chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--‘Spell’: It’s about time horror fans enjoyed some more ‘Misery’

After the roaring success of “ Die Hard ” in 1988 , there was an onslaught of knockoffs , from “ Under Siege ” ( “ Die Hard ” on a ship ) to “ Passenger 57 ” ( “ Die Hard ” on a plane ) to “ Speed ” ( “ Die Hard ” on a bus ) to “ Sudden Death ” ( “ Die Hard ” in a hockey arena ) and the list has continued to grow through the 21st century .
You know what we didn ’ t really see ?
We didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Misery ” ripoffs after the success of the brilliant original in 1990 .
We didn ’ t get “ Misery ” in a luxury hotel , “ Misery ” in a bed & breakfast , “ Misery ” in a trailer park , “ Misery ” at a boarding school , “ Misery ” at a time share … nothing !
As we continue our string of Fright Week reviews of new movies this week ( including “ Come Play ” and “ The Craft : Legacy ” ) , the latest addition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s an unabashed homage to “ Misery , ” complete with a crash in a remote area ; a badly injured man waking up in the bedroom of a stranger ’ s house ; an outwardly cheerful but quite insane maternal caretaker who nurses the man back to health while holding him hostage and keeping him drugged up ; a gruesome and crippling sequence that will prevent the victim from walking any time soon , and even a visit from the local country sheriff that goes sideways .
Ah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Spell ” is “ Misery ” in rural Appalachia , with Hoodoo dark magic !
Director Mark Tonderai and screenwriter Kurt Wimmer have cooked up a deliciously twisted little set piece with some truly creepy and grotesquely memorable horror sequences , brought to life by terrific performances from the small ensemble , led by the suitably stoic and grimly determined Omari Hardwick ( “ Being Mary Jane , ” “ Power ” on Starz ) in the James Caan/hostage role , and the invaluable veteran character actress Loretta Devine in the Kathy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a sophisticated , successful attorney with a thriving practice , a gorgeously appointed home and a loving family , including his wife Veora ( Lorraine Burroughs ) and their two children , Samsara ( Hannah Gonera ) and Tydon ( Kalifa Burton ) .
Marquis never talks about his childhood in Appalachia , but the horrific scars on his back and flashback scenes tell us he was brutalized by his father and was given some very dark lessons about a certain way of life .
When Marquis learns his estranged father has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accompany him to the funeral , as a show of family support .
They all hop into Marquis ’ small plane and take off for the mountains — but a deadly storm swoops in and there ’ s a terrible crash , and when Marquis wakes up , he ’ s been seriously injured and he ’ s in the upstairs bedroom of a remote home in the backwoods country occupied by one Eloise ( Loretta Devine ) and her husband Earl ( the wonderful John Beasley ) .
As for his family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eloise says Marquis was all alone when they found him , and while they ’ d like to honor his request to call the authorities , they don ’ t have a phone and the nearest hospital is 50 miles away — so it ’ s best Marquis just get some rest and ingest Eloise ’ s homemade remedies , and he ’ ll eventually be strong enough to leave and find out what happened to his wife and children .
As Marquis and Eloise establish the “ Misery ” dynamic — she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but keeps him locked in the room , he puts on a grateful front even as he plots his escape — we learn Eloise and Earl and the surrounding community are deeply into dark magic , complete with late-night rituals and a sacrifice timed to the arrival of the “ blood moon.
” Eloise keeps a box of voodoo dolls that look exactly like their human counterparts , and if she does something like taking the tongue out of a voodoo doll , the actual human will lose the ability to speak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hazy and hallucinogenic look , with rain pouring down in the dead of night as Marquis manages at least temporarily to get free and discovers some shocking and horrific and supernatural truths about what ’ s really happening .
It ’ s all delivered with a cool , B-movie style that fits the material , and thanks in large part to the performances of Hardwick and especially Devine , “ Spell ” keeps us mesmerized right through the final blaze of violent gory glory .

After the roaring success of “Die Hard” in 1988, there was an onslaught of knockoffs, from “Under Siege” (“Die Hard” on a ship) to “Passenger 57” (“Die Hard” on a plane) to “Speed” (“Die Hard” on a bus) to “Sudden Death” (“Die Hard” in a hockey arena) and the list has continued to grow through the 21st century.
You know what we didn’t really see? We didn’t see a whole bunch of “Misery” ripoffs after the success of the brilliant original in 1990. We didn’t get “Misery” in a luxury hotel, “Misery” in a bed & breakfast, “Misery” in a trailer park, “Misery” at a boarding school, “Misery” at a time share … nothing!
‘Spell’
Untitled Paramount Pictures presents a film directed by Mark Tonderai and written by Kurt Wimmer. Rated R (for violence, disturbing/bloody images, and language). Running time: 103 minutes. Opens Friday at local theaters and on demand.
As we continue our string of Fright Week reviews of new movies this week(including “Come Play” and “The Craft: Legacy”), the latest addition is “Spell” — and yep, it’s an unabashed homage to “Misery,” complete with a crash in a remote area; a badly injured man waking up in the bedroom of a stranger’s house; an outwardly cheerful but quite insane maternal caretaker who nurses the man back to health while holding him hostage and keeping him drugged up; a gruesome and crippling sequence that will prevent the victim from walking any time soon, and even a visit from the local county sheriff that goes sideways.
Ah, but here’s the twist: “Spell” is “Misery” in rural Appalachia, with Hoodoo dark magic!
Director Mark Tonderai and screenwriter Kurt Wimmer have cooked up a deliciously twisted little set piece with some truly creepy and grotesquely memorable horror sequences, brought to life by terrific performances from the small ensemble, led by the suitably stoic and grimly determined Omari Hardwick (“Being Mary Jane,” “Power” on Starz) in the James Caan/hostage role, and the invaluable veteran character actress Loretta Devine in the Kathy Bates/villain part.
Hardwick’s Marquis is a sophisticated, successful attorney with a thriving practice, a gorgeously appointed home and a loving family, including his wife Veora (Lorraine Burroughs) and their two children, Samsara (Hannah Gonera) and Tydon (Kalifa Burton). Marquis never talks about his childhood in Appalachia, but the horrific scars on his back and flashback scenes tell us he was brutalized by his father and was given some very dark lessons about a certain way of life. When Marquis learns his estranged father has died, Veora says the family will accompany him to the funeral, as a show of family support.
Big mistake, Veroa. Huge.
They all hop into Marquis’ small plane and take off for the mountains — but a deadly storm swoops in and there’s a terrible crash, and when Marquis wakes up, he’s been seriously injured and he’s in the upstairs bedroom of a remote home in the backwoods country occupied by one Eloise (Loretta Devine) and her husband Earl (the wonderful John Beasley). As for his family: The cheerful, upbeat, ever-smiling Eloise says Marquis was all alone when they found him, and while they’d like to honor his request to call the authorities, they don’t have a phone and the nearest hospital is 50 miles away — so it’s best Marquis just get some rest and ingest Eloise’s homemade remedies, and he’ll eventually be strong enough to leave and find out what happened to his wife and children.
Eventually. Maybe. Possibly never.
As Marquis and Eloise establish the “Misery” dynamic — she fusses over him and dotes on him but keeps him locked in the room, he puts on a grateful front even as he plots his escape — we learn Eloise and Earl and the surrounding community are deeply into dark magic, complete with late-night rituals and a sacrifice timed to the arrival of the “blood moon.” Eloise keeps a box of voodoo dolls that look exactly like their human counterparts, and if she does something like taking the tongue out of a voodoo doll, the actual human will lose the ability to speak.
“Spell” has an appropriately dark and hazy and hallucinogenic look, with rain pouring down in the dead of night as Marquis manages at least temporarily to get free and discovers some shocking and horrific and supernatural truths about what’s really happening. It’s all delivered with a cool, B-movie style that fits the material, and thanks in large part to the performances of Hardwick and especially Devine, “Spell” keeps us mesmerized right through the final blaze of violent gory glory.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--10 shot, 2 fatally, Wednesday in Chicago

