Wisconsin for a 17-7 victory on Saturday at Ryan Field that put the undefeated Wildcats in control of the Big Ten West .
Northwestern forced five turnovers — four in the first half — and sacked Mertz three times in its first win over a top-10 team since a 28-25 victory over No .
9 Nebraska on Nov. 5 , 2011 .
Ramsey , a graduate transfer from Indiana , was 23 for 44 for 203 yards , and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Wildcats improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2015 .
They also moved to 5-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1996 .
Wisconsin ( 2-1 , 2-1 ) had committed just one turnover this year , a fumble during a 45-7 victory over Illinois on Oct. 23 .
The Badgers then had back-to-back games canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program before rolling to a 49-11 win at Michigan last weekend .
Mertz , a redshirt freshman , lost a fumble and threw the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Senior running back Garrett Groshek also lost a fumble in his return after he missed the victory against the Wolverines .
The Badgers still managed to stay in the game thanks to their stout defense .
But Charlie Kuhbander kicked a 32-yard field goal with 11:35 left , and Northwestern finished off another second-half shutout .
The Wildcats have allowed just 10 points in the final two quarters this season .
Northwestern got off to a fast start .
After Wisconsin went nowhere on its first possession , Ramsey tossed a 2-yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left in the first quarter .
John Raine set up the score by drawing a pair of pass interference penalties in the end zone .
Groshek then fumbled the ball away for the Badgers , and Chiaokhiao-Bowman ’ s 36-yard reception on a pass by fellow receiver Riley Lees moved the Wildcats to the Badgers 1 .
The play was originally ruled a touchdown , but a replay review showed Chiaokhiao-Bowman stepped out of bounds .
The overturned call took on added significance when Isaiah Bowser fumbled on the next snap , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end zone .
The Badgers then put together a six-play , 80-yard drive , tying it at 7 on Mertz ’ s 49-yard touchdown pass to Chimere Dike with 5:14 left in the opening quarter .
Wisconsin had a couple chances to move in front in the first half , but Mertz fumbled on a sack by Blake Gallagher and threw two interceptions to Brandon Joseph .
The first pick was deflected by linebacker Paddy Fisher before it went through the arms of tight end Hayden Rucci .
After Joseph ’ s second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 72-yard drive to go ahead to stay .
Ramsey made a terrific throw to Chiaokhiao-Bowman for a tiebreaking 25-yard touchdown on an over-the-shoulder grab with 56 seconds left in the half .
Mertz was 23 of 41 for 230 yards .
Jalen Berger had 15 carries for 93 yards for the Badgers .
Northwestern is going to have to deal with increased attention in the coming days after its best win of the season so far .
It ’ s in line to move up in the AP poll .
Wisconsin : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Badgers outgained the Wildcats 366-263 .
They just couldn ’ t overcome the turnovers .
Northwestern : The Wildcats finished with just 24 yards rushing , putting a lot of pressure on Ramsey .
Finding a more consistent ground attack could be a key for the rest of the season .

Every clutch play by Peyton Ramsey. Every big hit by Northwestern’s defense. It was all designed to send a message.
The Wildcats had something they wanted to say.
“We woke up the country now, and we need our damn respect,” cornerback Greg Newsome II said.
Ramsey threw two touchdown passes and No. 19 Northwestern shut down Graham Mertz and No. 10 Wisconsin for a 17-7 victory on Saturday at Ryan Field that put the undefeated Wildcats in control of the Big Ten West.
Northwestern forced five turnovers — four in the first half — and sacked Mertz three times in its first win over a top-10 team since a 28-25 victory over No. 9 Nebraska on Nov. 5, 2011. Ramsey, a graduate transfer from Indiana, was 23 for 44 for 203 yards, and Ramaud Chiaokhiao-Bowman had four receptions for a career-high 95 yards.
Rising from the ashes of an ugly 3-9 season, the Wildcats improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2015. They also moved to 5-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1996.
“Very resilient by our guys,” coach Pat Fitzgerald said. “Just staying in the fight. It wasn’t pretty. Old-school game, but they grinded it out all the way through to the finish.”
Wisconsin (2-1, 2-1) had committed just one turnover this year, a fumble during a 45-7 victory over Illinois on Oct. 23. The Badgers then had back-to-back games canceled because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the program before rolling to a 49-11 win at Michigan last weekend.
