chicagosun-times--2020-05-31--This week in baseball? It’s kind of a big deal

There are days when , in the stillness of the morning , ennui and lassitude having already set in like a misty fog , nothing seems like a better idea than getting our sports going again .
Baseball , especially .
The calendar says bats should be cracking and gloves should be popping as peanut shells crunch underfoot in the aisles of ballparks everywhere .
The absence of the game — the barrenness of those ballparks — is one of the countless little things in the spring of 2020 that can weigh on a person .
It ’ s only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even if it isn ’ t necessary to acknowledge in every sports article that there are far more important things — life-and-death things — going on out there , there are days when not doing so feels a bit too neglectful .
This is one of those days , for whatever it ’ s worth .
Here comes the “ but.
” But there may not be more than a handful of days left for major league owners and players to reach agreement on economic , health and safety issues before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a season .
That makes this the most significant moment in baseball since the Nationals ’ Daniel Hudson struck out the Astros ’ Michael Brantley to end Game 7 of the World Series .
Will there be a season ?
Yes .
Unless there isn ’ t .
It ’ s conceivable that baseball could blow this thing and damage its relationship with fans like few times before , but one has to believe that ’ s even more unlikely than , say , the road team winning all seven games of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was only last October when the Nats lost three at home and won four in Houston .
So , anything ’ s possible .
As we move into a critical week in the sport , though , there are a few things to ( hopefully ) look forward to .
Perhaps as soon as the second week of June , there could be baseball sounds in Chicago .
That ’ s especially true of the North Side , where the Cubs almost certainly would — with the necessary governmental go-aheads — make Wrigley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Wrigley , though , with its main field and bullpens , can ’ t adequately accommodate all the players — 40 or more of them — who would be preparing for the season .
Pitchers need mounds to throw from , and hitters need lots of reps against live arms .
Social distancing , to some extent , must be factored in , too .
Obvious stuff .
The Cubs likely will seek out a second location , perhaps a nearby college or minor-league park , for workouts .
What about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preseason workouts at Guaranteed Rate Field — with a second location , too — or they might choose to move operations back to Camelback Ranch in Glendale , Ariz. How does 100 degrees sound ?
With a target of the first week of July to start a shortened season in which teams might play approximately half the usual number of games , things need to get up and running quickly .
Industry sources indicate that position players likely would require three weeks to get ready , and that pitchers would need more time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimize early stress on pitchers ’ arms and bodies , teams could be allowed to carry 30 or more players on their big-league rosters .
Don ’ t expect to see a lot of complete games this season , and , no , that ’ s not a comment on the local starting pitching .
It ’ s possible roster sizes will be slightly reduced as the season progresses .
With the odds very long that there will be minor-league baseball this season , the Sox , Cubs and all other teams will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps to keep certain players who aren ’ t on big-league rosters ready .
Taxi squads will need home bases — the closer , the better , it would seem — not to mention enough bodies to keep putting in sufficient work .
If the Cubs and Sox can shuffle players on and off the roster without involving unnecessary air travel , it would be a good thing .
One would expect , too , that before the Cubs and Sox will be ready for Opening Day , they ’ ll want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tune-up games like the dozens they play in the Cactus League under normal circumstances .
Who better than each other for that purpose ?
A little Crosstown action — Spring Training 2.0-style — might even be , in its own , small way , kind of a big deal .
Baseball is coming .
Fingers crossed .

There are days when, in the stillness of the morning, ennui and lassitude having already set in like a misty fog, nothing seems like a better idea than getting our sports going again.
Baseball, especially. The calendar says bats should be cracking and gloves should be popping as peanut shells crunch underfoot in the aisles of ballparks everywhere. The absence of the game — the barrenness of those ballparks — is one of the countless little things in the spring of 2020 that can weigh on a person.
It’s only baseball. It’s only sports. Even if it isn’t necessary to acknowledge in every sports article that there are far more important things — life-and-death things — going on out there, there are days when not doing so feels a bit too neglectful.
This is one of those days, for whatever it’s worth.
Here comes the “but.”
But there may not be more than a handful of days left for major-league owners and players to reach an agreement on economic, health and safety issues before it’ll be too late to have a season. That makes this the most significant moment in baseball since the Nationals’ Daniel Hudson struck out the Astros’ Michael Brantley to end Game 7 of the World Series.
Will there be a season? Yes. Unless there isn’t. It’s conceivable that baseball could blow this thing and damage its relationship with fans like few times before, but one has to believe that’s even more unlikely than, say, the road team winning all seven games of a World Series. Of course, it was only last October when the Nats lost three at home and won four in Houston.
So, anything’s possible. As we move into a critical week in the sport, though, there are a few things to (hopefully) look forward to.
Perhaps as soon as the second week of June, there could be baseball sounds in Chicago. That’s especially true of the North Side, where the Cubs almost certainly would — with the necessary governmental go-aheads — make Wrigley Field the home base of their workouts.
Wrigley, though, with its main field and bullpens, can’t adequately accommodate all the players — 40 or more of them — who would be preparing for the season. Pitchers need mounds to throw from, and hitters need lots of reps against live arms. Social-distancing, to some extent, must be factored in, too. Obvious stuff. The Cubs likely will seek out a second location, perhaps a nearby college or minor-league park, for workouts.
What about the White Sox? They could hold their preseason workouts at Guaranteed Rate Field — with a second location, too — or they might choose to move operations back to Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. How does 100 degrees sound?
With a target of the first week of July to start a shortened season in which teams might play approximately half the usual number of games, things need to get up and running quickly. Industry sources indicate that position players likely would require three weeks to get ready and that pitchers would need more time than that.
Primarily in order to minimize early stress on pitchers’ arms and bodies, teams could be allowed to carry 30 or more players on their big-league rosters. Don’t expect to see a lot of complete games this season, and, no, that’s not a comment on the local starting pitching. It’s possible roster sizes will be slightly reduced as the season progresses.
With the odds very long that there will be minor-league baseball this season, the Sox, Cubs and all other teams will have to be prepared to take unusual steps to keep certain players who aren’t on big-league rosters ready. Taxi squads will need home bases — the closer, the better, it would seem — not to mention enough bodies to keep putting in sufficient work. If the Cubs and Sox can shuffle players on and off the roster without involving unnecessary air travel, it would be a good thing.
One would expect, too, that before the Cubs and Sox will be ready for Opening Day, they’ll want to get in at least a couple of tune-up games like the dozens they play in the Cactus League under normal circumstances. Who better than each other for that purpose?
A little Crosstown action — Spring Training 2.0-style — might even be, in its own small way, kind of a big deal. Baseball is coming. Fingers crossed.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--CTA service resumes, but remains suspended downtown

CTA service resumed Monday morning across Chicago after it was suspended Sunday evening , although no trains or buses will @ @ @ @ @ Service resumed at 6 a.m. after being suspended at 6:30 p.m. Sunday “ at the @ @ @ @ @ , ” the transit agency said .
However , service remains suspended in and around @ @ @ @ @ ’ s protests in response to the death of George Floyd ended with violent confrontations @ @ @ @ @ Buildings across the downtown area were looted and vandalized , and several police vehicles were @ @ @ @ @ chaos .
Officials announced that 240 people had been arrested after Saturday ’ s protests @ @ @ @ @ were injured .
CTA service had already been cut off to the Loop since Saturday @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago River remain raised as well .

CTA service resumed Monday morning across Chicago after it was suspended Sunday evening, although no trains or buses will operate in the Loop.
Service resumed at 6 a.m. after being suspended at 6:30 p.m. Sunday “at the request of public safety officials,” the transit agency said. However, service remains suspended in and around the downtown area.
[Service Disruption] At 6am service will resume but will not operate in/near downtown area. Service may be disrupted depending on public activity. Latest updates: https://t.co/i0QriTeHLE — cta (@cta) June 1, 2020
Saturday’s protests in response to the death of George Floyd ended with violent confrontations between police and protesters. Buildings across the downtown area were looted and vandalized, and several police vehicles were flipped or burned in the chaos.
Officials announced that 240 people had been arrested after Saturday’s protests, and 20 police officers were injured.
CTA service had already been cut off to the Loop since Saturday afternoon, and bridges across the Chicago River remain raised as well.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Dear Abby: Was it fiance who got me pregnant — or his brother?