Two people were killed and eight others injured , including a teenage boy , in shootings Wednesday across Chicago .
In the latest fatal shooting , a 31-year-old man was killed in Chatham on the South Side .
Rapheal D. Edwards was shot multiple times about 5:50 p.m. in the 8000 block of South Perry Avenue , according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
Edwards was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:32 p.m , officials said .
Earlier Wednesday , a 23-year-old man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the South Side .
Luis D. Martinez was standing outside a building about 6:05 a.m. in the 4500 block of South Racine Avenue , when a black car pulled up and two males wearing all black and masks got out and fired shots , officials said .
Martinez was struck in the neck , the abdomen , and pronounced dead at the scene , according to officials .
In non-fatal shootings , a teenage boy was shot and wounded in Austin on the West Side .
The 15-year-old was standing in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of North Long Avenue when a black sedan pulled next to him and someone inside fired shots then drove away , according to police .
The boy was hit in the left arm and taken to Stroger Hospital , but his condition was not immediately known , police said .
About 11:05 p.m. , a 39-year-old man was shot and wounded in South Shore .
Officers found the man in the 2800 block of East 78th Street with two gunshot wounds in the back , police said .
He was transported to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical condition , police said .
An 18-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in Woodlawn on the South Side .
The man was getting out of his vehicle about 10:45 p.m. in the 6400 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue when he was shot in the upper chest , police said .
He was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition , police said .
Another 18-year-old man was shot in Chatham on the South Side .
He was arguing with someone when shots rang out about 10:20 p.m. in the 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to police .
The 18-year-old was shot in his upper back and dropped off at St. Bernard Hospital , police said Earlier , a man was shot and wounded in the East Garfield Park neighborhood .
A 32-year-old man was inside a vehicle at 8:25 p.m. in the 600 block of North Trumbull Avenue when another vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots , police said .
The man was shot in his ear and hand , and took himself to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was listed in good condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot and seriously wounded about 2:30 p.m. in Burnside on the South Side .
The men were inside a car in the 9200 block of South Avalon Avenue when another vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots , according to police .
A 21-year-old was shot in his back and a 23-year-old had a gunshot wound to his body , police said .
The older man went to the University of Chicago Medical Center , while the other man took himself to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn .
Early Wednesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive-by in the East Side neighborhood .
About 1:20 a.m. , the man was getting out of his vehicle in his garage in the 10500 block of South Avenue E , when someone in a passing sedan fired shots at him , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition with gunshot wounds to his left hand and face , police said .
Six people were shot , one fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

Two people were killed and eight others injured, including a teenage boy, in shootings Wednesday across Chicago.
In the latest fatal shooting, a 31-year-old man was killed in Chatham on the South Side.
Rapheal D. Edwards was shot multiple times about 5:50 p.m. in the 8000 block of South Perry Avenue, according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Edwards was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 6:32 p.m, officials said.
Earlier Wednesday, a 23-year-old man was fatally shot in Back of the Yards on the South Side.
Luis D. Martinez was standing outside a building about 6:05 a.m. in the 4500 block of South Racine Avenue, when a black car pulled up and two males wearing all black and masks got out and fired shots, officials said.
Martinez was struck in the neck, the abdomen, and pronounced dead at the scene, according to officials.
In non-fatal shootings, a teenage boy was shot and wounded in Austin on the West Side.
The 15-year-old was standing in an alley about 11:10 a.m. in the 200 block of North Long Avenue when a black sedan pulled next to him and someone inside fired shots then drove away, according to police. The boy was hit in the left arm and taken to Stroger Hospital, but his condition was not immediately known, police said.
About 11:05 p.m., a 39-year-old man was shot and wounded in South Shore.
Officers found the man in the 2800 block of East 78th Street with two gunshot wounds in the back, police said. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said.
An 18-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in Woodlawn on the South Side.
The man was getting out of his vehicle about 10:45 p.m. in the 6400 block of South St. Lawrence Avenue when he was shot in the upper chest, police said. He was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.
Another 18-year-old man was shot in Chatham on the South Side.
He was arguing with someone when shots rang out about 10:20 p.m. in the 300 block of East 79th Street, according to police. The 18-year-old was shot in his upper back and dropped off at St. Bernard Hospital, police said
Earlier, a man was shot and wounded in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.
A 32-year-old man was inside a vehicle at 8:25 p.m. in the 600 block of North Trumbull Avenue when another vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots, police said.
The man was shot in his ear and hand, and took himself to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in good condition, police said.
Two men were shot and seriously wounded about 2:30 p.m. in Burnside on the South Side.
The men were inside a car in the 9200 block of South Avalon Avenue when another vehicle pulled up and someone inside fired shots, according to police.
A 21-year-old was shot in his back and a 23-year-old had a gunshot wound to his body, police said. The older man went to the University of Chicago Medical Center, while the other man took himself to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
Early Wednesday morning a 28-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by in the East Side neighborhood.
About 1:20 a.m., the man was getting out of his vehicle in his garage in the 10500 block of South Avenue E, when someone in a passing sedan fired shots at him, police said.
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition with gunshot wounds to his left hand and face, police said.
Six people were shot, one fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Horoscope for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020

Horoscope for Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Aries .
Today the moon is in Aries lined up with your ruler Mars .
This can make you short-tempered and irritable .
Obviously , this is a poor time for important discussions with anyone because you will find it difficult to maintain your cool and objectivity .
You feel disgruntled because both the Moon and Mars are “ hiding ” in your chart , which makes you feel short-tempered and intense .
Your challenge will be dealing with partners and close friends .
Hopefully , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might find yourself at odds with a friend or a member of a group .
This is because unconsciously , you want others to bend to your will .
( This might even be conscious ! )
You want to call the shots and you ’ re not open to compromise because you think you are right .
( Are you ? )
Avoid arguments with parents , teachers , bosses the police and anyone in authority .
If you engage in any kind of dispute — it will quickly disintegrate into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need this !
If pushed , you might fly off the handle .
Easy does it .
Issues about politics , religion and racial matters are touchy to many people right now .
But this is a poor day to debate these topics .
That ’ s because your perspective will be so distorted , you will not be able to distinguish what is important from what is trivial .
It ’ s a naked clash of wills .
Angry disputes about shared property , shared responsibilities or differing values will easily arise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ position because it ’ s pointless .
Today people simply want to get their own way .
No one cares about the actual facts .
Do what you can to keep the peace .
This is a challenging day dealing with partners and close friends because people want to fight because they are entrenched in their own point of view .
The facts of the matter are not relevant .
Instead , it ’ s a clash of egos .
Run the other way !
Today you want to have your own way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or something to do with your health or a pet .
You will insist on your own way even if it is foolhardy .
Basically , the issues at hand are not as important to you as your right to exercise your own will .
( Yikes ! )
Parents must be patient with their kids today to avoid arguments , which will only be unpleasant and will accomplish nothing .
That ’ s because today , people are more interested in expressing their power than they are at arriving at solutions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ today .
This is because the moon in Aries is lined up with Mars in the area of your chart that relates to home and family .
Avoid these confrontations if you can because they will be pointless and will accomplish nothing .
Demonstrate grace under pressure .
Don ’ t lose it when dealing with others today , which you will be tempted to do .
Today people are opinionated because they are clinging to their own views and their own will , and are incapable of listening to someone else .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
Avoid money disputes with others because they will be nasty .
It ’ s true that you are trying to wrap up some old business , but today is not the day to push your agenda .
People are willful and more interested in being right than in listening .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actress Gabrielle Union ( 1972 ) shares your birthday .
Outwardly you might appear to be reserved ; but inwardly , you burn with an intense passion and a strong drive for success .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching as well .
Invest in your future self .
This year is a time to learn something that sets you in a new direction , which could be crucial for your success next year .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Aries.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today the moon is in Aries lined up with your ruler Mars. This can make you short-tempered and irritable. Obviously, this is a poor time for important discussions with anyone because you will find it difficult to maintain your cool and objectivity.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
You feel disgruntled because both the Moon and Mars are “hiding” in your chart, which makes you feel short-tempered and intense. Your challenge will be dealing with partners and close friends. Hopefully, issues with coworkers are fine.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You might find yourself at odds with a friend or a member of a group. This is because unconsciously, you want others to bend to your will. (This might even be conscious!) You want to call the shots and you’re not open to compromise because you think you are right. (Are you?)
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Avoid arguments with parents, teachers, bosses the police and anyone in authority. If you engage in any kind of dispute — it will quickly disintegrate into a nasty battle. You don’t need this! If pushed, you might fly off the handle. Easy does it.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Issues about politics, religion and racial matters are touchy to many people right now. But this is a poor day to debate these topics. That’s because your perspective will be so distorted, you will not be able to distinguish what is important from what is trivial. It’s a naked clash of wills.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Angry disputes about shared property, shared responsibilities or differing values will easily arise today. Quit trying to defend your position because it’s pointless. Today people simply want to get their own way. No one cares about the actual facts. Do what you can to keep the peace.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a challenging day dealing with partners and close friends because people want to fight because they are entrenched in their own point of view. The facts of the matter are not relevant. Instead, it’s a clash of egos. Run the other way!
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today you want to have your own way when dealing with others, especially coworkers or something to do with your health or a pet. You will insist on your own way even if it is foolhardy. Basically, the issues at hand are not as important to you as your right to exercise your own will. (Yikes!)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Parents must be patient with their kids today to avoid arguments, which will only be unpleasant and will accomplish nothing. That’s because today, people are more interested in expressing their power than they are at arriving at solutions. Not good!
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Family arguments are likely today. This is because the moon in Aries is lined up with Mars in the area of your chart that relates to home and family. Avoid these confrontations if you can because they will be pointless and will accomplish nothing. Demonstrate grace under pressure.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Don’t lose it when dealing with others today, which you will be tempted to do. Today people are opinionated because they are clinging to their own views and their own will, and are incapable of listening to someone else. Oy! (You get the picture.)
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Avoid money disputes with others because they will be nasty. It’s true that you are trying to wrap up some old business, but today is not the day to push your agenda. People are willful and more interested in being right than in listening.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Gabrielle Union (1972) shares your birthday. Outwardly you might appear to be reserved; but inwardly, you burn with an intense passion and a strong drive for success. It’s a time of learning and perhaps teaching as well. Invest in your future self. This year is a time to learn something that sets you in a new direction, which could be crucial for your success next year.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-28--Dangerous lakefront waves, flooding expected through Friday

