chicagosun-times--2020-09-07--Don Walter, Illinois House 83rd District Republican nominee profile

The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board sent nominees for the Illinois House of Representatives a list of questions to find out their views on a range of important issues facing the state of Illinois and their districts .
Don Walter submitted the following responses : The COVID-19 pandemic has hammered the finances of Illinois .
The state is staring at a $ 6.2 billion budget shortfall in this fiscal year .
What should be done ?
Please be specific .
Illinois is now on the verge of having a “ junk bond ” rating from Standard and Poor Global Ratings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already precariously low rating from before the pandemic .
The interest rate on Illinois loans just to service debt is bound to rise even further .
The answer from Governor Pritzker and the Democratic lead Illinois Congress has consistently been to raise taxes on the citizens of our district and remains the answer .
High taxes have been driving people to move out of our state or for those capable to develop an exit strategy .
Others are left living paycheck to paycheck .
No matter how you slice it , a tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that all of us will end up paying for .
The discipline to cut liabilities , with pension reform leading the list and cut spending to balance the budget has been lacking in Springfield .
We must elect representation that is willing to do the hard work of cutting unfunded mandates and ending the corruption in Illinois .
The economic outlook for Illinois should be among the highest in the nation and will only be realized by attracting businesses to our state with a targeted well-educated work force and a competitive tax rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and letting citizens keep more of their hard-earned paycheck will increase revenues .
What grade — “ A ” to “ F ” — would you give Gov .
J.B. Pritzker for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic ?
Please explain .
What , if anything , should he have done differently ?
C minus - Illinois ’ number of cases and deaths are in the bottom of all the States , it ’ s that simple .
The buck stops with him .
The Governor was late to set regional areas for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ division of what are essential businesses and gatherings was not consistent .
For several weeks every press conference is blaming the President .
In the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis , legislatures in some states have taken up the issue of police reform .
Should Illinois do the same ?
If so , what would that look like ?
Aurora is building on the record of great community policing that lead to zero homicides in 2012 .
The second largest city in Illinois was able to drive out gangs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to walk the neighborhoods and was a big factor in the revitalization of downtown Aurora .
This is a philosophy of policing that worked and should be taken up by local municipalities .
Any legislation should be centered on sharing information between local and state authorities .
Include both tracking of criminal information as well as citizen complaints of police officers misconduct in order to retrain officers and consider disciplinary actions if deemed necessary .
We should commend and honor all our first responders who they , along with their families , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Legislature pass a law requiring all law enforcement officers to wear body cameras ?
Why or why not ?
Federal prosecutors have revealed a comprehensive scheme of bribery , ghost jobs and favoritism in subcontracting by ComEd to influence the actions of House Speaker Michael Madigan .
Who ’ s to blame ?
What ethics reforms should follow ?
Should Madigan resign ?
Long standing Democrats are to blame in their continuing pay to play politics , just follow the money .
The Governor needs to call for a special session now to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for felonies committed while in office and transparency of income .
Yes , Madigan should resign .
Please tell us about your civic work in the last two years , whether it ’ s legislation you have sponsored or work you have done in other ways to improve your community .
I am not the incumbent so not able to sponsor legislation .
My initiatives have been faith based and centering on pro-life issues .
Please list three concerns that are specific to your district , such as a project that should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important local issue that should be revised .
First , We need to expand family owned and employee owned businesses in our district by having someone in Springfield who will demand our district ’ s fair share of the Capital bill passed in Springfield .
Second , freeze property taxes as a starting point to eventually limiting property tax rates Third , School Choice for parents , students and teachers to have control over their educational opportunities and follow religious convictions .
What are your other top legislative priorities ?
An independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it out of the hands of either political party in power to choose their voters .
Take up Pro Life issues that include protection for the unborn , healthcare and immigration reforms that facilitates citizenship .
What is your position on Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s proposed graduated income tax ?
Please explain .
Against .
Further taxation on any of our citizens is a tax on all of us no matter how you slice it .
We all pay when people leave Illinois or the extra cost of doing business is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and jobs are lost .
The Governor can not force people to stay in Illinois or businesses to stay open .
The inability of Democrats to discipline themselves from taxing Illinois residents is evident in by Gov Pritzker ’ s first two years in office .
This brand of governing in other states have led to taxing retirement incomes in addition to graduated income tax .
Illinois continues to struggle financially , with a backlog of unpaid bills .
In addition to a progressive state income tax — or in lieu of such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do to pay its bills , meet its pension obligations and fund core services such as higher education ?
Elect Senators and Representatives who will consistently bring Federal dollars back to our state from Washington .
Illinois consistently ranks among the lowest of states in terms of return on their tax dollars sent to Washington .
Illinois pays the most in taxes versus practically every other state in the Union .
The Property Tax Force in Springfield concluded without any recommendations .
Taxpayers in Illinois are fed up with being asked to ante @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let ’ s keep more of our graduating high school seniors here in Illinois .
Illinois ranks second in having the most high school seniors leave their state to go to an out of state college or University .
We should look at keeping more spots open for our own students here in Illinois versus out of state or out of the country students .
Should Illinois consider taxing the retirement incomes of its very wealthiest residents , as most states do ?
And your argument is ?
Possibly , but not without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tied to it as well .
We must stop taxing people until they are forced to leave Illinois .
At least the states immediately surrounding Illinois that do tax retirement income do not have a graduated income tax .
What can Illinois do to improve its elementary and high schools ?
I am for school choice for parents , students and teachers to have control over their educational opportunities and follow their religious convictions .
Look into consolidating school districts .
Take what we have learned from E-learning during this pandemic and apply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning of trades that reflect the needs of the surrounding communities .
Mass shootings and gun violence plague America .
What can or should the Legislature do , if anything , to address this problem in Illinois ?
We have to protect our 2nd amendment rights .
We can amend or tweak the gun laws we already have in place .
Creating new laws won ’ t work if we can ’ t enforce them , another unfunded mandate from Springfield .
The Henry Pratt shooting last year in Aurora was committed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two years before .
Communication and enforcement could have possibly prevented that crime .
Let ’ s be sure any laws don ’ t violate the 2nd amendment and are enforceable .
Do you favor or oppose term limits for any elected official in Illinois ?
Please explain .
I do favor term limits .
Term limits , when combined with independent drawings of legislative districts , will reflect the changing demographics and weed out corruption .
Everybody says gerrymandering is bad , but the party in power in every state — Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Or do we have that wrong ?
What should be done ?
I favor an independent panel to draw legislative districts .
We need to take it out of the hands of either political party in power which enables them to choose their voters instead of the voters choosing their legislatures .
The U.S. attorney ’ s office in Chicago is investigating possible official corruption by state and local officials .
This prompted the Legislature to pass an ethics reform measure to amend the Lobbyist Registration Act ( SB 1639 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December .
What ’ s your take on this and what more should be done ?
The more transparency the better .
The Governor needs to call for a special session now to forward ethics reform to consider penalties for felonies committed while in office and transparency of income .
When people use the internet and wireless devices , companies collect data about us .
Oftentimes , the information is sold to other companies , which can use it to track our movements or invade our privacy in other ways .
When companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater risk of identity theft .
What should the Legislature do , if anything ?
All companies should be required to present a clearly stated “ opt in ” choice for this data to be collected and shared .
In addition , be held responsible to compensate for any data breach that occurs , covering the cost to re-establish pre-data breach credit scores and losses occurred .
The number of Illinois public high school graduates who enroll in out-of-state universities continues to climb .
What can Illinois do to make its state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students ?
I believe it ’ s not just the universities fault that out of state universities are attractive to our students .
Students decisions are also influenced by the state of our state .
They want to get jobs , raise a family and have a lower cost of living , they are finding other states that are more conducive to meeting that criteria .
On positive note Illinois has a great network of Community Colleges that keeps a college education affordable .
Illinois Universities need to keep more slots and scholarship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign students .
The high rate of students leaving Illinois makes tax payers wonder what kind of return we are getting for our property tax dollars .
Evidence shows that when students leave the state a high percentage never return .
What is your top legislative priority with respect to the environment ?
Protecting our access to clean water for irrigation , drinking , boating , swimming and fishing .
I remember when the Fox River was made practically useless by pollution .
The entire state needs to keep vigilant to this key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , other than Abraham Lincoln ( because everybody ’ s big on Abe ) , do you most admire or draw inspiration from ?
Please explain .
Dr Marie Wilkinson .
The lasting impression that she made on our church and our community through her good works is still lasting .
If you are from Aurora you just know : http : //mariewilkinsonfoodpantry.org/maries-biography/ What ’ s your favorite TV , streaming or web-based show of all time .
Why ?
Outside of watching the Cubs I ’ d have to pick Survivor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the physical challenges and negotiating alliances make it interesting .