DEAR ABBY : When I was younger , I was engaged to a man I ’ ll call “ Jake.
” I was deeply in love with him , only to have my heart broken when he cheated on me , so I broke it off .
A short time later , I developed feelings for his brother , “ Jed.
” One thing led to another , and Jed and I are engaged to be married in two months .
When Jake found out I was dating Jed , he grew distant .
I figured it was because he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contacted me and invited me to dinner .
Thinking it had to do with the wedding plans , I accepted .
When we were getting ready to leave , Jake told me he still loved me and had made a terrible mistake .
I had had a few drinks , and we ended up having a one-night stand .
I just found out I am pregnant , and I ’ m not sure if Jake is the father or Jed is .
Honestly , I still love Jake , but he can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think he could support me and a baby .
What should I do ?
Should I keep my mouth shut and marry Jed , who has a good job and is faithful ?
— BIG MESS IN THE SOUTH DEAR BIG MESS : You would be doing a terrible disservice to Jed if you marry him while you “ honestly ” still love his brother .
If you do , you will be in for a lifetime of guilt and frustration , and the chances are great that you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay away from each other .
While marriage under these circumstances may seem like an attractive solution for you economically , it doesn ’ t take a crystal ball to predict it will be another disaster .
Instead of trying to take the easy way out , straighten your spine , fess up and do the right thing .
A paternity test will determine which brother is the father of your child and the one who should support it .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m a 16-year-old girl and 6 feet tall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst of my insecurities , and even though I now have some confidence , my height still bothers me .
I ’ ve always been taller than my peers and blamed my social problems on my height .
Someone mentions it every day , and where I work , every other customer comments on it , too .
I try not to be upset over something I can ’ t change .
I know people don ’ t mean to be hurtful , but it makes me feel like I stand out too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m too big and too awkward for normal activities .
My pants are never long enough , and my skirts are always too short .
I have to adjust car seats and gym equipment to fit .
Worst of all , it ’ s off-putting to boys .
Most of them are shorter and cite it as the reason they aren ’ t interested in me romantically .
I know this might seem trivial , but it ’ s my biggest insecurity and hard to overcome .
Please help .
— TALL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many people consider height to be an advantage .
You might , too , once you decide to own and take pride in it .
Regarding your difficulty in finding clothes that fit , do some research online and you will discover stores that cater to tall women and men .
I can ’ t wave a magic wand and fix the insecurities of the young men in your community and neither can you .
This is why I ’ m advising you to broaden your horizons and look further for romance because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A way to do that might be to develop an interest in basketball , a sport that attracts tall people .
When you ’ re older , check into a group called Tall Clubs International .
If you are 21 and over 5 feet , 10 inches , you qualify to join and meet other people who won ’ t be put off at all by your height .
You will find them by going to tall.org .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are @ @ @ @ @ @

DEAR ABBY: When I was younger, I was engaged to a man I’ll call “Jake.” I was deeply in love with him, only to have my heart broken when he cheated on me, so I broke it off. A short time later, I developed feelings for his brother, “Jed.” One thing led to another, and Jed and I are engaged to be married in two months.
When Jake found out I was dating Jed, he grew distant. I figured it was because he was in shock. Recently, he contacted me and invited me to dinner. Thinking it had to do with the wedding plans, I accepted. When we were getting ready to leave, Jake told me he still loved me and had made a terrible mistake. I had had a few drinks, and we ended up having a one-night stand.
I just found out I am pregnant, and I’m not sure if Jake is the father or Jed is. Honestly, I still love Jake, but he can’t keep a job, and I don’t think he could support me and a baby. What should I do? Should I keep my mouth shut and marry Jed, who has a good job and is faithful? — BIG MESS IN THE SOUTH
DEAR BIG MESS: You would be doing a terrible disservice to Jed if you marry him while you “honestly” still love his brother. If you do, you will be in for a lifetime of guilt and frustration, and the chances are great that you and Jake won’t be able to stay away from each other. While marriage under these circumstances may seem like an attractive solution for you economically, it doesn’t take a crystal ball to predict it will be another disaster.
Instead of trying to take the easy way out, straighten your spine, fess up and do the right thing. A paternity test will determine which brother is the father of your child and the one who should support it.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a 16-year-old girl and 6 feet tall. I have already been through the worst of my insecurities, and even though I now have some confidence, my height still bothers me. I’ve always been taller than my peers and blamed my social problems on my height. Someone mentions it every day, and where I work, every other customer comments on it, too.
I try not to be upset over something I can’t change. I know people don’t mean to be hurtful, but it makes me feel like I stand out too much. I also feel like I’m too big and too awkward for normal activities. My pants are never long enough, and my skirts are always too short. I have to adjust car seats and gym equipment to fit.
Worst of all, it’s off-putting to boys. Most of them are shorter and cite it as the reason they aren’t interested in me romantically. I know this might seem trivial, but it’s my biggest insecurity and hard to overcome. Please help. — TALL PROBLEM IN NEW MEXICO
DEAR PROBLEM: Many people consider height to be an advantage. You might, too, once you decide to own and take pride in it.
Regarding your difficulty in finding clothes that fit, do some research online and you will discover stores that cater to tall women and men.
I can’t wave a magic wand and fix the insecurities of the young men in your community and neither can you. This is why I’m advising you to broaden your horizons and look further for romance because it isn’t beyond your reach. A way to do that might be to develop an interest in basketball, a sport that attracts tall people.
When you’re older, check into a group called Tall Clubs International. If you are 21 and over 5 feet, 10 inches, you qualify to join and meet other people who won’t be put off at all by your height. You will find them by going to tall.org.
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.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Fulton Market office project tries new tactics to fight germs

Thanks to quick thinking , and maybe fancy footwork , an office building coming in Fulton Market has a plausible claim to being the nation ’ s first new multi-story structure designed with a pandemic in mind .
That in itself is an achievement , as the building is due to open in late July , and it wasn ’ t until late February that the coronavirus grabbed most Americans ’ attention , for all the global harm it already caused .
Called Fulton East , the 12-story building is going up at 215 N. Peoria St. Construction started about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its design possibly be influenced by a global infection ?
Credit developer Robert Wislow for recognizing the real estate market was being disrupted , and potential office tenants will have a new set of concerns surrounding health and safety .
Wislow , chairman of Parkside Realty , had a building well under way , yet he could still adapt it to the coronavirus .
The timing worked .
“ It ’ s our belief that when you develop a new building , you have a fiduciary obligation to make it up to date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partners in the deal with Parkside Vice Chairman Camille Julmy .
In work dating back to the 1970s , they built the former U.S. Equities into one of the city ’ s largest real-estate services firms before selling it to CBRE in 2014 .
So there are decades of experience there with changing tastes .
Wislow said once the coronavirus hit , he knew he had to find sources of new ideas and technology for his building , and that doing so would make it more attractive to tenants .
He got help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and architect Lamar Johnson of Lamar Johnson Collaborative , among others .
Clayco Executive Chairman Bob Clark credited Wislow with a “ leading edge ” mindset .
“ He really jumped into action quickly , starting with that very first weekend in March , ” before the disaster declaration and stay-at-home orders in Illinois , Clark said .
Several ideas emerged , including the one involving footwork .
It has to do with the new bane of many high-rise occupants — the elevator trip .
You have to push buttons that other people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MAD Elevator — an unfortunate name , but the company is certainly successful — which was rolling out a design that calls for controlling an elevator with your feet .
You summon it by pushing an up or down foot pedal ; inside the cab , you use your feet to hit a large button mounted near the floor .
MAD calls it the Toe-To-Go system that reduces the spread of germs .
Wislow said Fulton East will be its first new-construction installation .
Those disinclined or unable to use their feet still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier to wipe down than old-school buttons .
There also is the building ’ s use of a ventilation innovation called airPHX from an eponymously named company in McLean , Virginia .
Used in hospitals , dental clinics and elsewhere , airPHX is a patented use of plasma technology to sanitize air and work surfaces .
It ’ s getting its first workout in an office high-rise at Fulton East .
Although the washrooms were already painted , Wislow spent the money to redo them once he found Sherwin-Williams has something called Paint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kill bacteria on its surface within two hours .
Wislow said the washrooms will have to be repainted every four years .
And each one will have one more fixture than city code requires , the better for social distancing .
Other features of the building are more familiar , or will be as white-collar employees go back to work .
They include touch-free temperature checks and a key fob access and security system .
In all , the late changes added “ hundreds of thousands of dollars ” to a $ 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It wasn ’ t a matter of money .
It was the right thing to do , ” he said .
His 90,000-square-foot building will have a boutique feel that he believes will appeal to companies that want to avoid a dense setting .
The construction is being done “ on spec , ” which means there are no signed tenants .
Wislow ’ s betting that once the building is done , prospects will be wowed by the natural light , smaller floor layouts that they won ’ t have to share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors .
Each floor will have a private balcony , and there will be a tenants-only rooftop garden .
Is it the best time to open an office building ?
Wislow said he trusts in the appeal of Fulton Market , the hottest area before the virus struck .
Clark concurred , saying the current crisis is different from the 2008-09 recession , when credit markets froze .
“ Capital sources are pausing right now .
But there ’ s an enormous amount of liquidity ready , and that ’ s a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clark said .

