chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--Exelon execs pledge to change culture, help federal probe

Despite an extraordinary admission of corrupt practices by its ComEd subsidiary , top executives of Chicago-based Exelon said Friday they have rooted out those responsible and are busy reforming the company ’ s culture .
In agreeing to pay $ 200 million to settle a federal probe into its lobbying practices , ComEd confessed that , from 2011 through 2019 , it provided $ 1.3 million in payments to associates of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan .
It said the payments were to curry favor with Madigan over matters important to the utility .
During an interview , Exelon CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question involved much important legislation .
But he said Exelon , upon discovering payments to Madigan allies directed by former executives , worked quickly on reforms .
Crane declined to discuss if the company is providing direct evidence against Madigan , who is not accused of wrongdoing .
But the CEO noted the settlement requires ComEd and Exelon to fully cooperate with prosecutors .
ComEd agreed not to ask customers to cover the $ 200 million .
It also agreed to pay the money in two stages over 90 days and not seek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While it provides power to 70 % of Illinois customers , ComEd is just one of six publicly regulated utilities under the Exelon umbrella .
Last year , Exelon reported $ 3 billion in net income on more than $ 34.4 billion in revenue .
In its report for the first quarter of this year , the company said it had $ 1.45 billion in cash .
Its stock closed Friday at $ 39.40 a share , up 3.5 % despite news of the federal charge .
From 2011 to 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been good policy for consumers , ” Crane said .
“ It has allowed ComEd to invest significantly in reliability and allowed ComEd to reduce rates four of the nine years.
” At the same time , he said the company will not condone practices such as routing money to politically favored recipients , often hidden on the payrolls of subcontractors .
“ We have taken all the corrective actions that we can against anybody that was orchestrating this .
They are no longer with ComEd , ” he said .
Crane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mechanisms for interactions with public officials , vetting and monitoring lobbyists and political consultants , and employment and vendor referrals from public officials .
He said the policies will cover all company subsidiaries , not just ComEd .
If ComEd complies with all terms , prosecutors have agreed to drop the bribery charge after three years , although it still must cooperate if the federal probe continues beyond that time .
Crane said despite the tighter scrutiny , ComEd will spend heavily on lobbying when legislative issues warrant .
Crane declined to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint , such as Anne Pramaggiore , who last October retired as senior executive vice president at Exelon .
From 2012 to 2018 , she was CEO of ComEd .
While not identified in the complaint , her identity is clear from the context .
A spokesman for Pramaggiore said she “ has done nothing wrong and any inference to the contrary is misguided and false.
” His statement continued : “ During her tenure , she and other current and former ComEd and Exelon executives received , evaluated and granted many requests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the companies , none of which constitute unlawful activity .
”

Despite an extraordinary admission of corrupt practices by its ComEd subsidiary, top executives of Chicago-based Exelon said Friday they have rooted out those responsible and are busy reforming the company’s culture.
In agreeing to pay $200 million to settle a federal probe into its lobbying practices, ComEd confessed that, from 2011 through 2019, it provided $1.3 million in payments to associates of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. It said the payments were to curry favor with Madigan over matters important to the utility.
During an interview, Exelon CEO Christopher Crane said the time period in question involved much important legislation. But he said Exelon, upon discovering payments to Madigan allies directed by former executives, worked quickly on reforms.
Crane declined to discuss if the company is providing direct evidence against Madigan, who is not accused of wrongdoing. But the CEO noted the settlement requires ComEd and Exelon to fully cooperate with prosecutors.
ComEd agreed not to ask customers to cover the $200 million. It also agreed to pay the money in two stages over 90 days and not seek reimbursement from any organization other than Exelon.
While it provides power to 70% of Illinois customers, ComEd is just one of six publicly regulated utilities under the Exelon umbrella. Last year, Exelon reported $3 billion in net income on more than $34.4 billion in revenue. In its report for the first quarter of this year, the company said it had $1.45 billion in cash.
Its stock closed Friday at $39.40 a share, up 3.5% despite news of the federal charge.
From 2011 to 2019, “multiple bills were passed that really have been good policy for consumers,” Crane said. “It has allowed ComEd to invest significantly in reliability and allowed ComEd to reduce rates four of the nine years.”
At the same time, he said the company will not condone practices such as routing money to politically favored recipients, often hidden on the payrolls of subcontractors. “We have taken all the corrective actions that we can against anybody that was orchestrating this. They are no longer with ComEd,” he said.
Crane said Exelon is implementing rules and tracking mechanisms for interactions with public officials, vetting and monitoring lobbyists and political consultants, and employment and vendor referrals from public officials. He said the policies will cover all company subsidiaries, not just ComEd.
If ComEd complies with all terms, prosecutors have agreed to drop the bribery charge after three years, although it still must cooperate if the federal probe continues beyond that time.
Crane said despite the tighter scrutiny, ComEd will spend heavily on lobbying when legislative issues warrant.
Crane declined to discuss former ComEd officials implicated in the federal complaint, such as Anne Pramaggiore, who last October retired as senior executive vice president at Exelon. From 2012 to 2018, she was CEO of ComEd. While not identified in the complaint, her identity is clear from the context.
A spokesman for Pramaggiore said she “has done nothing wrong and any inference to the contrary is misguided and false.” His statement continued: “During her tenure, she and other current and former ComEd and Exelon executives received, evaluated and granted many requests to provide appropriate and valuable services to the companies, none of which constitute unlawful activity.”
Contributing: Jon Seidel


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--CPS parents have mixed reactions to a part-time return to classroom

After months of debate and guesses , Chicago Public Schools families learned Friday what school would look like in the fall — and they had mixed reactions .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS officials announced their tentative plan to put most students back in classrooms two days a week with remote learning the other three days .
High school juniors and seniors will keep learning at home full-time .
All families can opt out of in-person learning for any reason .
Estrella Cedeno , a 36-year-old mother of five and West Rogers Park resident , has three children in CPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s too soon to bring students back to school , and plans to keep her kids at home even if the two-day-a-week format moves forward .
“ How do they know [ the kids ] are not in contact with someone with COVID when they ’ re not in school ?
” she asked .
Cedeno actually contracted COVID-19 in March after coming in contact with an emergency room doctor who had the virus .
Although none of her children were infected , she called it “ the worst pain I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Even if it ’ s one day , I ’ m not ready for that , ” she said , of the return to school .
“ I honestly would like remote learning for at least the first semester , until the numbers go down a little bit.
” Cedeno ’ s eldest daughter is starting community college in the fall at City Colleges , which plans to offer most classes remotely .
“ If it ’ s not safe for older kids , then why is it safe for little kids who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” said Cedeno .
Cassandra Hatto , whose daughter Sofia is a rising junior at Jones College Prep , said she appreciates that CPS is “ following the science ” and keeping schools at low capacity .
She said she empathizes with decision-makers because it ’ s difficult to make plans that are ultimately “ OK for some , but don ’ t work for others.
” Hatto said that while she understands the conclusion regarding juniors and seniors staying completely online , she was surprised by it .
She ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home for her daughter , but is concerned about students whose parents are unable to stay at home to help .
Sofia , 16 , said that while she agreed it was best to continue online only during the pandemic , her biggest concern in the fall was “ not being able to interact with teachers or people in class ” and not being able to work together with other students .
Schaunda Hall , a mother of a student at Cather Elementary in East Garfield Park on the West Side , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor that the parent perspective is an important one to consider as CPS ramps up learning in the fall .
CPS is holding five public hearings and soliciting input through a survey .
“ When I think about goals and dreams for next school year for my little heartbeat , I think about education and safety , ” Hall said .
“ We have to be honest .
COVID-19 is real .
It ’ s serious and it ’ s taking lives .
“ The plan to reopen schools should allow for flexibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It needs to be prioritized both with students ’ academic and social and emotional needs .
It needs to put safety first .
”