Candidate profile
Don Walter
Running for: 83rd District Illinois House of Representatives
Political party affiliation:Republican
Political/civic background: Election Judge
Occupation: Augustine Institute – Sales
Education:Business Administration (BA) Aurora University
Campaign website:votedonwalter.com
Facebook: Don Walter for 83rd District Illinois House of Representatives
The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board sent nominees for the Illinois House of Representatives a list of questions to find out their views on a range of important issues facing the state of Illinois and their districts. Don Walter submitted the following responses:
The COVID-19 pandemic has hammered the finances of Illinois. The state is staring at a $6.2 billion budget shortfall in this fiscal year. What should be done? Please be specific.
Illinois is now on the verge of having a “junk bond” rating from Standard and Poor Global Ratings and Moody’s Investor Service from its already precariously low rating from before the pandemic. The interest rate on Illinois loans just to service debt is bound to rise even further. The answer from Governor Pritzker and the Democratic lead Illinois Congress has consistently been to raise taxes on the citizens of our district and remains the answer. High taxes have been driving people to move out of our state or for those capable to develop an exit strategy. Others are left living paycheck to paycheck. No matter how you slice it, a tax on any of us is a tax that all of us will end up paying for. The discipline to cut liabilities, with pension reform leading the list and cut spending to balance the budget has been lacking in Springfield. We must elect representation that is willing to do the hard work of cutting unfunded mandates and ending the corruption in Illinois. The economic outlook for Illinois should be among the highest in the nation and will only be realized by attracting businesses to our state with a targeted well-educated work force and a competitive tax rate. Creating jobs, lowering unemployment costs and letting citizens keep more of their hard-earned paycheck will increase revenues.
What grade — “A” to “F” — would you give Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Please explain. What, if anything, should he have done differently?
C minus - Illinois’ number of cases and deaths are in the bottom of all the States, it’s that simple. The buck stops with him. The Governor was late to set regional areas for the control of the virus. His division of what are essential businesses and gatherings was not consistent. For several weeks every press conference is blaming the President.
In the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, legislatures in some states have taken up the issue of police reform. Should Illinois do the same? If so, what would that look like?
Aurora is building on the record of great community policing that lead to zero homicides in 2012. The second largest city in Illinois was able to drive out gangs, cut crime, citizens felt safe to walk the neighborhoods and was a big factor in the revitalization of downtown Aurora. This is a philosophy of policing that worked and should be taken up by local municipalities. Any legislation should be centered on sharing information between local and state authorities. Include both tracking of criminal information as well as citizen complaints of police officers misconduct in order to retrain officers and consider disciplinary actions if deemed necessary. We should commend and honor all our first responders who they, along with their families, have protected our great state.
Should the Legislature pass a law requiring all law enforcement officers to wear body cameras? Why or why not?
No, local municipalities should decide.
Federal prosecutors have revealed a comprehensive scheme of bribery, ghost jobs and favoritism in subcontracting by ComEd to influence the actions of House Speaker Michael Madigan. Who’s to blame? What ethics reforms should follow? Should Madigan resign?
Long standing Democrats are to blame in their continuing pay to play politics, just follow the money. The Governor needs to call for a special session now to forward ethics reform, to consider penalties for felonies committed while in office and transparency of income. Yes, Madigan should resign.
Please tell us about your civic work in the last two years, whether it’s legislation you have sponsored or work you have done in other ways to improve your community.
I am not the incumbent so not able to sponsor legislation. My initiatives have been faith based and centering on pro-life issues.
Please list three concerns that are specific to your district, such as a project that should be undertaken or a state policy related to an important local issue that should be revised.
First, We need to expand family owned and employee owned businesses in our district by having someone in Springfield who will demand our district’s fair share of the Capital bill passed in Springfield. Second, freeze property taxes as a starting point to eventually limiting property tax rates Third, School Choice for parents, students and teachers to have control over their educational opportunities and follow religious convictions.
What are your other top legislative priorities?
An independent panel to draw legislative districts to take it out of the hands of either political party in power to choose their voters. Take up Pro Life issues that include protection for the unborn, healthcare and immigration reforms that facilitates citizenship.
What is your position on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax? Please explain.
Against. Further taxation on any of our citizens is a tax on all of us no matter how you slice it. We all pay when people leave Illinois or the extra cost of doing business is passed on to consumers or businesses close and jobs are lost. The Governor cannot force people to stay in Illinois or businesses to stay open. The inability of Democrats to discipline themselves from taxing Illinois residents is evident in by Gov Pritzker’s first two years in office. This brand of governing in other states have led to taxing retirement incomes in addition to graduated income tax.
Illinois continues to struggle financially, with a backlog of unpaid bills. In addition to a progressive state income tax — or in lieu of such a tax — what should the state do to pay its bills, meet its pension obligations and fund core services such as higher education?
Elect Senators and Representatives who will consistently bring Federal dollars back to our state from Washington. Illinois consistently ranks among the lowest of states in terms of return on their tax dollars sent to Washington. Illinois pays the most in taxes versus practically every other state in the Union. The Property Tax Force in Springfield concluded without any recommendations. Taxpayers in Illinois are fed up with being asked to ante up. As for the higher education let’s keep more of our graduating high school seniors here in Illinois. Illinois ranks second in having the most high school seniors leave their state to go to an out of state college or University. We should look at keeping more spots open for our own students here in Illinois versus out of state or out of the country students.
Should Illinois consider taxing the retirement incomes of its very wealthiest residents, as most states do? And your argument is?
Possibly, but not without some relief of property taxes for everyone tied to it as well. We must stop taxing people until they are forced to leave Illinois. At least the states immediately surrounding Illinois that do tax retirement income do not have a graduated income tax.
What can Illinois do to improve its elementary and high schools?
I am for school choice for parents, students and teachers to have control over their educational opportunities and follow their religious convictions. Look into consolidating school districts. Take what we have learned from E-learning during this pandemic and apply it long term. Expand opportunities for learning of trades that reflect the needs of the surrounding communities.
Mass shootings and gun violence plague America. What can or should the Legislature do, if anything, to address this problem in Illinois?
We have to protect our 2nd amendment rights. We can amend or tweak the gun laws we already have in place. Creating new laws won’t work if we can’t enforce them, another unfunded mandate from Springfield. The Henry Pratt shooting last year in Aurora was committed with a gun that should have been forfeited two years before. Communication and enforcement could have possibly prevented that crime. Let’s be sure any laws don’t violate the 2nd amendment and are enforceable.
Do you favor or oppose term limits for any elected official in Illinois? Please explain.
I do favor term limits. Term limits, when combined with independent drawings of legislative districts, will reflect the changing demographics and weed out corruption.
Everybody says gerrymandering is bad, but the party in power in every state — Democrats in Illinois — resist doing anything about it. Or do we have that wrong? What should be done?
I favor an independent panel to draw legislative districts. We need to take it out of the hands of either political party in power which enables them to choose their voters instead of the voters choosing their legislatures.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago is investigating possible official corruption by state and local officials. This prompted the Legislature to pass an ethics reform measure to amend the Lobbyist Registration Act (SB 1639). It was signed into law in December. What’s your take on this and what more should be done?
The more transparency the better. The Governor needs to call for a special session now to forward ethics reform to consider penalties for felonies committed while in office and transparency of income.
When people use the internet and wireless devices, companies collect data about us. Oftentimes, the information is sold to other companies, which can use it to track our movements or invade our privacy in other ways. When companies share this data, we also face a greater risk of identity theft. What should the Legislature do, if anything?
All companies should be required to present a clearly stated “opt in” choice for this data to be collected and shared. In addition, be held responsible to compensate for any data breach that occurs, covering the cost to re-establish pre-data breach credit scores and losses occurred.
The number of Illinois public high school graduates who enroll in out-of-state universities continues to climb. What can Illinois do to make its state universities more attractive to Illinois high school students?
I believe it’s not just the universities fault that out of state universities are attractive to our students. Students decisions are also influenced by the state of our state. They want to get jobs, raise a family and have a lower cost of living, they are finding other states that are more conducive to meeting that criteria. On positive note Illinois has a great network of Community Colleges that keeps a college education affordable. Illinois Universities need to keep more slots and scholarship money going to Illinois students instead of foreign students. The high rate of students leaving Illinois makes tax payers wonder what kind of return we are getting for our property tax dollars. Evidence shows that when students leave the state a high percentage never return.
What is your top legislative priority with respect to the environment?
Protecting our access to clean water for irrigation, drinking, boating, swimming and fishing. I remember when the Fox River was made practically useless by pollution. The entire state needs to keep vigilant to this key ecosystem.
What historical figure from Illinois, other than Abraham Lincoln (because everybody’s big on Abe), do you most admire or draw inspiration from? Please explain.
Dr Marie Wilkinson. The lasting impression that she made on our church and our community through her good works is still lasting. If you are from Aurora you just know: http://mariewilkinsonfoodpantry.org/maries-biography/
What’s your favorite TV, streaming or web-based show of all time. Why?
Outside of watching the Cubs I’d have to pick Survivor. The different personalities, the personal stories, the physical challenges and negotiating alliances make it interesting.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Dear Abby: Freshly divorced, I’m already in love again — with my cousin