The shores of Lake Michigan could see flooding and waves as high as 9-feet-tall as gusty winds move into the @ @ @ @ @ flood advisory is in effect from 10 a.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday in Cook @ @ @ @ @ to the National Weather Service .
“ Onlookers may be swept into the lake by @ @ @ @ @ forecasters warned in their advisory .
“ The large waves combined with very high lake @ @ @ @ @ beach and shoreline erosion sustained over the past several months.
” Winds of 20 to @ @ @ @ @ the lakefront , according to the weather service .
The conditions are expected to ease @ @ @

Strong winds pummeled the Chicago area Thursday and produced 10-foot tall waves on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The dangerous weather is expected to calm down by 10 a.m. Friday, when the National Weather Service’s lakeshore flood advisory ends.
But before then, waves could build to 8 to 12 feet tall by Thursday evening, according to the weather service.
The quickest gust in the area so far — at 41 mph — was recorded shortly before 1 p.m. at O’Hare International Airport, according to weather service meteorologist Lee Carlaw.
Gusty northeasterly winds will result in increasing wave action today, which is expected to cause minor to moderate lakeshore flooding along the IL and NW Indiana Lake Michigan shores. Conditions will ease on Friday morning. #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/5aGUf2M15y — NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) October 29, 2020
Meanwhile, the lakefront has seen dangerously tall and choppy waves — including a 10-foot tall wave in Evanston, Carlaw said.
“It’s a chaotic weather pattern we have here, coming from high pressure up north, sending air down Lake Michigan,” he said.
Wind gusts were considerably calmer farther inland and closer to the Loop. Northerly Island’s highest gust has been 25 mph, which is the average windspeed farther inland, Carlaw said.
As of 5 p.m., there were no reports of significant wind or flood damage in Chicago, according to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
On Wednesday, the weather service forecast top gusts of 25 mph and waves 9 feet tall.
“Onlookers may be swept into the lake by the large waves,” forecasters warned in their advisory. “The large waves combined with very high lake levels could exacerbate already significant beach and shoreline erosion sustained over the past several months.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Illinois high school basketball will be delayed to spring, Gov. Pritzker says (LIVE UPDATES)

Gov .
Pritzker says high school basketball will be delayed until spring Add another twist to this week ’ s winter sports saga .
On Thursday Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said that winter high school sports , including basketball , would be “ moved into spring.
” That statement comes just two days after Pritzker announced they were “ on hold.
” The Illinois High School Association countered the “ on hold ” statement on Wednesday by defying the governor and announcing that basketball would start as planned on Nov. 16 .
That move leaves the actual decision of when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While Pritzker didn ’ t specify what “ on hold ” meant on Tuesday , most assumed a hold meant that basketball ’ s status would be re-evaluated during the winter and possibly started up in December , January or even February .
He was more specific in a press conference on Thursday .
“ We aren ’ t saying these sports won ’ t be played , ” Pritzker said .
“ We are delaying the play of these sports .
We are saying do training , do conditioning .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do .
It ’ s not like we are shutting the sports down .
But these are all being moved into the spring with the hope that we will be seeing vaccines and treatments that will be effective.
” Read the full report from Michael O ’ Brien here .
Dozens of Cook County workers rallied outside Stroger Hospital on Wednesday to demand hazard pay and other protections as the state grapples with a second wave of COVID-19 infections .
With their current contract set to expire at the end of next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 73 claimed Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has refused to bargain over the union ’ s demand to increase workers ’ pay during the pandemic .
“ They ’ re willing to walk away from the table over this , ” said Eric Bailey .
“ You ’ ve seen what ’ s happening with the pandemic in the last couple days just here in Cook County .
The numbers are skyrocketing [ and ] people are dying.
” The protest came just hours after state public health officials announced 6,363 new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and setting a new grim milestone .
Officials also attributed 56 more deaths to the virus .
Public health officials in Illinois reported 6,363 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday , setting yet another troubling record for the most infections ever confirmed statewide in a day .
A stunning viral resurgence is sweeping the state , with more than 102,000 people ha positive for the virus so far this month alone — about 12,000 more than were reported in Illinois during all of May and June , when the state rose and fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded testing doesn ’ t fully account for October ’ s sky-high caseloads .
The new infections were confirmed among 83,056 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health .
That raised the state ’ s seven-day average testing positivity rate — a better gauge of how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 6.9 % , its highest point since June 2 .
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here .
State officials released $ 94 million to small businesses and local governments Thursday to help industries and municipalities reeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were awarded more than $ 46 million in business interruption grants , while 163 municipalities outside of Cook , DuPage , Kane , Lake and Will counties received over $ 48 million in grants .
Pritzker said the grants are intended to keep small businesses “ going and growing ” despite the “ exceptionally hard time ” many businesses now find themselves in because of the pandemic .
The second round of interruption grant funding has been released to 1,238 businesses in over 340 communities ; $ 12.4 million will go to businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city has seen a total of $ 33 million in business grants so far , Pritzker said .
In another sign of lost ground against the coronavirus pandemic , Chicago ’ s chief federal judge suspended criminal jury trials “ effective immediately ” Thursday , nearly three months after they slowly got rolling again at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse .
U.S. District Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer also said civil jury trials would be suspended effective Nov. 9 under the terms of a new general order .
She said she would undo , alter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 26 .
Pallmeyer said bench trials could go forward — and are even encouraged — as long as out-of-state witnesses properly quarantine or testify remotely .
In-person hearings are otherwise “ limited to situations in which remote procedures are unavailable.
” Developers and mayors vying for the chance to break ground on new casinos — including two in Chicago ’ s suburbs — will have to wait at least another six months to find out if they ’ re holding a winning hand .
Illinois Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter blamed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s timeline for handing out the first round of casino licenses as part of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s massive statewide gambling expansion .
“ Like all government agencies and private businesses , the board ’ s work has been impacted by COVID-19 , ” Fruchter said at a special Gaming Board meeting held virtually Thursday .
“ This is not an excuse or a crutch .
It is simply a recognition of the realities that work and life are different in a global pandemic.
” The coronavirus wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 when casino applicants submitted 10 separate proposals for five licenses to the Gaming Board , which is responsible for vetting and approving those bids .
The perpetually understaffed agency is also tasked with policing the state ’ s 10 existing casinos and 36,000-plus video gaming machines at bars and restaurants — not to mention rolling out the state ’ s newly legal sports betting industry .
10:04 a.m. Pandemic stories from across America : some ‘ feel OK , ’ others ‘ can ’ t do it ’ An out-of-work travel agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about losing her house .
A couple can ’ t pay their bills after the $ 600 unemployment bonus ran out .
An idled maintenance supervisor has fallen further behind on rent .
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , many people have edged closer to financial calamity , while others have finally landed full- or part-time jobs .
Here are some of their stories : In Naperville , Rachel Metcalfe , 23 , is starting to see her health and her finances emerge from the depths .
In early spring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she believes was COVID-19 .
She also had been furloughed from her social media marketing job and couldn ’ t pay an $ 11,000 bill for a hospital stay to cover expenses including a coronavirus test , which is supposed to be free .
Metcalfe had launched a GoFundMe effort to cover her blood work , X-rays and CT scan .
She still has minor chest pain symptoms , she says , but her health has improved .
Metcalfe has gotten a part-time job as a retail assistant manager that pays $ 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her old full-time job .
But she might be able to go back to her social media job in the coming weeks as her employer ’ s offices reopen .
Read this and more stories from across the U.S. here .
8:18 a.m. IHSA will defy Gov .
Pritzker , says basketball season can start on schedule According to several sources , the Illinois High School Association will announce Wednesday that the basketball season can start as scheduled .
It ’ s a totally unexpected move that directly contradicts the guidelines Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Health outlined on Tuesday .
Pritzker and the IDPH put winter sports on an indefinite hold and moved basketball from a medium-risk sport to a higher-risk sport in the IDPH guidelines .
‘ ‘ As with sports in the fall , nothing is ‘ canceled , ’ just put on hold until we ’ re through the thick of this pandemic , ’ ’ Pritzker said in a statement .
According to the IHSA calendar , basketball practices are scheduled to start on Nov. 16 and the first games can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discussion , the Board has made the decision today to follow the recommendation of the IHSA SMAC as it relates to basketball , ” IHSA spokesperson Matt Troha wrote in an email to athletic directors .
“ The Board remains considerate of rising COVID-19 cases in Illinois and understand the importance of adhering to safety guidelines for the good of all citizens .
However , the Board has not been presented any causal evidence that rising COVID-19 cases make basketball more dangerous to play by the IDPH or any other health organization nationally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Michael O ’ Brien here .
• Public health officials in Illinois reported 6,363 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday , a new record for the most infections ever confirmed statewide in a day .
• That raised the state ’ s seven-day average testing positivity rate — a better gauge of how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 6.9 % , its highest point since June 2 .
8:29 a.m. Looks like the coronavirus is bringing out the worst in some of us But the “ Most Selfish Chicagoan ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jayla Hill , 18 , two sisters who allegedly stabbed a store security guard 27 times because he confronted them about not wearing a mask while in the store .
Witnesses described a chaotic scene with one woman stabbing the man while the other held him by his hair .
Where have these women been ?
The face-covering mandate has been in place in Illinois for nearly seven months .
That this violent incident was sparked by a store employee ’ s attempt to enforce the face-covering mandate at a time when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is telling .
Too many of us still don ’ t get it .
Read the latest from columnist Mary Mitchell here .