After months of debate and guesses, Chicago Public Schools families learned Friday what school would look like in the fall — and they had mixed reactions.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS officials announced their tentative plan to put most students back in classrooms two days a week with remote learning the other three days. High school juniors and seniors will keep learning at home full-time. All families can opt out of in-person learning for any reason.
Estrella Cedeno, a 36-year-old mother of five and West Rogers Park resident, has three children in CPS. She said she thinks it’s too soon to bring students back to school, and plans to keep her kids at home even if the two-day-a-week format moves forward.
“How do they know [the kids] are not in contact with someone with COVID when they’re not in school?” she asked.
Cedeno actually contracted COVID-19 in March after coming in contact with an emergency room doctor who had the virus. Although none of her children were infected, she called it “the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“Even if it’s one day, I’m not ready for that,” she said, of the return to school. “I honestly would like remote learning for at least the first semester, until the numbers go down a little bit.”
Cedeno’s eldest daughter is starting community college in the fall at City Colleges, which plans to offer most classes remotely.
“If it’s not safe for older kids, then why is it safe for little kids who can’t follow directions that well?” said Cedeno.
Cassandra Hatto, whose daughter Sofia is a rising junior at Jones College Prep, said she appreciates that CPS is “following the science” and keeping schools at low capacity. She said she empathizes with decision-makers because it’s difficult to make plans that are ultimately “OK for some, but don’t work for others.”
Hatto said that while she understands the conclusion regarding juniors and seniors staying completely online, she was surprised by it.
She’s able to shape her work around being at home for her daughter, but is concerned about students whose parents are unable to stay at home to help.
Sofia, 16, said that while she agreed it was best to continue online only during the pandemic, her biggest concern in the fall was “not being able to interact with teachers or people in class” and not being able to work together with other students.
Schaunda Hall, a Chicago Public Schools parent, speaks during a press conference at the Chicago Public Schools Headquarters in the Loop Friday morning, July 17, 2020. CPS CEO Dr. Janice Jackson and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced reopening plans for public schools in the fall. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Schaunda Hall, a mother of a student at Cather Elementary in East Garfield Park on the West Side, said at a news conference with the mayor that the parent perspective is an important one to consider as CPS ramps up learning in the fall. CPS is holding five public hearings and soliciting input through a survey.
“When I think about goals and dreams for next school year for my little heartbeat, I think about education and safety,” Hall said. “We have to be honest. COVID-19 is real. It’s serious and it’s taking lives.
“The plan to reopen schools should allow for flexibility. It should be rooted in equality. It needs to be prioritized both with students’ academic and social and emotional needs. It needs to put safety first.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--City shuts down River North weed dispensary days after opening

Two days after a new pot shop opened in River North after facing fierce opposition from both residents and the local alderman , the city ’ s Department of Buildings effectively shut down the business by issuing a stop-work order .
MOCA sent out an email Friday stating its recreational dispensary at 214-232 W. Ohio had “ temporarily closed.
” Mimi Simon , a spokeswoman for the Department of Buildings , told the Sun-Times the order was issued Thursday “ due to work being completed without a permit.
” “ The stop work order will be lifted once the applicant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Special Use issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals , obtains the proper permits and pays the associated fines , ” Simon explained .
Matthew Beaudet , acting commissioner of the department , sent a letter Friday informing state regulators that MOCA has failed to apply for a change of occupancy for the location or submit an application for a “ full renovation building permit for a cannabis dispensary.
” Beaudet explained the stop-work order is in place because MOCA failed to obtain a permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building ’ s patio , a measure required as part of the firm ’ s special-use zoning approval .
Before earning provisional approval from the ZBA in March , MOCA ‘ s new location faced considerable pushback from both the River North Residents Association and local Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) .
MOCA owner Danny Marks claimed all zoning board requirements have been met .
And while Marks acknowledged “ a few minor issues related to our building permits to sort out , ” he expects to reopen early next week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the fact that we did not do any construction , only cosmetic work and had a misunderstanding about how to treat that change of use , ” said Marks , who co-owns another dispensary in Logan Square and three Emporium arcade bars across the city .
“ Our whole world is compliance , ” Marks said .
“ We have multiple tavern licenses and dispensary licenses and have never had any serious violations .
”

Two days after a new pot shop opened in River North after facing fierce opposition from both residents and the local alderman, the city’s Department of Buildings effectively shut down the business by issuing a stop-work order.
MOCA sent out an email Friday stating its recreational dispensary at 214-232 W. Ohio had “temporarily closed.” Mimi Simon, a spokeswoman for the Department of Buildings, told the Sun-Times the order was issued Thursday “due to work being completed without a permit.”
“The stop work order will be lifted once the applicant complies with the cannabis dispensary requirements outlined in the Municipal Code of Chicago and the Special Use issued by the Zoning Board of Appeals, obtains the proper permits and pays the associated fines,” Simon explained.
Matthew Beaudet, acting commissioner of the department, sent a letter Friday informing state regulators that MOCA has failed to apply for a change of occupancy for the location or submit an application for a “full renovation building permit for a cannabis dispensary.”
Beaudet explained the stop-work order is in place because MOCA failed to obtain a permit to build a fence closing off the building’s patio, a measure required as part of the firm’s special-use zoning approval. Before earning provisional approval from the ZBA in March, MOCA‘s new location faced considerable pushback from both the River North Residents Association and local Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd).
MOCA owner Danny Marks claimed all zoning board requirements have been met. And while Marks acknowledged “a few minor issues related to our building permits to sort out,” he expects to reopen early next week.
“The confusion was primarily based on the fact that we did not do any construction, only cosmetic work and had a misunderstanding about how to treat that change of use,” said Marks, who co-owns another dispensary in Logan Square and three Emporium arcade bars across the city.
“Our whole world is compliance,” Marks said. “We have multiple tavern licenses and dispensary licenses and have never had any serious violations.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--Felon arrested for 2015 murder after coming off train at Union Station following prison release

A 33-year-old convicted felon was arrested for a 2015 murder Thursday after he got off an Amtrak train at Union Station following his release from the Shawnee Correctional Center in an unrelated case .
Daniel Guana was back in custody Friday and ordered held on $ 250,000 bail for 31-year-old Rocky Weekes ’ murder in Old Irving Park on Sept. 8 , 2015 .
Guana had been identified immediately by a relative of Weekes who had witnessed the deadly shooting .
It was unclear why Guana was not questioned at the time , but cold case detectives recently re-interviewed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting remained consistent , Cook County prosecutors said .
Little detail was given in court Friday as to why the Illinois State Police forensic lab took so long in testing blood that was found on a wooden bat-like object used by Guana ’ s companion to pound Weekes relative ’ s car in the attack .
But prosecutors said state police ruled in September that the results weren ’ t suitable for comparison .
Chicago police declined to comment Friday on whether the testing impacted the investigation and contributed to a delay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weekes was murdered , his relative reluctantly drove him and a few of his friends to the 3300 block of North Keeler Avenue where they saw Guana , prosecutors said .
Weekes asked the relative to stop the vehicle and approached Guana as his friends waited outside .
Weekes ’ relative stayed in the vehicle .
As Weekes approached without a weapon , Guana pulled out a dark-colored revolver and fired two to three times , striking Weekes in the abdomen and leg , prosecutors said .
Weekes ’ friends ran away when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Guana ’ s began hitting Weekes ’ relative ’ s car with the bat-like object , which was later recovered by police , prosecutors said .
Guana walked to the rear of the car and allegedly fired at the driver , but only struck the vehicle .
Weekes managed to climb onto the hood of the car and held on as his relative sped away .
But Weekes soon fell off the hood , so the pair stopped a stranger who called 911 , prosecutors said .
Weekes was taken to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weekes ’ relative told police he recognized Guana from the neighborhood , and described him by his long hair and face tattoo , prosecutors said .
The relative , in a discussion about the shooting with another family member , described the shooter again a week later .
That person found a picture of Guana on Facebook , and showed the photo to police .
That fall , the relative who was with Weekes before he was murdered , identified Guana again in a photo array , prosecutors said .
Guana , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burglary , was released on parole Thursday after serving a year at the downstate prison , state records show .
Defense attorney Ray Bendig called the evidence against Guana “ tenuous ” and questioned why police had never interviewed him if he had been identified as a suspect years ago .
“ It ’ s not my place to say Chicago should have done this , or Chicago should have done that , ” Judge David Navarro told Bendig .
“ They were conducting an investigation.
” Bendig said if his client had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stayed with his mother and worked at a Dairy Queen .
Guana is expected back in court on Aug. 4 .

A 33-year-old convicted felon was charged with a 2015 murder Thursday after he got off an Amtrak train at Union Station following his release from the Shawnee Correctional Center in an unrelated case.
Daniel Guana was back in custody Friday and ordered held on $250,000 bail for 31-year-old Rocky Weekes’ murder in Old Irving Park on Sept. 8, 2015.
Guana had been identified immediately by a relative of Weekes who had witnessed the deadly shooting.
It was unclear why Guana was not questioned at the time, but cold case detectives recently re-interviewed the relative and found his recollection of the shooting remained consistent, Cook County prosecutors said.
Little detail was given in court Friday as to why the Illinois State Police forensic lab took so long in testing blood that was found on a wooden bat-like object used by Guana’s companion to pound Weekes relative’s car in the attack.
But prosecutors said state police ruled in September that the results weren’t suitable for comparison.
Chicago police declined to comment Friday on whether the testing impacted the investigation and contributed to a delay in charging Guana.
On the fall night Weekes was murdered, his relative reluctantly drove him and a few of his friends to the 3300 block of North Keeler Avenue where they saw Guana, prosecutors said.
Weekes asked the relative to stop the vehicle and approached Guana as his friends waited outside. Weekes’ relative stayed in the vehicle.
As Weekes approached without a weapon, Guana pulled out a dark-colored revolver and fired two to three times, striking Weekes in the abdomen and leg, prosecutors said.
Weekes’ friends ran away when the shots were fired but a cohort of Guana’s began hitting Weekes’ relative’s car with the bat-like object, which was later recovered by police, prosecutors said.
Guana walked to the rear of the car and allegedly fired at the driver, but only struck the vehicle.
Weekes managed to climb onto the hood of the car and held on as his relative sped away. But Weekes soon fell off the hood, so the pair stopped a stranger who called 911, prosecutors said.
Weekes was taken to a hospital, where he later died.
Weekes’ relative told police he recognized Guana from the neighborhood, and described him by his long hair and face tattoo, prosecutors said.
David Guana Chicago police
The relative, in a discussion about the shooting with another family member, described the shooter again a week later. That person found a picture of Guana on Facebook, and showed the photo to police.
That fall, the relative who was with Weekes before he was murdered, identified Guana again in a photo array, prosecutors said.
Guana, who was sentenced to four years for attempted burglary, was released on parole Thursday after serving a year at the downstate prison, state records show.
Defense attorney Ray Bendig called the evidence against Guana “tenuous” and questioned why police had never interviewed him if he had been identified as a suspect years ago.
“It’s not my place to say Chicago should have done this, or Chicago should have done that,” Judge David Navarro told Bendig. “They were conducting an investigation.”
Bendig said if his client had made it home, he would have stayed with his mother and worked at a Dairy Queen.
Guana is expected back in court on Aug. 4.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--NFLPA’s big question: Can NFL keep players safe amid coronavirus pandemic?