DEAR ABBY : I am recently divorced after a 19-year marriage , and to my great shock , I already find myself in love with another man .
I didn ’ t come out of the marriage looking for anyone , nor did I think I ’ d ever marry again , but this man wants to marry me , and I ’ m seriously considering it .
We bonded when he contacted me to offer support after he heard about my divorce , and it was love at “ second ” sight .
Why “ second ” ?
Because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door — and he ’ s my first cousin .
Despite the societal taboo , it is legal in my state for first cousins to marry , and genetic issues with offspring aren ’ t a concern .
We ’ re both sterile and have no ability ( or desire ) for more children .
My siblings suspect and aren ’ t pleased with the situation .
His parents know and are happy for us .
Am I crazy to think I ’ m in love again this quickly ?
It doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve always known each other and been close ; it ’ s just that the form of love has changed .
How do we break it to the rest of the family ?
The world ?
People can be so judgmental , even though in many parts of the world it is perfectly normal to marry your cousin .
— SECRET LOVE IN THE SOUTH DEAR SECRET LOVE : You are not “ crazy , ” but you may be in an altered mental state , as many recently divorced people have found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kind of high .
If you are wise — and I hope you are — you will slow this romance down and allow enough time for your family to become accustomed to the changed circumstances of your relationship with your cousin .
The “ world ” isn ’ t going to care about this the way your family does , so don ’ t concern yourself with explaining anything to the general public .
( How often have you asked couples to explain if they are related in addition to marriage ?
Not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) My advice is to let this new relationship evolve more slowly .
If you do , the outcome may be more positive than if you hurtle to the altar .
DEAR ABBY : I have the best wife and daughter ever , and here ’ s my dilemma .
My daughter lives in another state and would love us to build a second home nearby to be closer to their family .
My wife and I are nearly 80 and very active .
I play tennis or pickleball every day .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a half every morning .
We are happiest when we are active .
Where my daughter lives is not conducive to walking , and my wife would be very unhappy .
Please don ’ t suggest a gym or a treadmill — been there , done that .
Plus , my wife has no desire to take on the added burden of a second house .
We just downsized five years ago .
How do I keep the two women in my life happy ?
— FIGURING IT OUT IN FLORIDA DEAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be possible to make both women happy .
Your first loyalty should be to your wife .
Explain to your daughter that you know she means well , but that at your ages ( 80 ) , your routine is extremely important .
( It ’ s true . )
That routine may be what keeps you as healthy as you are .
Back it up with the fact that two homes would be too much for you and her mother to manage , which is why you have BOTH decided — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep things as they are .
And stick to it .
Your daughter can visit you , and you can visit her , but stay where you are .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

DEAR ABBY: I am recently divorced after a 19-year marriage, and to my great shock, I already find myself in love with another man. I didn’t come out of the marriage looking for anyone, nor did I think I’d ever marry again, but this man wants to marry me, and I’m seriously considering it.
We bonded when he contacted me to offer support after he heard about my divorce, and it was love at “second” sight. Why “second”? Because we grew up together — literally next door — and he’s my first cousin.
Despite the societal taboo, it is legal in my state for first cousins to marry, and genetic issues with offspring aren’t a concern. We’re both sterile and have no ability (or desire) for more children. My siblings suspect and aren’t pleased with the situation. His parents know and are happy for us.
Am I crazy to think I’m in love again this quickly? It doesn’t feel too fast because we’ve always known each other and been close; it’s just that the form of love has changed. How do we break it to the rest of the family? The world? People can be so judgmental, even though in many parts of the world it is perfectly normal to marry your cousin. — SECRET LOVE IN THE SOUTH
DEAR SECRET LOVE: You are not “crazy,” but you may be in an altered mental state, as many recently divorced people have found themselves. They describe it as a kind of high.
If you are wise — and I hope you are — you will slow this romance down and allow enough time for your family to become accustomed to the changed circumstances of your relationship with your cousin. The “world” isn’t going to care about this the way your family does, so don’t concern yourself with explaining anything to the general public. (How often have you asked couples to explain if they are related in addition to marriage? Not many, I’ll bet.)
My advice is to let this new relationship evolve more slowly. If you do, the outcome may be more positive than if you hurtle to the altar.
DEAR ABBY: I have the best wife and daughter ever, and here’s my dilemma. My daughter lives in another state and would love us to build a second home nearby to be closer to their family.
My wife and I are nearly 80 and very active. I play tennis or pickleball every day. My wife walks an hour to an hour and a half every morning. We are happiest when we are active. Where my daughter lives is not conducive to walking, and my wife would be very unhappy.
Please don’t suggest a gym or a treadmill — been there, done that. Plus, my wife has no desire to take on the added burden of a second house. We just downsized five years ago. How do I keep the two women in my life happy? — FIGURING IT OUT IN FLORIDA
DEAR FIGURING: Recognize that it won’t be possible to make both women happy. Your first loyalty should be to your wife.
Explain to your daughter that you know she means well, but that at your ages (80), your routine is extremely important. (It’s true.) That routine may be what keeps you as healthy as you are. Back it up with the fact that two homes would be too much for you and her mother to manage, which is why you have BOTH decided — as much as you love her — to keep things as they are. And stick to it. Your daughter can visit you, and you can visit her, but stay where you are.
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--2020-09-08--The Stray Cats regain their strut on new live album