Illinois hit another coronavirus pandemic record Thursday — but it’s not the kind of record that most people would be proud of themselves.
Here’s what happened in coronavirus-related news in Chicago and around Illinois.
News
8:55 p.m. Gov. Pritzker says high school basketball will be delayed until spring
Gov. Pritzker tours the Pullman Community Center with officials. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times (file photo)
Add another twist to this week’s winter sports saga.
On Thursday Gov. J.B. Pritzker said that winter high school sports, including basketball, would be “moved into spring.” That statement comes just two days after Pritzker announced they were “on hold.”
The Illinois High School Association countered the “on hold” statement on Wednesday by defying the governor and announcing that basketball would start as planned on Nov. 16. That move leaves the actual decision of when to play up to local school districts.
While Pritzker didn’t specify what “on hold” meant on Tuesday, most assumed a hold meant that basketball’s status would be re-evaluated during the winter and possibly started up in December, January or even February. He was more specific in a press conference on Thursday.
“We aren’t saying these sports won’t be played,” Pritzker said. “We are delaying the play of these sports. We are saying do training, do conditioning. Even the high-risk sports there are things they can do. It’s not like we are shutting the sports down. But these are all being moved into the spring with the hope that we will be seeing vaccines and treatments that will be effective.”
Read the full report from Michael O’Brien here.
7:43 p.m. County workers push for ‘pandemic pay’ as coronavirus cases soar
Dozens of Cook County workers rallied outside Stroger Hospital on Wednesday to demand hazard pay and other protections as the state grapples with a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
With their current contract set to expire at the end of next month, a spokesman for SEIU Local 73 claimed Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has refused to bargain over the union’s demand to increase workers’ pay during the pandemic.
“They’re willing to walk away from the table over this,” said Eric Bailey. “You’ve seen what’s happening with the pandemic in the last couple days just here in Cook County. The numbers are skyrocketing [and] people are dying.”
The protest came just hours after state public health officials announced 6,363 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous single-day record and setting a new grim milestone. Officials also attributed 56 more deaths to the virus.
Reporter Tom Schuba has the full story.
6 p.m. Illinois reports record-breaking single-day coronavirus case totals Thursday
Public health officials in Illinois reported 6,363 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, setting yet another troubling record for the most infections ever confirmed statewide in a day.
A stunning viral resurgence is sweeping the state, with more than 102,000 people ha positive for the virus so far this month alone — about 12,000 more than were reported in Illinois during all of May and June, when the state rose and fell from its initial coronavirus peak.
And expanded testing doesn’t fully account for October’s sky-high caseloads. The new infections were confirmed among 83,056 tests submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
That raised the state’s seven-day average testing positivity rate — a better gauge of how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 6.9%, its highest point since June 2.
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here.
4:54 p.m. State issues $94 million in grant funding to small businesses, municipalities
State officials released $94 million to small businesses and local governments Thursday to help industries and municipalities reeling from the coronavirus pandemic.
Small businesses were awarded more than $46 million in business interruption grants, while 163 municipalities outside of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake and Will counties received over $48 million in grants.
Pritzker said the grants are intended to keep small businesses “going and growing” despite the “exceptionally hard time” many businesses now find themselves in because of the pandemic.
The second round of interruption grant funding has been released to 1,238 businesses in over 340 communities; $12.4 million will go to businesses in Chicago, officials said. The city has seen a total of $33 million in business grants so far, Pritzker said.
Reporter Rachel Hinton has the full story.
2:28 p.m. Criminal jury trials again suspended ‘effective immediately’ at Chicago’s federal courthouse
In another sign of lost ground against the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago’s chief federal judge suspended criminal jury trials “effective immediately” Thursday, nearly three months after they slowly got rolling again at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse.
U.S. District Chief Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer also said civil jury trials would be suspended effective Nov. 9 under the terms of a new general order. She said she would undo, alter or extend the order no later than Jan. 26.
Pallmeyer said bench trials could go forward — and are even encouraged — as long as out-of-state witnesses properly quarantine or testify remotely. In-person hearings are otherwise “limited to situations in which remote procedures are unavailable.”
Reporter Jon Seidel has the full story.
12:05 p.m. COVID-19 puts new Illinois casino licenses on hold
Developers and mayors vying for the chance to break ground on new casinos — including two in Chicago’s suburbs — will have to wait at least another six months to find out if they’re holding a winning hand.
Illinois Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter blamed the COVID-19 pandemic for pushing back his agency’s timeline for handing out the first round of casino licenses as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s massive statewide gambling expansion.
“Like all government agencies and private businesses, the board’s work has been impacted by COVID-19,” Fruchter said at a special Gaming Board meeting held virtually Thursday. “This is not an excuse or a crutch. It is simply a recognition of the realities that work and life are different in a global pandemic.”
The coronavirus wasn’t a part of everyday life in October 2019 when casino applicants submitted 10 separate proposals for five licenses to the Gaming Board, which is responsible for vetting and approving those bids. The perpetually understaffed agency is also tasked with policing the state’s 10 existing casinos and 36,000-plus video gaming machines at bars and restaurants — not to mention rolling out the state’s newly legal sports betting industry.
Read the full story here.
10:04 a.m. Pandemic stories from across America: some ‘feel OK,’ others ‘can’t do it’
An out-of-work travel agent whose mortgage payments were deferred now worries about losing her house. A couple can’t pay their bills after the $600 unemployment bonus ran out. An idled maintenance supervisor has fallen further behind on rent.
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, many people have edged closer to financial calamity, while others have finally landed full- or part-time jobs.
Here are some of their stories:
Naperville woman: ‘I feel OK’
In Naperville, Rachel Metcalfe, 23, is starting to see her health and her finances emerge from the depths.
In early spring, she had been hospitalized after contracting what she believes was COVID-19. She also had been furloughed from her social media marketing job and couldn’t pay an $11,000 bill for a hospital stay to cover expenses including a coronavirus test, which is supposed to be free. Metcalfe had launched a GoFundMe effort to cover her blood work, X-rays and CT scan.
She still has minor chest pain symptoms, she says, but her health has improved.
Metcalfe has gotten a part-time job as a retail assistant manager that pays $5 an hour less than what she made at her old full-time job. But she might be able to go back to her social media job in the coming weeks as her employer’s offices reopen.
Read this and more stories from across the U.S. here.
8:18 a.m. IHSA will defy Gov. Pritzker, says basketball season can start on schedule
According to several sources, the Illinois High School Association will announce Wednesday that the basketball season can start as scheduled. It’s a totally unexpected move that directly contradicts the guidelines Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health outlined on Tuesday.
Pritzker and the IDPH put winter sports on an indefinite hold and moved basketball from a medium-risk sport to a higher-risk sport in the IDPH guidelines.
‘‘As with sports in the fall, nothing is ‘canceled,’ just put on hold until we’re through the thick of this pandemic,’’ Pritzker said in a statement.
According to the IHSA calendar, basketball practices are scheduled to start on Nov. 16 and the first games can be played on Nov. 30
“After diligent discussion, the Board has made the decision today to follow the recommendation of the IHSA SMAC as it relates to basketball,” IHSA spokesperson Matt Troha wrote in an email to athletic directors. “The Board remains considerate of rising COVID-19 cases in Illinois and understand the importance of adhering to safety guidelines for the good of all citizens. However, the Board has not been presented any causal evidence that rising COVID-19 cases make basketball more dangerous to play by the IDPH or any other health organization nationally or internationally.”
Read the full report from Michael O’Brien here.
New Cases
Public health officials in Illinois reported 6,363 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, a new record for the most infections ever confirmed statewide in a day.
That raised the state’s seven-day average testing positivity rate — a better gauge of how rapidly the virus is spreading — to 6.9%, its highest point since June 2.
Analysis & Commentary
8:29 a.m. Looks like the coronavirus is bringing out the worst in some of us
But the “Most Selfish Chicagoan” award goes to Jessica, 21, and Jayla Hill, 18, two sisters who allegedly stabbed a store security guard 27 times because he confronted them about not wearing a mask while in the store.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene with one woman stabbing the man while the other held him by his hair.
Where have these women been?
The face-covering mandate has been in place in Illinois for nearly seven months.
That this violent incident was sparked by a store employee’s attempt to enforce the face-covering mandate at a time when there is a surge in coronavirus infections is telling.
Too many of us still don’t get it.
Read the latest from columnist Mary Mitchell here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Teen boy critically wounded in Morgan Park shooting

