chicagosun-times--2020-11-06--Factories lead as largest source of COVID-19 outbreaks in Illinois, new data shows

There have been at least 52 COVID-19 outbreaks at factories and manufacturers in Illinois since July 1 , making those settings the leading source for multiple infections from a single location , data released Friday show .
The data , announced by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , was compiled using reports from around 3,300 contact tracers across the state .
These workers and volunteers reach out to people who recently tested positive with the virus and conduct interviews to identify where infections may have taken place and others who may have been exposed .
In recent months , contact tracers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those testing positive , according to the state ’ s reporting .
Other leading sources of outbreaks since the state ’ s pandemic “ reopening ” July 1 were community events ( 34 ) , churches ( 31 ) , colleges ( 31 ) and correctional facilities ( 27 ) .
The state data comes with a caveat that “ many factors may result in underreporting of outbreaks.
” Among them , contact tracers can ’ t reach infected individuals and not everyone is getting tested .
Other sources of outbreaks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more confirmed virus cases , include group homes , schools , workplaces , bars and restaurants .
The data did not include the name of any specific location that had an outbreak .
Previously , state officials have defined outbreaks as two or more cases .
A state health department spokeswoman didn ’ t respond to a question clarifying the state ’ s criteria .
Last month , the governor called restaurants and bars “ super spreader ” locations as he moved to restrict indoor service .
Absent outbreak data singling out bars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a separate set of statistics collected from contact tracing that lists exposures — essentially any place an infected person visited two weeks prior to testing positive — to make his argument that bars and restaurants are indeed sources of virus spread .
Presenting a chart showing bars and restaurants were among the most frequently visited locations by COVID-19 patients , Pritzker said that limiting indoor dining and drinking is one of the best ways he sees to limit the spread .
“ The only way really that science has told us that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or the epidemiological spread of the disease is by having less interaction , and less interaction means cutting off people ’ s ability to interact in various places , ” Pritzker said .
Pritzker also referenced research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found in a study adults who tested positive for the virus were twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than those who tested negative .
The data on potential places of exposure , which was compiled from virus cases over the past 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of visits by those testing positive to schools , workplaces ( other than offices ) , hospitals or medical clinics and a catch-all “ other ” category that included warehouses , funeral homes and hair salons , the state reported .
Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

There have been at least 52 COVID-19 outbreaks at factories and manufacturers in Illinois since July 1, making those settings the leading source for multiple infections from a single location, data released Friday show.
The data, announced by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, was compiled using reports from around 3,300 contact tracers across the state. These workers and volunteers reach out to people who recently tested positive with the virus and conduct interviews to identify where infections may have taken place and others who may have been exposed. In recent months, contact tracers reached and interviewed only about 54 percent of those testing positive, according to the state’s reporting.
Other leading sources of outbreaks since the state’s pandemic “reopening” July 1 were community events (34), churches (31), colleges (31) and correctional facilities (27). The state data comes with a caveat that “many factors may result in underreporting of outbreaks.” Among them, contact tracers can’t reach infected individuals and not everyone is getting tested.
Other sources of outbreaks, which Pritzker defined Friday as five or more confirmed virus cases, include group homes, schools, workplaces, bars and restaurants. The data did not include the name of any specific location that had an outbreak.
Previously, state officials have defined outbreaks as two or more cases. A state health department spokeswoman didn’t respond to a question clarifying the state’s criteria.
Last month, the governor called restaurants and bars “super spreader” locations as he moved to restrict indoor service. Absent outbreak data singling out bars and restaurants, Pritzker on Friday pointed to a separate set of statistics collected from contact tracing that lists exposures — essentially any place an infected person visited two weeks prior to testing positive — to make his argument that bars and restaurants are indeed sources of virus spread.
Presenting a chart showing bars and restaurants were among the most frequently visited locations by COVID-19 patients, Pritzker said that limiting indoor dining and drinking is one of the best ways he sees to limit the spread.
“The only way really that science has told us that we can limit the number of cases or the epidemiological spread of the disease is by having less interaction, and less interaction means cutting off people’s ability to interact in various places,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also referenced research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that found in a study adults who tested positive for the virus were twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than those who tested negative.
The data on potential places of exposure, which was compiled from virus cases over the past 30 days, also showed a large number of visits by those testing positive to schools, workplaces (other than offices), hospitals or medical clinics and a catch-all “other” category that included warehouses, funeral homes and hair salons, the state reported.
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-06--Cook County Jail guard flunked fitness test, now is suing Sheriff Tom Dart

A former Cook County Jail guard is suing Sheriff Tom Dart for rejecting her bid to become a courthouse deputy because she flunked a fitness test .
Denise Hobbs , 59 , says the test constituted age , sex and race discrimination and that the sheriff required it even though an administrative law judge had ruled otherwise .
Hobbs , who has filed suit against Dart in federal court in Chicago , is seeking unspecified damages and a court order blocking the sheriff from administering the test in the future .
Taking the test in July 2019 , she failed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 1.5-mile run in under 16 minutes and 52 seconds and doing 24 situps in a minute .
She apparently was able to pass the third part of the test : bench-pressing more than half of her body weight .
She was given a second chance two days later and was able to do the situps but again failed the running portion .
She said she was ordered to go back to work at the jail but retired a few months later .
Hobbs was among 25 people taking part in a training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men and 10 women between 30 and 59 years old .
Eight , like Hobbs , were Black women , and three were Black men .
Six people were rejected from continuing in the academy , including four Black women , one Black man and one white man .
The lawsuit says the test was biased because the standards were the same for everyone despite lower average abilities of older people and women .
African Americans over 40 are less likely than whites to pass the test , according to the lawsuit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t correlate with the duties of a courthouse deputy .
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police , the union that represents courthouse deputies , agreed to the fitness test , which was administered between 2014 and 2019 .
“ The sheriff ’ s office and the FOP share the desire to ensure that physically fit officers fill the deputy positions in court services , ” says Matthew Walberg , a spokesman for the sheriff .
Shortly after Hobbs failed in July 2019 , the fitness test was eliminated “ for reasons totally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” according to Walberg .
The Illinois Labor Relations Board found that the sheriff ’ s agreement with the FOP was invalid because the union for jail guards — the Teamsters — wasn ’ t part of the deal .
Walberg says Hobbs and the five other guards who failed the test threatened to sue , that the sheriff offered them courthouse jobs and that Hobbs declined and chose to retire .
More than 2,800 corrections officers and 660 court-services deputies work for the sheriff ’ s office .
About 50 deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , but no one is required to take a physical agility test now , according to Walberg .
Hobbs , who started work as a Cook County correctional officer in 2007 , retired in September 2019 .
In her lawsuit , she says she didn ’ t want to go back to her job as a jail guard because detainees were making her life miserable , masturbating in front of her and other female guards and subjecting them to degrading language .
That ’ s an issue that ’ s resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judge approved a $ 14 million settlement between Cook County and female public defenders and law clerks who sued the sheriff and Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli , saying those officials didn ’ t do enough to prevent detainees from masturbating in front of them .
A lawsuit over the same issue is pending on behalf of guards including Hobbs .
Unlike the sheriff ’ s office , the Chicago police nd fire departments don ’ t require fitness tests once rookie officers and firefighters have graduated from their training academies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees who pass a voluntary test .
The police test has different standards for men and women and officers of different ages .
A male cop between 23 and 29 has to run 1.5 miles in under 13 minutes and 46 seconds , but a woman between 40 and 49 must run the same distance in under 17 minutes and 53 seconds .
Almost 3,200 officers passed the voluntary test in 2019 and got a $ 350 bonus .
In 2013 , the city agreed to pay nearly $ 2 million to settle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of 187 women who were denied jobs as firefighters because they failed a physical abilities test .
Only 20 % of women passed , while 90 % of men did .
The fire department agreed to use a different test approved by the U.S. Justice Department .