It couldn ’ t be a stranger — or more appropriate — time to unleash a live album .
But listening to the Stray Cats ’ new offering “ Rocked This Town — From LA To London ” ( out Sept. 11 on Surfdog Records ) , there ’ s an immediate gratitude to be transported back to the space of live music again .
Hearing the roaring echoes of audience applause tucked between Brian Setzer ’ s crisp howls and slick strumming , the plucking of Lee Rocker ’ s upright bass and the rat-a-tat-tat of Slim Jim Phantom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most raw and visceral listening experiences to be had in 2020 .
“ We really wanted to capture this tour , ” says frontman Brian Setzer of the event that was years in the making .
The trio who famously and stylishly put rockabilly back on the charts in the ’ 80s with zingers like “ Stray Cat Strut ” and have had a tumultuous run of stop-and-starts ever since had not played together in at least a decade .
But as the band ’ s 40th anniversary approached in 2019 , Setzer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he affectionately refers to them , decided to give it another go with a surprise American-European tour and a brand-new album , appropriately called “ 40 , ” their first LP in 26 years .
“ People sometimes think it ’ s some great thought-out process and honestly it started with baseball , ” says Setzer , laughing , when discussing how the reunion took shape .
“ Me and Slim Jim love baseball and we were talking to each other about the standings , and Slim Jim came right out and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary coming up , we have to commemorate this.
’ And it snowballed from there .
First it started with putting together the gigs and then we figured we needed some new songs to play.
” The red-hot classics are all included on the 23-song collection — “ Rock This Town , ” “ Runaway Boys , ” “ Rumble in Brighton ” — but there ’ s also a selection of fresh material with tracks like “ Cat Fight ( Over a Dog Like Me ) ” that are so tight and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they never skipped a beat .
“ It ’ s a funny thing what happened .
It was right in front of me , ” says Setzer about finding the chemistry with Slim Jim and Lee again so many years after forming in the Long Island neighborhood of Massapequa in ’ 79 .
It was there that they united over a love of early American rock ’ n ’ roll like the Sun Records legends and found an early following playing hallowed halls like CBGB .
Though he ’ s spent the off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revival group The Brian Setzer Orchestra , he wasn ’ t expecting the types of crowds that came out for The Stray Cats .
“ I didn ’ t expect the numbers , I really didn ’ t , or that we had so many songs that people knew and would sing along to , ” he admits , at one point on the album admitting to the crowd the band shouldn ’ t “ have waited so long ” to get back together .
The guitar aficionado , who recently launched a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give fans the chance to buy his personal collection , has a signature line with Gretsch Guitars and calls his most prized possession a ’ 56 Gretsch White Penguin .
“ It ’ s a real plum , ” Setzer says .
That retro swagger has permeated all aspects of Setzer ’ s life and drew him to music in the first place .
Having long been hailed as someone who has brought swing and rockabilly back to the modern consciousness , he says what drew him to the styles was that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music .
… Rockabilly was this mixture of blues and country .
It came from Chicago guys like Muddy Waters , Howlin ’ Wolf and also the country guys like Hank Williams and George Jones .
When they got back from World War II , they had all this free time and they were hearing all this stuff on the radio , hearing Chicago blues , country , even jazz .
And that inspired them to actually come up with this new sound .
I don ’ t even know if they realized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who ’ s recovered from the tinnitus that sidelined his Christmas tour late last year and has been riding out the pandemic by writing more material and riding his motorcycles , says he ’ s anxious to get Stray Cats shows going again and revive that raw sound on the live album in-person .
“ I miss live music just as much as the fans , ” he says .
“ I miss the interaction both with the audience and with Jim and Lee .
That ’ s what it ’ s all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s what I was put here to do .
”

It couldn’t be a stranger — or more appropriate — time to unleash a live album. But listening to the Stray Cats’ new offering “Rocked This Town — From LA To London” (out Sept. 11 on Surfdog Records), there’s an immediate gratitude to be transported back to the space of live music again. Hearing the roaring echoes of audience applause tucked between Brian Setzer’s crisp howls and slick strumming, the plucking of Lee Rocker’s upright bass and the rat-a-tat-tat of Slim Jim Phantom on the drums is one of the most raw and visceral listening experiences to be had in 2020.
“We really wanted to capture this tour,” says frontman Brian Setzer of the event that was years in the making. The trio who famously and stylishly put rockabilly back on the charts in the ’80s with zingers like “Stray Cat Strut” and have had a tumultuous run of stop-and-starts ever since had not played together in at least a decade. But as the band’s 40th anniversary approached in 2019, Setzer and “the boys,” as he affectionately refers to them, decided to give it another go with a surprise American-European tour and a brand-new album, appropriately called “40,” their first LP in 26 years.
“People sometimes think it’s some great thought-out process and honestly it started with baseball,” says Setzer, laughing, when discussing how the reunion took shape. “Me and Slim Jim love baseball and we were talking to each other about the standings, and Slim Jim came right out and said, ‘You know we have an anniversary coming up, we have to commemorate this.’ And it snowballed from there. First it started with putting together the gigs and then we figured we needed some new songs to play.”
The red-hot classics are all included on the 23-song collection — “Rock This Town,” “Runaway Boys,” “Rumble in Brighton” — but there’s also a selection of fresh material with tracks like “Cat Fight (Over a Dog Like Me)” that are so tight and trademark Stray Cats, it feels like they never skipped a beat.
The latest album from The Stray Cats is a live 23-track collection. Provided
“It’s a funny thing what happened. It was right in front of me,” says Setzer about finding the chemistry with Slim Jim and Lee again so many years after forming in the Long Island neighborhood of Massapequa in ’79. It was there that they united over a love of early American rock ’n’ roll like the Sun Records legends and found an early following playing hallowed halls like CBGB.
Though he’s spent the off years cultivating other projects like his swing revival group The Brian Setzer Orchestra, he wasn’t expecting the types of crowds that came out for The Stray Cats.
“I didn’t expect the numbers, I really didn’t, or that we had so many songs that people knew and would sing along to,” he admits, at one point on the album admitting to the crowd the band shouldn’t “have waited so long” to get back together.
The guitar aficionado, who recently launched a shop with Chicago-based instrument resale site Reverb to give fans the chance to buy his personal collection, has a signature line with Gretsch Guitars and calls his most prized possession a ’56 Gretsch White Penguin. “It’s a real plum,” Setzer says.
That retro swagger has permeated all aspects of Setzer’s life and drew him to music in the first place. Having long been hailed as someone who has brought swing and rockabilly back to the modern consciousness, he says what drew him to the styles was that “it’s based on real music. … Rockabilly was this mixture of blues and country. It came from Chicago guys like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and also the country guys like Hank Williams and George Jones. When they got back from World War II, they had all this free time and they were hearing all this stuff on the radio, hearing Chicago blues, country, even jazz. And that inspired them to actually come up with this new sound. I don’t even know if they realized they were doing it.”
Setzer, who’s recovered from the tinnitus that sidelined his Christmas tour late last year and has been riding out the pandemic by writing more material and riding his motorcycles, says he’s anxious to get Stray Cats shows going again and revive that raw sound on the live album in-person.
“I miss live music just as much as the fans,” he says. “I miss the interaction both with the audience and with Jim and Lee. That’s what it’s all about for me. I play music, that’s what I was put here to do.”
Selena Fragassi is a local freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Menu planner: Round out your meal with a side of peach and tomato salad