Mertz, a redshirt freshman, lost a fumble and threw the first three interceptions of his career against Northwestern. Senior running back Garrett Groshek also lost a fumble in his return after he missed the victory against the Wolverines.
“Obviously when you turn the ball over the number of times we did, it makes it hard,” Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst said.
Mertz was 23 of 41 for 230 yards. Jalen Berger had 15 carries for a career-best 93 yards for the Badgers.
Wisconsin managed to stay in the game thanks to stout defense. But Charlie Kuhbander kicked a 32-yard field goal with 11:35 left, and Northwestern finished off another second-half shutout. The Wildcats have allowed just 10 points in the final two quarters this season.
“Northwestern’s a great, veteran defense,” Mertz said. “They knew what was coming with our progressions. Obviously it was something I’d love to get back, but now it’s just taking it as a learning experience and growing from it.”
Northwestern got off to a fast start. After Wisconsin went nowhere on its first possession, Ramsey tossed a 2-yard TD pass to Charlie Mangieri with 10:50 left in the first quarter. John Raine set up the score by drawing a pair of pass interference penalties in the end zone.
Groshek then fumbled the ball away for the Badgers, and Chiaokhiao-Bowman’s 36-yard reception on a pass by fellow receiver Riley Lees moved the Wildcats to the Badgers 1. The play was originally ruled a touchdown, but a replay review showed Chiaokhiao-Bowman stepped out of bounds.
The overturned call took on added significance when Isaiah Bowser fumbled on the next snap, and Spencer Lytle recovered for Wisconsin in the end zone. The Badgers then put together a six-play, 80-yard drive, tying it at 7 on Mertz’s 49-yard pass to Chimere Dike for the freshman’s first career touchdown with 5:14 left in the opening quarter.
Wisconsin had a couple chances to move in front in the first half, but Mertz fumbled on a sack by Blake Gallagher and threw two interceptions to Brandon Joseph. The first pick was deflected by linebacker Paddy Fisher before it went through the arms of tight end Hayden Rucci.
After Joseph’s second interception, Northwestern put together a seven-play, 72-yard drive to go ahead to stay. Ramsey made a terrific throw to Chiaokhiao-Bowman for a tiebreaking 25-yard touchdown on an over-the-shoulder grab with 56 seconds left in the half.
“I remember seeing the ball up in the air on the touchdown ball and just thought ‘Wow, 12 is great. He just put this in a perfect spot,’” a grinning Chiaokhiao-Bowman said.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
Northwestern is going to have to deal with increased attention in the coming days after its best win of the season so far. It’s in line to move up in the AP poll.
THE TAKEAWAY
Wisconsin: Even with Mertz’s trouble, the Badgers outgained the Wildcats 366-263. Their defense allowed just two conversions in 15 third downs. They just couldn’t overcome the turnovers.
Northwestern: The Wildcats finished with just 24 yards rushing on 23 attempts, putting a lot of pressure on Ramsey. Finding a more consistent ground attack could be a key for the rest of the season.
UP NEXT
Wisconsin: Hosts Minnesota next weekend.
Northwestern: Visits Michigan State next weekend.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Kyle Rittenhouse, charged with killing 2 protesters, poses with ‘Silver Spoons’ actor after posting

Kyle Rittenhouse, charged with killing 2 protesters, poses with ‘Silver Spoons’ actor after posting bond

KENOSHA , Wis. ( AP ) — An Illinois 17-year-old accused of killing two people during a protest in Wisconsin was seen smiling in a photo with his lawyer and “ Silver Spoons ” actor Ricky Schroder after being released from custody by posting a $ 2 million bond .
Kyle Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz during a demonstration Aug. 25 that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha .
He posted bond through his attorney at about 2 p.m. Friday .
Hours after being released , L. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a member of Rittenhouse ’ s defense team , tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse , Ricky Schroder and attorney John Pierce , under a title of “ FREE AT LAST !
!
!
” Lin earlier tweeted that a donation from Schroder helped put Rittenhouse ’ s bond fundraising effort “ over the top.
” Rittenhouse , of Antioch , Illinois , told police he was attacked while he was guarding a business and that he fired in self-defense .