A former Cook County Jail guard is suing Sheriff Tom Dart for rejecting her bid to become a courthouse deputy because she flunked a fitness test.
Denise Hobbs, 59, says the test constituted age, sex and race discrimination and that the sheriff required it even though an administrative law judge had ruled otherwise.
Hobbs, who has filed suit against Dart in federal court in Chicago, is seeking unspecified damages and a court order blocking the sheriff from administering the test in the future.
Taking the test in July 2019, she failed two parts of the test: completing a 1.5-mile run in under 16 minutes and 52 seconds and doing 24 situps in a minute.
She apparently was able to pass the third part of the test: bench-pressing more than half of her body weight.
She was given a second chance two days later and was able to do the situps but again failed the running portion.
She said she was ordered to go back to work at the jail but retired a few months later.
Hobbs was among 25 people taking part in a training academy for courthouse deputies, including 15 men and 10 women between 30 and 59 years old. Eight, like Hobbs, were Black women, and three were Black men. Six people were rejected from continuing in the academy, including four Black women, one Black man and one white man.
The lawsuit says the test was biased because the standards were the same for everyone despite lower average abilities of older people and women. African Americans over 40 are less likely than whites to pass the test, according to the lawsuit, which also says the fitness exam doesn’t correlate with the duties of a courthouse deputy.
The Illinois Fraternal Order of Police, the union that represents courthouse deputies, agreed to the fitness test, which was administered between 2014 and 2019.
“The sheriff’s office and the FOP share the desire to ensure that physically fit officers fill the deputy positions in court services,” says Matthew Walberg, a spokesman for the sheriff.
Shortly after Hobbs failed in July 2019, the fitness test was eliminated “for reasons totally unrelated to the merits of the test,” according to Walberg.
The Illinois Labor Relations Board found that the sheriff’s agreement with the FOP was invalid because the union for jail guards — the Teamsters — wasn’t part of the deal.
Walberg says Hobbs and the five other guards who failed the test threatened to sue, that the sheriff offered them courthouse jobs and that Hobbs declined and chose to retire.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Brian Rich / Sun-Times
More than 2,800 corrections officers and 660 court-services deputies work for the sheriff’s office. About 50 deputies transfer from the jail to courthouses each year, but no one is required to take a physical agility test now, according to Walberg.
The Cook County sheriff’s fitness standards. U.S. District Court
Hobbs, who started work as a Cook County correctional officer in 2007, retired in September 2019.
In her lawsuit, she says she didn’t want to go back to her job as a jail guard because detainees were making her life miserable, masturbating in front of her and other female guards and subjecting them to degrading language.
That’s an issue that’s resulted in separate lawsuits. On Monday, a federal judge approved a $14 million settlement between Cook County and female public defenders and law clerks who sued the sheriff and Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli, saying those officials didn’t do enough to prevent detainees from masturbating in front of them. A lawsuit over the same issue is pending on behalf of guards including Hobbs.
The Cook County Jail near 26th and California. Sun-Times file
Unlike the sheriff’s office, the Chicago police nd fire departments don’t require fitness tests once rookie officers and firefighters have graduated from their training academies. But those departments offer bonuses to employees who pass a voluntary test.
The police test has different standards for men and women and officers of different ages. A male cop between 23 and 29 has to run 1.5 miles in under 13 minutes and 46 seconds, but a woman between 40 and 49 must run the same distance in under 17 minutes and 53 seconds. Almost 3,200 officers passed the voluntary test in 2019 and got a $350 bonus.
In 2013, the city agreed to pay nearly $2 million to settle a lawsuit against the Chicago Fire Department on behalf of 187 women who were denied jobs as firefighters because they failed a physical abilities test. Only 20% of women passed, while 90% of men did. The fire department agreed to use a different test approved by the U.S. Justice Department.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-06--Christmas starts early as Chicago families receive food, protective equipment

The weather may have been in the 70s , but Christmas began early for some Chicago families on Friday .
Christmas in the Wards teamed up with aldermen , local organizations and others for a “ Day of Giving ” to provide Chicago families with food , personal protective equipment and other necessities .
Organizations that pitched in included New City Church in DuPage County , the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action , ComEd and others .
Larry Huggins , chairman of Christmas in the Wards — which provides gifts to families in need — said the South Side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years .
Friday , items were given away in two locations — a Soldier Field parking lot and the Universal Entertainment Center at 119th and Loomis streets .
“ It ’ s a combination of what we ’ ve been doing for the last 24 years and giving back to the community , ” Huggins said .
At both locations , people sat in their cars and picked up food boxes that included frozen meats , dairy and fresh produce .
They also received bags filled with reusable face masks , hand sanitizers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shasta Grossett , this all came right on time .
Grossett , who lives in a Chicago Housing Authority building in Bronzeville , said she worked as a dialysis technician before she had to take time off due to a health condition .
Three months later , her husband also couldn ’ t work because of a COVID-19 outbreak at his job .
“ So in total , we ’ ve lost about six months of income , ” Grossett said .
“ So this is really , really helpful.
” Grossett said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giving ” event from a friend , and felt that distributions like this are something people who struggle with finances should take advantage of more .
“ There ’ s so many people that are struggling that don ’ t know about these resources and are embarrassed to ask for help , ” she said .
There were also those who picked up food for others , such as South Side resident Debra Rogers , who works as a caregiver .
“ I ’ m blessed more than some , so I like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Rogers said .
Rogers said with the pandemic putting many family breadwinners out of work , it was a “ beautiful thing ” to see the different people and organizations who came out to distribute food and supplies to those in need .
Though Christmas in the Wards is based on the South Side and serves 30 wards , Huggins said the goal to expand to all 50 .
He said the group hoped to hand out 2,000 boxes of food and PPE at the two locations combined .
The goal is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In December , Huggins said , the group will again distribute laptop computers to families in need .
“ People need help , ” he said .
“ And any time you can do anything to help and if you ’ re in a position to do that ... it ’ s simply the right thing to do .
”

The weather may have been in the 70s, but Christmas began early for some Chicago families on Friday.
Christmas in the Wards teamed up with aldermen, local organizations and others for a “Day of Giving” to provide Chicago families with food, personal protective equipment and other necessities.
Organizations that pitched in included New City Church in DuPage County, the Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action, ComEd and others.
Larry Huggins, chairman of Christmas in the Wards — which provides gifts to families in need — said the South Side group has held annual distribution for 24 years. Friday, items were given away in two locations — a Soldier Field parking lot and the Universal Entertainment Center at 119th and Loomis streets.
“It’s a combination of what we’ve been doing for the last 24 years and giving back to the community,” Huggins said.
At both locations, people sat in their cars and picked up food boxes that included frozen meats, dairy and fresh produce. They also received bags filled with reusable face masks, hand sanitizers and socks.
For people like 32-year-old Shasta Grossett, this all came right on time.
Shasta Grossett was among those who benefited from Christmas in the Wards’ “Day of Giving” at Soldier Field. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Grossett, who lives in a Chicago Housing Authority building in Bronzeville, said she worked as a dialysis technician before she had to take time off due to a health condition. Three months later, her husband also couldn’t work because of a COVID-19 outbreak at his job.
“So in total, we’ve lost about six months of income,” Grossett said. “So this is really, really helpful.”
Grossett said she heard about the “Day of Giving” event from a friend, and felt that distributions like this are something people who struggle with finances should take advantage of more.
“There’s so many people that are struggling that don’t know about these resources and are embarrassed to ask for help,” she said.
There were also those who picked up food for others, such as South Side resident Debra Rogers, who works as a caregiver.
“I’m blessed more than some, so I like to be a blessing to others,” Rogers said.
Rogers said with the pandemic putting many family breadwinners out of work, it was a “beautiful thing” to see the different people and organizations who came out to distribute food and supplies to those in need.
Though Christmas in the Wards is based on the South Side and serves 30 wards, Huggins said the goal to expand to all 50. He said the group hoped to hand out 2,000 boxes of food and PPE at the two locations combined.
The goal is to help struggling families celebrate Christmas. In December, Huggins said, the group will again distribute laptop computers to families in need.
“People need help,” he said. “And any time you can do anything to help and if you’re in a position to do that ... it’s simply the right thing to do.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-06--Chicago rapper King Von killed in Atlanta shooting: police

Chicago rapper King Von was among three people who were killed in a shooting involving police outside a club Friday in Atlanta .
The incident started about 3:20 a.m. when two groups of males argued outside of Monaco Hookah Lounge , 255 W. Trinity Ave. SW. , and the two groups exchanged gunfire , Atlanta police said in a statement .
Two off-duty officers who were in uniform working an extra job at the lounge , along with an on-duty officer who was patrolling nearby , confronted the groups and fired shots , police said .
“ Three of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of their wounds and three others are being treated in area hospitals , ” police said .
“ The officers were not injured.
” Police confirmed that King Von , whose real name is Dayvon Bennett , was among those killed in the shooting .
The identities of the other people who were shot have not been released .
It was unclear if anyone was struck by the officers ’ gunfire , but police said detectives believe Bennett was shot during the initial confrontation between the two groups of males @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charges against two people detained at the scene .
Police also said King Von was not located at the scene but arrived at a hospital shortly after the shooting in a private vehicle .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked to investigate the officer-involved shooting .
“ Part of the investigations will include determining which individuals were struck by gunfire from the suspects and whether any were struck by gunfire from the officers , ” police said .
Several people in the hip-hop community have posted messages of condolences on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rapper .
Last month , King Von released his album “ Welcome to O-Block , ” a nod to the area around 64th Street and King Drive on the South Side where he was raised .
The album featured appearances from Moneybagg Yo , Polo G and Lil Durk .
King Von was 26 , according to publicist Erin Ryan .
“ He was a devoted father , a deeply loyal friend , and a man who took care of his people before himself , ” Ryan said in a statement .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friends , his team , and his fans .
Long live King Von .
”