Combine tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt in bowl and toss to coat ; transfer to colander and let drain in sink 30 minutes .
Into same bowl , whisk oil , vinegar , zest and juice .
Add peaches , shallot and drained tomato to dressing and toss gently to coat .
Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste .
Spoon onto serving platter and sprinkle with mint .
Drizzle with extra oil if desired .
Per serving : 109 calories , 2 grams protein , 7 grams fat ( 55 % calories from fat ) , 1 gram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no cholesterol , 395 milligrams sodium , 2 grams fiber .
2 pounds small red potatoes , halved or quartered according to size Cook potatoes in boiling water 10 minutes or until tender ; drain and place in a large bowl .
In a small bowl , combine oil , vinegar , sugar , chili powder , seasoned salt and hot sauce .
Pour over potatoes ; toss gently .
Cover with foil .
Refrigerate 1 hour .
Remove from refrigerator ; add corn , carrot , red bell pepper , olives and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Per serving : 186 calories , 3 grams protein , 7 grams fat ( 30 % calories from fat ) , 0.9 gram saturated fat , 29 grams carbohydrate , no cholesterol , 381 milligrams sodium , 3 grams fiber .
Heat oven to 350 degrees .
Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray .
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium .
Add onion and cook 4 minutes or until softened .
Remove from heat ; stir in chicken , chilies and seasoning mix .
Set aside .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Top with chicken mixture , beans and 1 cup cheese .
Layer with remaining tortillas .
Top with salsa and remaining cheese .
Bake 30 to 35 minutes , or until heated through and cheese is melted ; serve .
Heat oven to 350 degrees .
Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray .
Pour 1 cup egg substitute and 1 whole egg into large bowl .
Over eggs , sift combined 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder .
Whisk together until completely blended .
Mix in 1 cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 % light cheddar cheese , 1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts and 1 ( 4-ounce ) can chopped green chilies .
Pour into baking dish .
Bake about 35 minutes or until puffy and set , and knife inserted near center comes out clean .
In a large nonstick skillet , melt 1 tablespoon butter on medium .
Add 1 medium diced red bell pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons jerk seasoning ; cook 8 minutes or until tender , stirring occasionally .
Stir in 2 cups quick-cooking brown rice , 2 cups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Place 4 ( 6-ounce ) cod fillets on top of rice mixture .
Sprinkle cod with 1/2 teaspoon more jerk seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt .
Reduce heat to medium-low ; cover and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until cod is opaque throughout and rice is tender .

Peach and tomato salad
Makes 6 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes; Draining tomatoes: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 pound ripe tomatoes, cored, cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges and wedges halved crosswise
1 teaspoon table salt, divided
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 pound ripe peaches, halved, pitted, cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges and wedges halved crosswise
1 shallot, sliced into thick rings
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup mint leaves, torn (can substitute basil leaves, torn)
Combine tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt in bowl and toss to coat; transfer to colander and let drain in sink 30 minutes. Into same bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, zest and juice. Add peaches, shallot and drained tomato to dressing and toss gently to coat. Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste. Spoon onto serving platter and sprinkle with mint. Drizzle with extra oil if desired.
Per serving: 109 calories, 2 grams protein, 7 grams fat (55% calories from fat), 1 gram saturated fat, 11 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 395 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber.
Carb choices: 1.
South-of-the-border potato salad
Makes 8 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: about 10 minutes; refrigeration time: 1 hour
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds small red potatoes, halved or quartered according to size
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon hot sauce
1 (8 3/4-ounce) can shoe peg corn, rinsed
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Cook potatoes in boiling water 10 minutes or until tender; drain and place in a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine oil, vinegar, sugar, chili powder, seasoned salt and hot sauce. Pour over potatoes; toss gently. Cover with foil. Refrigerate 1 hour. Remove from refrigerator; add corn, carrot, red bell pepper, olives and onion; toss gently. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 186 calories, 3 grams protein, 7 grams fat (30% calories from fat), 0.9 gram saturated fat, 29 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 381 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber.
Carb choices: 2.
Mexican chicken bake
Makes 8 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: about 40 minutes
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup minced onion
2 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies
1 (1.25-ounce) package mild or regular less-sodium taco seasoning mix
8 corn tortillas
1 (15-ounce) can reduced-sodium pinto beans, rinsed
2 cups shredded 50% light cheddar cheese, divided
2 cups mild or medium chunky salsa
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet on medium. Add onion and cook 4 minutes or until softened. Remove from heat; stir in chicken, chilies and seasoning mix. Set aside. Layer half the tortillas in baking dish. Top with chicken mixture, beans and 1 cup cheese. Layer with remaining tortillas. Top with salsa and remaining cheese. Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted; serve.
Per serving: 266 calories, 25 grams protein, 9 grams fat (29% calories from fat), 3.7 grams saturated fat, 23 grams carbohydrate, 52 milligrams cholesterol, 820 milligrams sodium, 4 grams fiber.
Carb choices: 1.5.
Chili-walnut egg puff
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-by-8-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour 1 cup egg substitute and 1 whole egg into large bowl. Over eggs, sift combined 1/4 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder. Whisk together until completely blended. Mix in 1 cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1/2 cup shredded 50% light cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup chopped and toasted walnuts and 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies. Pour into baking dish. Bake about 35 minutes or until puffy and set, and knife inserted near center comes out clean.
Caribbean spiced cod with brown rice
In a large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter on medium. Add 1 medium diced red bell pepper and 1 1/2 teaspoons jerk seasoning; cook 8 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in 2 cups quick-cooking brown rice, 2 cups boiling water and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Place 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets on top of rice mixture. Sprinkle cod with 1/2 teaspoon more jerk seasoning and 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until cod is opaque throughout and rice is tender.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--A do-it-yourself colonoscopy? Sign me up