A teenage boy was critically wounded in a shooting Thursday in Morgan Park on the Far South Side .
The @ @ @ @ @ shot in the back of the head about 4:35 p.m. on the sidewalk in the @ @ @ @ @ Place , Chicago police said .
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak @ @ @ @ @ listed in critical condition , police said .
No one is in custody as Area @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage boy was critically wounded in a shooting Thursday in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.
The boy, 16, was shot in the back of the head about 4:35 p.m. on the sidewalk in the 1100 block of West 111th Place, Chicago police said.
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Two detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Jack Reacher stays the course as Lee Child hands author’s reins to his brother Andrew Grant

The longtime author of the immensely popular series says his days as a novelist are over , even though he ’ s still listed as co-author of ‘ The Sentinel , ’ a thriller largely written by his novelist brother , who has assumed responsibility for continuing the popular franchise .
The cover of “ The Sentinel ” ( Delacorte Press , $ 28.99 ) , the 25th thriller in the wildly popular Jack Reacher series , says it was written by Lee Child and Andrew Child , though no one by either name actually wrote the book .
Reacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real name is Lee Grant , has said his days as a novelist are over .
Lately , he ’ s been working with Amazon to develop a Jack Reacher TV show starring Alan Ritchson , an actor as enormous and menacing as the character in the books — and a welcome change from the height-challenged Tom Cruise , who played the role in two Hollywood movies .
But Reacher , the mythic avenger who wanders the back roads of America like a modern-day Lone Ranger , is too popular with readers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aka Child ) , has turned the series over to his younger brother Andrew Grant , the author of nine thrillers published under his real name .
It ’ s Andrew who wrote most of “ The Sentinel.
” But , because the names “ Child ” and Reacher ” are forever bound together , he adopted the pen name Andrew Child to carry the series into the future .
The change in authors is subtle but detectable .
For one thing , the technologically averse Reacher has now acquired a cell phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a bit chatty , talking more with other characters and telling readers more about his thinking — including how he maps out in advance the hand-to-hand he ’ ll engage in with thugs who outnumber him .
The story begins when Reacher wanders into the little town of Pleasantville , Tennessee , where Rusty Rutherford , a nerdy IT manager , is being blamed for a cyber-attack that wiped out the town ’ s computer data .
After rescuing Rutherford from a kidnaping attempt , Reacher gradually discovers that the seemingly isolated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermine the coming national election .
As always in the series , the bad guys — Russian spies and American-Nazi thugs this time — discover too late that they are no match for Reacher .
Despite the change in authors , the writing remains tight , and the non-stop action is as propulsive as ever .

The cover of “The Sentinel” (Delacorte Press, $28.99), the 25th thriller in the wildly popular Jack Reacher series, says it was written by Lee Child and Andrew Child, though no one by either name actually wrote the book.
Reacher’s creator Lee Child, whose real name is Lee Grant, has said his days as a novelist are over. Lately, he’s been working with Amazon to develop a Jack Reacher TV show starring Alan Ritchson, an actor as enormous and menacing as the character in the books — and a welcome change from the height-challenged Tom Cruise, who played the role in two Hollywood movies.
But Reacher, the mythic avenger who wanders the back roads of America like a modern-day Lone Ranger, is too popular with readers to just fade away. So Grant (aka Child), has turned the series over to his younger brother Andrew Grant, the author of nine thrillers published under his real name.
It’s Andrew who wrote most of “The Sentinel.” But, because the names “Child” and Reacher” are forever bound together, he adopted the pen name Andrew Child to carry the series into the future.
Andrew Grant now aka Andrew Child. Sun-Times file
The change in authors is subtle but detectable. For one thing, the technologically averse Reacher has now acquired a cell phone. For another, the hero has become a bit chatty, talking more with other characters and telling readers more about his thinking — including how he maps out in advance the hand-to-hand he’ll engage in with thugs who outnumber him.
The story begins when Reacher wanders into the little town of Pleasantville, Tennessee, where Rusty Rutherford, a nerdy IT manager, is being blamed for a cyber-attack that wiped out the town’s computer data.
After rescuing Rutherford from a kidnaping attempt, Reacher gradually discovers that the seemingly isolated attack is part of a conspiracy to undermine the coming national election.
As always in the series, the bad guys — Russian spies and American-Nazi thugs this time — discover too late that they are no match for Reacher.
Despite the change in authors, the writing remains tight, and the non-stop action is as propulsive as ever.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Bryan Washington’s beautiful novel ‘Memorial’ glides between characters living real love

Bryan Washington ’ s new novel “ Memorial ” ( Riverhead Books , $ 27 ) follows the complex relationship between Benson , a Black day care teacher , and Mike , a Japanese American chef .
They live together in Texas , and , for all intents and purposes , they are in love .
Lately , though , their relationship has felt strained .
As issues with their families become more pressing , their lives together only grow more complicated .
Mike ’ s mother arrives for a visit at the same time Mike finds out his estranged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he leaves Benson alone to live with his mother in their apartment and travels to be with his father .
Benson ’ s time with Mike ’ s mom , as well as Mike ’ s time navigating his relationship with his father , prove to be transformative for both men .
“ Memorial ” is a powerful portrait of the challenges that often come with loving another human being .
With beautiful prose , it weaves together a fascinating story of cultures , families , and lovers clashing and coming together in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living .
The characters might feel lost and out of control .
But their story never does .
Washington — also author of the acclaimed story collecton “ Lot ” — has a strong and purposeful command over every moment .
With its soft prose and alternating perspectives , “ Memorial ” feels like a dance , effortlessly gliding between the characters ’ stories as they discover who they are supposed to be .

Bryan Washington’s new novel “Memorial” (Riverhead Books, $27) follows the complex relationship between Benson, a Black day care teacher, and Mike, a Japanese American chef.
They live together in Texas, and, for all intents and purposes, they are in love.
Lately, though, their relationship has felt strained. As issues with their families become more pressing, their lives together only grow more complicated.
Mike’s mother arrives for a visit at the same time Mike finds out his estranged father is dying in Japan. So he leaves Benson alone to live with his mother in their apartment and travels to be with his father.
Click here for an excerpt from Bryan Washington’s “Memorial.” Riverhead Books
Benson’s time with Mike’s mom, as well as Mike’s time navigating his relationship with his father, prove to be transformative for both men.
“Memorial” is a powerful portrait of the challenges that often come with loving another human being.
With beautiful prose, it weaves together a fascinating story of cultures, families, and lovers clashing and coming together in the beautiful mess that is loving and living.
The characters might feel lost and out of control. But their story never does.
Washington — also author of the acclaimed story collecton “Lot” — has a strong and purposeful command over every moment. With its soft prose and alternating perspectives, “Memorial” feels like a dance, effortlessly gliding between the characters’ stories as they discover who they are supposed to be.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--County workers push for ‘pandemic pay’ as coronavirus cases soar