Thanks to quick thinking, and maybe fancy footwork, an office building coming in Fulton Market has a plausible claim to being the nation’s first new multi-story structure designed with a pandemic in mind.
That in itself is an achievement, as the building is due to open in late July, and it wasn’t until late February that the coronavirus grabbed most Americans’ attention, for all the global harm it already caused.
Called Fulton East, the 12-story building is going up at 215 N. Peoria St. Construction started about a year ago. So how could its design possibly be influenced by a global infection?
Credit developer Robert Wislow for recognizing the real estate market was being disrupted, and potential office tenants will have a new set of concerns surrounding health and safety. Wislow, chairman of Parkside Realty, had a building well under way, yet he could still adapt it to the coronavirus. The timing worked.
“It’s our belief that when you develop a new building, you have a fiduciary obligation to make it up to date,” said Wislow, who is partners in the deal with Parkside Vice Chairman Camille Julmy. In work dating back to the 1970s, they built the former U.S. Equities into one of the city’s largest real-estate services firms before selling it to CBRE in 2014.
Chicago Enterprise bug Chicago Enterprise
So there are decades of experience there with changing tastes. Wislow said once the coronavirus hit, he knew he had to find sources of new ideas and technology for his building, and that doing so would make it more attractive to tenants. He got help from his construction firm, Clayco, and architect Lamar Johnson of Lamar Johnson Collaborative, among others.
Clayco Executive Chairman Bob Clark credited Wislow with a “leading edge” mindset. “He really jumped into action quickly, starting with that very first weekend in March,” before the disaster declaration and stay-at-home orders in Illinois, Clark said.
Several ideas emerged, including the one involving footwork. It has to do with the new bane of many high-rise occupants — the elevator trip. You have to push buttons that other people have pushed.
Wislow turned to Canada-based MAD Elevator — an unfortunate name, but the company is certainly successful — which was rolling out a design that calls for controlling an elevator with your feet. You summon it by pushing an up or down foot pedal; inside the cab, you use your feet to hit a large button mounted near the floor.
MAD calls it the Toe-To-Go system that reduces the spread of germs. Wislow said Fulton East will be its first new-construction installation. Those disinclined or unable to use their feet still can use touch screens, which are easier to wipe down than old-school buttons.
There also is the building’s use of a ventilation innovation called airPHX from an eponymously named company in McLean, Virginia. Used in hospitals, dental clinics and elsewhere, airPHX is a patented use of plasma technology to sanitize air and work surfaces. It’s getting its first workout in an office high-rise at Fulton East.
Robert Wislow, chairman of Parkside Realty Provided
Although the washrooms were already painted, Wislow spent the money to redo them once he found Sherwin-Williams has something called Paint Shield, an EPA-registered product shown to kill bacteria on its surface within two hours. Wislow said the washrooms will have to be repainted every four years. And each one will have one more fixture than city code requires, the better for social distancing.
Other features of the building are more familiar, or will be as white-collar employees go back to work. They include touch-free temperature checks and a key fob access and security system.
In all, the late changes added “hundreds of thousands of dollars” to a $40 million project, Wislow said. “It wasn’t a matter of money. It was the right thing to do,” he said. His 90,000-square-foot building will have a boutique feel that he believes will appeal to companies that want to avoid a dense setting.
The construction is being done “on spec,” which means there are no signed tenants. Wislow’s betting that once the building is done, prospects will be wowed by the natural light, smaller floor layouts that they won’t have to share with other companies and access to the outdoors. Each floor will have a private balcony, and there will be a tenants-only rooftop garden.
Is it the best time to open an office building? Wislow said he trusts in the appeal of Fulton Market, the hottest area before the virus struck. Clark concurred, saying the current crisis is different from the 2008-09 recession, when credit markets froze. “Capital sources are pausing right now. But there’s an enormous amount of liquidity ready, and that’s a big difference from the last recession,” Clark said.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Bears’ Matt Nagy: ‘How do you not get excited’ about Cole Kmet?

In an ordinary offseason , Bears coach Matt Nagy wouldn ’ t be forced to evaluate the team ’ s top draft pick from one side of a computer screen .
But that ’ s what he did last month , when he tried to stump rookie tight end Cole Kmet about the Bears ’ playbook during the team ’ s virtual rookie minicamp .
“ I can ’ t trick him , ” Nagy said last month , “ He knows it all .
So , No .
1 , some of the advice that was given to these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is , to understand your playbook .
... [ That ] is going to be the most important thing you can do than in any other year , because you don ’ t have a lot of time and you don ’ t have coaches to see what you can and can ’ t do on that field .
“ This kid has that .
I guarantee you , and I ’ ll put it out there : He will know this playbook inside out .
That ’ s not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offseason , the Notre Dame alum wouldn ’ t be participating in his first all-team meeting via the Internet .
The Bears began virtual organized team activities Monday , bringing together rookies and veterans alike for video calls .
Real information gathering won ’ t come until the Bears are actually allowed to practice — or Nagy can actually sit in the same room with his players .
Still , consider the coach optimistic — even more so than usual — about Kmet .
He ’ s noticed a trend in the 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from across all sports — that have spoken to Bears players on Zoom .
“ They ’ ve got that ‘ want , ’ ” Nagy said .
“ They got that little different thing that makes them great.
” Nagy sees that in Kmet .
And , yes , he claims he can tell from Zoom meetings .
“ What [ Kmet ] is going to have to grow with is understanding the defenses in the NFL , understanding how strong a defensive end is that he ’ s going to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 7-I technique on a blast play to the outside , ” Nagy said .
“ It ’ s different , what the speed ’ s like , when the ball comes on you , when the coverage changes .
“ He ’ ll do that because he has the ‘ want.
’ So when you see that feeling of someone like Cole , you see the personality , the size , the strength , the makeup .
How do you not get excited about that ?
I am , and I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would be wise for him to temper his expectations in Year 1 , though .
Tight end is the most difficult position , save for quarterback , to learn .
It combines blocking skills and terminology required of offensive linemen — against the world ’ s best edge rushers —with pass routes required of tight ends .
That ’ s particularly true for Kmet , who will primarily play the “ Y ” tight end spot — an in-line blocker rather than the “ U ” position that splits out wide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million over two years to play “ U.
” Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 , Kmet is the 92nd tight end to be selected in the top 43 of the draft .
Forty-six — exactly half — finished their rookie year with fewer than 250 receiving yards .
That ’ s no mere reflection of a more run-friendly league , either : Since 2014 , four out of the 10 players drafted in the top 43 — Mike Gesicki , Hayden Hurst , Eric Ebron and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins — finished their rookie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greatest modern tight end , Rob Gronkowski had 42 catches for 546 yards as a rookie in 2010 — making him , ostensibly , as effective as the Bears ’ Trey Burton was in 2018 .
Eagles star Zach Ertz had 36 catches for 469 yards as a rookie .
And then there ’ s Travis Kelce , who played exactly one special teams down as a Chiefs rookie in 2013 .
He grabbed his coaches ’ attention in the first game of the following preseason , catching a post pass against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cornerback and safety — for a touchdown .
“ That ’ s when we knew , ‘ Wow , ’ ” said Nagy , a Chiefs assistant at the time .
“ Is Cole Kmet that ?
No .
That ’ s not who he is .
They ’ re different styles .
But at the same time , what we see in Cole is a player , whether it ’ s the ‘ Y ’ position or the ‘ U ’ position … The ceiling for him is so high .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants it .
”

In an ordinary offseason, coach Matt Nagy wouldn’t be forced to evaluate the Bears’ top draft pick from one side of a computer screen.
But that’s what he did last month, when he tried to stump tight end Cole Kmet about the Bears’ playbook during the team’s virtual rookie minicamp.
‘‘I can’t trick him,’’ Nagy said last month. ‘‘He knows it all. So, No. 1, some of the advice that was given to these young players heading into 2020 is to understand your playbook. . . . [That] is going to be the most important thing you can do than in any other year because you don’t have a lot of time and you don’t have coaches to see what you can and can’t do on that field.
‘‘This kid has that. I guarantee you — and I’ll put it out there — he will know this playbook inside-out. That’s not going to be the issue.’’
In any ordinary offseason, Kmet, a Notre Dame alum, wouldn’t be participating in his first all-team meeting via the internet. The Bears began virtual organized team activities Monday, bringing together rookies and veterans alike for video calls.
Real information-gathering won’t come until the Bears are allowed to practice — or until Nagy can sit in the same room with his players. Still, consider Nagy optimistic (even more than usual) about Kmet.
He has noticed a trend in the 20 or so guest speakers — elite athletes from across all sports — who have spoken to Bears players on Zoom.
‘‘They’ve got that ‘want,’ ’’ Nagy said. ‘‘They’ve got that little different thing that makes them great.’’
Nagy said he sees that in Kmet. And, yes, he claims he can tell from Zoom meetings.
‘‘What [Kmet] is going to have to grow with is understanding the defenses in the NFL, understanding how strong a defensive end is that he’s going to have to block as a 9-technique or a 7-I technique on a blast play to the outside,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘It’s different — what the speed’s like, when the ball comes on you, when the coverage changes.
‘‘He’ll do that because he has the ‘want.’ When you see that feeling of someone like Cole, you see the personality, the size, the strength, the makeup. How do you not get excited about that? I am, and I’m looking forward to his future.’’
It would be wise for Nagy to temper his expectations, though.
Tight end is the most difficult position, save for quarterback, to learn. It combines blocking skills and terminology required of offensive linemen — against the best edge rushers in the world — with pass routes required of tight ends. That’s particularly true for Kmet, who primarily will play the ‘‘Y’’ spot — an in-line blocker — rather than the ‘‘U’’ position that splits out wide. The Bears gave veteran Jimmy Graham a two-year, $16 million deal to play the ‘‘U.’’
Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, Kmet is the 92nd tight end to be selected among the top 43 players of the draft. Forty-six — exactly half — finished their rookie season with fewer than 250 receiving yards.
That’s no mere reflection of a more run-friendly league in decades past, either. Since 2014, four of the 10 tight ends drafted among the top 43 — Mike Gesicki, Hayden Hurst, Eric Ebron and Austin Seferian-Jenkins — finished their rookie season with fewer than 250 yards receiving.
Rob Gronkowski had 42 catches for 546 yards as a rookie in 2010, ostensibly making him as effective as the Bears’ Trey Burton was in 2018. Eagles star Zach Ertz had 36 catches for 469 yards as a rookie.
Then there’s Travis Kelce, who played exactly one special-teams down as a Chiefs rookie in 2013. He grabbed his coaches’ attention in the first game of the next preseason by catching a post pass against the Bengals and sprinting 69 yards — past the cornerback and safety — for a touchdown.
‘‘That’s when we knew, ‘Wow,’ ’’ said Nagy, a Chiefs assistant at the time. ‘‘Is Cole Kmet that? No. That’s not who he is. They’re different styles. But what we see in Cole is a player, whether it’s the ‘Y’ position or the ‘U’ position, the ceiling for him is so high. Because, No. 1, he wants it.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Black Lives Matter claims police brutality against peaceful protesters (LIVE UPDATES)