The best way to treat cancer is to find it early .
So when I turned 60 in June , I went for a check-up .
COVID-19 might have kept me away .
But I had made the appointment before the pandemic started , and by then the crisis had dialed back a notch .
I didn ’ t want to cancel , so masked up and went in to get poked and prodded .
Everything seemed shipshape : heart beating , lungs receiving air .
My doctor scanned his laptop : 10 years since my last colonoscopy — a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the intestines for cancerous polyps .
Time for another .
I grimaced and echoed the classic toddler complaint , “ Do I hafta ?
” thinking of guzzling a gallon of MiraLAX , used to clean out the plumbing the evening before the procedure .
Not fun .
No , the doctor said , now there is a home test ... Great , I said , hopping up , let ’ s do that .
Never considering what a home test meant .
Forgetting all about it , in fact , until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cologuard kit from Exact Sciences Laboratories of Madison , Wisconsin .
Here it is probably best not to go into too much graphic detail , though that is coming .
You might want to set this aside until after breakfast .
In the kit : is a plastic bracket to be placed over the toilet ; a stout white jar , or “ sample container , ” that sits in the center of the bracket and is aimed for ; and a little vial with a wand in it — rather like mascara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contents of the jar .
The wand is there because Cologuard tests for two things : both DNA revealing early cancer , and the blood that can be a sign of late-stage cancers .
Filling the jar is ... not a pleasant process .
A certain blank determination is required — emptying your mind and following instructions .
When I was at Step 5 ( f ) “ Turn the lid to tighten until it does not tighten anymore , ” I had a thought , and that thought was , “ Who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I see it as a service to humanity , ” said Huan Hoang , who escaped from Vietnam in April 1975 .
He joined Exact Sciences last year after a career as a pharmacist , and now is a Specimen Processing Associate , Level 2 in Madison .
“ This is serious business we ’ re doing , ” he says .
“ I ’ m in the business of taking care of people.
” Four million boxes have arrived since the FDA approved the process in 2014 .
The Madison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , expanding 11 times , now fills a medical building , running three shifts , 24 hours a day , seven days a week , with three other buildings in the city , including a new corporate headquarters .
“ It starts with the Cologuard kits coming in , being cooled down , ” Hoang explained .
Chilling the boxes stabilizes the samples .
One by one , the boxes are placed on a large machine .
“ Getting the kits into the box cutter , ” Hoang said .
If “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a razor in a plastic handle , think again .
Each box is set onto a conveyor , then four aluminum brackets shoot in , bracing the box precisely at each corner .
A robotic arm makes three neat cuts .
After every cut , the arm tucks the blade briefly under a laser , to check its sharpness as the box goes on its way .
In a colonoscopy , a doctor checks for cancer , visually .
With Cologuard , your own excrement acts as a swab ; as it worms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s very simple , ” said Exact Sciences chairman and CEO Kevin Conroy , who in 10 years took Cologuard from an unproven concept to a company with 4,000 employees .
“ If you have cancer , or even a precancerous polyp , those cells shed and end up in your stool .
What we do is look for tiny changes that occur inside those cells.
” This process , which takes days , distills the contents of that jar , a stool the size of a candy bar , and condenses it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of DNA that will be tested .
Many machines are involved .
The second test , that little mascara-shaped tube , is a hemoglobin test .
Before the jar is sealed , the patient jabs the swab into the , umm , sample , then pours a container of preservative into the rest .
“ Caution : Do not drink the liquid ” warn the instructions , giving an idea of the challenge of walking every conceivable person at every stage and condition of life through the process .
The instruction booklet is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the pictures , ” said Kris Bisch , senior manager of clinical labs at Exact Sciences .
“ They don ’ t read at all .
So we try to make the instructions crystal clear.
” They are .
The instructions do not , however , say “ Don ’ t drop your wedding ring in the jar.
” That has happened .
Eyeglasses too .
“ We find all sorts of things , ” said Bisch .
Such as cash tips — I am not the only person wondering about who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is returned .
There is a bulletin board of what Hoang calls “ Love notes ” — messages tucked into the boxes One customer sent a tree-shaped cardboard air freshener , strawberry scented .
Though in truth the lab does not smell at all , thanks to plexiglas hoods and an air circulation system that completely exchanges the air in the room six times an hour .
The testing process defies quick synopsis , but let ’ s try : the jars are vibrated on a device like a paint mixer for three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are frozen for eight hours — freezing break down the cell walls of the , ah , material , to help get at the DNA .
After thawing , the jars are taken by a technician who does what might be considered the ickiest part of the process : extracting three 45 cc tubes of brown liquid .
It is also where skill factors in , depending on the ... umm ... consistency of the sample .
“ If a specimen is really foamy , or really thick , ” said Brenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then the samples have to drawn off using suction through a tube .
But staffers who are “ very experienced , very brave ” can simply pour from the jars into the three calibrated tubes , though that increases the risk of something constantly guarded against : spillage .
Spilling is bad .
Two of the tubes are frozen in case they are needed — sometimes machines spoil a batch .
Despite care , tubes are dropped .
It ’ s better not to have to request a new sample .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negative pressure room containing banks of complicated machinery , with names like Thermo Fisher 7500 , that use microscopic magnetic iron beads that bond with 10 types of DNA specific to colorectal cancer .
The DNA is amplified — copied repeatedly — so tags added to it can give off light whose intensity allows Exact Sciences to determine if cancer is present , and measure to what degree .
After less than a year drawing samples , a job starting at $ 17 an hour , employees can hope to move up .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no prior clinical experience can move up to the next role , exception handler , within nine months , ” said Maass .
The exception handler deals with problems — an empty container , say , or a patient who has written the current year as their birth year .
“ We ’ re going to have to contact those patients , ” said Maass .
“ We do everything we can so patients don ’ t have to re-collect.
” Being an Exact Sciences phone representative can be delicate work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Rob Baierl , who has handled calls for three years .
“ This is a sensitive time for some patients .
We need to be thoughtful.
” “ A patient called in , asking how to do the collection kit , ” said Baierl .
“ We had a detailed and long conversation , then he went off topic .
The patient expressed opinions about various personal things .
I was trying to politely end the call .
...
I realized the patient was waiting to collect the sample during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that to happen.
” Home testing will become only more important in the COVID-19 era .
The pandemic not only has killed nearly 189,000 Americans as of Labor Day , but also has cost thousands of additional lives of people who resisted entering the medical system — for instance , to get tests .
The public was reminded of the lethality of colon cancer at the end of August , with the death at age 43 of “ Black Panther ” star Chadwick Boseman .
The American Cancer Society recommends that all men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 .
Yet four in 10 Americans never do .
This problem is especially acute for Black men .
Because of lower rates of screening , death rates from colon cancer are 43 % higher in African-Americans than in whites .
None of the Exact Sciences workers I spoke with were squeamish about the grosser aspects of their job .
Instead , they were enthusiastic about the 10,000 cancer cases that have been flagged by their Cologuard system .
“ We ’ re trying to change lives with early detection , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Nigeria .
“ Such a great feeling , trying to get patients screened .
We ’ re just one big team .
I thoroughly enjoy coming to work every day .
”