Chicago rapper King Von was among three people who were killed in a shooting involving police outside a club Friday in Atlanta.
The incident started about 3:20 a.m. when two groups of men argued outside of Monaco Hookah Lounge, 255 W. Trinity Ave. SW., and shot at each other, according to the Atlanta police.
Two off-duty officers who were in uniform working an extra job at the lounge and an on-duty officer who was patrolling nearby confronted the groups and fired at them, the police said.
“Three of the persons shot in the incident have died as a result of their wounds, and three others are being treated in area hospitals,” police said. “The officers were not injured.”
Police confirmed that King Von, whose real name is Dayvon Bennett, was among those killed. The others’ names weren’t released.
It was unclear whether anyone was struck by the officers’ gunfire, but police said detectives believe Bennett was shot during the initial confrontation between the two groups of males.
Police said they expect to file charges against two people detained at the scene.
Police also said King Von was not at the scene but arrived at a hospital shortly after the shooting in a private vehicle.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was asked to investigate the officer-involved shooting.
“Part of the investigations will include determining which individuals were struck by gunfire from the suspects and whether any were struck by gunfire from the officers,” police said.
Several people in the hip-hop community have posted messages of condolences on social media, including fellow Chicago emcee Chance the Rapper.
Wow. This year was so tough. rip von God bless him and his family I can’t believe it — Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) November 6, 2020
Last month, King Von released his album “Welcome to O’Block,” a nod to the area around 64th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on the South Side where he was raised. The album featured appearances from Moneybagg Yo, Polo G and Lil Durk.
King Von was 26, according to publicist Erin Ryan.
“He was a devoted father, a deeply loyal friend and a man who took care of his people before himself,” Ryan said in a written statement. “We are heartbroken for his family, his friends, his team, and his fans. Long live King Von.”
Contributing: AP


chicagosun-times--2020-11-06--A ‘dark cloud’ follows Chicago’s drill scene

When Chicago rapper King Von , 26 , was killed in a shootout in front of an Atlanta nightclub Friday after his album release party , he became to latest cautionary tale of drill , a hip-hop subgenre known for dark and violent lyrics .
The number of murders connected to it often play out on social media , and while it isn ’ t the only music entrenched with violent themes , it seems to dominate mainstream media headlines .
While artists such as Chief Keef , King Louie , Katie Got Bandz , G Herbo and Lil Durk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , slain drill rapper Pacman is considered to be the innovator of the subgenre .
“ People don ’ t know the founder of drill and if you heard that music , you wouldn ’ t know it ’ s drill , ” said King Louie , a Grammy-nominated songwriter for Kanye West ’ s 2013 single “ New Slaves , ” when referring to Pacman .
“ Most people who talk about drill , 90 percent of those people don ’ t know Pacman , so it ’ s like thinking that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the subgenre coincides with the interest by right-wing media pundits and elected officials in Chicago violence .
When Chicago rapper FBG Duck was murdered on the Gold Coast in August , the content of his music — wherein self-proclaimed gang faction ties and threatening adversaries are prevalent — spurred Chicago police to warn citizens of a “ high probability of retaliatory gang violence ” in South Side police districts .
“ There is an incredibly dark cloud that also is backed up by handcuffs and jail cells , ” said sociologist Forrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Bullet : Gangs , Drill Music , and the Power of Online Infamy.
” “ Drill has become the latest ‘ folk devil ’ in the city .
...
It ’ s just the latest in a long line of codes that allow policymakers and officials to look the other way like the kinds of structural issues that we know are hamstringing Black communities.
” In the book , Stuart cites a University of Chicago study that says Black teens create more online content than any other racial group .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 5 percent of workers at Facebook , Instagram and Twitter are Black .
Drill also crosses paths with hip-hop ’ s “ Blog Era ’ — period where local artists such as The Cool Kids and Kidz in the Hall made names for themselves by releasing new content via music blogs instead of relying on music industry gatekeepers , along with rappers with strong , national DIY followings such as Wiz Khalifa , Mac Miller , Curren $ y , and Gary , Indiana , native Freddie Gibbs , among others .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ had all these videos with millions of plays , and all this notoriety and songs and mixtapes getting downloaded , ” said Andrew Barber , owner/creator of “ Fake Shore Drive , ” a Chicago music blog .
“ But none of it counted toward the new certifications that the RIAA has in place or the Billboard charts.
” Due to the subgenre ’ s reputation , many record companies refused to sign drill artists ; their music was banned by venues .
“ I just thought you need to have these ridiculous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later in life I find out that was just a Black thing , or a risk assessment type of thing , even though there was never a risk , ” said concert promoter and Complex Studios co-founder Marques “ Merk ” Elliston , who says he partnered with Hologram USA to have Chief Keef ’ s hologram perform at a Hammond , Indiana , venue before local police shut it down citing safety issues .
“ That ’ s why you see the lack of remorse for a lot of these people [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears , some of the genre ’ s artists are opting to move away from the drama .
“ It was a part of our lives ; we saw it as normal , ” said Bronzeville native Sasha Go Hard , who is featured in the theme song for the Comedy Central series “ South Side.
” “ It became a trend to start dissing people .
… These are not just songs that people are making ; it ’ s really happening .
It was easy for me to branch away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by touring overseas and making EDM songs.
” The current group of artists echo Sasha ’ s sentiments through another offshoot of the subgenre called “ Melodic Drill , ” made popular by chart-topping Cabrini Green native Polo G , who left the city because of the notoriety — positive and negative — the music brings .
“ I just wanted to get away from the city , ” Polo G told the Sun-Times in an interview earlier this year .
“ I just know that ...
I ’ ll always love is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you can get in a lot of trouble … especially someone of my caliber ; you ’ re bound to get into something .
… I feel like everything happens for a reason , so I don ’ t necessarily regret it.
” Despite the subgenre ’ s faults , it ’ s legacy looms large as drill is now utilized by New York and British rap artists .
And in a similar twist of fate , New York ’ s drill scene has drawn the ire of local law enforcement who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting them pulled from concert/festival lineups .
“ I think Chicago drill will always have a dark cloud over it no matter what just because of the history and things continuing to happen , ” said Barber .
“ As far as on an industry level , people have always asked me why has New York ’ s [ drill scene ] blown up , but it doesn ’ t get the same criticism as Chicago or London ?
” During the Los Angeles Lakers ’ post-championship celebration , Chief Keef ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the soundtrack ( the video has 33 million YouTube views to date ) ; the Englewood native released the track after he was dropped from Interscope Records .
In September , a photo of a London-based mural of Chief Keef was seen on social media , where local hip-hop fans view that as a reminder of the reasons why he isn ’ t allowed to perform in his home city , relegated to performing virtual concerts — pandemic or not .

When Chicago rapper King Von, 26, was killed in a shootout in front of an Atlanta nightclub Friday after his album release party, he became the latest cautionary tale of drill, a hip-hop subgenre known for dark and violent lyrics.
The number of murders connected to it often play out on social media, and while it isn’t the only musical style entrenched with violent themes, it seems to dominate mainstream media headlines.
While artists such as Chief Keef, King Louie, Katie Got Bandz, G Herbo and Lil Durk are readily known by music fans, slain drill rapper Pacman is considered to be the innovator of the subgenre.
“People don’t know the founder of drill and, if you heard that music, you wouldn’t know it’s drill,” said King Louie, a Grammy-nominated songwriter for Kanye West’s 2013 single “New Slaves,” when referring to Pacman. “Most people who talk about drill, 90 percent of those people don’t know Pacman, so it’s like thinking that Christopher Columbus discovered America.”
The rise of the subgenre coincides with the interest by right-wing media pundits and elected officials in Chicago violence. When Chicago rapper FBG Duck was murdered on the Gold Coast in August, the content of his music — wherein self-proclaimed gang faction ties and threats toward adversaries are prevalent — spurred Chicago police to warn citizens of a “high probability of retaliatory gang violence” in South Side police districts.
Rapper King Von, from Chicago, was killed Friday in Atlanta. Audible Treats
“There is an incredibly dark cloud that also is backed up by handcuffs and jail cells,” said sociologist Forrest Stuart, the author of “Ballad of the Bullet: Gangs, Drill Music, and the Power of Online Infamy.” “Drill has become the latest ‘folk devil’ in the city. ... It’s just the latest in a long line of codes that allow policymakers and officials to look the other way like the kinds of structural issues that we know are hamstringing Black communities.”
In the book, Stuart cites a University of Chicago study that says Black teens create more online content than any other racial group. In February, the Sun-Times reported that less than 5 percent of workers at Facebook, Instagram and Twitter are Black.
Drill also crosses paths with hip-hop’s “Blog Era’ — a period where local artists such as The Cool Kids and Kidz in the Hall made names for themselves by releasing new content via music blogs instead of relying on music industry gatekeepers, along with rappers with strong, national DIY followings such as Wiz Khalifa, Mac Miller, Curren$y, and Gary, Indiana, native Freddie Gibbs, among others.
“These guys all blew up and had all these videos with millions of plays, and all this notoriety and songs and mixtapes getting downloaded,” said Andrew Barber, owner-creator of “Fake Shore Drive,” a Chicago music blog. “But none of it counted toward the new certifications that the RIAA has in place or the Billboard charts.”
Due to the subgenre’s reputation, many record companies refused to sign drill artists; their music was banned by venues.
“I just thought you need to have these ridiculous bar guarantees and rental fees, and later in life I find out that was just a Black thing, or a risk assessment type of thing, even though there was never a risk,” said concert promoter and Complex Studios co-founder Marques “Merk” Elliston, who says he partnered with Hologram USA to have Chief Keef’s hologram perform at a Hammond, Indiana, venue before local police shut it down citing safety issues. “That’s why you see the lack of remorse for a lot of these people [struggling to keep venues alive].”
Due to those fears, some of the genre’s artists are opting to move away from the drama.
“It was a part of our lives; we saw it as normal,” said Bronzeville native Sasha Go Hard, who is featured in the theme song for the Comedy Central series “South Side.” “It became a trend to start dissing people. … These are not just songs that people are making; it’s really happening. It was easy for me to branch away from drill. I went a different route by touring overseas and making EDM songs.”
Chicago artist Sasha Go Hard says she branched away from drill music. Mike Jue/Provided Photo
The current group of artists echoes Sasha’s sentiments through another offshoot of the subgenre called “Melodic Drill,” made popular by chart-topping Cabrini-Green native Polo G, who left the city because of the notoriety — positive and negative — the music brings.
“I just wanted to get away from the city,” Polo G told the Sun-Times in an interview earlier this year. “I just know that ... I’ll always love my hometown, but I just know that you can get in a lot of trouble … especially someone of my caliber; you’re bound to get into something. … I feel like everything happens for a reason, so I don’t necessarily regret it.”
Despite the subgenre’s faults, its legacy looms large as drill is now utilized by New York and British rap artists. And in a similar twist of fate, New York’s drill scene has drawn the ire of local law enforcement who’ve shut down its shows by getting them pulled from concert/festival lineups.
“I think Chicago drill will always have a dark cloud over it no matter what just because of the history and things continuing to happen,” said Barber. “As far as on an industry level, people have always asked me why has New York’s [drill scene] blown up, but it doesn’t get the same criticism as Chicago or London.”
During the Los Angeles Lakers’ post-championship celebration, Chief Keef’s 2014 track “Faneto” was a part of the soundtrack (the video has 33 million YouTube views to date); the Englewood native released the track after he was dropped from Interscope Records.
In September, a photo of a London-based mural of Chief Keef was seen on social media, where local hip-hop fans view that as a reminder that he isn’t allowed to perform in his home city and is relegated to performing virtual concerts — pandemic or not.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-06--Illinois Dems lost big because of Mike Madigan, and it could get worse if he remains in power