Black Lives Matter on Monday demanded an end to Chicago Police “ attacks ” on people protesting the death of George Floyd .
The group also called for the release of any protesters who ’ d been arrested , citing one prominent activist and poet , Malcolm London , by name .
But at a news conference Monday morning , CPD Supt .
David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot had insisted abuse by officers will not be allowed .
“ We don ’ t tolerate police misconduct — ever .
Period .
I think I ’ ve been very clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
We don ’ t tolerate it , ” said Lightfoot , a former Police Board president who served during the Daley administration as head of the Chicago Police Department Office of Professional Standards .
“ If people believe that police have engaged in misconduct , they need to call 311 and file a complaint .
And those complaints will be investigated vigorously .
This is not a time when we ’ re bending the rules around police reform and accountability.
” Watch the video and read the full story from reporters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6:55 p.m. CPS to resume food distribution program after safety concerns led to day-long suspension Chicago Public Schools plans to resume meal distribution Tuesday after a day-long suspension Monday because of safety concerns surrounding looting and protests around the city .
The district , the nation ’ s third largest , has given out more than 12.5 million meals since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through a food program that has been widely praised by parents who rely on schools as a primary food source .
Of CPS ’ 355,000 students , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17,000 are homeless .
“ We know our meal sites serve as a critical community resource and we are ready to resume this essential service for our families tomorrow following an assessment of ongoing activities , ” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said in a news release .
Chicago police will help with security in the areas around school pick-up sites , she said .
6:27 p.m. Trump poised to mobilize military : ‘ These are acts of domestic terror ’ Calling protests across the U.S. “ acts of domestic terror , ” President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mobilize the U.S. military and other federal assets to end “ the destruction and arson.
” “ I am taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America by mobilizing all available federal resources civilian and military to stop the rioting and looting to end the destruction and arson and to protect the rights of law abiding Americans including your second amendment rights.
” Trump spoke as cities across the U.S. was grappling with looters and violence drowning out the voices of peaceful protesters in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis .
“ The spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity , and a crime against God .
America needs creation not destruction .
Cooperation not contempt , security , not anarchy .
Healing not hatred.
” Read the full story from Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet here .
6:06 p.m. Pritzker declares disaster in nine counties , mobilizes more National Guard troops , calls ‘ for calm and peace in our streets ’ Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Monday declared Cook , DuPage , Kane , Kendall , Will and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to mobilize Illinois National Guard troops and other state resources needed for areas wracked by looting and vandalism that recalled the tumultuous days of the 1960s .
“ We live in some extraordinary and difficult moments now .
During my lifetime , I have not seen this .
I was very young in 1968 , ” Pritzker said at a Monday afternoon news conference .
“ This has something to do about leadership in the nation .
When you don ’ t have national leaders who are bringing down the temperature in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fan the flames , ” he said .
“ We will meet the challenge .
We have the capability to meet the challenge .
The people of Illinois have the capability .
And again , I would ask people to step up and call for calm and peace in our streets.
” Pritzker praised the performance of 375 members of the Illinois National Guard who joined local law enforcement in Chicago to assist with street closures on Sunday and Monday .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and one of her most outspoken City Council critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the second of two conference calls held to update aldermen on the city ’ s failed efforts to contain looting and violence in Chicago neighborhoods .
During the first call on Sunday morning , Ald .
Ray Lopez ( 15th ) said he asked Lightfoot directly what her plan was to protect the neighborhoods after sealing off a downtown area devastated by looting , vandalism and arsons on Saturday night .
According to Lopez , the mayor responded she had a plan for every neighborhood .
“ I said , ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hundreds of people , caravans , driving in from Indiana and other places to come and terrorize our city , ’ ” Lopez said .
“ She rebuffed that .
Disregarded me again .
She said , ‘ I ’ m dealing with issues .
That ’ s an unsubstantiated rumor .
You can chase that if you want , Ray.
’ ” 5:13 p.m. Chicago pot shop ‘ destroyed ’ by looters after ‘ everything of value taken ’ ; 2 others hit Three Chicago pot shops were targeted in the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread across the city after a downtown protest over the officer-involved killing of George Floyd devolved into chaos on Saturday .
On Sunday afternoon , 40-50 looters broke into Mission , 8554 S. Commercial in South Chicago , and made off with the store ’ s stash of highly regulated pot products .
Kris Krane , Mission ’ s president , said the shop ’ s management was able to shut down the dispensary as stores in the area were being ransacked and get out safely , minutes before it was targeted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the store was “ was overrun by 40 to 50 men and women , some armed , and ransacked .
Everything of value was taken and the store was mostly destroyed.
” Still , he vowed to rebuild .
“ A store can be rebuilt and inventory can be replaced but these human lives can not , ” said Krane .
“ The staff and customers making it out safe turned what could have been a tragedy into a sad inconvenience.
” “ We will rebuild and we will be back stronger as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
3:12 p.m. Protestors , police clash in South Shore as activists plead for peace Tensions were high in South Shore Monday afternoon as more than 100 people confronted a large group of Chicago Police officers outside a store that had been looted over the weekend .
Just before 1 p.m. , several dozen officers stood guarding a clothing and shoes store near East 71st Street and South Chappel Avenue in South Shore .
About 100 people soon began arguing with police , some throwing bottles and rocks and starting shoving matches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jedidiah Brown pleaded for peace between civilians and police .
Across the street , more police officers guarded the parking lot to the Local Market , one of the few grocery stores in the area .
At least two people were taken into custody , one of whom took a swing at an officer .
Soon after , CPD Supt .
David Brown arrived at the scene to offer his support and thanks to the officers .
While the physical confrontations were brief , a handful of people continued to scream at police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones who escalated the situation .
Johnnetta Philpotts lives in South Shore and played the role of peacemaker between the police and citizens .
As one man continued to scream profanity at an officer , Philpotts confronted him , ordering him to walk away , to which the man replied , “ Yes , ma ’ am.
” Afterwards , Philpotts softly wept when asked what was going through her mind in that moment .
“ A lot of things were on my mind because I know that there has been a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of craziness and nobody has the right to take anybody ’ s life , ” Philpotts said .
“ But looting and burning buildings and just destroying communities , that ’ s not the answer .
I don ’ t care if the violence is happening from the police upon citizens , or from citizens upon citizens , it doesn ’ t matter what color to me.
” Earlier in the day in Bronzeville , about half a dozen women and teen girls were picking up debris outside the Mariano ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Drive after doing the same at a Jewel a few blocks north .
The supermarkets — two of the few in the area — had been looted over the weekend .
“ These are our two grocery stores , ” said Evita Ali , who lives in Bronzeville .
“ It ’ s only two , but [ looters ] tore it up , so where are we gon na shop ?
Because we don ’ t know when they ’ re gon na open again .
We have no idea .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painful because now we ’ ve got to go out of our own communities to go to the grocery store.
” Marquita Williams , also there to help clean up , said looters ransacked a nearby WIC food center and stole baby formula .
“ They went as far as going in the WIC store , ” said Williams , also of Bronzeville .
“ This is baby formula .
They took all these babies ’ formulas .
These babies can ’ t even eat .
What the hell is we finna do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far back .
Y ’ all set us all the way back.
” 2:50 p.m. Local businesses prepare for another night of protest Michael Lopez helps his father , Miguel Lopez , board up the Mexican restaurant the family has owned since 1991 near the corner of Irving Park and Sheridan roads .
The buzz of electric drills could be heard all over the North Side on Monday as business owners worried about the possibility of looting .
Michael Lopez said they decided to get to work after running into a young man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday .
“ We ’ re hoping for a peaceful protest , but we ’ d rather be prepared , ” Michael Lopez said .
“ We really hope things don ’ t get ugly.
” Signs posted on the windows of El Palmar restaurant read : “ Latinos for Black Lives Matter ” and “ Please do not loot here.
” The business remains open for pickup and delivery .
Michael Lopez estimates business is down about 70 % from pre-pandemic days .
Thousands of families will now have to look for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Public Schools suspended its meal distribution program “ based on the evolving nature of activity across the city , ” officials announced late Sunday night .
The district has given out more than 12.5 million meals since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through a food program that has been widely praised by parents who rely on schools as a primary food source .
Access to food may be further limited for may Chicagoans after a scattered police presence across the city left pockets open for looting all day without officers responding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southwest and West Sides .
Many businesses with damaged storefronts or lost inventory were closed Monday , including grocery stores .
The Chicago Food Depository posted on Twitter Monday that most of its partner food pantries were still open and operational .
A searchable database of resources is available here .
City Bureau , a nonprofit civic media organization based on the South Side , has an extensive , searchable resource database that includes food sources .
Anyone without internet access can also text 312-436-2280 to ask about resources in their area .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ click through to a list of resources compiled by the Sun-Times for families in need of food .
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF RESOURCES FOR FOOD SOURCES 1:50 p.m .
Some 2,000 arrested over ‘ chaotic ’ weekend , and sheriff investigating who was behind orchestrated looting and vandalism Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart agreed Monday that a line divides the peaceful protesters who were out over the weekend and those who looted and vandalized stores and other businesses .
But they were less certain who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to “ utilize… the peaceful protesters for their own criminal acts.
” “ Whether you ’ re talking in the city of Chicago , suburban Cook County — we ’ re seeing it everywhere , ” Dart said .
“ There ’ s definitely organization [ to the looting ] but as far as the overarching organization , that ’ s being looked at , ” the sheriff said .
Preckwinkle said she had “ no idea whatsoever ” who was behind it .
An estimated 2,000 people were arrested over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full story from Rachel Hinton here .
11:39 a.m .
In call with governors , President Trump urges arrests , saying they ‘ have to dominate ’ or look ‘ like a bunch of jerks ’ In a teleconference with the nation ’ s governors after a violent weekend of looting and arsons , President Trump on Monday urged governors to “ dominate ” by sending people to “ jail for a long period of time ” and said they ’ d look like “ a bunch of jerks ” if they didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words had Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker immediately telling the president on the call that he is “ extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that ’ s been used ” by him .
“ It ’ s been inflammatory , and it ’ s not OK for that officer to choke George Floyd to death but we have to call for calm .
We have to have police reform called for .
We ’ ve called out our National Guard and our State Police but the rhetoric that ’ s coming out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Pritzker said .
“ And I need to say that people are feeling real pain out there .
And we ’ ve got to have national leadership in calling for calm and making sure that we ’ re addressing the concerns of the legitimate peaceful protestors .
That will help us to bring order.
” Trump responded , “ OK , well thank you very much , J.B .
I don ’ t like your rhetoric very much either because I watched your response to coronavirus , and I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could have done a much better job , frankly.
” The president also said the country needs “ law and order.
” Tina Sfondeles has the full story here .
10:56 a.m. Lightfoot : ‘ We did not stand by and let the South and West sides burn ’ Mayor Lori Lightfoot shot back at at two aldermen who say she didn ’ t have a plan to protect the city ’ s neighborhoods from devastating damage caused by looters Monday morning news conference .
“ We did not stand by and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ There is no way — no way — that we would ever let any neighborhood ” go unprotected in favor of any other , Lightfoot said .
“ We are not going to leave our neighborhoods behind .
That is not going to happen on my watch.
” The accusation that she had ignored pleas to protect the South and West sides was “ deeply offensive to me as a black woman , ” Lightfoot said .
The strategy instead “ was to add resources ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the violence that we saw and the looting that we saw spread like a wildfire.
” Problems “ were everywhere .
They were everywhere.
” Police were trying to deal with calls coming in at a rate of up to 2,000 calls per half-hour .
From Friday through Sunday , “ there were 10,000 calls about looting alone.
” Total call volume over the weekend was 65,000 calls for service — about 50,000 calls more than normal .
Read the full story from Fran Spielman here .
10:13 a.m. Aldermen rip mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard protection Chicago needs 3,000 National Guardsmen — not 375 — to protect neighborhoods under siege from looters , a handful of aldermen said Monday .
Aldermen Brian Hopkins ( 2nd ) , Anthony Beale ( 9th ) and Ray Lopez ( 15th ) made the request , arguing that the deployment of 375 National Guard troops to seal off the perimeter of the downtown area had left South and West Side neighborhoods unprotected .
Lopez and Beale are Lightfoot ’ s most outspoken City Council critics .
During a Sunday morning Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aldermen , Lopez said he asked Lightfoot directly what her plan was to protect the neighborhoods after sealing off a downtown area devastated by looting , vandalism and arsons on Saturday night .
According to Lopez , the mayor responded that she had a plan for every neighborhood .
By Sunday night , Lopez said neighborhoods were in chaos .
His warnings about a “ coordinated attempt to destabilize our city ” turned out to be right .
On a second Zoom conference call between the mayor and City Council , Lopez said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the damage done to their communities .
“ I asked her point-blank .
I said , ‘ I told you this was gon na happen in the morning .
I warned you .
What is our plan for the neighborhoods ?
How are we gon na stabilize the communities ?
We need a five-day plan .
The assumption that this is all gon na go away because you ’ ve got a curfew is wrong .
We need to stabilize the communities .
I want an answer , ’ ” Lopez recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she basically said , ‘ Okay .
Next ’ and tried to move onto the next alderman without answering me .
At which point , I interrupted and said , ‘ No .
I demand an answer .
I want to know what your plan is.
’ ... She said I was full of s - - t for saying that all she cared about was downtown and that she wasn ’ t prepared and that there ’ s nothing she could say intellectually that would make sense to me.
’ ” Lopez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I told her , ‘ F - - k you .
You don ’ t know what ’ s going on .
You need to come out from wherever you ’ re hiding and see what ’ s going on in the neighborhoods.
’ I said , ‘ You need to check your f -- -- ing attitude .
That ’ s not what this is about right now .
… That just underscores and totally proves the fact that she had no plan for the neighborhoods .
”