The NFL and NFLPA disagree on numerous issues with a little over a week until the scheduled start of training camp .
There are major unresolved financial disagreements , but the players ’ union is more concerned about how the league plans to keep them safe amid the coronavirus pandemic .
Consider a hypothetical laid out by union president and Browns center J.C. Tretter .
“ If the center tests positive on a Friday and there ’ s a quarantine period for all of his close contacts , well , if I just came from a practice where I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my offensive teammates and during individual drills with all my linemen and been blocking the defensive linemen and linebackers all afternoon , aren ’ t we talking about 35 guys being close contacts with me ?
” he said .
“ If they ’ re all in quarantine the next couple of days , what does Sunday ’ s game look like ?
“ One positive test late in the week [ could derail ] an entire team because all the people who were close contacts need to get through the protocols @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sick and transmitting this virus to everyone around them .
You don ’ t have enough bodies to put on the field.
” The union is adamant that players need to be tested daily , while the league has pushed for fewer tests .
Executive director DeMaurice Smith also continued to rail against playing any preseason games this year , reiterated preemptive concerns about coaches cutting corners on health protocols and warned , along with Tretter , that players likely won ’ t be in football shape if they report July 28 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” period to prepare for actual practice .
Despite that , Smith said no players have formally opted out of the season .
Once the health-related items are solidified , the league and union must figure out how to process a projected massive revenue loss from playing in empty stadiums and potentially canceling games .
If they navigate that by dropping the salary cap by $ 70 million for 2021 , many players would be at risk of being cut .
The union prefers to spread the hit over many years .

The NFL and NFLPA disagree on numerous issues with a little over a week until the scheduled start of training camp. There are major unresolved financial disagreements, but the players’ union is more concerned about how the league plans to keep them safe amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Consider a hypothetical laid out by union president and Browns center J.C. Tretter.
“If the center tests positive on a Friday and there’s a quarantine period for all of his close contacts, well, if I just came from a practice where I’ve been in a huddle with all of my offensive teammates and during individual drills with all my linemen and been blocking the defensive linemen and linebackers all afternoon, aren’t we talking about 35 guys being close contacts with me?” he said. “If they’re all in quarantine the next couple of days, what does Sunday’s game look like?
“One positive test late in the week [could derail] an entire team because all the people who were close contacts need to get through the protocols to make sure they’re not sick and transmitting this virus to everyone around them. You don’t have enough bodies to put on the field.”
The union is adamant that players need to be tested daily, while the league has pushed for fewer tests.
Executive director DeMaurice Smith also continued to rail against playing any preseason games this year, reiterated preemptive concerns about coaches cutting corners on health protocols and warned, along with Tretter, that players likely won’t be in football shape if they report July 28 as planned and will need a “ramp-up” period to prepare for actual practice.
Despite that, Smith said no players have formally opted out of the season.
Once the health-related items are solidified, the league and union must figure out how to process a projected massive revenue loss from playing in empty stadiums and potentially canceling games. If they navigate that by dropping the salary cap by $70 million for 2021, many players would be at risk of being cut. The union prefers to spread the hit over many years.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--2 shot on I-57 near Posen; NB lanes closed at 147th

Two people were shot on Interstate 57 Saturday near south suburban Posen .
The shooting happened about 3 a.m. on @ @ @ @ @ , according to Illinois State Police .
Two people were injured and taken to Christ @ @ @ @ @ and the University of Chicago Medical Center , state police said .
One person is @ @ @ @ @ other person ’ s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening .
All northbound lanes @ @ @ @ @ the scene of the shooting and traffic is being diverted off the expressway near 147th @ @ @ @ @ .
The ramp from 147th to the northbound lanes is also closed .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

Two people were shot on Interstate 57 Saturday near south suburban Posen.
The shooting happened about 3 a.m. on northbound I-57 near 147th Street, according to Illinois State Police.
Two people were injured and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and the University of Chicago Medical Center, state police said. One person is in serious condition while the other person’s injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
All northbound lanes remain closed for investigation near the scene of the shooting and traffic is being diverted off the expressway near 147th, according to state police.
Lanes reopened about 7:10 a.m., state police said. An investigation is ongoing.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--Dear Abby: Neighbor refuses to pay for damage from his botched renovation work

DEAR ABBY : We were friendly with our next-door neighbor , who owned a contracting company , and we hired him to renovate our bathroom .
At the time , we thought he did a wonderful job .
It looked beautiful .
Unfortunately , he didn ’ t set the tub correctly , and a slow leak was happening underneath it .
Three years later , our kitchen ceiling came down .
We had to pay $ 10,000 to repair the damage , and the entire tub and shower had to be removed and redone .
We talked with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologetic , but after speaking with his wife , who is a lawyer , he told us our options are to “ eat it ” or sue him .
We did sue him .
The case was dismissed prior to trial on a technicality , and the judge suggested we refile with a lawyer .
We had tried to represent ourselves in small claims court , and the judge said it ’ s difficult to do when the opposing side has a lawyer .
I have so much anger and resentment toward them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pounds .
Our other neighbors are on our side .
They all say the couple will move , but if they don ’ t , can you give us any advice on how to deal with this if we choose not to refile a lawsuit ?
He knows he completed this part of the job wrong , but his wife won ’ t let him do the right thing .
I ’ m blown away by the lack of ethics from people we regarded as friends .
They have now cut ties with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood over this .
— THE RIGHT THING IN THE EAST DEAR THE RIGHT THING : Do not blame only the wife for what happened ; her husband is her willing partner .
They are equally ethically challenged , not to mention shameless , so don ’ t count on them moving any time soon .
Because you are reluctant to incur the expense of hiring a lawyer to represent you in court , consider reporting the husband to the Better Business Bureau and the state contracting license board .
If you do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experiencing the frustration and monetary loss you have .
DEAR ABBY : I feel like I do better on my own .
I don ’ t want kids , I don ’ t want a husband , and I don ’ t want commitment .
I have accepted that I ’ m better by myself , but my mother , who is religious , is still convinced that I will want a kid one day .
She feels she “ knows ” this , even though I have told her many times that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handle a husband or children .
I have done my best to grin and bear it , but I feel guilty for disappointing her by not fulfilling her fantasy about my having a breadwinner husband and being a trophy wife with perfect kids .
It ’ s not that she won ’ t get to be a grandmother .
She already is , but my sister isn ’ t perfect , and I don ’ t like that Mom wishes me to be what the rest of my siblings couldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my being bisexual makes her queasy .
She is still in denial .
What can I do when she says things like she can ’ t wait until I have a husband or a kid of my own , or when she makes the same irritating face whenever anything about anyone ’ s sexual orientation is mentioned ?
— LIKES IT SOLO IN TEXAS DEAR LIKES IT : Because you have told your mother repeatedly that marriage and parenthood aren ’ t what you want , when she brings it up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her to make you feel guilty for wanting to live your life the way you see fit .
It is YOUR life , not hers , and you were not put on this earth to fulfill her fantasy or make up for your sister ’ s deficits .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — 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 .