Dozens of Cook County workers rallied outside Stroger Hospital on Wednesday to demand hazard pay and other protections as the state grapples with a second wave of COVID-19 infections .
With their current contract set to expire at the end of next month , a spokesman for SEIU Local 73 claimed Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has refused to bargain over the union ’ s demand to increase workers ’ pay during the pandemic .
“ They ’ re willing to walk away from the table over this , ” said Eric Bailey .
“ You ’ ve seen what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last couple days just here in Cook County .
The numbers are skyrocketing [ and ] people are dying.
” The protest came just hours after state public health officials announced 6,363 new coronavirus cases , shattering the previous single-day record and setting a new grim milestone .
Officials also attributed 56 more deaths to the virus .
A spokesperson for Preckwinkle didn ’ t immediately respond to a request for comment .
For some frontline workers , the county ’ s unwillingness to negotiate over the key sticking point serves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klein , a social worker at Stroger , said offering hazard pay is merely “ the first line to show respect to your workers.
” “ The hospital spent a lot of time preaching about how there ’ s heroes here , and they put signs up calling everyone heroes .
But then they refuse to treat them like heroes , ” Klein added .
James “ Big Jim ” Phipps , a longtime civil rights crusader who works in the Cook County clerk ’ s office , offered a message of hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which included SEIU President Dian Palmer .
“ The system will not overcome us .
We will overcome and we will be victorious in what we do , ” said Phipps .
“ It ’ s time to fight — fight for our rights .
It ’ s time to be respected , protected and paid .
”

Dozens of Cook County workers rallied outside Stroger Hospital on Wednesday to demand hazard pay and other protections as the state grapples with a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
With their current contract set to expire at the end of next month, a spokesman for SEIU Local 73 claimed Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle has refused to bargain over the union’s demand to increase workers’ pay during the pandemic.
“They’re willing to walk away from the table over this,” said Eric Bailey. “You’ve seen what’s happening with the pandemic in the last couple days just here in Cook County. The numbers are skyrocketing [and] people are dying.”
The protest came just hours after state public health officials announced 6,363 new coronavirus cases, shattering the previous single-day record and setting a new grim milestone. Officials also attributed 56 more deaths to the virus.
A spokesperson for Preckwinkle didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
For some frontline workers, the county’s unwillingness to negotiate over the key sticking point serves as a slap in the face. Joyce Klein, a social worker at Stroger, said offering hazard pay is merely “the first line to show respect to your workers.”
“The hospital spent a lot of time preaching about how there’s heroes here, and they put signs up calling everyone heroes. But then they refuse to treat them like heroes,” Klein added.
James “Big Jim” Phipps, a longtime civil rights crusader who works in the Cook County clerk’s office, offered a message of hope while addressing the crowd of protesters, which included SEIU President Dian Palmer.
“The system will not overcome us. We will overcome and we will be victorious in what we do,” said Phipps. “It’s time to fight — fight for our rights. It’s time to be respected, protected and paid.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Construction of General Iron’s new home on Southeast Side moving at full steam ahead

Steven Joseph , chief executive of the company that bought General Iron last year , didn ’ t mince words earlier this week when asked what would happen if he fails to get city approval to relocate the controversial metal-shredding operation to the Southeast Side .
“ We ’ ll get the permit , ” Joseph said confidently during a tour of the site of an $ 80 million operation along the Calumet River at East 116th Street .
While he acknowledged later that he “ doesn ’ t take anything for granted , ” Joseph said city assurances were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reserve Management Group the green light to acquire General Iron in Lincoln Park and begin construction for a new operation on the Southeast Side .
A two-page agreement with Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s Administration gives a timeline that helps Joseph ’ s company move a decades-old business to the South Side by early 2021 .
The move from the mostly white , affluent North Side where the car and metal-shredding operation was cited repeatedly for violations of air pollution and nuisance laws has been called racist as it relocates a polluter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents , the agreement signed by the Lightfoot Administration 13 months ago all but sealed the deal with Joseph , his company and General Iron .
It was actually Mayor Rahm Emanuel ’ s Administration that started the process to rezone a former industrial area in Lincoln Park and make way for the multi-billion dollar Lincoln Yards residential development .
Ald .
Susan Sadlowski Garza has said she supports the business in her 10th Ward if there are adequate pollution controls .
But it is Lightfoot who will put a bow on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city gives Joseph ’ s company the final permit needed to operate .
A tour of the Southeast Side site — most of which is not visible from public streets nearby — given to the Sun-Times earlier this week confirms that substantial construction has already taken place in the new location .
“ We ’ re significantly far along , ” Joseph said , adding that RMG will meet city expectations for a permit under new rules for operations like his .
Announced in July 2018 , the sale of General Iron wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s top lawyer Mark Flessner signed a “ term sheet ” with Joseph in September 2019 .
That agreement puts a clock on General Iron to cease operations in Lincoln Park and transition to its new home where it will operate under a new name .
The rebranded Southside Recycling will shred an estimated 1 million tons of junked cars , appliances and other materials each year so it can resell the metal .
That process will create tons of air pollution , community activists say .
“ The city was seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to ceasing operations by the end of 2020 , ” a city statement said .
“ RMG was seeking a reaffirmation of the city ’ s commitment to reviewing and processing its permits , and otherwise regulating RMG , in a neutral , even-handed and non-arbitrary manner .
The term sheet was viewed as an effective vehicle for memorializing these commitments.
” Joseph shook his head during an interview saying he doesn ’ t understand the fuss over his business .
He says his operation will have a mostly enclosed shredder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now in Lincoln Park .
RMG is building out a new operation on almost 25 acres .
Many of those acres were already paved over as of this week .
Two buildings are constructed , while a weighing station and the shredder are being built .
Control equipment will move from the North Side in early 2021 as General Iron stops accepting scrap metal in Lincoln Park after December 31 .
The South Side operation will be completed by March 31 , the agreement says .
RMG still needs the second of two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject of a public hearing that will likely draw protests from South Siders .
Last Sunday , dozens of students and teachers from nearby George Washington High School joined other demonstrators in a march through the community .
But the public hearing may be little more than window dressing that will leave residents even more frustrated , critics say .
Already , one online “ town hall ” was conducted this summer on the matter that didn ’ t “ seem to be genuine , ” said Chuck Stark , a biology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stark worries his students will breathe pollution of the RMG operation , which is less than a mile from both the high school and George Washington Elementary School .
“ I can ’ t see any reason that this is a benefit to anyone on the South Side , ” Stark said .
Two federal complaints , a lawsuit and a petition to the Department of Housing and Urban Development , say the move violates residents ’ civil rights .
Meleah Geertsma , a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will do anything more than rubber stamp what community organizers fear will be a weak city permit regulating pollution .
“ We ’ ve never gotten any other indication , ” said Geertsma , whose organization represents residents for the HUD complaint .
Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

Steven Joseph, chief executive of the company that bought General Iron last year, didn’t mince words earlier this week when asked what would happen if he fails to get city approval to relocate the controversial metal-shredding operation to the Southeast Side.
“We’ll get the permit,” Joseph said confidently during a tour of the site of an $80 million operation along the Calumet River at East 116th Street.
While he acknowledged later that he “doesn’t take anything for granted,” Joseph said city assurances were made last year that gave his company Reserve Management Group the green light to acquire General Iron in Lincoln Park and begin construction for a new operation on the Southeast Side. A two-page agreement with Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Administration gives a timeline that helps Joseph’s company move a decades-old business to the South Side by early 2021.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
The move from the mostly white, affluent North Side where the car and metal-shredding operation was cited repeatedly for violations of air pollution and nuisance laws has been called racist as it relocates a polluter to Latino-majority East Side. Despite protests from residents, the agreement signed by the Lightfoot Administration 13 months ago all but sealed the deal with Joseph, his company and General Iron.
It was actually Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Administration that started the process to rezone a former industrial area in Lincoln Park and make way for the multi-billion dollar Lincoln Yards residential development. Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza has said she supports the business in her 10th Ward if there are adequate pollution controls. But it is Lightfoot who will put a bow on the move if, as expected, the city gives Joseph’s company the final permit needed to operate.
Construction on a new site where General Iron plans to move its car and metal shredding facility is underway near South Burley Avenue and East 116th Street in the Southeast Side Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
‘Significantly far along’
A tour of the Southeast Side site — most of which is not visible from public streets nearby — given to the Sun-Times earlier this week confirms that substantial construction has already taken place in the new location.
“We’re significantly far along,” Joseph said, adding that RMG will meet city expectations for a permit under new rules for operations like his.
Announced in July 2018, the sale of General Iron wasn’t completed until after the city’s top lawyer Mark Flessner signed a “term sheet” with Joseph in September 2019. That agreement puts a clock on General Iron to cease operations in Lincoln Park and transition to its new home where it will operate under a new name. The rebranded Southside Recycling will shred an estimated 1 million tons of junked cars, appliances and other materials each year so it can resell the metal. That process will create tons of air pollution, community activists say.
“The city was seeking a reaffirmation of General Iron’s commitment to ceasing operations by the end of 2020,” a city statement said. “RMG was seeking a reaffirmation of the city’s commitment to reviewing and processing its permits, and otherwise regulating RMG, in a neutral, even-handed and non-arbitrary manner. The term sheet was viewed as an effective vehicle for memorializing these commitments.”
Joseph shook his head during an interview saying he doesn’t understand the fuss over his business. He says his operation will have a mostly enclosed shredder and more pollution safeguards than what’s now in Lincoln Park.
RMG is building out a new operation on almost 25 acres. Many of those acres were already paved over as of this week. Two buildings are constructed, while a weighing station and the shredder are being built. Control equipment will move from the North Side in early 2021 as General Iron stops accepting scrap metal in Lincoln Park after December 31. The South Side operation will be completed by March 31, the agreement says.
This rendering shows the new metal-shredding operation RMG is building on the Southeast Side. Provided
RMG still needs the second of two city permits, which is to be the subject of a public hearing that will likely draw protests from South Siders. Last Sunday, dozens of students and teachers from nearby George Washington High School joined other demonstrators in a march through the community.
Critics: Public hearing will be window dressing
But the public hearing may be little more than window dressing that will leave residents even more frustrated, critics say.
Already, one online “town hall” was conducted this summer on the matter that didn’t “seem to be genuine,” said Chuck Stark, a biology teacher at George Washington High School.
Stark worries his students will breathe pollution of the RMG operation, which is less than a mile from both the high school and George Washington Elementary School.
“I can’t see any reason that this is a benefit to anyone on the South Side,” Stark said.
Two federal complaints, a lawsuit and a petition to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, say the move violates residents’ civil rights.
Meleah Geertsma, a senior attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the city hasn’t shown it will do anything more than rubber stamp what community organizers fear will be a weak city permit regulating pollution.
“We’ve never gotten any other indication,” said Geertsma, who advises Southeast Side residents fighting the relocation.
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.
The new facility is less than a mile from two schools, a park and homes, including these on East 116th Street. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--At the Virtual Table with Laura Washington & Lynn Sweet