MADISON, Wis. — The best way to treat cancer is to find it early. So when I turned 60 in June, I went for a check-up. COVID-19 might have kept me away. But I had made the appointment before the pandemic started, and by then the crisis had dialed back a notch. I didn’t want to cancel, so masked up and went in to get poked and prodded.
Everything seemed shipshape: heart beating, lungs receiving air. My doctor scanned his laptop: 10 years since my last colonoscopy — a probe with a tiny camera, checking out the intestines for cancerous polyps. Time for another.
I grimaced and echoed the classic toddler complaint, “Do I hafta?” thinking of guzzling a gallon of MiraLAX, used to clean out the plumbing the evening before the procedure. Not fun.
Opinion bug Opinion
No, the doctor said, now there is a home test ...
Great, I said, hopping up, let’s do that. Never considering what a home test meant. Forgetting all about it, in fact, until a cube-shaped box showed up, a Cologuard kit from Exact Sciences Laboratories of Madison, Wisconsin.
Here it is probably best not to go into too much graphic detail, though that is coming. You might want to set this aside until after breakfast.
In the kit: is a plastic bracket to be placed over the toilet; a stout white jar, or “sample container,” that sits in the center of the bracket and is aimed for; and a little vial with a wand in it — rather like mascara — that is later dipped into the contents of the jar. The wand is there because Cologuard tests for two things: both DNA revealing early cancer, and the blood that can be a sign of late-stage cancers.
Filling the jar is ... not a pleasant process. A certain blank determination is required — emptying your mind and following instructions. When I was at Step 5(f) “Turn the lid to tighten until it does not tighten anymore,” I had a thought, and that thought was, “Who is going to open this jar?”
A specimen processing associate adds an identifying label to a sample jar at Exact Sciences Laboratories in Madison. Keeping track of patient information is key to the process. Provided
“I see it as a service to humanity,” said Huan Hoang, who escaped from Vietnam in April 1975. He joined Exact Sciences last year after a career as a pharmacist, and now is a Specimen Processing Associate, Level 2 in Madison.
Hoang opens the jars.
“This is serious business we’re doing,” he says. “I’m in the business of taking care of people.”
Four million boxes have arrived since the FDA approved the process in 2014. The Madison lab started out as a single suite and, expanding 11 times, now fills a medical building, running three shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with three other buildings in the city, including a new corporate headquarters.
“It starts with the Cologuard kits coming in, being cooled down,” Hoang explained.
Chilling the boxes stabilizes the samples. One by one, the boxes are placed on a large machine.
“Getting the kits into the box cutter,” Hoang said.
If “box cutter” makes you think of a razor in a plastic handle, think again. Each box is set onto a conveyor, then four aluminum brackets shoot in, bracing the box precisely at each corner. A robotic arm makes three neat cuts. After every cut, the arm tucks the blade briefly under a laser, to check its sharpness as the box goes on its way.
In a colonoscopy, a doctor checks for cancer, visually. With Cologuard, your own excrement acts as a swab; as it worms through your intestines.
”It’s very simple,” said Exact Sciences chairman and CEO Kevin Conroy, who in 10 years took Cologuard from an unproven concept to a company with 4,000 employees. “If you have cancer, or even a precancerous polyp, those cells shed and end up in your stool. What we do is look for tiny changes that occur inside those cells.”
This process, which takes days, distills the contents of that jar, a stool the size of a candy bar, and condenses it into half a teardrop’s worth of DNA that will be tested. Many machines are involved.
The second test, that little mascara-shaped tube, is a hemoglobin test. Before the jar is sealed, the patient jabs the swab into the, umm, sample, then pours a container of preservative into the rest.
An Exact Sciences technician looks over custom-built mixers that homogenize samples. Securing the containers so they don’t come loose is important. Provided
“Caution: Do not drink the liquid” warn the instructions, giving an idea of the challenge of walking every conceivable person at every stage and condition of life through the process. The instruction booklet is 27 pages.
“Most people look at the pictures,” said Kris Bisch, senior manager of clinical labs at Exact Sciences. “They don’t read at all. So we try to make the instructions crystal clear.”
They are. The instructions do not, however, say “Don’t drop your wedding ring in the jar.” That has happened. Eyeglasses too.
“We find all sorts of things,” said Bisch.
Such as cash tips — I am not the only person wondering about who opens the jars.
Anything of value is returned. There is a bulletin board of what Hoang calls “Love notes” — messages tucked into the boxes
Some are jokey.
“Craft made, locally sourced, home grown.”
Some are empathetic.
“You don’t get paid enough money.”
One customer sent a tree-shaped cardboard air freshener, strawberry scented. Though in truth the lab does not smell at all, thanks to plexiglas hoods and an air circulation system that completely exchanges the air in the room six times an hour.
The testing process defies quick synopsis, but let’s try: the jars are vibrated on a device like a paint mixer for three minutes to homogenize the contents. Then they are frozen for eight hours — freezing break down the cell walls of the, ah, material, to help get at the DNA. After thawing, the jars are taken by a technician who does what might be considered the ickiest part of the process: extracting three 45 cc tubes of brown liquid. It is also where skill factors in, depending on the ... umm ... consistency of the sample.
“If a specimen is really foamy, or really thick,” said Brenda Maass, senior manager specimen processing lab, then the samples have to drawn off using suction through a tube. But staffers who are “very experienced, very brave” can simply pour from the jars into the three calibrated tubes, though that increases the risk of something constantly guarded against: spillage. Spilling is bad.
Two of the tubes are frozen in case they are needed — sometimes machines spoil a batch. Despite care, tubes are dropped. It’s better not to have to request a new sample.
The heart of the tests occurs in a negative pressure room containing banks of complicated machinery, with names like Thermo Fisher 7500, that use microscopic magnetic iron beads that bond with 10 types of DNA specific to colorectal cancer. The DNA is amplified — copied repeatedly — so tags added to it can give off light whose intensity allows Exact Sciences to determine if cancer is present, and measure to what degree.
A technician labels tubes at Exact Sciences Laboratories. With two dozen steps to the testing procedure over a period of days, making sure patient information stays with every sample is a priority. Provided
After less than a year drawing samples, a job starting at $17 an hour, employees can hope to move up.
“We try really hard so somebody with no prior clinical experience can move up to the next role, exception handler, within nine months,” said Maass. The exception handler deals with problems — an empty container, say, or a patient who has written the current year as their birth year.
“We’re going to have to contact those patients,” said Maass. “We do everything we can so patients don’t have to re-collect.”
Being an Exact Sciences phone representative can be delicate work.
“We deal with a sensitive topic,” said Rob Baierl, who has handled calls for three years. “This is a sensitive time for some patients. We need to be thoughtful.”
For example?
“A patient called in, asking how to do the collection kit,” said Baierl. “We had a detailed and long conversation, then he went off topic. The patient expressed opinions about various personal things. I was trying to politely end the call. ... I realized the patient was waiting to collect the sample during the call. We were waiting for that to happen.”
Ultimately in vain.
Home testing will become only more important in the COVID-19 era. The pandemic not only has killed nearly 189,000 Americans as of Labor Day, but also has cost thousands of additional lives of people who resisted entering the medical system — for instance, to get tests. The public was reminded of the lethality of colon cancer at the end of August, with the death at age 43 of “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman.
The American Cancer Society recommends that people get screened for colon cancer by age 45. Yet four in 10 Americans never do. This problem is especially acute for Black men. Because of lower rates of screening, death rates from colon cancer are 43% higher in African-Americans than in whites.
None of the Exact Sciences workers I spoke with were squeamish about the grosser aspects of their job. Instead, they were enthusiastic about the 10,000 cancer cases that have been flagged by their Cologuard system.
“We’re trying to change lives with early detection,” said Uzoma Iwuagwu, a supervisor and immigrant from Nigeria. “Such a great feeling, trying to get patients screened. We’re just one big team. I thoroughly enjoy coming to work every day.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Police seeking vehicle wanted in shooting that killed 8-year-old girl, wounded 2 others, in Canaryvi

Police seeking vehicle wanted in shooting that killed 8-year-old girl, wounded 2 others, in Canaryville

Chicago police are asking for help locating a vehicle wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that killed an 8-year-old @ @ @ @ @ Monday in Canaryville on the South Side .
Shortly before 6 p.m. , the child @ @ @ @ @ were in a Subaru SUV that was stopped at a red light at 47th and @ @ @ @ @ was behind the SUV , and when the stoplight turned green , someone in the @ @ @ @ @ the child , as well as a 31-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman who were @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The Charger then made a U-turn and drove off south on Union @ @ @ @ @ seen inside the car both before and immediately after the shooting , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 .

Chicago police are asking for help locating a vehicle wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl and wounded two others Monday in Canaryville on the South Side.
Shortly before 6 p.m., the child was among four people who were in a Subaru SUV that was stopped at a red light at 47th and Union.
A Dodge Charger was behind the SUV, and when the stoplight turned green, someone in the Charger opened fire, striking the child, as well as a 31-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman who were also in the SUV, police said.
The Charger then made a U-turn and drove off south on Union.
Chicago police are seeking a vehicle wanted in connection with a fatal shooting Sept. 7, 2020, in the 4700 block of South Union Avenue. Chicago police
The suspected shooters were seen inside the car both before and immediately after the shooting, police said.
Anyone with information should call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Emmett Till home restoration could include a quiet park for contemplation

Allow me to endorse your message to the city that landmark status should be granted to the forlorn building that once was home to young Emmett Till .
In the spirit of Black lives mattering , this site could be enhanced to make it a pilgrimage site , where the awful sins of our past are told , explained , and contextualized .
We can see in a photo accompanying a news story on the home that one or two additional lots to the north are completely empty .
This would be a fitting acquisition by the city , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflection before and after a tour of the home .
With the addition of the Lorraine Hansberry site on Rhodes Avenue , you have the beginnings of a very promising culture/history circuit .
This past week saw another fatality during a Chicago police chase .
I thought this stupidity was supposed to have stopped long ago ?
Unless a murderer or a terrorist suspect is involved , why are the police turning the streets of Chicago into their own version of the Indianapolis 500 ?
It ’ s sure to result in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Allow me to endorse your message to the city that landmark status should be granted to the forlorn building that once was home to young Emmett Till.
In the spirit of Black lives mattering, this site could be enhanced to make it a pilgrimage site, where the awful sins of our past are told, explained and contextualized.
We can see in a photo accompanying a news story on the home that one or two additional lots to the north are completely empty. This would be a fitting acquisition by the city, a place for a quiet park in which to reflect before and after a tour of the home.
With the addition of the Lorraine Hansberry site on Rhodes Avenue, you have the beginnings of a very promising culture/history circuit.
Dennis Allen, Wilmette
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.
End police chases
This past week saw another fatality during a Chicago police chase. I thought this stupidity was supposed to have stopped long ago?
Unless a murderer or a terrorist suspect is involved, why are the police turning the streets of Chicago into their own version of the Indianapolis 500?
It’s sure to result in another hefty settlement check for the city.
Bob Ory, Elgin