DEAR ABBY: We were friendly with our next-door neighbor, who owned a contracting company, and we hired him to renovate our bathroom. At the time, we thought he did a wonderful job. It looked beautiful. Unfortunately, he didn’t set the tub correctly, and a slow leak was happening underneath it. Three years later, our kitchen ceiling came down. We had to pay $10,000 to repair the damage, and the entire tub and shower had to be removed and redone.
We talked with our neighbor about it, and he seemed apologetic, but after speaking with his wife, who is a lawyer, he told us our options are to “eat it” or sue him. We did sue him.
The case was dismissed prior to trial on a technicality, and the judge suggested we refile with a lawyer. We had tried to represent ourselves in small claims court, and the judge said it’s difficult to do when the opposing side has a lawyer. I have so much anger and resentment toward them that when I see them my heart pounds.
Our other neighbors are on our side. They all say the couple will move, but if they don’t, can you give us any advice on how to deal with this if we choose not to refile a lawsuit? He knows he completed this part of the job wrong, but his wife won’t let him do the right thing. I’m blown away by the lack of ethics from people we regarded as friends. They have now cut ties with the entire circle of friends in our neighborhood over this. — THE RIGHT THING IN THE EAST
DEAR THE RIGHT THING: Do not blame only the wife for what happened; her husband is her willing partner. They are equally ethically challenged, not to mention shameless, so don’t count on them moving any time soon.
Because you are reluctant to incur the expense of hiring a lawyer to represent you in court, consider reporting the husband to the Better Business Bureau and the state contracting license board. If you do, it may save another family from experiencing the frustration and monetary loss you have.
DEAR ABBY: I feel like I do better on my own. I don’t want kids, I don’t want a husband, and I don’t want commitment. I have accepted that I’m better by myself, but my mother, who is religious, is still convinced that I will want a kid one day. She feels she “knows” this, even though I have told her many times that I wouldn’t be able to handle a husband or children. I have done my best to grin and bear it, but I feel guilty for disappointing her by not fulfilling her fantasy about my having a breadwinner husband and being a trophy wife with perfect kids.
It’s not that she won’t get to be a grandmother. She already is, but my sister isn’t perfect, and I don’t like that Mom wishes me to be what the rest of my siblings couldn’t be. Also I can tell the idea of my being bisexual makes her queasy. She is still in denial.
What can I do when she says things like she can’t wait until I have a husband or a kid of my own, or when she makes the same irritating face whenever anything about anyone’s sexual orientation is mentioned? — LIKES IT SOLO IN TEXAS
DEAR LIKES IT: Because you have told your mother repeatedly that marriage and parenthood aren’t what you want, when she brings it up, change the subject. Do not allow her to make you feel guilty for wanting to live your life the way you see fit. It is YOUR life, not hers, and you were not put on this earth to fulfill her fantasy or make up for your sister’s deficits.
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--2020-07-18--As Bears approach training camp, what exactly have they built?

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After a frenetic offseason that included dumping some mainstays , revamping the coaching staff and creating a quarterback competition , the Bears are a little more than a week away from finding out what kind of team they have .
Will new quarterback Nick Foles be as good a fit as the Bears imagined when they paid a steep price to acquire him ?
Is the rest of the football world wrong about tight end Jimmy Graham ’ s decline ?
Will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line woes ?
The Bears haven ’ t been able to do anything but project and guess .
The coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to cancel spring practices , so coach Matt Nagy and his staff won ’ t get their first look at this team until they open training camp July 28 — assuming that starts on time .
Here ’ s a look at what they have in six key aspects of the roster : Pass rushers : Best of the best The Bears built their roster around having a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that come from it .
Defensive backs don ’ t have to hold their coverage as long , and opposing quarterbacks often are pressured into making bad decisions , even if the Bears don ’ t get a sack .
Swapping out Leonard Floyd for Robert Quinn is an automatic upgrade .
All this group needs is for Quinn , Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks to stay healthy and be themselves .
It would be a nice bonus , but the Bears aren ’ t banking on Quinn returning to the All-Pro form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If he merely can repeat what he did for the Cowboys last season — 11œ sacks , 22 quarterback hits , two forced fumbles — this pass rush should be overwhelming .
It was impressive that the Bears remained so good against the run last season , even with the opposition usually playing with a lead and being inclined to drain the clock through the running game .
And they rarely got much of a rest between possessions .
And they were missing Hicks for much of the season .
With all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears were No .
9 in total run defense ( 102 yards per game ) and fifth in yards per carry ( 3.9 ) .
Consider this : The Bears allowed 22 points or fewer in five of their eight losses last season .
Their defense was still championship-caliber , and there ’ s good reason to expect linebacker Roquan Smith and others in the front seven to be better this season .
This is where the Bears venture into some serious uncertainties .
They ’ ll benefit from the elite pass rush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but they won ’ t go into training camp with the secondary solidified .
There ’ s a massive drop-off at cornerback after Fuller .
The Bears hope second-round pick Jaylon Johnson will be an immediate starter .
They hope reclamation project Artie Burns gets back on track after flaming out with the Steelers .
They hope Kevin Toliver ( 16 % of the defensive snaps last season ) or Duke Shelley ( less than 1 % ) will fight his way into the mix .
That ’ s a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to think they hit the jackpot with their one-year offer to Tashaun Gipson .
He made the Pro Bowl for the Browns in 2014 , but this is his third team since then , and the last two cut him .
Tom Brady , Philip Rivers , Cam Newton and Teddy Bridgewater were available this offseason , but the Bears picked Foles .
Not only did they have to give up a fourth-round draft pick to acquire him , but they also signed him to a three-year , $ 24 million deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a quarterback who has started 13 games in the last four seasons .
While Foles led the Eagles to a championship three years ago as a late-season replacement for Carson Wentz , he has exactly one season ( 2013 ) as a good , full-time NFL starter on his résumé .
And if he doesn ’ t work out , the alternative is Mitch Trubisky .
So there ’ s major concern at quarterback but also many question marks on the offensive line and at tight end .
Up front , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former offensive line coach Harry Hiestand must have been holding them back and that newcomer Juan Castillo can fix the problem .
At tight end , the most important non-quarterback position in Nagy ’ s offense , the idea is that a combination of rookie Cole Kmet , struggling veteran Graham and unheralded Demetrius Harris will be enough .
Ground game : Do they have one ?
The aforementioned offensive line worries obviously affect the running attack , too , but that ’ s not the central issue for the Bears .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagy ’ s commitment to it .
Is he ready to change ?
He ’ s a former quarterback who came up in the pass-happy offense of Andy Reid .
And while he says he ’ s not allergic to running the ball , there ’ s some concerning evidence to the contrary .
He set a franchise-record low by calling for only seven rushes against the Saints last season and had eight other games with fewer than 25 .
( The NFL average was 25.4 . )
This offseason , Nagy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game back on track .
He had no choice .
With most of the personnel returning , including running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen , the change needs to be philosophical .
Kicker drama has been a Bears staple the last few seasons , though they rather that would not be the case .
They appear to have moved on from the wild kicker tryouts they held a year ago , but there still will be a head-to-head competition between incumbent Eddy Pineiro and challenger Ramiz Ahmed .
That probably wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been more convincing last season .
He roared in with a 53-yard game-winner against the Broncos in Week 2 , but that was forgotten when he hit a five-game slump in the middle of the season .
His misses were alarming , and so was Nagy ’ s occasional aversion to even letting him try .
Pineiro is the favorite to win the job , but his job security is only a little stronger than it was going into last season .