Join Laura Washington , Lynn Sweet and special guests At The Virtual Table for a live conversation about the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ be victorious , Trump or Biden ?
Watch the Sun-Times ’ political panel dig into @ @ @ @ @ elections in modern U.S. history .
Daniel Biss , former state senator and Democratic candidate @ @

Join Laura Washington, Lynn Sweet and special guests At The Virtual Table for a live conversation about the 2020 presidential election. Who will be victorious, Trump or Biden? Watch the Sun-Times’ political panel dig into one of the most pivotal elections in modern U.S. history.
Our newsmaker guests are:
Daniel Biss, former state senator and Democratic candidate for governor
Robert Emmons Jr., former Democratic congressional candidate
Marlen Garcia, Sun-Times deputy managing editor
Doug Heye, Republican strategist
Rachel Hinton, Sun-Times political writer
Susana Mendoza, Democratic Illinois comptroller
Tim Schneider, Illinois Republican party chair


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--For a ‘new’ White Sox manager, Tony La Russa sure is old. Isn’t ageism hilarious?

Let the “ old ” cracks begin .
Because that ’ s the first place the skeptics , know-it-alls and wisenheimers are going to go now that the White Sox have hired — make that rehired — 76-year-old Hall of Famer Tony La Russa as their new manager .
Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf , 84 , has called not winning a World Series with his dear friend during La Russa ’ s first go-round with the Sox one of his true regrets .
Is this Reinsdorf ’ s idea of a “ The Bucket List ” sequel ?
Former pitching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joining this last-ditch ride , but maybe Jack Nicholson or Morgan Freeman wants to do a little bench coaching ?
Not saying the game has passed La Russa by , but it ’ s on color TV now and everything .
Look , none of this is very funny , the poorly crafted quips or the ageism .
This is America , where one would like to believe we respect our elders .
And even if we don ’ t , we ’ re about to elect a 74-year-old incumbent or a 77-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the free world has to be at least as hard as filling out a lineup card .
“ It ’ s easy to fall back on some old narratives , like this was about friendship or , potentially , [ to ] right old wrongs , something like that , ” general manager Rick Hahn said .
“ In the end , Tony was the choice because it ’ s believed that Tony is the best man to help us win championships over the next several years.
” Try telling that to Sox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social media found them hovering somewhere between apoplectic and halfway to Guaranteed Rate Field with torches and pitchforks .
What happened to A.J .
Hinch ?
What happened to the organization ’ s “ Change the Game ” rallying cry ?
What happened to young stars and bat flips and we ’ re-cooler-than-you and a bold , brash blastoff into the future ?
Who cares if La Russa is the third-winningest manager in baseball history ?
Or a four-time Manager of the Year , a three-time World Series champion and one of only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other , to win it all in both leagues ?
Or if his teams have won 12 division titles and reached the postseason 14 times ?
To many a Sox watcher — fan or media — all of that is worth about as much as a three-day-old beef sandwich .
La Russa , who hasn ’ t managed since 2011 , might be too old .
He might be too old-school .
He might be the wrong guy at the wrong time .
He might be a Reinsdorf mandate , the result of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisionmakers .
He might be antithetical to what the Sox need and what they should have done .
“ This obviously played out a little differently than I initially described I thought it would for all of you , ” said Hahn , who said after the Sox fired Rick Renteria that they ’ d seek a manager with recent World Series experience in a top-shelf organization .
But perhaps we should consider La Russa ’ s own words , too .
His own feelings .
His own resolve .
His own sincerity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — “ sincerity ” — that stood out as La Russa met the media Thursday .
He used it a few times in reference to players in an evolving game and world .
If players want to express themselves on the field with bat flips , mound celebrations and other forms of self-expression , their new skipper will have their backs as long as there ’ s sincerity in their actions .
More important , if players choose to engage in peaceful protest or otherwise participate in the movement toward social justice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them as long as they ’ re sincere .
How he ’ ll discern that is hard to say .
How he ’ s qualified to do so is another question altogether .
But he sure sounds sincere about coming back to manage .
“ My heart was always in the dugout , ” said La Russa , who has served in various advisory roles around baseball since winning the World Series with the Cardinals in 2011 .
“ I realized I was either going to have to stop complaining about being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russa insists he has the energy for the job .
He calls himself an “ information seeker ” who will welcome all the current analytical and technological tools that can help a manager prepare .
Ken “ Hawk ” Harrelson may or may not be laying it on a bit thick when he describes La Russa as “ 76 going on 60 , ” but how dare anyone , when you really think about it , decide it ’ s someone else ’ s time to roll off under the chain-link fence and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been forgotten ?
No , La Russa doesn ’ t think he ’ s too old .
Doesn ’ t he get a vote ?
“ I looked at it very hard , ” he said , “ because I wouldn ’ t do anything to disrespect the Chicago White Sox.
” La Russa probably could ’ ve won more than one championship during his years with the Athletics .
He probably should ’ ve softened up here and there with occasional detractors in St. Louis .
Some will always call him cranky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will always connect him to the steroid era , too .
The old with the new , the bad with the good — La Russa brings it all .
One thing we know : He ’ s still known as one of the greatest in-game managers in history .
One other thing we know : He ’ ll never manage afraid .
“ We can go in there in 2021 with as good a chance to win as anybody , ” he said .
“ Why not us ?
” Hell , why @ @ @