9:01 p.m. Chicago police officers’ radios crackled with rogue messages during weekend of chaos
Hackers interrupted Chicago’s police radio system over the weekend with everything from anti-cop music to pro-police slogans as dispatchers struggled to answer calls during the looting and gun violence.
“It’s a very dangerous thing that they’re doing,” said Dan Casey, deputy director of public safety information technology in the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
Casey said recordings of the rogue transmissions are being provided to local and federal authorities, who will investigate.
“Jamming,” as it’s called, is illegal and can carry heavy prison time. In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld an eight-year prison sentence for a man who jammed police radio frequencies in Madison, Wisconsin.
More than 130,000 people have viewed a YouTube video posted Sunday in which two men are heard laughing as what they think is Serbian music playing over a scanner on a Chicago police frequency as an officer tries to get help transporting prisoners.
Reporter Frank Main has the full story.
8:34 p.m. Heartbroken South Side alderman doesn’t understand looting – or police response: ‘I think we should have had a better plan’
It took Ald. Howard Brookins Jr. the better part of two terms to convince Walmart to locate a store in his 21st Ward, but it took looters only a couple of hours to destroy it.
On Monday, an extremely frustrated Brookins lamented the extensive damage to businesses in his South Side ward and questioned why police had not done more to prevent it.
Brookins estimated 95% of stores that sell merchandise in the ward were hit by looters over the weekend.
Jewel, Home Depot, Marshalls, Dollar Tree, Dollar Store, Walgreen’s and TCF Bank were among those suffering extensive losses, to name just a few.
The looting was a heartbreaking setback to Brookins and other African-American aldermen, who know better than anyone how difficult it has been to attract whatever investment they’ve seen over the past two decades in their South and West side neighborhoods and how long it might take to replace it — if ever.
Read Mark Brown’s full column here.
8:05 p.m. CTA service suspended until Tuesday morning ‘at request of public safety officials’
All CTA train and bus service will be suspended Monday night starting at 9:30 p.m. and won’t resume until 6 p.m. Tuesday morning.
[Special Note] At request of public safety officials, service suspended on all rail lines and bus routes, eff. 9:30 pm. Services will remain suspended until 6 am Tue. — cta (@cta) June 2, 2020
7:27 p.m. Black Lives Matter claims police brutality against peaceful protesters
Black Lives Matter on Monday demanded an end to Chicago Police “attacks” on people protesting the death of George Floyd.
The group also called for the release of any protesters who’d been arrested, citing one prominent activist and poet, Malcolm London, by name.
But at a news conference Monday morning, CPD Supt. David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot had insisted abuse by officers will not be allowed.
“We don’t tolerate police misconduct — ever. Period. I think I’ve been very clear on that throughout the course of my career. We don’t tolerate it,” said Lightfoot, a former Police Board president who served during the Daley administration as head of the Chicago Police Department Office of Professional Standards.
“If people believe that police have engaged in misconduct, they need to call 311 and file a complaint. And those complaints will be investigated vigorously. This is not a time when we’re bending the rules around police reform and accountability.”
Watch the video and read the full story from reporters Fran Spielman and Lizzie Schiffman Tufano.
6:55 p.m. CPS to resume food distribution program after safety concerns led to day-long suspension
Chicago Public Schools plans to resume meal distribution Tuesday after a day-long suspension Monday because of safety concerns surrounding looting and protests around the city.
The district, the nation’s third largest, has given out more than 12.5 million meals since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through a food program that has been widely praised by parents who rely on schools as a primary food source. Of CPS’ 355,000 students, 271,000 come from low-income families and about 17,000 are homeless.
“We know our meal sites serve as a critical community resource and we are ready to resume this essential service for our families tomorrow following an assessment of ongoing activities,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said in a news release. Chicago police will help with security in the areas around school pick-up sites, she said.
Reporter Nader Issa has the full story.
6:27 p.m. Trump poised to mobilize military: ‘These are acts of domestic terror’
Calling protests across the U.S. “acts of domestic terror,” President Donald Trump on Monday said he will mobilize the U.S. military and other federal assets to end “the destruction and arson.”
“I am taking immediate presidential action to stop the violence and restore security and safety in America by mobilizing all available federal resources civilian and military to stop the rioting and looting to end the destruction and arson and to protect the rights of law abiding Americans including your second amendment rights.”
Trump spoke as cities across the U.S. was grappling with looters and violence drowning out the voices of peaceful protesters in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“The spilling of innocent blood is an offense to humanity, and a crime against God. America needs creation not destruction. Cooperation not contempt, security, not anarchy. Healing not hatred.”
Read the full story from Washington Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet here.
6:06 p.m. Pritzker declares disaster in nine counties, mobilizes more National Guard troops, calls ‘for calm and peace in our streets’
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday declared Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Will and four downstate counties disaster areas to allow him to mobilize Illinois National Guard troops and other state resources needed for areas wracked by looting and vandalism that recalled the tumultuous days of the 1960s.
“We live in some extraordinary and difficult moments now. During my lifetime, I have not seen this. I was very young in 1968,” Pritzker said at a Monday afternoon news conference.
“This has something to do about leadership in the nation. When you don’t have national leaders who are bringing down the temperature in situations like this, it tends to fan the flames,” he said.
“We will meet the challenge. We have the capability to meet the challenge. The people of Illinois have the capability. And again, I would ask people to step up and call for calm and peace in our streets.”
Pritzker praised the performance of 375 members of the Illinois National Guard who joined local law enforcement in Chicago to assist with street closures on Sunday and Monday.
Read the full story here.
5:46 p.m. Profane exchange: Lightfoot, chief City Council critic tussle over police tactics during looting
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and one of her most outspoken City Council critics got into a profane exchange on Sunday during the second of two conference calls held to update aldermen on the city’s failed efforts to contain looting and violence in Chicago neighborhoods.
During the first call on Sunday morning, Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) said he asked Lightfoot directly what her plan was to protect the neighborhoods after sealing off a downtown area devastated by looting, vandalism and arsons on Saturday night.
According to Lopez, the mayor responded she had a plan for every neighborhood.
“I said, ‘I heard on the scanners that we have hundreds of people, caravans, driving in from Indiana and other places to come and terrorize our city,’” Lopez said.
“She rebuffed that. Disregarded me again. She said, ‘I’m dealing with issues. That’s an unsubstantiated rumor. You can chase that if you want, Ray.’”
Read the full story here.
5:13 p.m. Chicago pot shop ‘destroyed’ by looters after ‘everything of value taken’; 2 others hit
Three Chicago pot shops were targeted in the ongoing wave of destruction and theft that has spread across the city after a downtown protest over the officer-involved killing of George Floyd devolved into chaos on Saturday.
On Sunday afternoon, 40-50 looters broke into Mission, 8554 S. Commercial in South Chicago, and made off with the store’s stash of highly regulated pot products.
Kris Krane, Mission’s president, said the shop’s management was able to shut down the dispensary as stores in the area were being ransacked and get out safely, minutes before it was targeted. He said in a Facebook post that the store was “was overrun by 40 to 50 men and women, some armed, and ransacked. Everything of value was taken and the store was mostly destroyed.”
Still, he vowed to rebuild.
“A store can be rebuilt and inventory can be replaced but these human lives cannot,” said Krane. “The staff and customers making it out safe turned what could have been a tragedy into a sad inconvenience.”
“We will rebuild and we will be back stronger as soon as we can,” he added.
Read the full story here.
3:12 p.m. Protestors, police clash in South Shore as activists plead for peace
Tensions were high in South Shore Monday afternoon as more than 100 people confronted a large group of Chicago Police officers outside a store that had been looted over the weekend.
Just before 1 p.m., several dozen officers stood guarding a clothing and shoes store near East 71st Street and South Chappel Avenue in South Shore.
About 100 people soon began arguing with police, some throwing bottles and rocks and starting shoving matches, as community activists William Calloway and Jedidiah Brown pleaded for peace between civilians and police. Across the street, more police officers guarded the parking lot to the Local Market, one of the few grocery stores in the area.
At least two people were taken into custody, one of whom took a swing at an officer.
Soon after, CPD Supt. David Brown arrived at the scene to offer his support and thanks to the officers.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
While the physical confrontations were brief, a handful of people continued to scream at police, insisting that the officers were the ones who escalated the situation.
Johnnetta Philpotts lives in South Shore and played the role of peacemaker between the police and citizens.