Illinois Democrats were hoping for some big election night wins last week , but now everything has devolved into finger-pointing chaos .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s graduated income tax proposal was in some doubt for a while .
The governor ’ s campaign chose not to advertise early because of the delicacies of politics during a pandemic , so they passed up a chance at total dominance of the playing field during crucial months .
When billionaire Ken Griffin finally decided to weigh in against it , the proponents had lost the crucial advantage of time to drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ anti ” message was strong and relatable : Don ’ t trust Illinois politicians to do the right thing .
The proponents ’ much less focused message simply had no chance .
The ballot measure was losing as of Nov. 6 by almost 10 percentage points and about 500,000 votes .
A narrow loss would ’ ve been one thing .
But after voters overwhelmingly rejected taxing a relatively few upper-income people , it ’ s going to be hugely difficult to convince Democratic state legislators to make up for those billions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s flat tax on everyone .
Without the money generated by a graduated income tax , Gov .
Pritzker ’ s fallback was the hope that Joe Biden would win the White House and the Democrats would take control of the U.S. Senate and give big bucks to the states .
As I write this , Democratic control of the Senate appears in doubt .
So , if Pritzker can ’ t raise taxes and he can ’ t get a federal bailout , that leaves a $ 5 billion Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make room for those payments will be to slash an already bare-bones budget to the marrow or consider shafting the public employee unions and “ reform ” pensions .
Pritzker is most definitely not in a good place .
He put literally everything on this tax vote and he came up way short .
A big loss like that can easily devastate legislative confidence in a governor .
As I ’ ve said for years , this business is a protection racket .
You earn support by proving you can protect your fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s billions , his big win two years ago over an incumbent governor and broad public support for his handling of the pandemic , he did not hold up his end on this one .
That brings us to soon-to-be-former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride , who conceded defeat in his retention bid .
The opposition ’ s message , also mainly funded by Ken Griffin , was brisk and simple : A vote against Kilbride is a vote against Madigan .
We ’ re to the point where I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madigan ” means House Speaker Michael Madigan .
Everybody knows who he is and most despise him , so the attack worked like a charm in that Downstate , blue-collar district .
Like Pritzker , Kilbride did not have an effective counter-argument .
Kilbride fell way short of the votes he needed to be retained .
One of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin ’ s favored Democratic congressional candidates , Betsy Dirksen Londrigan , was handily defeated last week after narrowly losing to U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis two years before .
The ads run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Madigan.
” And while the Griffin-funded effort to defeat the Fair Tax didn ’ t mention Madigan in their TV spots , they did use Madigan in direct mail and people generally hate Madigan so much that it ’ s probably not a huge leap to say he ’ s why the “ Don ’ t trust ‘ em ” approach worked so well .
In disgust , the governor and U.S. Sens .
Durbin and Tammy Duckworth all threw Madigan under the bus after the election ended , calling on him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic Party .
Duckworth even suggested he should no longer be House Speaker .
But if you zoom out for a moment , you ’ ll see that congressional Democrats failed to meet expectations all over the country last week and a massive national push to elect more Democratic state legislators crashed and burned .
On election night , Madigan appeared to have lost two House seats to the Republicans when expectations were that he ’ d pick up several , but that might change for the better when all the votes are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ Madigan ” message appears to have worked and it ’ s probably only going to get worse for the Democrats if he remains in power .
But that doesn ’ t let the governor , Durbin and Kilbride off the hook .
And a much better than expected performance by President Donald Trump in Illinois combined with a national trend that defied expectations were also involved .
In other words , simple explanations are usually neither .

Illinois Democrats were hoping for some big election night wins last week, but now everything has devolved into finger-pointing chaos.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s graduated income tax proposal was in some doubt for a while. The governor’s campaign chose not to advertise early because of the delicacies of politics during a pandemic, so they passed up a chance at total dominance of the playing field during crucial months.
When billionaire Ken Griffin finally decided to weigh in against it, the proponents had lost the crucial advantage of time to drive their message home unfettered. And the “anti” message was strong and relatable: Don’t trust Illinois politicians to do the right thing. The proponents’ much less focused message simply had no chance.
The ballot measure was losing as of Nov. 6 by almost 10 percentage points and about 500,000 votes.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
A narrow loss would’ve been one thing. But after voters overwhelmingly rejected taxing a relatively few upper-income people, it’s going to be hugely difficult to convince Democratic state legislators to make up for those billions in lost revenues by increasing the state’s flat tax on everyone.
Without the money generated by a graduated income tax, Gov. Pritzker’s fallback was the hope that Joe Biden would win the White House and the Democrats would take control of the U.S. Senate and give big bucks to the states. As I write this, Democratic control of the Senate appears in doubt.
So, if Pritzker can’t raise taxes and he can’t get a federal bailout, that leaves a $5 billion Federal Reserve loan, and the only way to make room for those payments will be to slash an already bare-bones budget to the marrow or consider shafting the public employee unions and “reform” pensions.
Pritzker is most definitely not in a good place. He put literally everything on this tax vote and he came up way short.
A big loss like that can easily devastate legislative confidence in a governor. As I’ve said for years, this business is a protection racket. You earn support by proving you can protect your fellow politicians’ interests. Despite Pritzker’s billions, his big win two years ago over an incumbent governor and broad public support for his handling of the pandemic, he did not hold up his end on this one.
That brings us to soon-to-be-former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Tom Kilbride, who conceded defeat in his retention bid. The opposition’s message, also mainly funded by Ken Griffin, was brisk and simple: A vote against Kilbride is a vote against Madigan.
We’re to the point where I don’t even have to explain that “Madigan” means House Speaker Michael Madigan. Everybody knows who he is and most despise him, so the attack worked like a charm in that Downstate, blue-collar district.
Like Pritzker, Kilbride did not have an effective counter-argument. Kilbride fell way short of the votes he needed to be retained.
One of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s favored Democratic congressional candidates, Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, was handily defeated last week after narrowly losing to U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis two years before. The ads run by Davis and his allies constantly featured “Madigan.”
And while the Griffin-funded effort to defeat the Fair Tax didn’t mention Madigan in their TV spots, they did use Madigan in direct mail and people generally hate Madigan so much that it’s probably not a huge leap to say he’s why the “Don’t trust ‘em” approach worked so well.
In disgust, the governor and U.S. Sens. Durbin and Tammy Duckworth all threw Madigan under the bus after the election ended, calling on him to quit the chairmanship of the state Democratic Party. Duckworth even suggested he should no longer be House Speaker.
But if you zoom out for a moment, you’ll see that congressional Democrats failed to meet expectations all over the country last week and a massive national push to elect more Democratic state legislators crashed and burned.
On election night, Madigan appeared to have lost two House seats to the Republicans when expectations were that he’d pick up several, but that might change for the better when all the votes are finally counted.
The bottom line is the “Madigan” message appears to have worked and it’s probably only going to get worse for the Democrats if he remains in power.
But that doesn’t let the governor, Durbin and Kilbride off the hook. And a much better than expected performance by President Donald Trump in Illinois combined with a national trend that defied expectations were also involved.
In other words, simple explanations are usually neither.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--Ranking the Blackhawks’ top 10 prospects entering the 2021 season