Let the “old” cracks begin. Because that’s the first place the skeptics, know-it-alls and wisenheimers are going now that the White Sox have hired — make that rehired — 76-year-old Hall of Famer Tony La Russa as their new manager.
What, Al Lopez wasn’t available?
Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, 84, has called it one of his true regrets that he didn’t win a World Series with his dear friend during La Russa’s first go-round with the Sox. Is this Reinsdorf’s idea of a sequel to “The Bucket List”? Former pitching coach Dave Duncan has no interest in joining this last-ditch ride, but maybe Jack Nicholson or Morgan Freeman wants to do a little bench coaching?
Not saying the game has passed La Russa by, but it’s on color TV now and everything.
Look, none of this is very funny — the poorly crafted quips or the ageism. This is America, where one would like to believe we respect our elders. And even if we don’t, we’re about to elect a 74-year-old incumbent or a 77-year-old challenger to be president of the country. Leading the free world has to be at least as hard as filling out a lineup card.
“It’s easy to fall back on some old narratives, like this was about friendship or, potentially, [to] right old wrongs, something like that,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “In the end, Tony was the choice because it’s believed that Tony is the best man to help us win championships over the next several years.”
Fired up to join @whitesox, a contending team in a tough division. Add my best efforts to theirs. Lots of comments. Some supportive and some not. Get to work and see the results. — Tony La Russa (@TonyLaRussa) October 30, 2020
Try telling that to Sox fans. An early temperature check on social media found them hovering somewhere between apoplectic and halfway to Guaranteed Rate Field with torches and pitchforks.
What happened to AJ Hinch? What happened to the organization’s “Change the Game” rallying cry? What happened to young stars and bat flips and we’re-cooler-than-you and a bold, brash blast-off into the future?
Who cares if La Russa is the third-winningest manager in baseball history? Or a four-time manager of the year, a three-time World Series champion and one of only two managers, Sparky Anderson being the other, to win it all in both leagues? Or if his teams have won 12 division titles and reached the postseason 14 times?
To many a Sox watcher — fan or media — all of that is worth about as much as a three-day-old beef sandwich.
La Russa, who hasn’t managed since 2011, might be too old. He might be too old-school. He might be the wrong guy at the wrong time. He might be a Reinsdorf mandate, the result of a meddlesome big boss undermining his supposed decision-makers. He might be antithetical to what the Sox need and what they should have done.
“This obviously played out a little differently than I initially described I thought it would for all of you,” said Hahn, who said after the Sox fired Rick Renteria that they’d seek a manager with recent World Series experience in a top-shelf organization.
But perhaps we should consider La Russa’s own words, too. His own feelings. His own resolve. His own sincerity.
Now there’s a word — “sincerity” — that stood out as La Russa met reporters Thursday. He used it a few times in reference to players in an evolving game and world.
If players want to express themselves on the field with bat flips, mound celebrations and other displays, their new skipper will have their backs as long as there’s sincerity in their actions. More important, if players choose to engage in peaceful protest or otherwise participate in the movement toward social justice, La Russa says he’ll be with them as long as they’re sincere.
How he’ll discern that is hard to say. How he’s qualified to do so is another question altogether.
But he sure sounds sincere about coming back to manage.
“My heart was always in the dugout,” said La Russa, who has served in various advisory roles around baseball since winning the World Series with the Cardinals in 2011. “I realized I was either going to have to stop complaining about being upstairs or go downstairs.”
La Russa insists he has the energy for the job. He calls himself an “information seeker” who will welcome all the current analytical and technological tools that can help a manager prepare. Ken “Hawk” Harrelson may or may not be laying it on a bit thick when he describes La Russa as “76 going on 60,” but how dare anyone, when you really think about it, decide it’s someone else’s time to roll off under the chain-link fence and remain in the shadows until he has been forgotten?
No, La Russa doesn’t think he’s too old. Doesn’t he get a vote?
“I looked at it very hard,” he said, “because I wouldn’t do anything to disrespect the Chicago White Sox.”
La Russa probably could have won more than one championship during his years with the Athletics. He probably should have softened up here and there with occasional detractors in St. Louis. Some will always call him cranky, even mean at times. Some will always connect him to the steroid era, too.
The old with the new, the bad with the good — La Russa brings it all.
One thing we know: He’s still known as one of the greatest in-game managers in history. One other thing we know: He’ll never manage afraid.
“We can go in there in 2021 with as good a chance to win as anybody,” he said. “Why not us?”
Hell, why not him?


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--$25K reward offered in armed robbery of mail carrier in South Shore

Federal authorities are offering a $ 25,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who @ @ @ @ @ the South Shore neighborhood .
A man on a bicycle allegedly confronted the postal worker @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 17 in the 2600 block of East 74th Place , according to the U.S @ @ @ @ @ The suspect was wearing a black face mask and sweatshirt .
No injuries were reported @ @ @ @ @ asked to call the U.S .
Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 .

Federal authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of a man who robbed a mail carrier in the South Shore neighborhood.
A man on a bicycle allegedly confronted the postal worker with a knife about noon Oct. 17 in the 2600 block of East 74th Place, according to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
The suspect was wearing a black face mask and sweatshirt. No injuries were reported.
Anyone with tips is asked to call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--Dear Abby: I’m OK with my wife dallying with a woman, but should I be?

DEAR ABBY : My fiancee and I are in our early 50s .
We dated for two years and have been engaged for three months .
She ’ s a wonderful lady , and I can ’ t imagine life without her .
I knew she was bi-curious a year ago when she told me one of her married female co-workers was flirting with her and she kind of enjoyed it .
Since then , their relationship has grown , and they get together every couple of weeks for intimacy in our home .
They have even asked me to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t done yet .
My fiancee insists she isn ’ t a lesbian or bisexual and what she and her friend are doing is innocent fun , but I ’ m not so sure .
So far , I haven ’ t made an issue of it and go to bed at my usual time when her friend visits so they can have their fun .
But have I opened Pandora ’ s box by being so agreeable ?
She promises no romantic feelings are involved , that her friend is no threat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them are just blowing off steam .
Our love life is great , and she says nothing can replace us in the bedroom .
Should I continue to look the other way ?
Or is this a fork in the road that could lead to a life of “ anything goes ” ?
— CONFOUNDED IN KENTUCKY DEAR CONFOUNDED : This is not happening because you allowed it .
It is happening because this is what your fiancee feels she needs .
Not knowing her , I can ’ t predict where she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one being entirely heterosexual and a 10 being entirely homosexual .
At this point , I don ’ t think she can either .
Unless you are comfortable with the idea of living this way , I urge you to have a very long engagement because it is anybody ’ s guess how this will turn out .
The three of you are all consenting adults , so I won ’ t judge .
( I can ’ t help but wonder if the spouse of your fiancee ’ s lover knows about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) I must , however , point out that if a traditional , monogamous marriage is what you want , your fiancee may not be the lady for you .
DEAR ABBY : I am 15 , and in my job I work with some of my cousins and siblings .
There are other people , too .
I make friends easily because I can talk to everyone .
Everyone I work with says I ’ m flirting with two guys who are just my friends .
I don ’ t want people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not .
How can I convince people that we are just friends and nothing more ?
— FRIENDLY TEEN IN IDAHO DEAR TEEN : The individuals who are accusing you of flirting may be teasing you to get a reaction .
Or , they may be trying to point out something important that you should keep in mind when you are working .
Working with someone is different from hanging out .
The relationships are a little more formal ( and serious ) than in a social environment away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your only venture into the workforce , and when you are a little older , you will realize that rules discouraging personal relationships between co-workers , both written and unwritten , are put in place to protect you and the business .
So rather than work on convincing “ people ” that you ’ re not flirting , be your friendly self but in a more professional way .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets : “ Abby ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My fiancee and I are in our early 50s. We dated for two years and have been engaged for three months. She’s a wonderful lady, and I can’t imagine life without her.
I knew she was bi-curious a year ago when she told me one of her married female co-workers was flirting with her and she kind of enjoyed it. Since then, their relationship has grown, and they get together every couple of weeks for intimacy in our home. They have even asked me to join them, which I haven’t done yet.
My fiancee insists she isn’t a lesbian or bisexual and what she and her friend are doing is innocent fun, but I’m not so sure. So far, I haven’t made an issue of it and go to bed at my usual time when her friend visits so they can have their fun. But have I opened Pandora’s box by being so agreeable?
She promises no romantic feelings are involved, that her friend is no threat to our relationship and the two of them are just blowing off steam. Our love life is great, and she says nothing can replace us in the bedroom. Should I continue to look the other way? Or is this a fork in the road that could lead to a life of “anything goes”? — CONFOUNDED IN KENTUCKY
DEAR CONFOUNDED: This is not happening because you allowed it. It is happening because this is what your fiancee feels she needs. Not knowing her, I can’t predict where she is on a Kinsey scale — a one being entirely heterosexual and a 10 being entirely homosexual. At this point, I don’t think she can either.
Unless you are comfortable with the idea of living this way, I urge you to have a very long engagement because it is anybody’s guess how this will turn out. The three of you are all consenting adults, so I won’t judge. (I can’t help but wonder if the spouse of your fiancee’s lover knows about the steam they are blowing off.) I must, however, point out that if a traditional, monogamous marriage is what you want, your fiancee may not be the lady for you.
DEAR ABBY: I am 15, and in my job I work with some of my cousins and siblings. There are other people, too. I make friends easily because I can talk to everyone.
Everyone I work with says I’m flirting with two guys who are just my friends. I don’t want people to think I’m flirting because I’m not. How can I convince people that we are just friends and nothing more? — FRIENDLY TEEN IN IDAHO
DEAR TEEN: The individuals who are accusing you of flirting may be teasing you to get a reaction. Or, they may be trying to point out something important that you should keep in mind when you are working. Working with someone is different from hanging out. The relationships are a little more formal (and serious) than in a social environment away from the job.
This will not be your only venture into the workforce, and when you are a little older, you will realize that rules discouraging personal relationships between co-workers, both written and unwritten, are put in place to protect you and the business. So rather than work on convincing “people” that you’re not flirting, be your friendly self but in a more professional way.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)