After a frenetic offseason that included dumping some mainstays, revamping the coaching staff and creating a quarterback competition, the Bears are a little more than a week away from finding out what kind of team they have.
Will new quarterback Nick Foles be as good a fit as the Bears imagined when they paid a steep price to acquire him? Is the rest of the football world wrong about tight end Jimmy Graham’s decline? Will replacing a position coach solve their offensive line woes?
The Bears haven’t been able to do anything but project and guess. The coronavirus pandemic forced the NFL to cancel spring practices, so coach Matt Nagy and his staff won’t get their first look at this team until they open training camp July 28 — assuming that starts on time.
Here’s a look at what they have in six key aspects of the roster:
Pass rushers: Best of the best
The Bears built their roster around having a great pass rush because of all the byproducts that come from it. Defensive backs don’t have to hold their coverage as long, and opposing quarterbacks often are pressured into making bad decisions, even if the Bears don’t get a sack.
Swapping out Leonard Floyd for Robert Quinn is an automatic upgrade. All this group needs is for Quinn, Khalil Mack and Akiem Hicks to stay healthy and be themselves. It would be a nice bonus, but the Bears aren’t banking on Quinn returning to the All-Pro form that got him 19 sacks in 2013. If he merely can repeat what he did for the Cowboys last season — 11œ sacks, 22 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles — this pass rush should be overwhelming.
Run stoppers: Still superb
It was impressive that the Bears remained so good against the run last season, even with the opposition usually playing with a lead and being inclined to drain the clock through the running game. And they rarely got much of a rest between possessions. And they were missing Hicks for much of the season. With all of that working against them, the Bears were No. 9 in total run defense (102 yards per game) and fifth in yards per carry (3.9).
Consider this: The Bears allowed 22 points or fewer in five of their eight losses last season. Their defense was still championship-caliber, and there’s good reason to expect linebacker Roquan Smith and others in the front seven to be better this season.
Secondary: No guarantees
This is where the Bears venture into some serious uncertainties. They’ll benefit from the elite pass rush and stars Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson, but they won’t go into training camp with the secondary solidified.
There’s a massive drop-off at cornerback after Fuller. The Bears hope second-round pick Jaylon Johnson will be an immediate starter. They hope reclamation project Artie Burns gets back on track after flaming out with the Steelers. They hope Kevin Toliver (16% of the defensive snaps last season) or Duke Shelley (less than 1%) will fight his way into the mix. That’s a lot of hoping.
At safety, the Bears want to think they hit the jackpot with their one-year offer to Tashaun Gipson. He made the Pro Bowl for the Browns in 2014, but this is his third team since then, and the last two cut him.
Passing game: Highly questionable
Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Cam Newton and Teddy Bridgewater were available this offseason, but the Bears picked Foles. Not only did they have to give up a fourth-round draft pick to acquire him, but they also signed him to a three-year, $24 million deal.
That’s quite a commitment to a quarterback who has started 13 games in the last four seasons. While Foles led the Eagles to a championship three years ago as a late-season replacement for Carson Wentz, he has exactly one season (2013) as a good, full-time NFL starter on his résumé.
And if he doesn’t work out, the alternative is Mitch Trubisky. So there’s major concern at quarterback but also many question marks on the offensive line and at tight end.
Up front, the Bears’ answer is that highly respected former offensive line coach Harry Hiestand must have been holding them back and that newcomer Juan Castillo can fix the problem. At tight end, the most important non-quarterback position in Nagy’s offense, the idea is that a combination of rookie Cole Kmet, struggling veteran Graham and unheralded Demetrius Harris will be enough.
Ground game: Do they have one?
The aforementioned offensive line worries obviously affect the running attack, too, but that’s not the central issue for the Bears. The biggest variable in their running game is Nagy’s commitment to it.
Is he ready to change? He’s a former quarterback who came up in the pass-happy offense of Andy Reid. And while he says he’s not allergic to running the ball, there’s some concerning evidence to the contrary. He set a franchise-record low by calling for only seven rushes against the Saints last season and had eight other games with fewer than 25. (The NFL average was 25.4.)
This offseason, Nagy has paid extra attention to getting the ground game back on track. He had no choice. With most of the personnel returning, including running backs David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen, the change needs to be philosophical.
Special teams: Perpetually TBD
Kicker drama has been a Bears staple the last few seasons, though they rather that would not be the case. They appear to have moved on from the wild kicker tryouts they held a year ago, but there still will be a head-to-head competition between incumbent Eddy Pineiro and challenger Ramiz Ahmed.
That probably wouldn’t be the case if Pineiro had been more convincing last season. He roared in with a 53-yard game-winner against the Broncos in Week 2, but that was forgotten when he hit a five-game slump in the middle of the season. His misses were alarming, and so was Nagy’s occasional aversion to even letting him try.
Pineiro is the favorite to win the job, but his job security is only a little stronger than it was going into last season.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--Teen boy shot at Belmont Central gas station

A teenage boy was shot Saturday in Belmont Central on the Northwest Side .
The 17-year-old was pumping gas at @ @ @ @ @ a.m. in the 5500 block of West Diversey Avenue when someone fired shots from a @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
The boy was shot in the back and taken to Community First @ @ @ @ @ .
He was transferred to Stroger Hospital in fair condition .
No one is in @ @ @ @ @ investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A teenage boy was shot Saturday in Belmont Central on the Northwest Side.
The 17-year-old was pumping gas at a gas station about 2:35 a.m. in the 5500 block of West Diversey Avenue when someone fired shots from a black SUV, according to Chicago police.
The boy was shot in the back and taken to Community First Medical Center, police said. He was transferred to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.
No one is in custody as Area Five detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--Driver runs red light, crashes into 4 vehicles in South Shore

Seven people were injured after a driver ran a red light and crashed into four vehicles Saturday in South Shore @ @ @ @ @ speeding westbound in a Lincoln sedan about 1:10 a.m. in the 2400 block of East @ @ @ @ @ a red light and struck four other vehicles , Chicago police said .
Seven people @ @ @ @ @ Hospital , Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and the University of Chicago Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ police said .

Seven people were injured after a driver ran a red light and crashed into four vehicles Saturday in South Shore.
A male driver was speeding westbound in a Lincoln sedan about 1:10 a.m. in the 2400 block of East 75th Street when he ran a red light and struck four other vehicles, Chicago police said.
Seven people were taken to Jackson Park Hospital, Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and the University of Chicago Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries, police said.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--Boy, 14, shot in hand in Albany Park

Boy, 14, shot in hand in Albany Park

A teenage boy was injured in a shooting Saturday in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
The 14-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ at 12:58 a.m. in the 3600 block of West Argyle Street , according to Chicago @ @ @ @ @ tell police about the circumstances of the shooting .
The boy was dropped off at @ @ @ @ @ to Lurie Children ’ s Hospital in good condition , police said .
No one @ @ @ @ @ Five detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A teenage boy was injured in a shooting Saturday in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
The 14-year-old was shot in the left hand at 12:58 a.m. in the 3600 block of West Argyle Street, according to Chicago police. He refused to tell police about the circumstances of the shooting.
The boy was dropped off at Swedish Covenant Hospital and transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital in good condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Five detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--Department store looted on Mag Mile: police

The group , estimated to be between 50 and 80 people , broke out the front display windows of the @ @ @ @ @ the 900 block of North Michigan Avenue , according to Chicago police .
Bloomingdale ’ @ @ @ @ @ block at 900 N. Michigan .
An unknown number of people entered the store and @ @ @ @ @ .
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate .

A large group looted a department store Friday on the Magnificent Mile.
The group, estimated to be between 50 and 80 people, broke out the front display windows of the store at 11:51 p.m. in the 900 block of North Michigan Avenue, according to Chicago police.
Bloomingdale’s is located in that block at 900 N. Michigan.
An unknown number of people entered the store and took merchandise, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Three detectives investigate.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--39 shot, 5 fatally, so far this weekend