The Blackhawks ’ prospect pool has developed into one of the deeper groups in the league over recent years .
And with the team now committing to youth at the NHL level more than ever , the quality of that pool now seems more important than ever .
These rankings update last year ’ s midseason rankings , with 2020 draft picks and signings added in .
The order is determined partially by NHL readiness and partially by upside .
Mitchell easily topped the list at midseason , and he easily tops it again now .
The only change is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry-level contract and has been penciled in as — at long last — a top-four defenseman for the Hawks this coming season , to great fanfare .
The Hawks ’ 17th overall pick in this coming draft is two or three years away from NHL readiness , but his extremely high potential pushes him to No .
2 in his rankings debut .
Reichel ’ s hockey intelligence and two-way reliability stand out as the biggest positives in his game .
Kurashev hasn ’ t gotten a lot of attention nationally yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a top-nine playmaker in the NHL soon .
His offensive skills are crafty at worst and dazzling at best .
He ’ s excelled on loan in the Swiss league this fall .
While Hagel will never be a star , but tireless work ethic has made him a favorite of the Hawks ’ front office .
He led Rockford in scoring last season .
“ He ’ s got that motor and that engine that we ’ re trying to get everybody to play with , ” general manager Stan Bowman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jump from Penn State to the AHL after signing his entry-level contract in the spring .
His skating is a weakness , but his vision , creativity and soft hands more than make up for it .
Kalynuk was a fantastic skater and leader at Wisconsin , and he ’ ll be a strong contender for one of the NHL jobs available in training camp .
Beaudin had an up-and-down rookie year in the AHL , not entirely living up to expectations as a former first-round selection , but he improved as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the March 12 “ coronavirus game.
” Carlsson flew under the radar for over a year in Rockford before emerging as a reliable NHL fill-in option in February .
He now projects as a reliable second- or third-pairing guy .
Teply ’ s stock skyrocketed in 2019-20 as he used his 6-foot-3 frame to score 63 points in 53 games with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL .
He ’ s on loan to a Czech team now , and could stay in the Czech Republic , return to Winnipeg or be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade return for Brendan Perlini last November , Regula played so well in July training camp that he was brought to the bubble with the Hawks .
The sample size is small , but Regula looks like a steal so far .
Other prospects to watch : Alex Vlasic ( D , 19 ) ; MacKenzie Entwistle ( W , 21 ) ; Antti Saarela ( C , 19 ) ; Drew Commesso ( G , 18 )

The Blackhawks’ prospect pool has developed into one of the deeper groups in the league over recent years.
And with the team now committing to youth at the NHL level more than ever, the quality of that pool now seems more important than ever.
These rankings update last year’s midseason rankings, with 2020 draft picks and signings added in. The order is determined partially by NHL readiness and partially by upside.
No. 1: Ian Mitchell, defenseman, age 21
Previous Ranking: No. 1
Projected 2021 team: Blackhawks
Mitchell easily topped the list at midseason, and he easily tops it again now.
The only change is that he’s since signed his entry-level contract and has been penciled in as — at long last — a top-four defenseman for the Hawks this coming season, to great fanfare.
No. 2: Lukas Reichel, wing, age 18
Previous Ranking: N/A
Projected 2021 team: Eisbaren Berlin (Germany)
The Hawks’ 17th overall pick in this coming draft is two or three years away from NHL readiness, but his extremely high potential pushes him to No. 2 in his rankings debut.
Reichel’s hockey intelligence and two-way reliability stand out as the biggest positives in his game.
No. 3: Philipp Kurashev, center, age 21
Previous Ranking: No. 2
Projected 2021 team: Blackhawks
Kurashev hasn’t gotten a lot of attention nationally yet, but he displays all the tools to become a top-nine playmaker in the NHL soon.
His offensive skills are crafty at worst and dazzling at best. He’s excelled on loan in the Swiss league this fall.
No. 4: Brandon Hagel, wing, age 22
Previous Ranking: No. 4
Projected 2021 team: Blackhawks
While Hagel will never be a star, but tireless work ethic has made him a favorite of the Hawks’ front office. He led Rockford in scoring last season.
“He’s got that motor and that engine that we’re trying to get everybody to play with,” general manager Stan Bowman said recently.
No. 5: Evan Barratt, center, age 21
Previous Ranking: No. 7
Projected 2021 team: Rockford (AHL)
Barratt will make the jump from Penn State to the AHL after signing his entry-level contract in the spring. His skating is a weakness, but his vision, creativity and soft hands more than make up for it.
No. 6: Wyatt Kalynuk, defenseman, age 23
Previous Ranking: N/A
Projected 2021 team: Blackhawks
Kalynuk was a fantastic skater and leader at Wisconsin, and he’ll be a strong contender for one of the NHL jobs available in training camp.
No. 7: Nicolas Beaudin, defenseman, age 21
Previous Ranking: No. 3
Projected 2021 team: Rockford (AHL)
Beaudin had an up-and-down rookie year in the AHL, not entirely living up to expectations as a former first-round selection, but he improved as it went on and made his NHL debut in the March 12 “coronavirus game.”
No. 8: Lucas Carlsson, defenseman, age 23
Previous Ranking: Excluded
Projected 2021 team: Blackhawks
Carlsson flew under the radar for over a year in Rockford before emerging as a reliable NHL fill-in option in February. He now projects as a reliable second- or third-pairing guy.
No. 9: Michal Teply, wing, age 19
Previous Ranking: No. 5
Projected 2021 team: Rockford (AHL)
Teply’s stock skyrocketed in 2019-20 as he used his 6-foot-3 frame to score 63 points in 53 games with the Winnipeg Ice of the WHL. He’s on loan to a Czech team now, and could stay in the Czech Republic, return to Winnipeg or be assigned to Rockford in 2021.
No. 10: Alec Regula, defenseman, age 20
Previous Ranking: Outside top 10
Projected 2021 team: Rockford (AHL)
The trade return for Brendan Perlini last November, Regula played so well in July training camp that he was brought to the bubble with the Hawks. The sample size is small, but Regula looks like a steal so far.
Other prospects to watch: Alex Vlasic (D, 19); MacKenzie Entwistle (W, 21); Antti Saarela (C, 19); Drew Commesso (G, 18)


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--Dear Abby: I tell boyfriend I need courtesy and attention, and he gives me gifts instead

DEAR ABBY : My man of three years and I are at a crossroads .
He has gone from my boyfriend , to fiance , back to boyfriend , to friend , to “ I don ’ t know what he is now.
” He showers me with gifts and material things , which really don ’ t mean a lot to me .
I thank him often for the things he does , and I reciprocate them .
What matters more to me are simple gestures like checking to make sure I get home safely , accepting and acknowledging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Day , asking how my day was , taking me out from time to time instead of always saying he doesn ’ t want to go .
I have explained to him time and time again how I want to be treated , but it goes in one ear and out the other .
I have given him chance after chance to get it right , to no avail .
I am tired of this .
It ’ s like we ’ re speaking different languages .
Is it time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN ALABAMA DEAR IMPATIENT : Yes , it is .
If , after three years , your man still hasn ’ t gotten the message that material things are unimportant to you , and being treated with consideration is paramount , then it isn ’ t GOING to happen .
He isn ’ t the man for you .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m a 34-year-old female who still lives with her dad .
When I start a job search , he says things like , “ You ’ ve got your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be fine !
” or , “ You ’ re a hard worker ; you ’ ve got this job in the bag !
” Then my hopes are raised , only to be dashed when the rejection letters arrive , which makes me feel angry and useless .
It also doesn ’ t help my confidence when Dad says things like , “ You ’ ll never be able to afford an apartment , ” or , “ Best you just stay here in town and get a job.
” I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and actually live on my own .
How do I rise above my dad ’ s expectations of me ?
— FEELING STUCK IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR FEELING STUCK : It will happen as soon as you stop allowing your father ’ s expectations — whether positive or negative — to affect you .
Because of the economy , many people , through no fault of their own , live in multigenerational households .
The impact on them has been emotional as well as financial .
If you can ’ t find a job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s available .
Your future will work itself out as the economy improves , and while you may not have your dream job right now , the one you desire can still happen , so don ’ t give up .
DEAR ABBY : My mother has been visiting family members ’ graves each year for many years .
In the past she placed cut flowers on the graves , but recently she has begun leaving live potted flowers .
What I learned recently is , the day after a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cemetery , remove them and take them home .
When I asked her why , her response was , “ If I don ’ t take them , someone else will.
” Am I wrong to think this is odd , or is this now a common practice I am not aware of ?
— UNUSUAL IN THE WEST DEAR UNUSUAL : I checked with two cemeteries here in Los Angeles where I reside and asked if what your mother has been doing is common practice .
Both said they had never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flowers are removed weekly from the graves after they wilt ; potted plants are allowed to remain for the family to maintain when they visit .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: My man of three years and I are at a crossroads. He has gone from my boyfriend, to fiance, back to boyfriend, to friend, to “I don’t know what he is now.” He showers me with gifts and material things, which really don’t mean a lot to me. I thank him often for the things he does, and I reciprocate them.
What matters more to me are simple gestures like checking to make sure I get home safely, accepting and acknowledging my friends, acknowledging me on Mother’s Day, asking how my day was, taking me out from time to time instead of always saying he doesn’t want to go.
I have explained to him time and time again how I want to be treated, but it goes in one ear and out the other. I have given him chance after chance to get it right, to no avail. I am tired of this. It’s like we’re speaking different languages. Is it time for me to move on? — IMPATIENT IN ALABAMA
DEAR IMPATIENT: Yes, it is. If, after three years, your man still hasn’t gotten the message that material things are unimportant to you, and being treated with consideration is paramount, then it isn’t GOING to happen. He isn’t the man for you.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 34-year-old female who still lives with her dad. When I start a job search, he says things like, “You’ve got your bachelor’s degree; you’ll be fine!” or, “You’re a hard worker; you’ve got this job in the bag!” Then my hopes are raised, only to be dashed when the rejection letters arrive, which makes me feel angry and useless.
It also doesn’t help my confidence when Dad says things like, “You’ll never be able to afford an apartment,” or, “Best you just stay here in town and get a job.” I would like to leave this town someday and actually live on my own. How do I rise above my dad’s expectations of me? — FEELING STUCK IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR FEELING STUCK: It will happen as soon as you stop allowing your father’s expectations — whether positive or negative — to affect you. Because of the economy, many people, through no fault of their own, live in multigenerational households. The impact on them has been emotional as well as financial. If you can’t find a job in your ideal profession, take something that’s available. Your future will work itself out as the economy improves, and while you may not have your dream job right now, the one you desire can still happen, so don’t give up.
DEAR ABBY: My mother has been visiting family members’ graves each year for many years. In the past she placed cut flowers on the graves, but recently she has begun leaving live potted flowers. What I learned recently is, the day after a major holiday she and her friend return to the cemetery, remove them and take them home. When I asked her why, her response was, “If I don’t take them, someone else will.” Am I wrong to think this is odd, or is this now a common practice I am not aware of? — UNUSUAL IN THE WEST
DEAR UNUSUAL: I checked with two cemeteries here in Los Angeles where I reside and asked if what your mother has been doing is common practice. Both said they had never heard of such a thing. Cut flowers are removed weekly from the graves after they wilt; potted plants are allowed to remain for the family to maintain when they visit.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--Matt Nagy’s best option: Keep it simple