As one man continued to scream profanity at an officer, Philpotts confronted him, ordering him to walk away, to which the man replied, “Yes, ma’am.”
Afterwards, Philpotts softly wept when asked what was going through her mind in that moment.
“A lot of things were on my mind because I know that there has been a lot of injustice. There’s been a lot of craziness and nobody has the right to take anybody’s life,” Philpotts said. “But looting and burning buildings and just destroying communities, that’s not the answer. I don’t care if the violence is happening from the police upon citizens, or from citizens upon citizens, it doesn’t matter what color to me.”
Earlier in the day in Bronzeville, about half a dozen women and teen girls were picking up debris outside the Mariano’s grocery store at 38th and King Drive after doing the same at a Jewel a few blocks north. The supermarkets — two of the few in the area — had been looted over the weekend.
“These are our two grocery stores,” said Evita Ali, who lives in Bronzeville. “It’s only two, but [looters] tore it up, so where are we gonna shop? Because we don’t know when they’re gonna open again. We have no idea. It’s hurtful and it’s painful because now we’ve got to go out of our own communities to go to the grocery store.”
Marquita Williams, also there to help clean up, said looters ransacked a nearby WIC food center and stole baby formula.
“They went as far as going in the WIC store,” said Williams, also of Bronzeville. “This is baby formula. They took all these babies’ formulas. These babies can’t even eat. What the hell is we finna do? Y’all set us so far back. Y’all set us all the way back.”
Read the full story here.
2:50 p.m. Local businesses prepare for another night of protest
Michael and Miguel Lopez board up El Palmar restaurant on Monday. Stefano Esposito/Sun-Times
Michael Lopez helps his father, Miguel Lopez, board up the Mexican restaurant the family has owned since 1991 near the corner of Irving Park and Sheridan roads. The buzz of electric drills could be heard all over the North Side on Monday as business owners worried about the possibility of looting. Michael Lopez said they decided to get to work after running into a young man passing out flyers for a protest later Monday.
“We’re hoping for a peaceful protest, but we’d rather be prepared,” Michael Lopez said. “We really hope things don’t get ugly.”
Signs posted on the windows of El Palmar restaurant read: “Latinos for Black Lives Matter” and “Please do not loot here.”
The business remains open for pickup and delivery. Michael Lopez estimates business is down about 70% from pre-pandemic days.
— Stefano Esposito
2:14 p.m. Facing food insecurity due to looting-related closures? Here’s a list of resources
Thousands of families will now have to look for another way to feed their kids after Chicago Public Schools suspended its meal distribution program “based on the evolving nature of activity across the city,” officials announced late Sunday night.
The district has given out more than 12.5 million meals since the start of the coronavirus pandemic through a food program that has been widely praised by parents who rely on schools as a primary food source.
Access to food may be further limited for may Chicagoans after a scattered police presence across the city left pockets open for looting all day without officers responding in many areas on the South, Southwest and West Sides.
Many businesses with damaged storefronts or lost inventory were closed Monday, including grocery stores.
The Chicago Food Depository posted on Twitter Monday that most of its partner food pantries were still open and operational. A searchable database of resources is available here.
City Bureau, a nonprofit civic media organization based on the South Side, has an extensive, searchable resource database that includes food sources.
Anyone without internet access can also text 312-436-2280 to ask about resources in their area.
At the link below, you can click through to a list of resources compiled by the Sun-Times for families in need of food.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL LIST OF RESOURCES FOR FOOD SOURCES
1:50 p.m. Some 2,000 arrested over ‘chaotic’ weekend, and sheriff investigating who was behind orchestrated looting and vandalism
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Sheriff Tom Dart agreed Monday that a line divides the peaceful protesters who were out over the weekend and those who looted and vandalized stores and other businesses.
But they were less certain who was behind what Dart describes as an effort to “utilize… the peaceful protesters for their own criminal acts.”
“Whether you’re talking in the city of Chicago, suburban Cook County — we’re seeing it everywhere,” Dart said.
“There’s definitely organization [to the looting] but as far as the overarching organization, that’s being looked at,” the sheriff said.
Preckwinkle said she had “no idea whatsoever” who was behind it.
An estimated 2,000 people were arrested over the weekend, Dart said.
Read the full story from Rachel Hinton here.
11:39 a.m. In call with governors, President Trump urges arrests, saying they ‘have to dominate’ or look ‘like a bunch of jerks’
In a teleconference with the nation’s governors after a violent weekend of looting and arsons, President Trump on Monday urged governors to “dominate” by sending people to “jail for a long period of time” and said they’d look like “a bunch of jerks” if they didn’t heed his advice.
The words had Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker immediately telling the president on the call that he is “extraordinarily concerned about the rhetoric that’s been used” by him.
“It’s been inflammatory, and it’s not OK for that officer to choke George Floyd to death but we have to call for calm. We have to have police reform called for. We’ve called out our National Guard and our State Police but the rhetoric that’s coming out of the White House is making it worse,” Pritzker said. “And I need to say that people are feeling real pain out there. And we’ve got to have national leadership in calling for calm and making sure that we’re addressing the concerns of the legitimate peaceful protestors. That will help us to bring order.”
Trump responded, “OK, well thank you very much, J.B. I don’t like your rhetoric very much either because I watched your response to coronavirus, and I don’t like your rhetoric either. I think you could have done a much better job, frankly.”
The president also said the country needs “law and order.”
Tina Sfondeles has the full story here.
10:56 a.m. Lightfoot: ‘We did not stand by and let the South and West sides burn’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot shot back at at two aldermen who say she didn’t have a plan to protect the city’s neighborhoods from devastating damage caused by looters Monday morning news conference.
“We did not stand by and let the South and West sides burn,” she said.
“There is no way — no way — that we would ever let any neighborhood” go unprotected in favor of any other, Lightfoot said.
“We are not going to leave our neighborhoods behind. That is not going to happen on my watch.”
Have businesses in your neighborhood been looted? Do you own a business that was damaged over the weekend, or have evidence of vandalism or looting in your community? Email audience@suntimes.com to share with our reporters. Email us
The accusation that she had ignored pleas to protect the South and West sides was “deeply offensive to me as a black woman,” Lightfoot said.
The strategy instead “was to add resources” in those areas, she said, but “the violence that we saw and the looting that we saw spread like a wildfire.”
Problems “were everywhere. They were everywhere.”
Police were trying to deal with calls coming in at a rate of up to 2,000 calls per half-hour.
From Friday through Sunday, “there were 10,000 calls about looting alone.” Total call volume over the weekend was 65,000 calls for service — about 50,000 calls more than normal.
Read the full story from Fran Spielman here.
10:13 a.m. Aldermen rip mayor after neighborhoods ransacked, plead for National Guard protection
Chicago needs 3,000 National Guardsmen — not 375 — to protect neighborhoods under siege from looters, a handful of aldermen said Monday.
Aldermen Brian Hopkins (2nd), Anthony Beale (9th) and Ray Lopez (15th) made the request, arguing that the deployment of 375 National Guard troops to seal off the perimeter of the downtown area had left South and West Side neighborhoods unprotected.
Lopez and Beale are Lightfoot’s most outspoken City Council critics.
During a Sunday morning Zoom conference calls between the mayor and Chicago aldermen, Lopez said he asked Lightfoot directly what her plan was to protect the neighborhoods after sealing off a downtown area devastated by looting, vandalism and arsons on Saturday night. According to Lopez, the mayor responded that she had a plan for every neighborhood.
By Sunday night, Lopez said neighborhoods were in chaos. His warnings about a “coordinated attempt to destabilize our city” turned out to be right. On a second Zoom conference call between the mayor and City Council, Lopez said several aldermen were “in tears” about the damage done to their communities.
“I asked her point-blank. I said, ‘I told you this was gonna happen in the morning. I warned you. What is our plan for the neighborhoods? How are we gonna stabilize the communities? We need a five-day plan. The assumption that this is all gonna go away because you’ve got a curfew is wrong. We need to stabilize the communities. I want an answer,’” Lopez recalled.
“When I was finished, she basically said, ‘Okay. Next’ and tried to move onto the next alderman without answering me. At which point, I interrupted and said, ‘No. I demand an answer. I want to know what your plan is.’ ... She said I was full of s - - t for saying that all she cared about was downtown and that she wasn’t prepared and that there’s nothing she could say intellectually that would make sense to me.’”
Lopez said he answered profanity with profanity.
“I told her, ‘F - - k you. You don’t know what’s going on. You need to come out from wherever you’re hiding and see what’s going on in the neighborhoods.’ I said, ‘You need to check your f----ing attitude. That’s not what this is about right now. … That just underscores and totally proves the fact that she had no plan for the neighborhoods.”
Read the full story here.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Woman, 18, fatally shot in West Englewood