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Teen girl dies after being pulled from the lake in Michigan City

A 16-year-old girl died after she was pulled from Lake Michigan Monday in Michigan City , Indiana .
The girl @ @ @ @ @ , was swimming with her family about 2 p.m. near the Michigan City lighthouse pier @ @ @ @ @ Conservation officers said .
Emergency personnel immediately began to search for her and her body @ @ @ @ @ later , authorities said .
She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced @ @

A 16-year-old girl died after she was pulled from Lake Michigan Monday in Michigan City, Indiana.
The girl, from Haven, Ind., was swimming with her family about 2 p.m. near the Michigan City lighthouse pier and went missing, Indiana Conservation officers said.
Emergency personnel immediately began to search for her and her body was found about fifty minutes later, authorities said. She was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The girl’s death remains under investigation.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-07--Horoscope for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020

Horoscope for Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020

Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Chicago time .
After that , the moon moves from Taurus into Gemini .
You will be thrifty and prudent with your money .
You also might be interested in making practical plans .
Nevertheless , be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert regarding important decisions .
When you are free to shop , choose long-lasting , useful items .
Today the moon is in your sign for most of the day .
This can make you a bit more emotional than usual ; however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practical .
You will give more thought to politics , religion , further education and perhaps travel .
You might want to make plans .
( Check moon alert . )
This is a good day to do research or work alone or behind the scenes because you ’ re in the mood to study .
You will stay focused on practical matters .
Nevertheless , do not make important decisions during the moon alert .
Someone older or more experienced than you ( perhaps a female ) might have a serious discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wisdom of their experience .
Possibly , they will give you a warning , maybe even an admonition .
Be cool .
Somehow , today you will be more involved than usual with parents , bosses , teachers , the police or authority figures .
Something serious might be taking place .
( Nothing frivolous . )
If an important decision needs to be made , check the moon alert first .
Today you might have feelings of escapism or wanting to “ get away from all this.
” If so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel or you might make an effort to do something different or explore more of your strapline .
Check the moon alert before you make an important decision .
It ’ s important for you to know the limitations of the moon alert today because you might be involved with financial transactions or something to do with inheritances , shared property or insurance disputes .
Do not sign important papers during the moon alert .
Never .
Be cooperative and accommodating with others because the moon is opposite your sign today .
( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Do not volunteer for anything or agree to anything important during the moon alert .
Listen to any practical advice that comes your way .
You continue to make an excellent impression on others ; however , today you are doing your best to be efficient and practical at work , or with whatever task you choose to do .
However , during the moon alert your focus might waver .
That is a poor time to make decisions or volunteer for anything .
You are in a creative frame of mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be smart to write down your great ideas .
Who knows when one day , you might want to run them up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes ?
Enjoy socializing with others as well as fun activities with kids today .
Family discussions might be serious today .
Or perhaps , you are having a serious discussion with someone older in the family ?
Whatever the case , this is a good day to address practical matters .
However , don ’ t agree to anything important during the moon alert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other people today because you are focused and less inclined to ignore details .
You ’ re “ in the zone.
” Nevertheless , for a good part of today , there ’ s a moon alert .
Be aware of this .
If Your Birthday Is Today Singer Pink ( 1979 ) shares your birthday .
You have strong ideals .
You are tactful , organized , disciplined and focused .
It ’ s your turn for a fun-loving year ahead !
You will be more popular and will enjoy warm friendships @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your life and will appreciate the everyday happiness and beauty around you .
This year is the time for an important choice .
Choose wisely .

Moon Alert
Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Taurus into Gemini.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
You will be thrifty and prudent with your money. You also might be interested in making practical plans. Nevertheless, be aware of the restrictions of the moon alert regarding important decisions. When you are free to shop, choose long-lasting, useful items.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today the moon is in your sign for most of the day. This can make you a bit more emotional than usual; however, it might also make you serious and practical. You will give more thought to politics, religion, further education and perhaps travel. You might want to make plans. (Check moon alert.)
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
This is a good day to do research or work alone or behind the scenes because you’re in the mood to study. You will stay focused on practical matters. Nevertheless, do not make important decisions during the moon alert.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Someone older or more experienced than you (perhaps a female) might have a serious discussion with you. They might give you the wisdom of their experience. Possibly, they will give you a warning, maybe even an admonition. Be cool.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Somehow, today you will be more involved than usual with parents, bosses, teachers, the police or authority figures. Something serious might be taking place. (Nothing frivolous.) If an important decision needs to be made, check the moon alert first.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today you might have feelings of escapism or wanting to “get away from all this.” If so, you might make some serious plans to travel or you might make an effort to do something different or explore more of your strapline. Check the moon alert before you make an important decision.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
It’s important for you to know the limitations of the moon alert today because you might be involved with financial transactions or something to do with inheritances, shared property or insurance disputes. Do not sign important papers during the moon alert. Never.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Be cooperative and accommodating with others because the moon is opposite your sign today. (That’s how it works.) Do not volunteer for anything or agree to anything important during the moon alert. Listen to any practical advice that comes your way.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You continue to make an excellent impression on others; however, today you are doing your best to be efficient and practical at work, or with whatever task you choose to do. However, during the moon alert your focus might waver. That is a poor time to make decisions or volunteer for anything.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You are in a creative frame of mind today, which is why you will be smart to write down your great ideas. Who knows when one day, you might want to run them up the flagpole to see if anyone salutes? Enjoy socializing with others as well as fun activities with kids today.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Family discussions might be serious today. Or perhaps, you are having a serious discussion with someone older in the family? Whatever the case, this is a good day to address practical matters. However, don’t agree to anything important during the moon alert.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
You might accomplish more than many other people today because you are focused and less inclined to ignore details. You’re “in the zone.” Nevertheless, for a good part of today, there’s a moon alert. Be aware of this.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Singer Pink (1979) shares your birthday. You have strong ideals. You are tactful, organized, disciplined and focused. It’s your turn for a fun-loving year ahead! You will be more popular and will enjoy warm friendships. You will also be more grateful for your life and will appreciate the everyday happiness and beauty around you. This year is the time for an important choice. Choose wisely.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-07--1 dead, 3 wounded in shootout in Stony Island Park

One man was shot to death and three others wounded during a shootout Monday in Stony Island Park on the South Side .
Two men , 21 and 30 , were traveling northbound in a red Nissan Altima in the 8400 block of South Cregier Avenue when two 18-year-old men on foot fired shots , Chicago police said .
One man in the backseat of the Nissan returned gunfire , striking both gunmen , police said .
The injured men in the Nissan were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , police said .
The 21-year-old was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the older man was listed in good condition with a gunshot wound to the thigh .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ t released details about the fatality .
One of the men who had been shooting at the car was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the thigh , police said .
The other 18-year-old alleged gunman was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the forearm .
Both 18-year-olds are being questioned by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who returned shots has a valid conceal carry license .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

One man was shot to death and three others wounded during a shootout Monday in Stony Island Park on the South Side.
Two men, 21 and 30, were traveling northbound in a red Nissan Altima in the 8400 block of South Cregier Avenue when two 18-year-old men on foot fired shots, Chicago police said.
One man in the backseat of the Nissan returned gunfire, striking both gunmen, police said.
The injured men in the Nissan were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. The 21-year-old was shot in the neck and was pronounced dead, and the older man was listed in good condition with a gunshot wound to the thigh.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified the 21-year-old as Sean Wilson, of Englewood. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.
One of the men who had been shooting at the car was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the thigh, police said. The other 18-year-old alleged gunman was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the forearm.
Both 18-year-olds are being questioned by investigators, police said. The man who returned shots has a valid conceal carry license.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.