39 shot, 5 fatally, so far this weekend

Thirty-nine people have been shot across Chicago so far this weekend , five of them fatally .
Six teenage boys are among those wounded .
The latest fatal shooting left a man dead Saturday morning in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
The 26-year-old was shot multiple times at 6:28 a.m. in the 3400 block of West Ohio Street , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
About three hours earlier , another man was killed in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
The 18-year-old was driving south on Washtenaw Avenue at 3:28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to police .
He was struck in the armpit and crashed the vehicle into a tree in the 2600 block of West 24th Street .
The man was pronounced dead at the scene .
Less than 20 minutes before that , one man was fatally shot and four other people were injured in Lawndale on the West Side .
The group was standing on the sidewalk and street at 3:12 a.m. in the 1600 block of South Keeler Avenue when two males fired shots , police said .
A 25-year-old man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
A 36-year-old woman was shot in the left leg , a 32-year-old man was shot in the right arm , police said .
Two other men , whose ages were not immediately known , were also each shot in the right leg .
All four were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
Nearly two hours earlier , a 67-year-old man was fatally shot in Austin on the West Side .
He was walking on the sidewalk about 12:30 a.m. in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when someone fired shots from a vacant lot , police said .
The man was shot in the neck and pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital .
The weekend ’ s earliest homicide killed one man and injured another Friday night in Chatham on the South Side .
They were in a first floor apartment about 9:52 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue when a male kicked in the door and opened fire , police said .
Derek Teague , 60 , was shot in the neck and pronounced dead at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County medical examiner ’ s office said .
He lived in Bronzeville .
A 23-year-old man was hit in the arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition , according to police .
The weekend ’ s first shooting wounded three people , including a 14-year-old boy , a few hours earlier in the same block .
The trio was on the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Drexel when a vehicle drove up and someone inside opened fire , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital .
A 21-year-old man was struck in the arm , and a woman , 27 , was shot in the buttocks .
They were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
Chicago fire officials said the trio was transported in serious-to-critical condition but stabilized at the hospital .
Two teenage boys were shot Saturday afternoon during a dice game in Lawndale .
The teens , 14 and 17 , were playing dice about 3:35 p.m. on a sidewalk in the 1500 block of South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pulled up and opened fire , Chicago police said .
The 17-year-old was shot in the groin and the 14-year-old was struck in the buttocks , police said .
Both were taken to Mt .
Sinai Hospital , where they were in good condition .
Another teenage boy was shot early Saturday at a gas station in Belmont Central on the Northwest Side .
The 17-year-old was pumping gas at a gas station about 2:35 a.m. in the 5500 block of West Diversey Avenue when someone fired shots from a black SUV , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot in the back and taken to Community First Medical Center .
He was transferred to Stroger Hospital in fair condition .
About an hour and a half before that , another 14-year-old was wounded in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
The boy was shot in the left hand at 12:58 a.m. in the 3600 block of West Argyle Street , police said .
He refused to tell police about the circumstances of the shooting .
He was dropped off at Swedish Covenant Hospital and transferred to Lurie Children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , another teen was shot in Englewood on the South Side .
The 17-year-old was standing on the sidewalk about 9:47 p.m. in the 6900 block of South Lafayette Avenue when someone fired shots from a black sedan , police said .
The boy was struck in the leg and arm and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
Three more people were wounded in a single shooting about 10 minutes earlier in Roseland on the South Side .
They were hanging out on the sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of South Wentworth Avenue when someone fired shots from a red sedan , police said .
Two 49-year-olds were each struck in the leg and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition .
The third man , 42 , was shot in the foot and taken to Roseland Community Hospital in good condition .
At least 18 other people have been injured by gunfire throughout Chicago since 5 p.m. Friday .
Last weekend , 64 people were shot across the city , 13 of them fatally .
Six of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was killed .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Ten people were killed and 60 others, including 10 minors, were wounded in shootings across Chicago over the weekend.
The numbers surpassed those of the same weekend last year, when 43 people were shot, three of them fatally.
Last weekend, 64 people were shot across the city, 13 of them fatally. Six of those victims were teenagers and one teen was killed.
Sunday
The latest fatal shooting killed two men and wounded three others late Sunday night in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.
The shooting happened about 11:52 p.m. in the 11300 block of South Carpenter Street, Chicago police said. A group of people were outside when someone fired shots. A 26-year-old and 41-year-old man suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Another 26-year-old, man a 37-year-old man and a 48-year-old man were also struck by bullets and taken to area hospitals, police said. The younger man was in critical condition.
Police investigate the scene where five people were shot July 19, 2020 in Morgan Park. Carly Behm/Sun-Times
A shooting about an hour earlier left a man dead in Chatham on the South Side.
About 10:45 p.m., the 21-year-old was standing outside a vehicle in the 8200 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when he was shot in the back as another vehicle drove by, police said. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died.
Earlier, a man was killed in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
The 20-year-old was shot about 2:55 a.m. in the 3200 block of West Cermak Road, according to police. He was dropped off at Mount Sinai Hospital with gunshot wounds to his right cheek and the right side of his abdomen and pronounced dead a short time later.
About 20 minutes before that, a man was killed and a woman was injured in the Loop.
They were in a vehicle heading north in the 300 block of North Wabash Avenue about 2:35 a.m. when they saw a group of males on the east side of the bridge over the Chicago River arguing with someone in the middle of the street, according to police. The male in the street fired a handgun toward the group, but hit the man and woman in the vehicle. The victims drove to the first block of East Wacker Drive, where they flagged down police officers and asked for medical attention.
The man, 35-year-old Gregory Crafword of Maywood, was shot in the neck and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he died, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. The woman, 25, was shot in both arms and taken to Northwestern in serious condition.
Saturday
On Saturday morning, a man was shot to death in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
Anji Webster, 26, was shot multiple times at 6:28 a.m. in the 3400 block of West Ohio Street, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
About three hours earlier, another man was killed in Little Village.
Miguel Rios, 18, was driving south on Washtenaw Avenue at 3:28 a.m. when someone shot at him, authorities said. He was struck in the armpit and crashed the vehicle into a tree in the 2600 block of West 24th Street. Rios, who lived in Gage Park, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Less than 20 minutes before that, one man was fatally shot and four other people were injured in Lawndale on the West Side.
The group was standing on the sidewalk and street at 3:12 a.m. in the 1600 block of South Keeler Avenue when two males fired shots, officials said. Twan Thigpen, 25, was shot in the chest and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
A 36-year-old woman was shot in the left leg, a 32-year-old man was shot in the right arm, police said. Two other men, whose ages were not immediately known, were also each shot in the right leg. All four were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
Nearly two hours earlier, a 67-year-old man was fatally shot in Austin on the West Side.
Jimmy Blumingburg was walking on the sidewalk about 12:30 a.m. in the 4900 block of West Hubbard Street when someone fired shots from a vacant lot, officials said. Blumingburg was shot in the neck and pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
Friday
The weekend’s earliest homicide killed one man and injured another Friday night in Chatham on the South Side.
They were in a first floor apartment about 9:52 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Drexel Avenue when a male kicked in the door and opened fire, authorities said. Derek Teague, 60, was shot in the neck and pronounced dead at the scene. He lived in Bronzeville.
A 23-year-old man was hit in the arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition, according to police.
Minors wounded
Two preteen boys were among three people shot Sunday afternoon in Gresham on the South Side.
Multiple people were sitting outside a home in the 8200 block of South Ada Street when someone opened fire from a vehicle just after 4:30 p.m., according to police. The boys, 10 and 11, were both taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition. The 10-year-old was shot in the ankle and calf, while the 11-year-old was struck in the arm.
A 27-year-old man was shot in the leg and arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was also in good condition, police said.
Sunday evening, three people were shot in West Garfield Park, including a 17-year-old boy.
He and two men, 19 and 26, were walking in an alley about 9:32 p.m. in the 100 block of North Keeler Avenue when someone in a dark sedan unleashed gunfire, police said. All three people were hospitalized in good condition. The teen was struck in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital. The 26-year-old man was shot in the ankle and taken to the same hospital. The 19-year-old man was grazed in the face and was taken to Norwegian-American Hospital.
A 14-year-old boy was shot Saturday night in Gresham on the South Side.
He was on the sidewalk about 9:30 p.m. in the 7600 block of South Green Street when someone approached with a handgun and fired shots, according to police. The teen was hit in the upper right side of his back and his right shoulder and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Saturday afternoon, two boys were shot during a dice game in Lawndale.
The teens, 14 and 17, were playing dice about 3:35 p.m. on a sidewalk in the 1500 block of South Sawyer Avenue when someone in a vehicle pulled up and opened fire, police said. The 17-year-old was shot in the groin and the 14-year-old was struck in the buttocks. Both were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where they were in good condition.
Another teenage boy was shot early Saturday at a gas station in Belmont Central on the Northwest Side.
The 17-year-old was pumping gas at a gas station about 2:35 a.m. in the 5500 block of West Diversey Avenue when someone fired shots from a black SUV, according to police. The boy was shot in the back and taken to Community First Medical Center. He was transferred to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.
About an hour and a half before that, another 14-year-old was wounded in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
The boy was shot in the left hand at 12:58 a.m. in the 3600 block of West Argyle Street, police said. He refused to tell police about the circumstances of the shooting. He was dropped off at Swedish Covenant Hospital and transferred to Lurie Children’s Hospital in good condition.
On Friday night, another teen was shot in Englewood on the South Side.
The 17-year-old was standing on the sidewalk about 9:47 p.m. in the 6900 block of South Lafayette Avenue when someone fired shots from a black sedan, police said. The boy was struck in the leg and arm and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
The weekend’s first shooting wounded three people, including a 14-year-old boy, in Chatham.
The trio was on the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Drexel when a vehicle drove up and someone inside opened fire, police said. The teen was struck in the face and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital. A 21-year-old man was struck in the arm, and a woman, 27, was shot in the buttocks. They were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Chicago fire officials said the trio was transported in serious-to-critical condition but stabilized at the hospital.
Other nonfatal attacks
Two people were injured in expressway shootings in Chicago on Saturday.
One person was shot just before 5 a.m. on Interstate 90/94 on the Ontario feeder ramp on the Near North Side, state police said. Responding officers found one person with a non-life threatening gunshot wound. That person was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Saturday afternoon, another person was shot on Interstate 57 in Morgan Park, state police said. Troopers responded about 1:30 p.m. to reports of the shooting, and found a driver with life-threatening injuries; their passenger wasn’t hurt.
Three people were wounded in a single shooting Friday night in Roseland on the South Side.
They were hanging out on the sidewalk about 9:35 p.m. in the 10900 block of South Wentworth Avenue when someone fired shots from a red sedan, police said. Two 49-year-olds were each struck in the leg and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition. The third man, 42, was shot in the foot and taken to Roseland Community Hospital in good condition.
At least 31 other people were injured by gunfire throughout Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-18--Illinoisans remember civil rights hero John Lewis: ‘Rest in power’ and ‘Make Good Trouble’