An 18-year-old woman was fatally shot Sunday in Englewood on the South Side .
The woman was shot during an @ @ @ @ @ about 4:25 p.m. in the 5900 block of South Carpenter Street , Chicago police said @ @ @ @ @ a dark-colored sedan .
The woman was taken to St. Bernard Hospital where she was @ @ @ @ @ County medical examiner ’ s office identified her as Keishanay Bolden .
Autopsy results found @ @ @ @ @ wound to the torso and ruled her death a homicide .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

An 18-year-old woman was fatally shot Sunday in Englewood on the South Side.
The woman was shot during an argument with a male suspect about 4:25 p.m. in the 5900 block of South Carpenter Street, Chicago police said. He sped off in a dark-colored sedan.
The woman was taken to St. Bernard Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified her as Keishanay Bolden. Autopsy results found she died from a gunshot wound to the torso and ruled her death a homicide.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Black Lives Matter claims police brutality against peaceful protesters

Black Lives Matter on Monday demanded an end to Chicago Police “ attacks ” on people protesting the death of George Floyd .
The group also called for the release of any protesters who ’ d been arrested , citing one prominent activist and poet , Malcolm London , by name .
But at a news conference Monday morning , CPD Supt .
David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot had insisted abuse by officers will not be allowed .
“ We don ’ t tolerate police misconduct — ever .
Period .
I think I ’ ve been very clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
We don ’ t tolerate it , ” said Lightfoot , a former Police Board president who served during the Daley administration as head of the Chicago Police Department Office of Professional Standards .
“ If people believe that police have engaged in misconduct , they need to call 311 and file a complaint .
And those complaints will be investigated vigorously .
This is not a time when we ’ re bending the rules around police reform and accountability.
” Brown said officers have been professional and patient during one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
For the most part , they exercised “ smart policing ” that “ set the right tone.
” Officers were in riot gear , but Lightfoot denied it sent a provocative message to protesters .
The officers “ wore the equipment they needed to meet the challenge that was out there and will continue to do so , ” the mayor said .
“ There are people out there that are actively trying to provoke them into doing something .
Having that protective gear gives them the security that they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Lightfoot said , or when protesters wield “ a hammer or a shovel or a bat or a metal pipe , as what we saw , or a gun.
” But later Monday , outside the 2nd District police station at 51st Street and Wentworth Avenue , Amika Tendaji , an organizer for Black Lives Matter , talked about an otherwise “ peaceful protest ” Sunday at 53rd and Lake Park that turned violent after police “ began fighting ” protesters who “ held the line and pushed them back.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never even came close ” to the spot where protesters clashed with police , Tendaji said .
A video of the encounter captured by ABC7 Chicago and shared by Black Lives Matter Chicago on Twitter shows London , dressed in a yellow hooded sweatshirt , being chased into the street and surrounded by several Chicago Police officers who beat him with their night sticks .
“ They saw Malcolm , chased Malcolm — probably because Malcolm is dark-skinned and has locs — chased Malcolm and just began pounding on him with sticks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Others tried to intervene to help London , Tendaji said , adding that one ended up in the hospital with a concussion .
“ I got slammed to the ground , we all got bruised up , ” Tendaji said .
“ And so we need everybody to understand : it doesn ’ t f -- -ing matter if you peacefully protest or you burn s -- t down , ” she added , because police are “ not gon na be peaceful either way.
” Damon Williams , arrested along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slammed directly on my head ” during the confrontation .
Williams was released after spending “ about seven hours ” in police custody .
“ And before detaining me , officers put the whole weight of their body of their knee on my neck , ” Williams said .
“ So the same thing that killed George Floyd happened to me [ Sunday ] .
So , while we are protesting the tactics that they have , they use that to respond .
”