He faces multiple charges , including intentional homicide , reckless endangerment and being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wisconsin law doesn ’ t permit minors to carry or possess a gun unless they ’ re hunting .
He is due back in court on Dec. 3 for a preliminary hearing .
His case has taken on political overtones .
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist .
Conservatives upset over property destruction during recent protests have portrayed him as a patriot who was exercising his right to bear arms during unrest .
A legal defense fund for Rittenhouse has raised millions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got a standing ovation from women at a Waukesha County GOP function in September .

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — An Illinois 17-year-old accused of killing two people during a protest in Wisconsin was seen smiling in a photo with his lawyer and “Silver Spoons” actor Ricky Schroder after being released from custody by posting a $2 million bond.
Kyle Rittenhouse is accused of fatally shooting Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber and wounding Gaige Grosskreutz during a demonstration Aug. 25 that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha. He posted bond through his attorney at about 2 p.m. Friday.
Hours after being released, L. Lin Wood of Atlanta, who is a member of Rittenhouse’s defense team, tweeted a photo of Rittenhouse, Ricky Schroder and attorney John Pierce, under a title of “FREE AT LAST!!!” Lin earlier tweeted that a donation from Schroder helped put Rittenhouse’s bond fundraising effort “over the top.”
Rittenhouse, of Antioch, Illinois, told police he was attacked while he was guarding a business and that he fired in self-defense.
FREE AT LAST!!!
From L to R:
Attorney John Pierce @CaliKidJMP
THE KYLE RITTENHOUSE
Actor Ricky Schroder @rickyschroder13
Thank you, All Donors.
Thank you, All Patriots.
Thank God Almighty.#FightBack pic.twitter.com/37Ly66itT8 — Lin Wood (@LLinWood) November 21, 2020
He faces multiple charges, including intentional homicide, reckless endangerment and being a minor in possession of a firearm. Wisconsin law doesn’t permit minors to carry or possess a gun unless they’re hunting. He is due back in court on Dec. 3 for a preliminary hearing.
His case has taken on political overtones. Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have painted Rittenhouse as a trigger-happy white supremacist. Conservatives upset over property destruction during recent protests have portrayed him as a patriot who was exercising his right to bear arms during unrest. A legal defense fund for Rittenhouse has raised millions of dollars in donations, and his mother got a standing ovation from women at a Waukesha County GOP function in September.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--This You Gotta See: NFL playoff implications galore, and another biggie for Notre Dame

Don ’ t know about you , but I sure can think of one thing to be thankful for as the sports world barrels forward into a new week .
It can be summed up in three little words , my friends .
Three blissful , delightful , liberating little words .
Can I get an amen from the congregation ?
While Nick Foles heals , Mitch Trubisky ponders the possibility of a second ( third ?
fourth ? )
chance , Allen Robinson wonders what he ever did to anybody to deserve this and Matt Nagy locks himself in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old play-calling sheet , football games will go on .
Sunday will bring wall-to-wall playoff implications to our living rooms , with the Titans-Ravens , Packers-Colts and Chiefs-Raiders matchups all meaning a great deal .
And Thursday ?
Enjoy a side of turkey with that Thanksgiving triple-header : Texans-Lions , Redskins-Cowboys , Ravens-Steelers .
Notre Dame plays another biggie , this one Friday at North Carolina .
The Tar Heels are so dangerous offensively , charming old coach Mack Brown might as well have circa-2005 Vince Young running the show .
The point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the massively struggling Bears .
And let ’ s just be honest about it : Phew !
It ’ s kind of nice not to have to watch and suffer through three hours of death by dink-and-dunk .
“ I think the No .
1 thing we ’ ve got going for us right now is we ’ re into the bye , ” Nagy said after the Bears ’ fourth straight loss .
Other than 565 touchdown throws and upward of 80,000 passing yards , what does injured Saints quarterback Drew Brees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t ?
The Falcons , meanwhile , have sneakily stopped being horrendous , winning three of their last four .
Two of the AFC ’ s six — six !
— 6-3 teams go at it .
At least two of those six squads are going to miss the playoffs , you know .
Leicester sits atop the Premier League table , but Liverpool is hungry .
Then again , who isn ’ t ?
And is it too early in the week to begin drinking gravy ?
The Colts seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Packers are kind of just getting by .