Matt Nagy’s best option: Keep it simple

It was probably just coach Matt Nagy ’ s bad luck that Mitch Trubisky suffered a shoulder injury on his one and only play as a wildcat quarterback last Sunday against the Saints .
Stuff happens .
But it was a bad look for a coach still struggling to establish an offense halfway through his third season , eliciting a not-unfamiliar admonishment for Nagy : Don ’ t get too cute .
Nagy presumably was mimicking Saints coach Sean Payton ’ s use of Taysom Hill earlier in the game .
But it only served to illustrate a key lesson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , then get cute .
Payton effectively uses Hill as a change-of-pace quarterback because he already has a functioning , efficient offense on virtual automatic pilot with Drew Brees at the controls .
Gadget plays and gadget players don ’ t make a bad offense good ; they make good offenses better .
Tarik Cohen ’ s effectiveness withered as Nagy ’ s offense regressed .
Cordarrelle Patterson , a valuable weapon as a running back with the Patriots , is increasingly miscast in Nagy ’ s offense .
He has rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 2.9 yards per carry .
The few times Nagy has tried to throw in a curve , it hasn ’ t worked .
Darnell Mooney ’ s only rush this season lost three yards against the Colts .
Allen Robinson ’ s only rush , a jet sweep against the Lions , lost one yard .
The flea-flicker against the Panthers was a bust .
Not only was receiver Javon Wims well-covered , but quarterback Nick Foles ended up taking a hit as he threw .
The Bears were bailed out on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pass interference — an almost ironic benefit , considering the flea-flicker is designed to produce a wide-open receiver .
By being so poorly executed , it actually worked out .
Nagy just can ’ t help himself .
Fun , inventive plays are in his football DNA .
But with the current state of the Bears ’ offense , he ’ s probably better off doing just the opposite of his preferred M.O .
and keeping it simple .
Establish a blocking-back-oriented running game and a standard offense that keeps defenses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the defense zags .
Is it even possible for Nagy to do that ?
There ’ s no better time to try than Sunday again the Titans .
With a makeshift offensive line that will feature three backups with little or no NFL experience ( likely rookie Arlington Hambright at left guard , undrafted free agent Alex Bars at center and converted defensive tackle Rashaad Coward at right tackle ) , Nagy might have no choice but to keep it simple .
Maybe that will give the Bears ’ offense a foundation it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot .
In 2000 , another Bears offense was in a similar regression under offensive coordinator Gary Crowton — too dependent on timing , nuance and perfect execution .
When Crowton left to become the coach at BYU after a 28-6 loss to the Packers , John Shoop took over .
The Bears ran the ball 39 times and dominated time of possession ( 37:10-22:50 ) in a 24-17 victory against Bill Belichick ’ s Patriots .
It was like a breath of fresh air .
The players gave Shoop the game ball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them to play fast is something we ’ ll do , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ If there ’ s something that ’ s too much , then we can ’ t do that .
That ’ s where it ’ s question-and-answer from us with the players .
‘ ‘ [ Friday ] was a long day for us because we had to catch up with some of our other stuff that we missed [ Thursday ] .
But they did a really good job mentally in all three phases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as much as we can so that we can play fast and play better .
’ ’

It was probably just coach Matt Nagy’s bad luck that Mitch Trubisky suffered a shoulder injury on his one and only play as a wildcat quarterback last Sunday against the Saints. Stuff happens.
But it was a bad look for a coach still struggling to establish an offense halfway through his third season, eliciting a not-unfamiliar admonishment for Nagy: Don’t get too cute.
Nagy presumably was mimicking Saints coach Sean Payton’s use of Taysom Hill earlier in the game. But it only served to illustrate a key lesson Nagy struggles with: Build an offense first, then get cute. Payton effectively uses Hill as a change-of-pace quarterback because he already has a functioning, efficient offense on virtual automatic pilot with Drew Brees at the controls.
Gadget plays and gadget players don’t make a bad offense good; they make good offenses better. Tarik Cohen’s effectiveness withered as Nagy’s offense regressed. Cordarrelle Patterson, a valuable weapon as a running back with the Patriots, is increasingly miscast in Nagy’s offense. He has rushed for 75 yards on 26 carries, just 2.9 yards per carry.
The few times Nagy has tried to throw in a curve, it hasn’t worked. Darnell Mooney’s only rush this season lost three yards against the Colts. Allen Robinson’s only rush, a jet sweep against the Lions, lost one yard.
The flea-flicker against the Panthers was a bust. Not only was receiver Javon Wims well-covered, but quarterback Nick Foles ended up taking a hit as he threw. The Bears were bailed out on the play when the Panthers were called for pass interference — an almost ironic benefit, considering the flea-flicker is designed to produce a wide-open receiver. By being so poorly executed, it actually worked out.
(The flea-flicker worked out much better for Foles in the NFC Championship Game with the Eagles in January 2018, resulting in a 41-yard touchdown pass to Torrey Smith in a 38-7 rout of the Vikings. But that was a good offense in a playoff groove.)
Nagy just can’t help himself. Fun, inventive plays are in his football DNA. But with the current state of the Bears’ offense, he’s probably better off doing just the opposite of his preferred M.O. and keeping it simple. Establish a blocking-back-oriented running game and a standard offense that keeps defenses on their heels, then start zigging when the defense zags.
Is it even possible for Nagy to do that? There’s no better time to try than Sunday again the Titans. With a makeshift offensive line that will feature three backups with little or no NFL experience (likely rookie Arlington Hambright at left guard, undrafted free agent Alex Bars at center and converted defensive tackle Rashaad Coward at right tackle), Nagy might have no choice but to keep it simple. Maybe that will give the Bears’ offense a foundation it needs.
It’s worth a shot. In 2000, another Bears offense was in a similar regression under offensive coordinator Gary Crowton — too dependent on timing, nuance and perfect execution. When Crowton left to become the coach at BYU after a 28-6 loss to the Packers, John Shoop took over. The Bears ran the ball 39 times and dominated time of possession (37:10-22:50) in a 24-17 victory against Bill Belichick’s Patriots. It was like a breath of fresh air. The players gave Shoop the game ball.
‘‘Simplifying things and allowing them to play fast is something we’ll do,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘If there’s something that’s too much, then we can’t do that. That’s where it’s question-and-answer from us with the players.
‘‘[Friday] was a long day for us because we had to catch up with some of our other stuff that we missed [Thursday]. But they did a really good job mentally in all three phases. We’ll continue to simplify as much as we can so that we can play fast and play better.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--14 shot, 2 fatally, in Chicago so far this weekend