Black Lives Matter on Monday demanded an end to Chicago Police “attacks” on people protesting the death of George Floyd.
The group also called for the release of any protesters who’d been arrested, citing one prominent activist and poet, Malcolm London, by name.
But at a news conference Monday morning, CPD Supt. David Brown and Mayor Lori Lightfoot had insisted abuse by officers will not be allowed.
“We don’t tolerate police misconduct — ever. Period. I think I’ve been very clear on that throughout the course of my career. We don’t tolerate it,” said Lightfoot, a former Police Board president who served during the Daley administration as head of the Chicago Police Department Office of Professional Standards.
“If people believe that police have engaged in misconduct, they need to call 311 and file a complaint. And those complaints will be investigated vigorously. This is not a time when we’re bending the rules around police reform and accountability.”
Brown said officers have been professional and patient during one of the most gut-wrenching weekends in Chicago history. For the most part, they exercised “smart policing” that “set the right tone.”
Officers were in riot gear, but Lightfoot denied it sent a provocative message to protesters.
The officers “wore the equipment they needed to meet the challenge that was out there and will continue to do so,” the mayor said.
“There are people out there that are actively trying to provoke them into doing something. Having that protective gear gives them the security that they need when a bottle is hurled at them,” Lightfoot said, or when protesters wield “a hammer or a shovel or a bat or a metal pipe, as what we saw, or a gun.”
But later Monday, outside the 2nd District police station at 51st Street and Wentworth Avenue, Amika Tendaji, an organizer for Black Lives Matter, talked about an otherwise “peaceful protest” Sunday at 53rd and Lake Park that turned violent after police “began fighting” protesters who “held the line and pushed them back.”
London was arrested even though he “never even came close” to the spot where protesters clashed with police, Tendaji said.
A video of the encounter captured by ABC7 Chicago and shared by Black Lives Matter Chicago on Twitter shows London, dressed in a yellow hooded sweatshirt, being chased into the street and surrounded by several Chicago Police officers who beat him with their night sticks.
Here's the video of CPD beating Malcolm London on TV. They beat him with batons, slammed him to the ground & r trying to charge HIM with aggravated battery!
Call 312-747-8366 & demand his immediate release!!
Show up to 51st & Wentworth for jail support! Wear masks and gloves! pic.twitter.com/TtH9bPe97C — BLMChicago (@BLMChi) June 1, 2020
“They saw Malcolm, chased Malcolm — probably because Malcolm is dark-skinned and has locs — chased Malcolm and just began pounding on him with sticks, with them batons,” Tendaji said.
Others tried to intervene to help London, Tendaji said, adding that one ended up in the hospital with a concussion.
“I got slammed to the ground, we all got bruised up,” Tendaji said.
“And so we need everybody to understand: it doesn’t f---ing matter if you peacefully protest or you burn s--t down,” she added, because police are “not gonna be peaceful either way.”
Damon Williams, arrested along with London Sunday, said he was “slammed directly on my head” during the confrontation. Williams was released after spending “about seven hours” in police custody.
“And before detaining me, officers put the whole weight of their body of their knee on my neck,” Williams said.
“So the same thing that killed George Floyd happened to me [Sunday]. So, while we are protesting the tactics that they have, they use that to respond.”
Sun-Times reporter Sam Kelly contributed to this story.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-01--Insurance helps business recover, but pain remains

Chicago businesses , having sustained enormous damage from rioting since the weekend , are finding a lifeline in their insurance policies , provided they were fortunate enough to have one .
For the big-box stores and national chains , insurance to cover property damage , inventory loss and business interruptions are a standard part of operations .
Experts said that most smaller merchants also carry coverage that will help them recover .
“ I don ’ t think the situation will be as dire as some say it could be , ” said Michael Schwartz , executive vice president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Co. in Lombard .
He said the industry , following established practice for disasters , has been quickly handling claims under a triage system—assigning personal visits for the worst cases and helping merchants with board-up and salvage service , if needed .
Simpler claims for a broken window might be handled remotely .
Schwartz said standard policies provide coverage for riots or civil disobedience .
An online brokerage , Next Insurance , found in a survey of 44 % of small businesses never have had coverage , but its results may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home .
The extent of the financial losses is unknown .
Judy Frydland , commissioner of the city ’ s Buildings Department , said Monday that her agency has surveyed damage to 180 commercial properties as of early Sunday .
In 50 cases , the department enlisted its own vendors to do board-up work .
She urged business owners to call 311 if they need help securing their properties .
“ We are not your obstacle but are here to partner with you , ” Frydland said .
Many have drawn comparisons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A study by the Insurance Information Institute found that , in 2020 dollars , the city ’ s 1968 riots produced $ 97 million in insurance claims , ranking it as the ninth most expensive episode of civil disorder in U.S. history .
The study found the most expensive , by far , were the 1992 riots in Los Angeles that followed the police beating of Rodney King .
Those generated an estimated $ 1.4 billion in claims when adjusted for inflation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t been called to handle business related to the Chicago mayhem , another executive at his firm has gone to Minneapolis for claims from the demonstrations there .
Minneapolis is where George Floyd died in police custody , prompting peaceful protests in cities nationwide but also looting and property damage .
The last time he ’ s seen a surge of claims from Chicago , Schwartz said , was the riots that accompanied the Chicago Bulls ’ titles in the 1990s .
The financial cost of recovery , however , is just part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sam Sanchez , owner of two River North restaurants that were ransacked late Saturday , he can ’ t shake the memory of what went beyond theft to wanton destruction .
Watching security video from his home , Sanchez saw people smash TVs and sound equipment with hammers , destroy furniture and steal artwork only to throw it in the street .
He owns Moe ’ s Cantina and Old Crow Smokehouse in River North .
“ There was a lot of hate there .
I can ’ t figure it out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has started his claims and estimates the damages at “ easily over $ 100,000.
” The destruction came as he was planning to open for outdoor dining on Wednesday under the city ’ s planned relaxation of rules for COVID-19 .
That deadline may be deferred now , but Sanchez said it ’ ll take him at least 10 days to replace tempered glass and reopen if allowed .
“ It ’ s just material stuff , and it ’ s hard to see the violation of your personal property .
But this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and insurance doesn ’ t cover that , ” he said .

Chicago businesses, having sustained enormous damage from rioting since the weekend, are finding a lifeline in their insurance policies, provided they were fortunate enough to have one.
For the big-box stores and national chains, insurance to cover property damage, inventory loss and business interruptions are a standard part of operations. Experts said that most smaller merchants also carry coverage that will help them recover.
“I don’t think the situation will be as dire as some say it could be,” said Michael Schwartz, executive vice president of insurance adjustment firm L.J. Shaw & Co. in Lombard. He said the industry, following established practice for disasters, has been quickly handling claims under a triage system—assigning personal visits for the worst cases and helping merchants with board-up and salvage service, if needed. Simpler claims for a broken window might be handled remotely.
Schwartz said standard policies provide coverage for riots or civil disobedience. An online brokerage, Next Insurance, found in a survey of 44% of small businesses never have had coverage, but its results may have been skewed by responses from sole proprietors working from home.
The extent of the financial losses is unknown. Judy Frydland, commissioner of the city’s Buildings Department, said Monday that her agency has surveyed damage to 180 commercial properties as of early Sunday. In 50 cases, the department enlisted its own vendors to do board-up work.
She urged business owners to call 311 if they need help securing their properties. “We are not your obstacle but are here to partner with you,” Frydland said.
Many have drawn comparisons between the unrest and the 1968 riots that followed the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A study by the Insurance Information Institute found that, in 2020 dollars, the city’s 1968 riots produced $97 million in insurance claims, ranking it as the ninth most expensive episode of civil disorder in U.S. history.
The study found the most expensive, by far, were the 1992 riots in Los Angeles that followed the police beating of Rodney King. Those generated an estimated $1.4 billion in claims when adjusted for inflation.
Schwartz said that while he hasn’t been called to handle business related to the Chicago mayhem, another executive at his firm has gone to Minneapolis for claims from the demonstrations there. Minneapolis is where George Floyd died in police custody, prompting peaceful protests in cities nationwide but also looting and property damage.
The last time he’s seen a surge of claims from Chicago, Schwartz said, was the riots that accompanied the Chicago Bulls’ titles in the 1990s.
The financial cost of recovery, however, is just part of the challenge businesses face. For Sam Sanchez, owner of two River North restaurants that were ransacked late Saturday, he can’t shake the memory of what went beyond theft to wanton destruction.
Watching security video from his home, Sanchez saw people smash TVs and sound equipment with hammers, destroy furniture and steal artwork only to throw it in the street. He owns Moe’s Cantina and Old Crow Smokehouse in River North.
“There was a lot of hate there. I can’t figure it out,” he said. Sanchez said he has started his claims and estimates the damages at “easily over $100,000.”
The destruction came as he was planning to open for outdoor dining on Wednesday under the city’s planned relaxation of rules for COVID-19. That deadline may be deferred now, but Sanchez said it’ll take him at least 10 days to replace tempered glass and reopen if allowed.
“It’s just material stuff, and it’s hard to see the violation of your personal property. But this means your employees can’t work, and insurance doesn’t cover that,” he said.