Yes , that ’ s another way of putting “ coasting to the NFC North title.
” The defending Super Bowl champs are 8-1 , but that “ 1 ” is thanks to the Raiders .
The good news for the Chiefs is QB Patrick Mahomes has been so busy shooting commercials since Week 5 , he doesn ’ t even remember taking that “ L. ” Tom Brady has a career record of 18-7 on Monday nights .
Only 25 appearances on “ MNF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s surprisingly few considering his first handful weren ’ t even televised in color .
An intriguing segment will examine the growing use of psychedelic drugs by retired athletes who are seeking relief from all kinds of problems .
Not to make light , but maybe a hallucination or two would help Bears coaches with their play calling ?
The only thing more American than apple pie , the seventh-inning stretch or a contested election ?
Watching the Lions lose on Turkey Day .
It ’ ll have special meaning not to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that ’ s no joke .
Just how great are these 9-0 Steelers , anyway ?
More important : How many yards can Lamar Jackson run in the time it takes the average person to spell out R-O-E-T-H-L-I-S-B-E-R-G-E-R ?
These schools would have us believe they ’ re bitter rivals .
Their game has its own day most years and everything .
Tell you what , Huskers and Hawkeyes — get better and then we ’ ll talk .
The Tar Heels are piling up 563.4 yards per game of offense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ?
( Stop me before I repeat myself . )
Hey , just keep winning and that playoff thing is going to happen for the Irish .
You remember 1906 , don ’ t you ?
It ’ s the only year since these schools first met on the gridiron in 1890 that they haven ’ t played each other .
There ’ s no rivalry in the land whose combatants have butted heads as often — 129 times — as the Gophers and Badgers .
Your cousin Cletus in Tuscaloosa says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but you be sure to remind him the Tigers have upset the Crimson Tide in two of the last three Iron Bowls .
Pat Fitzgerald ’ s linebacker-led defense is so tough , one has to wonder if Pat Fitzgerald the player would ’ ve been good enough to stand out in this group .
Besides , Paddy Fisher is just a cooler name than Pat Fitzgerald .
OK , so the Illini probably can ’ t hang with the big , bad Buckeyes for long .
But if you ’ re looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in Year 5 under Lovie Smith , this , folks , is it .

Don’t know about you, but I sure can think of one thing to be thankful for as the sports world barrels forward into a new week.
It can be summed up in three little words, my friends. Three blissful, delightful, liberating little words.
No Bears game.
Can I get an amen from the congregation?
While Nick Foles heals, Mitch Trubisky ponders the possibility of a second (third? fourth?) chance, Allen Robinson wonders what he ever did to anybody to deserve this and Matt Nagy locks himself in the bathroom and gazes longingly at his old play-calling sheet, football games will go on.
Sunday will bring wall-to-wall playoff implications to our living rooms, with the Titans-Ravens, Packers-Colts and Chiefs-Raiders matchups all meaning a great deal. And Thursday? Enjoy a side of turkey with that Thanksgiving triple-header: Texans-Lions, Redskins-Cowboys, Ravens-Steelers.
Notre Dame plays another biggie, this one Friday at North Carolina. The Tar Heels are so dangerous offensively, charming old coach Mack Brown might as well have circa-2005 Vince Young running the show.
The point here is, football goes on without the massively struggling Bears. And let’s just be honest about it: Phew! It’s kind of nice not to have to watch and suffer through three hours of death by dink-and-dunk.
“I think the No. 1 thing we’ve got going for us right now is we’re into the bye,” Nagy said after the Bears’ fourth straight loss.
Nailed it. And here’s what’s happening:
SUN 22
Falcons at Saints (noon, Fox-32)
Other than 565 touchdown throws and upward of 80,000 passing yards, what does injured Saints quarterback Drew Brees really have that backup Taysom Hill doesn’t? The Falcons, meanwhile, have sneakily stopped being horrendous, winning three of their last four.
Titans at Ravens (noon, Ch. 2)
Two of the AFC’s six — six! — 6-3 teams go at it. At least two of those six squads are going to miss the playoffs, you know.
Liverpool vs. Leicester City (1:15 p.m., NBCSN)
Leicester sits atop the Premier League table, but Liverpool is hungry. Then again, who isn’t? And is it too early in the week to begin drinking gravy?