Civil rights legend John Lewis , the Georgia congressman who died Friday , touched the lives of many Illinois members of Congress and former President Barack Obama , who met him when he was a student in law school .
The two last talked about six weeks ago .
Freshman Rep. Lauren Underwood , D-Ill. , met Lewis in 2006 when she was intern and then found herself in the “ surreal ” position of serving with her hero after she was elected to Congress in 2018 .
In tributes on Twitter , Rep. Jan Schakowsky , D-Ill. , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures of themselves and Lewis taken on June 22 , 2016 at a House Democratic sit-in on the House floor designed to pressure Republicans for votes on gun control measures .
Democrats were looking for an act of defiance and Kelly and another member , after consulting with Lewis , the civil rights giant , decided on the sit-in tactic .
Schakowsky added to her photo , pictured above , an iconic phase associated with Lewis : ‘ Make Good Trouble.
” On Saturday , Schakowsky told the Sun-Times that with the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights movement is gaining strength in the wake of the killing of George Floyd — “ Hopefully in a way , it puts more pressure on people who don ’ t want to deal with justice issues.
” Freshman Rep. Sean Casten , D-Ill. , on Saturday recalled going to Selma and Montgomery with Lewis last March ; each year Lewis has taken colleagues on a pilgrimage South to educate them about the civil rights era .
“ Thinking about that trip a lot this morning , ” Casten said on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an essay he wrote he wondered how Lewis could “ be so kind to members who voted against HR4 , the Voting Rights Advancement Act ?
How can he be so willing to work with people who have used their platforms to spread hatred and reinforce the narrative of inequality ?
” When Obama and Lewis talked about six weeks ago , the Obama Foundation said it was after a virtual town hall hosted by My Brother ’ s Keeper Alliance — an organization whose roots are in the Obama White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental toll racism takes on people of color , ” the foundation said on Saturday .
At the town hall , the foundation said , “ In a powerful moment ” Lewis described “ the courage he found in his faith and how this act of self-care allowed him to summon the strength he needed to keep fighting .
It ’ s a testament to how he lived his life—and the example he set for future generations.
” Tributes from Illinoisans who served with John Lewis in Congress : Excerpt : “ In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life was exceptional .
But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do .
He believed that in all of us , there exists the capacity for great courage , a longing to do what ’ s right , a willingness to love all people , and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect .
And it ’ s because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue , even in his passing , to serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards a more perfect union .
“ ... .It ’ s fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer ’ s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd ’ s death .
Afterwards , I spoke to him privately , and he could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality , a new generation intent on voting and protecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generation running for political office .
I told him that all those young people — of every race , from every background and gender and sexual orientation — they were his children .
They had learned from his example , even if they didn ’ t know it .
They had understood through him what American citizenship requires , even if they had heard of his courage only through history books .
“ Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful , remarkable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thanks to him , we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.
” “ John Lewis was a superb man and incalculable contributor to the history of our nation .
A man who rose from humble beginnings to become an American icon .
“ We will certainly miss his trumpeting voice , calling our nation to higher heights and a greater estimation of ourselves , as a freedom loving , God fearing people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together again , dancing in heaven .
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and to the people he loved , as well as the people who loved him.
” “ It ’ s hard to put the sweeping legacy of John Lewis into mere words .
He was a man who , for generations , fought for justice with his mind , words , body , and sometimes—for those lucky enough to know him personally—with just the weight of his presence in a room .
“ I first met him in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was surreal to become his colleague in 2019 .
I always felt an overwhelming sense that there was so much to learn from him , and never enough time .
“ He spent his entire life , up until the very end , fighting for what was right and just .
He believed in an America that could progress , be better , and live up to her highest ideals ; and he lived his life fighting to make it so .
May we revere him , may we continue to learn from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the America he believed in.
” “ Devastated at the loss of my friend , @ repjohnlewis .
His example will forever challenge us to seek a brighter future for all.
” Casten on Twitter linked to an essay he wrote after his March trip to Selma and Montgomery last March .
He wrote then , “ It is my great privilege to serve with John Lewis .
I am continually astounded by his grace and tolerance .
How can he be so kind to members who voted against HR4 , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he be so willing to work with people who have used their platforms to spread hatred and reinforce the narrative of inequality ?
How can he stay so gracious in the face of indignities that make me – a safe , privileged , white man – so angry.
” On Twitter Casten said , “ The world is so much brighter today than it would have been without John Lewis .
We are all a little better , a little more decent , a little more tolerant for every day we watched his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to emulate him .
RIP to a giant among men .
“ John Lewis ’ s life defies description .
He was a son of sharecroppers who grew to be a titan of the Civil Rights Movement and the conscience of the United States Congress .
He was beaten bloody during the Freedom Rides and yet offered forgiveness to the Klansman who had attacked him .
He taught us all how to fight for the soul of our democracy and , most importantly , how to get into ‘ good trouble.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fighting for what he knew to be right .
Just weeks ago , he joined protestors in the streets in calling for justice for George Floyd and an end to systemic racism .
The passion of those protestors and their dedication to nonviolence is already a tribute to the indelible legacy of this icon .
“ We are a better country because of his leadership and I will never forget what a profound honor it was to serve beside him.
” “ Last night we lost a hero , a legend , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who exemplified the persistence of those who know the fight for justice is , as he said , not the fight of one day , but the struggle of a lifetime .
“ We all know he was a central figure in the fight for civil rights .
But he was also an unconditional ally in the fight for the rights of immigrants .
He firmly believed the United States immigration system should reflect our nation ’ s commitment to justice , decency and human rights .
“ Our country is much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his indefatigable search for justice for all the people who couldn ’ t speak for themselves .
“ It was an incredible honor to serve in Congress with John Lewis .
My thoughts and prayers are with his son John-Miles , his family and his staff .
We will honor his life and legacy by continuing to speak up , speak out and get in good trouble .
Necessary trouble .
“ One of the great honors of my life was to serve alongside John Lewis .
He inspired me everyday , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in power , my dear friend.
” “ It was a true honor to serve in Congress with @ repjohnlewis & my heartfelt prayers are with his family .
An American icon , his legacy of courage & sacrifice will continue to inspire us , his moral integrity & dedication to justice will continue to be our guiding light.
” “ This is such a momentous loss for Congress and our nation .
John Lewis showed us all how to affect change in the name of civil rights and a more perfect union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was honored to serve with and learn from him .
He will be missed .
# GoodTrouble ” “ America has lost a hero , a patriot , and most of all , a brave , kind man who devoted his life to justice .
I ’ m proud to have been able to call John Lewis a colleague and a friend , but far more , I ’ m proud to live in an America he helped make possible .
The progress our country made on civil rights in his lifetime is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he partnered with and inspired in leading our country forward .
John Lewis blessed America with his life ’ s work , and now we are entrusted with carrying that work forward .
“ On a personal note , John Lewis was very kind to my family during our visits with him , and he even visited Chicago to spend time with my constituents , supporters , and me .
He was the same man in private that he was in public : thoughtful , affable , and incredibly generous in spirit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ Tonight , we mourn the loss of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis .
He dedicated his incredible life to justice , fairness , and equality .
America is a better place because of him .
RIP “ Tonight , we mourn the loss of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis .
He dedicated his incredible life to justice , fairness , and equality .
America is a better place because of him .
RIP ” “ When touring the Smithsonian a few years ago , my son asked who this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Civil Rights Movement .
I told him that was John Lewis and I get the privilege of serving with him .
RIP John .
The House will miss you greatly.
” “ Last night , we lost a friend , a hero and one of the best among us .
Rep. John Lewis taught us what it truly means to fight for what is right , especially where there are those who would fight against you .
“ Our nation and our people would not be who we are today without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And as we navigate an uncertain future , it is the light of his memory that must guide us .
“ Last night , we lost a hero , and today , we are a nation in mourning .
But we can not let our mourning deter us from the work to which Rep. Lewis ’ life was dedicated .
In his memory , we must knock down every barrier to the ballot box and restore the Voting Rights Act .
It can not be our last step , but for Rep. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I will miss my friend .
But I will remain steadfast in carrying on his legacy.
” “ Saddened to hear of the passing of my congressional colleague and civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis .
Prayers to his family and all who were touched through his service to country and community .
”