Two people have been killed and 12 others have been injured by gunfire across Chicago so far this weekend .
The latest fatal shooting left one man dead and another injured early Saturday in South Shore .
They were found with gunshot wounds about 3:15 a.m. in the 2100 block of East 72nd Place , according to Chicago police .
Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
One man was shot in the abdomen and pronounced dead at the hospital .
His age and identity were not immediately known .
The other man , 32 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and was listed in good condition .
Less than two hours before that , two other men were shot , one of them fatally , in Austin on the West Side .
They were outside with a group at 1:36 a.m. in the 5900 block of West Huron Street when someone fired shots , police said .
A 28-year-old was hit in his head and torso while the other man , 21 , was shot in the chest .
Both were driven to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park .
The older @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the younger man was in fair condition .
The latest nonfatal attack left a 19-year-old man wounded early Saturday in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
He was standing outside about 3:05 a.m. in the 2700 block of South Trumbull Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain , police said .
He then saw two men running down the street .
The man suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder and leg and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition .
About 10 minutes before that , a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austin .
The 22-year-old was shot in the head about 2:55 a.m. while standing outside in the 5400 block of West Cortez Street , police said .
He was transported to Stroger Hospital .
A man was seen running from the scene and placed into custody in the 1100 block of North Lockwood Avenue , according to police .
Officers recovered a weapon from him and he is being questioned by Area Four detectives .
Just over an hour earlier , a man was injured in an exchange of gunfire in the Loop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with another man about 1:45 a.m. inside a building in the 300 block of East Wacker Drive , police said .
The argument turned physical , and after getting out of a building elevator , the two men shot at each other .
The 33-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition .
The other man fled the scene and it is unknown if he was shot .
A weapon was recovered from the wounded man and charges may be pending .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16-year-old boy injured in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
The boy was shot in the foot about 7:30 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of North Harding Avenue , police said .
He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
At least six other people were injured in shootings throughout the city since 5 p.m. Friday .
A week earlier , 29 people were shot in Chicago , four of them fatally , over Halloween weekend .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

Eight people were killed and 35 others, including four teenagers, were injured by gunfire across Chicago over the weekend.
The weekend’s violence surpassed what the city saw a week earlier, when 29 people were shot, four of them fatally, over Halloween weekend.
Homicides
The latest fatal shooting left a man dead early Monday near Midway Airport in Clearing on the Southwest Side.
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert for gunfire about 2 a.m. in the 4700 block of West 59th Street found the 20-year-old unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a car that apparently hit a tree, according to Chicago police. He had a gunshot wound to his face and was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday evening, a man was shot to death and a woman was wounded in Gresham on the South Side.
The attack happened about 6:15 p.m. in the 7800 block of South Carpenter Street. Larry Becton, 24, was struck in the back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Later, a 24-year-old woman walked into the hospital after being shot in the shoulder during the attack, and was listed in good condition.
A 20-year-old man was shot dead Sunday afternoon in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
About 12:15 p.m., Kevon Mitchell was in a vehicle in the 7200 block of South Kedzie Avenue when someone in a dark-colored sedan fired shots, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Mitchell was struck in the body and died about an hour later at a local hospital.
Early Sunday, a 25-year-old man was shot to death in Austin on the West Side.
Lavell Mathis was walking through a vacant lot about 1:10 a.m. in the 4900 block of West Madison Street when a man approached on foot and fired shots, officials said. He suffered gunshot wounds to the abdomen and armpit and was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The shooter fled in a white sedan and is not in custody.
Another man was shot to death Saturday evening in West Rogers Park on the North Side.
About 5:30 p.m., Daniel Zetina, 20, was in a parked vehicle in the 7400 block of North Oakley Avenue when someone walked up and opened fire, authorities said. He was struck in the flank and the arm, and taken to St Francis Hospital, where he died.
One man was killed and another injured in a shooting earlier Saturday in South Shore.
They were found with gunshot wounds about 3:15 a.m. in the 2100 block of East 72nd Place, according to police. Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center. One man was shot in the abdomen and pronounced dead at the hospital. His age and identity were not immediately known. The other man, 32, suffered a gunshot wound to each leg and was listed in good condition.
About 20 minutes earlier, a man was killed in a shooting in Austin.
Tremayne Creighton, 22, was shot in the head about 2:55 a.m. while standing outside in the 5400 block of West Cortez Street, officials said. Creighton was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he died.
Over an hour before that, two more men were shot, one of them fatally, in Austin.
They were outside with a group at 1:36 a.m. in the 5900 block of West Huron Street when someone fired shots, police said. Deangelo Mills, 28, was hit in his head and torso while the other man, 21, was shot in the chest, officials said. Both were driven to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park. Mills died at the hospital, while the younger man was in fair condition.
Teens wounded
Four teenage boys were shot in separate attacks over the weekend. Sunday morning, a 17-year-old was found with a gunshot wound in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side.
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 10 a.m. in the 4400 block of South Campbell Avenue, and found the teen with a gunshot wound to his right leg, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital and is in fair condition.
Earlier that morning, a 15-year-old boy was wounded in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
He was standing on the sidewalk about 2:30 a.m. in the 2700 block of West 25th Street when he heard gunshots and felt pain, police said. He suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder and was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
About two hours before that, another 15-year-old was shot in West Garfield Park on the West Side.
The boy was standing on the front steps of a home about 12:20 a.m. in the 4000 block of West Jackson Boulevard when someone in a black vehicle fired shots, according to police. He suffered a gunshot wound to the left leg and was transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
The weekend’s first shooting left a 16-year-old boy injured in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
The boy was shot in the foot about 7:30 p.m. Friday in the 900 block of North Harding Avenue, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
Loop shootout
Early Saturday morning, a man was injured in an exchange of gunfire in the Loop.
The 33-year-old got into an argument with another man about 1:45 a.m. inside a building in the 300 block of East Wacker Drive, police said. The argument turned physical, and after getting out of a building elevator, the two men shot at each other. The 33-year-old suffered a gunshot wound to the arm and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition. The other man fled the scene and it is unknown if he was shot. A weapon was recovered from the wounded man and charges may be pending.
Other nonfatal attacks
The weekend’s latest attack left one person wounded early Monday on the Eisenhower Expressway on the West Side.
The shooting happened at 3:52 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-290 near Homan Avenue, according to Illinois State Police. One person was taken to a hospital with injuries that weren’t thought to be life threatening.
Two people were wounded in a shooting Saturday evening in West Woodlawn on the South Side.
The shooting happened about 5:55 p.m. in the 400 block of East 63rd Street, Chicago police said. A 31-year-old man was struck in the leg and groin, while a 21-year-old man was shot in the leg. Both men were stabilized at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
About half an hour earlier, two more men were shot in West Lawn on the Southwest Side.
The men, 27 and 30, were crossing the street about 5:20 p.m. in the 6400 block of South Kedvale Avenue when someone in a dark-colored vehicle fired shots at them, police said. The older man was struck in the hand and taken to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was stabilized. The younger man was struck in the back and leg, and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition.
Less than an hour before that, two men were shot in Gresham on the South Side.
The men, 30 and 60, were shot about 4:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of West 79th Street, Chicago police said. The older man was struck in the face, shoulder and arm, and was in serious condition at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The younger man was taken to the same hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, and his condition was stabilized.
At least 20 other people were injured in shootings throughout the city between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--Third-and-wrong: Bears try to fix post-halftime blues

The Bears are the worst third-quarter team in the NFL .
To try to figure out why , the coaching staff has examined every second of the team ’ s 12-minute halftimes .
They ’ ve tried to streamline conversations among coaches — about unscouted looks they ’ ve seen and the plays they have yet to run — to less than five minutes .
They talk quickly to players about their play-calling preferences and what they ’ ve seen so far in the first half .
They ’ ve tweaked their game plans , looking for a spark .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , there ’ s probably some strategy things that we shouldn ’ t say [ publicly ] , ” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said .
“ But then again , they haven ’ t quite come to fruition .
So I guess .
.
.
if we ’ re holding our cards and they ’ re not very good cards , it ’ s not worth holding them.
” The Bears ’ 18 drives in the third quarter this season have resulted in 11 punts , six interceptions , one turnover on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which three plays were needed to gain the final yard .
“ It ’ s not been good , ” Lazor said .
“ We thought when we scored that touchdown that that would , like , burst the bubble , and it [ hasn ’ t ] gone away.
” If anything , the Bears ’ performance has gotten worse .
And if history is any indication , their third quarter Sunday against the Titans will be brutal , too .
In the third quarter of their eight games this season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.9 points .
No other team has averaged less than the Giants ’ 2.4 .
Eleven teams average more than five points .
• Thrown a league-worst six interceptions .
Only one other team has more than three .
• Turned the ball over on 5.8 % of their plays , worst in the NFL .
• Converted a first down just 21.4 % of the time .
Only the winless Jets have a lower percentage .
• Punted seven times .
Only the Jets have punted more .
• Scored just one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that distinction .
“ We ’ ve just got to continue to keep fighting and doing whatever we can , ” coach Matt Nagy said .
“ But also focus on it.
” It starts with the first possession of the half — a problem the Bears experienced last year not in the third quarter but the first .
Through the first eight games of 2019 , they punted seven times and scored one touchdown on their first drive of the game , averaging 3.24 yards .
The assistants are different this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tight ends coach and offensive line coach — but Nagy is the constant .
And his problem has shifted to the first drive of the third quarter .
Throw out their initial second-half drives against the Lions and Panthers — a combined 56 yards on 11 plays , with two punts — and the Bears would be better off just punting on the first play of the third quarter .
In the other six games , they ran 19 plays on the initial drive after the half , totaling just five yards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing is just going in at halftime and talking through things , and it ’ s making sure we ’ re ready to roll going into the third quarter , ” quarterback Nick Foles said .
“ And that ’ s something we can work through and get right .
But once again , it goes back to trusting one another to get it right .
“ The third quarter has been a lull for us throughout the season.
” In Week 2 , quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw an interception on the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did it on the third play of the second half the next week , he was benched for Foles .
Two weeks ago against the Rams , Ted Ginn Jr. — who has since been cut — let a punt drop and roll to the 1 .
The Bears ran the ball twice , committed a penalty that was declined and missed a deep shot to Darnell Mooney down the left sideline .
Last Sunday , they ran five plays and gained zero yards , thanks to two flags , before punting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Penalties [ have ] really derailed many of our drives , ” receiver Allen Robinson said .
“ We ’ re getting close to the 50-yard line , something like that , third-and-four , third-and-five , we get a delay-of-game or a false start or whatever penalty , and now it ’ s third-and-11 .
Things like that really take the momentum out of your drive.
” Nagy also pointed out the flags .
“ When you have those , it hurts , ” he said .
“ Because not only does it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just hurts your rhythm .
If we can just stay away from penalties and stay ahead of the chains , it will really do us wonders.
” It runs deeper than just penalties , though .
“ You can ’ t just throw [ the problem ] to the side , ” Nagy said .
“ You ’ ve got to realize that we ’ re not good in the third quarter — so how do we get better ?
”