Packers at Colts (3:25 p.m., Fox-2)
The Colts seem to be hitting their stride, while the Packers are kind of just getting by. Yes, that’s another way of putting “coasting to the NFC North title.”
Chiefs at Raiders (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5)
The defending Super Bowl champs are 8-1, but that “1” is thanks to the Raiders. The good news for the Chiefs is QB Patrick Mahomes has been so busy shooting commercials since Week 5, he doesn’t even remember taking that “L.”
MON 23
Rams at Buccaneers (7:15 p.m., ESPN)
Tom Brady has a career record of 18-7 on Monday nights. Only 25 appearances on “MNF” for the GOAT? That’s surprisingly few considering his first handful weren’t even televised in color.
TUE 24
“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (9 p.m., HBO)
An intriguing segment will examine the growing use of psychedelic drugs by retired athletes who are seeking relief from all kinds of problems. Not to make light, but maybe a hallucination or two would help Bears coaches with their play calling?
THU 26
Texans at Lions (11:30 a.m., Ch. 2)
The only thing more American than apple pie, the seventh-inning stretch or a contested election? Watching the Lions lose on Turkey Day.
Washington at Cowboys (3:30 p.m., Fox-32)
It’ll have special meaning not to have a certain nickname uttered on this holiday, and that’s no joke.
Ravens at Steelers (7:20 p.m., Ch. 5)
Just how great are these 9-0 Steelers, anyway? More important: How many yards can Lamar Jackson run in the time it takes the average person to spell out R-O-E-T-H-L-I-S-B-E-R-G-E-R?
FRI 27
Nebraska at Iowa (noon, Fox-32)
These schools would have us believe they’re bitter rivals. Their game has its own day most years and everything. Tell you what, Huskers and Hawkeyes — get better and then we’ll talk.
Notre Dame at North Carolina (2:30 p.m., Ch. 7)
The Tar Heels are piling up 563.4 yards per game of offense. Do you realize how many that is? (Stop me before I repeat myself.) Hey, just keep winning and that playoff thing is going to happen for the Irish.
SAT 21
Minnesota at Wisconsin (1 p.m., BTN)
You remember 1906, don’t you? It’s the only year since these schools first met on the gridiron in 1890 that they haven’t played each other. There’s no rivalry in the land whose combatants have butted heads as often — 129 times — as the Gophers and Badgers.
Auburn at Alabama (2:30 p.m., Ch. 2)
Your cousin Cletus in Tuscaloosa says this’ll be a laugher, but you be sure to remind him the Tigers have upset the Crimson Tide in two of the last three Iron Bowls.
Northwestern at Michigan State (TBD)
Pat Fitzgerald’s linebacker-led defense is so tough, one has to wonder if Pat Fitzgerald the player would’ve been good enough to stand out in this group. Besides, Paddy Fisher is just a cooler name than Pat Fitzgerald.
Ohio State at Illinois (TBD)
OK, so the Illini probably can’t hang with the big, bad Buckeyes for long. But if you’re looking for a barometer of where the program is in Year 5 under Lovie Smith, this, folks, is it.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Green-winged teal loafing: Mallards and more water come in Aaron Yetter’s latest blog off aerial sur

Green-winged teal loafing: Mallards and more water come in Aaron Yetter’s latest blog off aerial survey

Aaron Yetter ’ s latest blog off the weekly aerial waterfowl survey for the Illinois Natural History touches on what water means to our ducks , especially mallards .
As usual , there were nuggets .
The one that caught my eye this week was “ green-winged teal loafing.
” Click here for the listings of aerial surveys by the Illinois Natural History Survey .
Keep up with research updates and aerial surveys at the Forbes Biological Station Facebook page .
We had a great day for the waterfowl survey on Tuesday , November 17th .
The winds weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some cloud cover part of the day .
I prefer to fly with some cloud cover because the direct sunshine and the sun ’ s reflection off the water aren ’ t blinding me on overcast days .
I know this is starting to sound like a broken record , but we really do have a lot of ducks around for mid-November .
Illinois River duck numbers ( 427,525 total ducks ) were 48 % above average and up slightly ( 11 % ) from last week .
The same goes for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which were up 36 % from average and up 32 % from last week .
It seems the ducks are switching refuges as more water is becoming available on the landscape .