Illinois members of Congress who served with John Lewis, the Georgia congressman and civil rights legend who died Friday, remembered him as an inspiration and, for some, a man who showed them how to “make good trouble.”
Former President Barack Obama, noted, in his tribute, the “enormous impact” of Lewis “on the history of this country.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker called Lewis “an icon whose life and work should serve as an example to us all,” and Mayor Lori Light saluted him as “the conscience of a nation.”
Freshman Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., first met Lewis in 2006, but eventually found herself in the “surreal” position of serving with her hero after she was elected to Congress in 2018.
“It’s hard to put the sweeping legacy of John Lewis into mere words. He was a man who, for generations, fought for justice with his mind, words, body, and sometimes—for those lucky enough to know him personally—with just the weight of his presence in a room,” Underwood wrote on Twitter.
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., and Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., posted pictures of themselves and Lewis taken on June 22, 2016 during a sit-in on the House floor that was designed to pressure Republicans for votes on gun control measures.
Democrats were looking for an act of defiance and Kelly and another member, after consulting with Lewis, decided on the sit-in tactic.
Schakowsky added an iconic phase associated with Lewis in her photo: ‘Make Good Trouble.”
On Saturday, Schakowsky told the Sun-Times that the death of Lewis — which came as a new civil rights movement is gaining strength in the wake of the killing of George Floyd — “Hopefully in a way, it puts more pressure on people who don’t want to deal with justice issues.”
Each year, Lewis had taken colleagues on a pilgrimage South to educate them about the civil rights era.
“Thinking about that trip a lot this morning,” Freshman Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., tweeted of his own trip to Selma and Montgomery with Lewis last March.
“The world is so much brighter today than it would have been without John Lewis,” Casten wrote in another post. “We are all a little better, a little more decent, a little more tolerant for every day we watched his example and tried, in our imperfect way to emulate him.”
In a statement, Obama remembered Lewis as a man who “loved this country so much that he risked his life and his blood so that it might live up to its promise.
“And through the decades, he not only gave all of himself to the cause of freedom and justice, but inspired generations that followed to try to live up to his example,” Obama wrote.
The Obama Foundation said the former president and Lewis had talked six weeks ago after a virtual town hall hosted by My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, an organization that is part of the foundation and seeks to close the opportunity gap for boys and young men of color.
“In a powerful moment” at the town hall, Lewis described “the courage he found in his faith and how this act of self-care allowed him to summon the strength he needed to keep fighting. It’s a testament to how he lived his life—and the example he set for future generations,” the foundation said.
Tributes from Illinoisans for John Lewis:
Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., via Twitter
“I have lost a dear friend and a real hero. I will always remember standing on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma with John Lewis on a misty Sunday morning many years ago. John pointed to the spot where he had been viciously beaten and almost died fifty years before.
“God spared him that day with a purpose. More than any other person in his time, John Lewis’s lifelong battle for justice truly mattered. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., via Twitter
“Heartbroken to hear we’ve lost @RepJohnLewis, a civil rights icon and true American hero. Joining him to create #goodtrouble as he led the gun violence sit in was an incredible honor, as was calling him a colleague and friend. I will miss him dearly. We all will.”
Former President Barack Obama
“In so many ways, John’s life was exceptional. But he never believed that what he did was more than any citizen of this country might do. He believed that in all of us, there exists the capacity for great courage, a longing to do what’s right, a willingness to love all people, and to extend to them their God-given rights to dignity and respect. And it’s because he saw the best in all of us that he will continue, even in his passing, to serve as a beacon in that long journey towards a more perfect union.
“....It’s fitting that the last time John and I shared a public forum was at a virtual town hall with a gathering of young activists who were helping to lead this summer’s demonstrations in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Afterwards, I spoke to him privately, and he could not have been prouder of their efforts — of a new generation standing up for freedom and equality, a new generation intent on voting and protecting the right to vote, a new generation running for political office. I told him that all those young people — of every race, from every background and gender and sexual orientation — they were his children. They had learned from his example, even if they didn’t know it. They had understood through him what American citizenship requires, even if they had heard of his courage only through history books.
“Not many of us get to live to see our own legacy play out in such a meaningful, remarkable way. John Lewis did. And thanks to him, we now all have our marching orders — to keep believing in the possibility of remaking this country we love until it lives up to its full promise.”
Read Obama’s full statement here.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, via Twitter
“You were a civil rights icon, the conscience of a nation, & the maker of good trouble until the very end. Rep. John Lewis, you will be sorely missed.
“Let’s all devote ourselves to the cause of justice and aspire to our highest ideals as John Lewis showed us throughout his life.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, via Twitter
“Rep. John Lewis was an icon whose life and work should serve as an example to us all. He never stopped fighting for justice, equality, and a more perfect union. It’s on all of us to carry on his legacy by working together to create a better America.”
Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill.
“John Lewis was a superb man and incalculable contributor to the history of our nation. A man who rose from humble beginnings to become an American icon.
“We will certainly miss his trumpeting voice, calling our nation to higher heights and a greater estimation of ourselves, as a freedom loving, God fearing people.
“He and Lillian are finally together again, dancing in heaven. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and to the people he loved, as well as the people who loved him.”
Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Ill.
“It’s hard to put the sweeping legacy of John Lewis into mere words. He was a man who, for generations, fought for justice with his mind, words, body, and sometimes—for those lucky enough to know him personally—with just the weight of his presence in a room.
“I first met him in 2006 as an intern, and it was surreal to become his colleague in 2019. I always felt an overwhelming sense that there was so much to learn from him, and never enough time.
“He spent his entire life, up until the very end, fighting for what was right and just. He believed in an America that could progress, be better, and live up to her highest ideals; and he lived his life fighting to make it so. May we revere him, may we continue to learn from him, and may we forever fight for the America he believed in.”
Rep. John Lewis and Rep. Robin Kelly during a sit-in protest on the floor of the House of Representatives in 2016. Provided
Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Ill., via Twitter
“Devastated at the loss of my friend, @repjohnlewis. His example will forever challenge us to seek a brighter future for all.”
Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill.
Casten on Twitter linked to an essay he wrote after his March trip to Selma and Montgomery last March. He wrote then, “It is my great privilege to serve with John Lewis. I am continually astounded by his grace and tolerance. How can he be so kind to members who voted against HR4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act? How can he be so willing to work with people who have used their platforms to spread hatred and reinforce the narrative of inequality? How can he stay so gracious in the face of indignities that make me – a safe, privileged, white man – so angry.”
On Twitter Casten said, “The world is so much brighter today than it would have been without John Lewis. We are all a little better, a little more decent, a little more tolerant for every day we watched his example and tried, in our imperfect way to emulate him. RIP to a giant among men.
Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., via Twitter
“Rest in love my friend.”
Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.
“John Lewis’s life defies description. He was a son of sharecroppers who grew to be a titan of the Civil Rights Movement and the conscience of the United States Congress. He was beaten bloody during the Freedom Rides and yet offered forgiveness to the Klansman who had attacked him. He taught us all how to fight for the soul of our democracy and, most importantly, how to get into ‘good trouble.’
“John Lewis simply never tired of fighting for what he knew to be right. Just weeks ago, he joined protestors in the streets in calling for justice for George Floyd and an end to systemic racism. The passion of those protestors and their dedication to nonviolence is already a tribute to the indelible legacy of this icon.
“We are a better country because of his leadership and I will never forget what a profound honor it was to serve beside him.”
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, D-Ill.
“Last night we lost a hero, a legend, a fighter. John Lewis was an extraordinary man who exemplified the persistence of those who know the fight for justice is, as he said, not the fight of one day, but the struggle of a lifetime.
“We all know he was a central figure in the fight for civil rights. But he was also an unconditional ally in the fight for the rights of immigrants. He firmly believed the United States immigration system should reflect our nation’s commitment to justice, decency and human rights.
“Our country is much better off because of his courage and his indefatigable search for justice for all the people who couldn’t speak for themselves.
“It was an incredible honor to serve in Congress with John Lewis. My thoughts and prayers are with his son John-Miles, his family and his staff. We will honor his life and legacy by continuing to speak up, speak out and get in good trouble. Necessary trouble.
“Rest in power, Mr. Lewis.”
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., via Twitter
“One of the great honors of my life was to serve alongside John Lewis. He inspired me everyday, and I will miss him dearly. Rest in power, my dear friend.”
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., via Twitter
“It was a true honor to serve in Congress with @repjohnlewis & my heartfelt prayers are with his family. An American icon, his legacy of courage & sacrifice will continue to inspire us, his moral integrity & dedication to justice will continue to be our guiding light.”
Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., via Twitter
“This is such a momentous loss for Congress and our nation. John Lewis showed us all how to affect change in the name of civil rights and a more perfect union. His legacy will endure. I was honored to serve with and learn from him. He will be missed. #GoodTrouble”
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill.
“America has lost a hero, a patriot, and most of all, a brave, kind man who devoted his life to justice. I’m proud to have been able to call John Lewis a colleague and a friend, but far more, I’m proud to live in an America he helped make possible. The progress our country made on civil rights in his lifetime is a testament to his leadership and those he partnered with and inspired in leading our country forward. John Lewis blessed America with his life’s work, and now we are entrusted with carrying that work forward.
“On a personal note, John Lewis was very kind to my family during our visits with him, and he even visited Chicago to spend time with my constituents, supporters, and me. He was the same man in private that he was in public: thoughtful, affable, and incredibly generous in spirit. John Lewis is one for the ages.”
Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Ill., via Twitter
“Tonight, we mourn the loss of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. He dedicated his incredible life to justice, fairness, and equality. America is a better place because of him. RIP
“Tonight, we mourn the loss of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. He dedicated his incredible life to justice, fairness, and equality. America is a better place because of him. RIP”
Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill. via Twitter
“When touring the Smithsonian a few years ago, my son asked who this bleeding man was in a picture taken during the Civil Rights Movement. I told him that was John Lewis and I get the privilege of serving with him. RIP John. The House will miss you greatly.”
Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Ill.
“Last night, we lost a friend, a hero and one of the best among us. Rep. John Lewis taught us what it truly means to fight for what is right, especially where there are those who would fight against you.
“Our nation and our people would not be who we are today without the courage and grace of Rep. Lewis. And as we navigate an uncertain future, it is the light of his memory that must guide us.
“Last night, we lost a hero, and today, we are a nation in mourning. But we cannot let our mourning deter us from the work to which Rep. Lewis’ life was dedicated. In his memory, we must knock down every barrier to the ballot box and restore the Voting Rights Act. It cannot be our last step, but for Rep. Lewis, it must be our next.”
“I will miss my friend. But I will remain steadfast in carrying on his legacy.”
Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., via Twitter
“Saddened to hear of the passing of my congressional colleague and civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis. Prayers to his family and all who were touched through his service to country and community.”