The Bears are the worst third-quarter team in the NFL.
To try to figure out why, the coaching staff has examined every second of the team’s 12-minute halftimes. They’ve tried to streamline conversations among coaches — about unscouted looks they’ve seen and the plays they have yet to run — to less than five minutes. They talk quickly to players about their play-calling preferences and what they’ve seen so far in the first half.
They’ve tweaked their game plans, looking for a spark.
“I think when we talk about it, there’s probably some strategy things that we shouldn’t say [publicly],” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said. “But then again, they haven’t quite come to fruition. So I guess . . . if we’re holding our cards and they’re not very good cards, it’s not worth holding them.”
The Bears’ 18 drives in the third quarter this season have resulted in 11 punts, six interceptions, one turnover on downs and one touchdown against the Panthers in which three plays were needed to gain the final yard.
“It’s not been good,” Lazor said. “We thought when we scored that touchdown that that would, like, burst the bubble, and it [hasn’t] gone away.”
If anything, the Bears’ performance has gotten worse. And if history is any indication, their third quarter Sunday against the Titans will be brutal, too.
In the third quarter of their eight games this season, the Bears have:
• Averaged 0.9 points. No other team has averaged less than the Giants’ 2.4. Eleven teams average more than five points.
• Thrown a league-worst six interceptions. Only one other team has more than three.
• Turned the ball over on 5.8% of their plays, worst in the NFL.
• Converted a first down just 21.4% of the time. Only the winless Jets have a lower percentage.
• Punted seven times. Only the Jets have punted more.
• Scored just one touchdown. Only two other teams have that distinction.
“We’ve just got to continue to keep fighting and doing whatever we can,” coach Matt Nagy said. “But also focus on it.”
It starts with the first possession of the half — a problem the Bears experienced last year not in the third quarter but the first. Through the first eight games of 2019, they punted seven times and scored one touchdown on their first drive of the game, averaging 3.24 yards.
The assistants are different this year — a new coordinator, quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach and offensive line coach — but Nagy is the constant. And his problem has shifted to the first drive of the third quarter.
Throw out their initial second-half drives against the Lions and Panthers — a combined 56 yards on 11 plays, with two punts — and the Bears would be better off just punting on the first play of the third quarter. In the other six games, they ran 19 plays on the initial drive after the half, totaling just five yards and two interceptions.
That’s 9½ inches per play.
“The biggest thing is just going in at halftime and talking through things, and it’s making sure we’re ready to roll going into the third quarter,” quarterback Nick Foles said. “And that’s something we can work through and get right. But once again, it goes back to trusting one another to get it right.
“The third quarter has been a lull for us throughout the season.”
In Week 2, quarterback Mitch Trubisky threw an interception on the second play of the second half. When he did it on the third play of the second half the next week, he was benched for Foles.
Two weeks ago against the Rams, Ted Ginn Jr. — who has since been cut — let a punt drop and roll to the 1. The Bears ran the ball twice, committed a penalty that was declined and missed a deep shot to Darnell Mooney down the left sideline.
Last Sunday, they ran five plays and gained zero yards, thanks to two flags, before punting to the Saints on fourth-and-23.
“Penalties [have] really derailed many of our drives,” receiver Allen Robinson said. “We’re getting close to the 50-yard line, something like that, third-and-four, third-and-five, we get a delay-of-game or a false start or whatever penalty, and now it’s third-and-11. Things like that really take the momentum out of your drive.”
Nagy also pointed out the flags.
“When you have those, it hurts,” he said. “Because not only does it hurt your field position, but it just hurts your rhythm. If we can just stay away from penalties and stay ahead of the chains, it will really do us wonders.”
It runs deeper than just penalties, though.
“You can’t just throw [the problem] to the side,” Nagy said. “You’ve got to realize that we’re not good in the third quarter — so how do we get better?”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--Jimmy Graham: I ‘fell short a little bit last week’

Jimmy Graham has played more games than any other player on the Bears .
He knows how to grade himself .
At the midway point of his 11th season , the tight end gives himself an incomplete .
“ I ’ ve had some positive moments , had some negative moments , ” he said Friday .
“ But I ’ m never satisfied .
I ’ m just going to keep working every day , keep taking hold of my opportunities .
I felt like I fell short a little bit last week and I can ’ t let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let those weeks stack .
“ So I ’ m going to be an example , I ’ m going to be the leader I am and move forward with positivity but also be the player I am .
I ’ ve got to go out there and when my number ’ s called and there are plays to be made I ’ ve got to make them.
” Graham had only two catches on seven targets — including an overtime drop — for 13 receiving yards in Sunday ’ s loss against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Through eight games , Graham is averaging 3.6 catches and 30.9 receiving yards per game .
That ’ s not as much of an improvement over his disappointing season with the Packers last year – he averaged 2.4 catches and 27.9 yards — than either he or the Bears would prefer .
Quarterback Nick Foles talks about trying to sync up the Bears ’ offense in practice .
That ’ s been hard for Graham this week ; he missed Wednesday ’ s practice with knee and hamstring problems before the Bears shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practiced Friday .
“ For me I think it ’ s just we ’ ve got to keep grinding away and get that timing down , ” he said .
“ I mean , at times maybe I haven ’ t gotten my depth or [ Foles has ] been trying to get the ball out of his hands .
So it ’ s really a feel thing and it ’ s really time on task .
“ So I ’ ve got to keep believing and we ’ ve got to keep @ @ @

Jimmy Graham has played more games than any other player on the Bears. He knows how to grade himself.
At the midway point of his 11th season, the tight end gives himself an incomplete.
“I’ve had some positive moments, had some negative moments,” he said Friday. “But I’m never satisfied. I’m just going to keep working every day, keep taking hold of my opportunities. I felt like I fell short a little bit last week and I can’t let that happen. I can’t let those weeks stack.
“So I’m going to be an example, I’m going to be the leader I am and move forward with positivity but also be the player I am. I’ve got to go out there and when my number’s called and there are plays to be made I’ve got to make them.”
Graham had only two catches on seven targets — including an overtime drop — for 13 receiving yards in Sunday’s loss against his former team, the Saints.
Through eight games, Graham is averaging 3.6 catches and 30.9 receiving yards per game. That’s not as much of an improvement over his disappointing season with the Packers last year – he averaged 2.4 catches and 27.9 yards — than either he or the Bears would prefer.
Quarterback Nick Foles talks about trying to sync up the Bears’ offense in practice. That’s been hard for Graham this week; he missed Wednesday’s practice with knee and hamstring problems before the Bears shut down Halas Hall on Thursday. He practiced Friday.
“For me I think it’s just we’ve got to keep grinding away and get that timing down,” he said. “I mean, at times maybe I haven’t gotten my depth or [Foles has] been trying to get the ball out of his hands. So it’s really a feel thing and it’s really time on task.
“So I’ve got to keep believing and we’ve got to keep believing.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-07--Firefighter hurt battling Edgewater blaze

A Chicago firefighter was injured battling a fire Saturday in Edgewater on the North Side .
The still-and-box alarm fire @ @ @ @ @ in the 5600 block of North Winthrop Avenue , according to the Chicago Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ by 3:23 a.m. One firefighter was taken to a hospital in good condition with a @ @ @ @ @ fire officials said .
No other injuries were reported .

A Chicago firefighter was injured battling a fire Saturday in Edgewater on the North Side.
The still-and-box alarm fire was reported at a home in the 5600 block of North Winthrop Avenue, according to the Chicago Fire Department. It was put out by 3:23 a.m.
One firefighter was taken to a hospital in good condition with a “minor injury,” fire officials said. No other injuries were reported.