For instance , Chautauqua NWR has been slowly adding water , and the ducks have found it .
I estimated over 100,000 ducks on the South Pool of Chautauqua this week and white-fronted geese were abundant was well .
This contrasts with Emiquon , which usually holds a big slug of birds .
Emiquon Preserve was partially dewatered this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a consequence , most of the moist-soil vegetation out there is high and dry .
I only counted 1,300 ducks on the “ Big E ” on Tuesday .
The big winner for the upper Illinois this week was Douglas Lake with over 70,000 ducks .
Most of those birds were on the eastern side of Douglas Lake , which is what I call the Rice Pond refuge .
On the lower Mississippi River , the Cannon refuge keeps making headway with new water and duck numbers jumped to over 62,000 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservation had over 66,000 ducks on Tuesday morning , with a healthy mob of green-winged teal ( 14,500 ) concentrating on the lower end of the refuge .
And of course , Swan Lake at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers was still hovering around 100,000 ducks .
I have witnessed hunters posting pictures of diving ducks around the internet over last week .
We indeed had an influx of lesser scaup ( 34,000 which doubled last week ’ s count ) on Pool 19 , and even a few common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mississippi River .
I know the general public has been enjoying Illinois ’ mild weather over the last couple of weeks , but the waterfowl hunters are needing a change .
Right now , it is taking some big winds to get the ducks to move around a little .
Otherwise , it is stagnant out there in the duck blind .
Here ’ s to the HOPE of blustery weather to come !
Good luck to Illinois deer hunters as they embark on the first half of shotgun deer season , hopefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about the waterfowl survey , check out our webpage at www.bellrose.org .
Stay tuned for more updates next week…… .

November 19th, 2020 – Aerial Waterfowl Inventory Blog We had a great day for the waterfowl survey on Tuesday, November 17th. The winds weren’t excessive, and we even had some cloud cover part of the day. I prefer to fly with some cloud cover because the direct sunshine and the sun’s reflection off the water aren’t blinding me on overcast days. I know this is starting to sound like a broken record, but we really do have a lot of ducks around for mid-November. Illinois River duck numbers (427,525 total ducks) were 48% above average and up slightly (11%) from last week. The same goes for the central Mississippi River with 589,460 total ducks, which were up 36% from average and up 32% from last week. It seems the ducks are switching refuges as more water is becoming available on the landscape. For instance, Chautauqua NWR has been slowly adding water, and the ducks have found it. I estimated over 100,000 ducks on the South Pool of Chautauqua this week and white-fronted geese were abundant was well. This contrasts with Emiquon, which usually holds a big slug of birds. Emiquon Preserve was partially dewatered this year to reset the marsh cycle; as a consequence, most of the moist-soil vegetation out there is high and dry. I only counted 1,300 ducks on the Big E on Tuesday. The big winner for the upper Illinois this week was Douglas Lake with over 70,000 ducks. Most of those birds were on the eastern side of Douglas Lake, which is what I call the Rice Pond refuge. On the lower Mississippi River, the Cannon refuge keeps making headway with new water and duck numbers jumped to over 62,000. The Shanks refuge operated by Missouri Department of Conservation had over 66,000 ducks on Tuesday morning, with a healthy mob of green-winged teal (14,500) concentrating on the lower end of the refuge. And of course, Swan Lake at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers was still hovering around 100,000 ducks. I have witnessed hunters posting pictures of diving ducks around the internet over last week. We indeed had an influx of lesser scaup (34,000 which doubled last week’s count) on Pool 19, and even a few common goldeneye made their way into the central Mississippi River. I know the general public has been enjoying Illinois’ mild weather over the last couple of weeks, but the waterfowl hunters are needing a change. Right now, it is taking some big winds to get the ducks to move around a little. Otherwise, it is stagnant out there in the duck blind. Here’s to the HOPE of blustery weather to come! Good luck to Illinois deer hunters as they embark on the first half of shotgun deer season, hopefully everyone will stay safe! For more information about the waterfowl survey, check out our webpage at www.bellrose.org. Stay tuned for more updates next week…….


chicagosun-times--2020-11-21--Illini win 2nd straight, rout turnover-plagued Cornhuskers

LINCOLN , Neb .
— For most teams that come into Memorial Stadium , beating Nebraska doesn ’ t mean as much as it used to considering the Cornhuskers ’ fall from the upper echelon of college football the last two decades .
You couldn ’ t tell that to Illinois coach Lovie Smith after his team left with a 41-23 win Saturday .
“ You can imagine what our locker room was like , ” Smith said .
“ I ’ m told we haven ’ t won in Lincoln since 1924 when Red Grange played .
Whenever something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big deal.
” Brandon Peters threw for one touchdown and ran for another in his first game in nearly a month , Illinois had two rushers go over 100 yards , and the Illini beat the turnover-plagued Huskers for their second straight win .
The Cornhuskers won at Illinois last year despite committing four turnovers .
They couldn ’ t survive five , though .
“ I didn ’ t see this coming , ” Nebraska coach Scott Frost said .
“ I was embarrassed by our level of execution in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we had the juice we had last week .
It ’ s almost like our team thought you win one game , you ’ re good .
That ’ s not how it works.
” Luke McCaffrey , making his second start at quarterback , committed the first of his four turnovers on the first play from scrimmage .
Wan ’ Dale Robinson fumbled as the Huskers ( 1-3 , 1-3 Big Ten ) tried to come back in the second half .
Illinois ( 2-3 , 2-3 ) led 28-10 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against a conference opponent in 10 years , and won its second road game in as many weeks .
“ Winning is always a great feeling , ” Peters said .
“ Today I think the turning point was getting that turnover real early in the game .
That gave us a lot of momentum moving forward , and from that point we didn ’ t stop.
” Peters , who had been out since Oct. 24 because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the team , showed no rust in leading a balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 205 passing .
Nebraska entered the game as a 16-point favorite and ran into trouble immediately .
McCaffrey ran 4 yards on the first snap and flung the ball into the turf — what was ruled a lateral instead of an illegal forward pass — and Illini linebacker Jake Hansen recovered at the 21 .
Chase Brown , who ran for 110 yards on 26 carries , scored the first of his two touchdowns three plays later .
Peters threw to Josh Imatorbhebhe for a 28-yard touchdown for a 21-7 lead after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s desperation throw along the sideline .
Illinois added to the lead on Mike Epstein ’ s 1-yard run two plays after he broke a 58-yarder down the sideline .
Epstein finished with 113 yards on 13 carries .
McCaffrey ran 26 times for 122 yards , both career highs , and threw for two touchdowns .
But he couldn ’ t overcome all those turnovers .
“ The number one thing is you can ’ t turn the ball over , ” he said .
“ I did that too many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scoreboard looked the way it did.
” Illinois : Smith ’ s defense thrives on turnovers , and the Illini played “ Lovie Ball ” to the hilt with five takeaways .
That gives them 13 for the season .
Nebraska : The Huskers flopped a week after beating Penn State for their first win .
There are some serious growing pains continuing to happen in year three of Frost .
Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller was transported to a Lincoln hospital as a precaution after being taken off the field on a stretcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
Miller had movement in all of his extremities , and the results of all diagnostic imaging and testing on Miller were normal , the school said in a statement Saturday night .
Miller was to stay at the hospital overnight for observation .
He appeared to have been hurt making a tackle .
Medical personnel tended to Miller for several minutes near the south end zone as players from both teams took a knee .
He was strapped to a backboard and taken out of the stadium .
Nebraska officials like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bringing back football after the Big Ten originally decided to push the season back to spring .
Minutes after the game , the Illinois athletic department expressed its gratitude .
“ Good game Nebraska .
Thanks for bringing back B1G football , ” the department tweeted on its official account .
SHOULD I PUNT OR NOT ?
Illinois punter Blake Hayes made the most entertaining play of the game when he took off running on a fourth-and-8 play from his own 31 in the third quarter .
As Hayes started take his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw open field to his left and began running .
He stutter-stepped once or twice before reaching the sideline for a 14-yard gain and a first down .
Illinois hosts No .
3 Ohio State on Nov. 28 .
The Illini have lost nine straight in the series .
Nebraska visits Iowa on Nov. 27 .
The Huskers have dropped five straight to the Hawkeyes .

LINCOLN, Neb. — For most teams that come into Memorial Stadium, beating Nebraska doesn’t mean as much as it used to considering the Cornhuskers’ fall from the upper echelon of college football the last two decades.
You couldn’t tell that to Illinois coach Lovie Smith after his team left with a 41-23 win Saturday.
“You can imagine what our locker room was like,” Smith said. “I’m told we haven’t won in Lincoln since 1924 when Red Grange played. Whenever something like that happens, it’s a big deal.”
Brandon Peters threw for one touchdown and ran for another in his first game in nearly a month, Illinois had two rushers go over 100 yards, and the Illini beat the turnover-plagued Huskers for their second straight win.
The Cornhuskers won at Illinois last year despite committing four turnovers. They couldn’t survive five, though.
“I didn’t see this coming,” Nebraska coach Scott Frost said. “I was embarrassed by our level of execution in all three phases. I didn’t think we had the juice we had last week. It’s almost like our team thought you win one game, you’re good. That’s not how it works.”
Luke McCaffrey, making his second start at quarterback, committed the first of his four turnovers on the first play from scrimmage. Wan’Dale Robinson fumbled as the Huskers (1-3, 1-3 Big Ten) tried to come back in the second half.
Illinois (2-3, 2-3) led 28-10 after two quarters, their most first-half points against a conference opponent in 10 years, and won its second road game in as many weeks.
“Winning is always a great feeling,” Peters said. “Today I think the turning point was getting that turnover real early in the game. That gave us a lot of momentum moving forward, and from that point we didn’t stop.”
Peters, who had been out since Oct. 24 because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the team, showed no rust in leading a balanced Illini offense that had 285 yards rushing and 205 passing.
Nebraska entered the game as a 16-point favorite and ran into trouble immediately.
McCaffrey ran 4 yards on the first snap and flung the ball into the turf — what was ruled a lateral instead of an illegal forward pass — and Illini linebacker Jake Hansen recovered at the 21.
Chase Brown, who ran for 110 yards on 26 carries, scored the first of his two touchdowns three plays later.
Peters threw to Josh Imatorbhebhe for a 28-yard touchdown for a 21-7 lead after Tarique Barnes intercepted a scrambling McCaffrey’s desperation throw along the sideline.
Illinois added to the lead on Mike Epstein’s 1-yard run two plays after he broke a 58-yarder down the sideline. Epstein finished with 113 yards on 13 carries.
McCaffrey ran 26 times for 122 yards, both career highs, and threw for two touchdowns. But he couldn’t overcome all those turnovers.
“The number one thing is you can’t turn the ball over,” he said. “I did that too many times today. That’s why the scoreboard looked the way it did.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Illinois: Smith’s defense thrives on turnovers, and the Illini played “Lovie Ball” to the hilt with five takeaways. That gives them 13 for the season.
Nebraska: The Huskers flopped a week after beating Penn State for their first win. There are some serious growing pains continuing to happen in year three of Frost.
MILLER LEAVES ON STRETCHER
Nebraska linebacker Collin Miller was transported to a Lincoln hospital as a precaution after being taken off the field on a stretcher with about 12 minutes left in the game.
Miller had movement in all of his extremities, and the results of all diagnostic imaging and testing on Miller were normal, the school said in a statement Saturday night. Miller was to stay at the hospital overnight for observation.
He appeared to have been hurt making a tackle. Medical personnel tended to Miller for several minutes near the south end zone as players from both teams took a knee. He was strapped to a backboard and taken out of the stadium.
THANKS FOR PLAYING
Nebraska officials like to boast that they led the charge to bringing back football after the Big Ten originally decided to push the season back to spring.
Minutes after the game, the Illinois athletic department expressed its gratitude.
“Good game Nebraska. Thanks for bringing back B1G football,” the department tweeted on its official account.
SHOULD I PUNT OR NOT?
Illinois punter Blake Hayes made the most entertaining play of the game when he took off running on a fourth-and-8 play from his own 31 in the third quarter.
As Hayes started take his step to punt, he stopped, saw open field to his left and began running. He stutter-stepped once or twice before reaching the sideline for a 14-yard gain and a first down.
UP NEXT
Illinois hosts No. 3 Ohio State on Nov. 28. The Illini have lost nine straight in the series.
Nebraska visits Iowa on Nov. 27. The Huskers have dropped five straight to the Hawkeyes.